Week 2: Reading Diary B || Rama's Exile

Throughout the second part of the reading, the reader becomes witness to Rama’s physical and emotional strength. It seems as though Rama is the only character able to notice and thrive from any positive moment. Upon being notified of his imminent exile by his step-mother, Kaikeyi, he translates the loss of the throne into a type of learning opportunity to progress his spiritual existence. As Rama begins his journey, we are able to comprehend the depth of Rama’s spirit when Dasaratha, Lakshmana, and Bharatha define their detest for Kaikeyi, twice calling her a serpent and renouncing her as a member of the family.Rama only acts in ways that ultimately improve the goodness of the world surrounding him.  

I made note of when Rama was notified of his father’s death and it was the first time the reader witnesses a moment of weakness in Rama’s character. The reader perceives Rama’s strength, honor, and spirit as unfaltering, even when faced with the news of his father’s death. Although fleeting in comparison with Lakshmana, who mourned for five days, Rama lamented and “after a while” began the resting ceremonies for his father. In comparison with his brother, Lakshmana, who is short-tempered and illogical at moments, Rama calming calculates his every move and the emotions and movements of those around him.

On page 68, we read of the effect Ramas existence has on Soorpanka. Appearing almost as love-sick as Sita and Rama once were for each other, Soorpanka is in torment to be with Rama again. We saw this type of emotional breakdown before in Ayodhya when news of Rama’s exile spread. These emotions for Rama made me wonder if everyone loves Rama or if it is the underlying desire to be attached and affiliated with a god (Vishnu) that drives the frenzied loss of Ramas presence.

Later, on page 76, the same uneasy, lovelorn emotions are poured out of Ravana when he hears only of a description of Sita. Sita is the incarnate of Lakshimi, Vishnu’s wife, so maybe the same elements are at play here as well.

When Lakshmana cut off Soorpanka’s nose, ears, and breasts after she attempted to capture Sita, I wondered if those three body parts were symbolic and if so, what was the underlying message. Other than the pain she suffered, the loss of her body parts went almost unnoticed. She used her mutilation as a motive for her brothers to enact revenge, but she was not bothered by it. I still wish to learn of the symbolic meaning behind the choice of taking those three parts from a person.