Week 2: Reading Diary B

This Reading Diary details things that caught my interest in R. K. Narayan's The Ramayana, pages 53-89. This time I will be doing it a little bit differently, highlighting the things I noticed in bullet point form.

• The response to Rama's exile: The people and animals were all devastated. As much as everyone loved and were broken by the news of Rama's undeserved punishment, they hated Kaikeyi with equal fervor (p. 53). When Rama left, they left with him and continued on until Rama was able to escape their presence. Rama's half-brother, Lakshmana, maintains his loyalty for his brother and is furious with Kaikeyi. He is a hero in the story because he supports Rama instead of doing what would support his own gain of power. He also reflects the expected response or the response of the reader. While Rama is strangely calm about the whole situation, Lakshmana has a very visceral response of wrecking anyone who dares oppose Rama and wanting to make Rama king. Despite Rama's protests, Lakshmana decides to leave with Rama (p. 56) His love for Rama and selflessness reminded me of the biblical story Jonathan, who knew David would become king of Israel and supported him, even though Jonathan was the rightful heir. Sita decides to stay with Rama, no matter what happens. My two favorite lines come from this section. Sita says, "My place is at your side wherever you may be." She also says, "I am alive only when I am with you" (both quotes from p.56). Vasishtha, the sage and Rama's mentor, also tried to stop Rama from leaving. The king, Dasaratha, has the most extreme response. Rama's plight and his role in the exile has ruined his already fragile death, and Rama's departure kills the king.
• Two kings denying the throne: Bharatha, Rama's half-brother and son of Kaikeyi, overcame the evil actions of his mother. Instead of seeing the empty throne as an opportunity, he denied his mother her despicable plan and pursued Rama instead. As evil as Kaikeyi's actions are, Bharatha's response was moral and respectful of his brother's rightful place. In the end, he respected Rama's decision yet only temporarily. He refused to take the throne officially but ruled in Rama's stead until Rama's return. The love of people for Rama, even people who could benefit from harming Rama, is apparent in Bharatha's response to his mother's actions. Rama is truly an inspiring figure because he fulfilled the command of his father and refused to return until his exile was over.
• Rama and Sita:The Love Story Continues... I loved that despite the harsh circumstances, Rama and Sita's devotion to one another only grew. As they were journeying, everything beautiful that caught Rama's eye reminded him of Sita (p. 66). Even Soorpanaka, seductress and evil sister of Ravana, realized how beautiful Rama and Sita are together. She denies to herself their love because "no wife would care to face the hardship of a forest existence" (p.70). Rama saw the true nature of the seductress and chose his wife. When they were attacked by Soorpanaka and an army, Rama's first concern was Sita's safety (p. 76). While fate played a part, Rama pursued the golden deer to see his wife's smile again and to please her (p. 88). Sita sacrificed so much to remain with Rama, and he wanted to honor her sacrifice.