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Kaikeyi
(Jan 08th2002)
The name still carries - after thousands of years - a disrepute
and induces a distaste that refuses to change with the passage
of time…
Honey
does not flow from Neem tree…
(Jan 09th2002)
Kaikeyi to have acquired this adamantine behaviour from her
mother. Sumantra who is vexed over her rigid attitude reproaches
her harshly...
A
trait acquired from mother
(Jan 10th2002)
‘Let your son Bharata rule the country. Please do not insist
that Rama should be sent on exile,’ pleaded Sumantra, ‘else
the King might die…’
Kaikeyi
and Manthara (Jan
11th2002)
The epics - both Valmiki Ramayana and Kamba Ramayana - do not
speak much about Manthara. However, the Padma Purana has the
following to say…
Rama
and Manthara
(Jan 12th2002)
When the whole world loves Rama, it is really strange that this
woman must be nurturing hatred for him, for no reason at all…
Insolent
are really insecure
(Jan 13th2002)
People who wear a mask of ‘superiority’ and are haughty are
really not comfortable with themselves. They have an innate
sense of insecurity…
Insolent
are really insecure II
(Jan 14th2002)
‘You have not quite thought of another danger, my dear madam.
Think of your poor father. He has too many enemies. Janaka is
one among them.’
Boon
or bane? (Jan
15th2002)
Manthara tells her that Bharata and Rama are ‘born enemies’
of each other! Even if Bharata is brought to power, Rama might
protest!
The
boon superseded
(Jan 16th2002)
Dasaratha told Rama, ‘I know Bharata is very pious. Even then,
let your installation take place in his absence, for fickle is
the way of human mind.’
Was
it valid? (Jan
17th2002)
This assertion of Rama confirms the assurance given by Dasaratha
to the king of Kekaya. It was about this boon that Dasaratha
seemed to worry.
In
the name of Rama
(Jan 18th2002)
Dasaratha does not stop with that. ‘In the name of your son,
Rama,’ he says. Poor thing. He was not ready for what was to
come…
Spare
my son (Jan 19th2002)
Just moments before Dasaratha promised in the name of Rama, the
son of Kaikeyi. Observe how his words change now. Allow my son (Rama)
to remain here.
The
game plan (Jan
20th2002)
As Valmiki says, Kaikeyi was well-versed in the statecraft. She
knew that the proposed move would result in a commotion and may
even lead to an uprising.
Father’s
or mother’s words?
(Jan 21st2002)
It was not the order of Dasaratha that Rama was carrying out,
according to Kamban. It was that of Kaikeyi.
Father’s
or mother’s words? II
(Jan 22nd2002)
More than anything else, it is amazing that Kamban makes to
spell out ‘mathru vaakya paripalanm’ from the mouth of Rama
himself…
Rama
does not speak twice!
(Jan 23rd2002)
Kaikeyi maintains a grim face. She does not show any sign of
affection. Then Rama is worried about other things…
Years
twice seven
(Jan 24th2002)
Your father wants to you to go to the jungle, perform penance
like sages, growing matted hair, bathing in holy rivers and be
back in years twice-seven…
Leave
alone the king, will I disobey you? (Jan
25th2002)
But not so for Rama. He does not question the veracity of his
mother’s words, though this affects his life and his prospects
so totally and materially.
The
unusual reaction
(Jan 26th2002)
Why should Kamban’s Rama be silent about the pathetic
condition in which the king is lying? Why should Kamban not
speak even a word on that?
The
elusive question
(Jan 27th2002)
If Kaikeyi was so keen about his son becoming the successor, why
did she not send word for Bharata, asking him to come back to
Ayodhya…
Strange
kind of feelings
(Jan 28th2002)
The reaction of Bharata was not something Kaikeyi anticipated.
Strange that this mother failed to gauge the heart of her own
son…
The
reformation
(Jan 29th2002)
Now the question is, was Kaikeyi after this staggering blow and
protest from her son, the same or did she change? There is
evidence in the Poem that she did repent…
The
unbounded love of Rama
(Jan 30th2002)
Having lived with him, and having enjoyed his affection and
esteem for a time it was impossible even for Kaikeyi to go on in
her career of unrighteousness.
The
unbounded love of Rama II
(Jan 31st2002)
‘I charge you and swear to you, by me and by my wife Sita,
treat Kaikeyi with respect and with consideration.’
Two
boons for Rama
(Feb 01st2002)
The Poet beautifully builds up the drama and buoys up our souls
in elation when Rama asks for two boons from Dasaratha now.
Two
boons for Rama II
(Feb 02nd2002)
Rama, not even for a single moment nursed ill feelings for
Kaikeyi. She was his mother - more than Kausalya - before,
during and after the exile.
Kaikeyi
nandhavardhan
(Feb 03rd2002)
Kaikeyi was genuinely happy in going to bring Rama back;
melancholic in not being able to do so and was really happy when
the kingdom was rendered back…
The
fall and rise
(Feb 04th2002)
Thus, once again Ramayana shows a very ordinary character rising
to greater heights…
She
did a thankless job
(Feb 05th2002)
Looking at it from another angle, somebody had to play this
unpleasant role; someone had to don the garb of wickedness to
bring the purpose of the avatar to fruition
Did
Bharata respect Kaikeyi at all?
(Feb 06th2002)
“Even before Bharata gets to know whatever Kaikeyi had done,
he seems to have a bad impression of Kaikeyi
Was
it an attempt to win his love?
(Feb 07th2002)
Even if Kaikeyi had occasion to come to know of the resentment
that Bharata had for her, would she have thought of getting the
kingdom for him?
Was
he disrespectful?
(Feb 08th2002)
Though Bharata, in an agitated state of mind, spoke ill of
Kaikeyi, there is no evidence in the Poem to prove that he was
negligent, disrespectful
Was
it an attempt to win his love?
(Feb 09th2002)
Though Bharata, in an agitated state of mind, spoke ill of
Kaikeyi, there is no evidence in the Poem to prove that he was
negligent, disrespectful
She
was genuine
(Feb 10th2002)
She was instantly delighted notwithstanding the craftiest of
well-chosen words of the ‘vaakya visharadha’…
She
was genuine II
(Feb 11th2002)
“I perceive no difference between Rama on the one hand, and
Bharata, on the other. I am therefore pleased…”
In the following pages we present a study of various major and minor characters of the Ramayana as told by Valmiki and Kamban. This study attempts to go into the character sketch, analyse the different ways in which the two poets have constructed their drama with liberal direct quotations and interpretations. These pages are sure to delight the heart of the devotee as well as the litterateur. Click on a link below to access all the articles under each character. Happy reading!
Ramayana – a character study
By
Hari Krishnan
Epics Generalia
The epics and their
relevance - (Feb. 23rd 2001)
You must read the story as a human story, lived among human beings, by a human being, and, then, Oh, what rich treasures there are of wisdom in it!
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