Values taught in Ramayana - 2 She told an interesting story to illustrate this point: Once, a tiger chased a man in a forest. He climbed a tree to save himself, but discovered a bear staying atop the tree. The tiger urged the bear to push down the man, who was after all a common…

Values taught in Ramayana - 1 There are too many to be covered in this article. A few that stand out are: Relationships v/s Money : The prominent characters in Ramayana teach us to make personal sacrifices for the welfare of others. Lakshmana accompanied Lord Rama to the forest for fourteen years although he was…

Kaikeyi smirked. This was her chance. She reminded him of his two boons that she had delayed to this day. Then she asked all the gods and directions to bear witness to the emperor’s vow. Finally, she spoke that which one wouldn’t even tell an enemy- she asked for Rama’s banishment and Bharat’s ascension to…

It’s interesting to note that Dasaratha was a powerful warrior and yet, the love of his wife blinded him to act unwisely. The very name Dasaratha indicates one who can expertly and simultaneously face enemies attacking from ‘dasa’ or ten directions. He could expertly move his chariot in all ten directions. The modern science may…

“Put on soiled clothes, keep your hair dishevelled, and lie forlorn on the floor in the anger room” said Manthara. Her sly smile gave away her malicious intention. “The emperor loves you madly and he wouldn’t tolerate seeing your distressed condition. He would offer anything to placate your wounded heart. Don’t be tempted by the…

Soon Kaikeyi’s mind changed. She was convinced of injustice and a conspiracy against her son Bharat, while unwittingly it’s she who was dragged into the machinations of crafty Manthara. If you have a stinking fish bone stuck on your nostril, you’d declare the whole world as foul-smelling. When I see that a problem is ‘out…

She explained to Kaikeyi that Lakshman was faithful to Rama, while Shatrughna to Bharata. So the rivalry is essentially between Rama and Bharata. And if Rama became the king, Bharat would be destroyed. Kaikeyi dismissed this theory by saying that Rama was trained properly by his elders, and he cultivated gratitude. He would surely take…

Kaikeyi felt happy on hearing the news about Rama and she handed Manthara a priceless jewelled necklace as a gift. “Last night the king told me that he is going to appoint my son as the prince regent” said the exuberant Kaikeyi, “So why are you agitated? These are happy moments!” Manthara became furious and…

Manthara, an elderly, hunch backed maid servant of Kaikeyi, saw from the balcony of the palace, a flurry of activity. The cheerful faces of citizens of Ayodhya disturbed her. She saw the streets cleaned with water and strewn with fresh flowers.  Brahmins chanted vedic mantras and people merrily distributed sweets. Even the animals like elephants…

This year, as part of Ramayana celebrations, I begin reading from the sixth chapter of Ayodhya Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana. As I study this poetic masterpiece, I can’t help but marvel at the descriptions, devotion, and details that fill every kanda (book), sarga (chapter) and verse of this 24,000 verses classic that has captured the…