Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana Part B

Bharata Returns

When Bharata returned to the kingdom, he was told by his mother Keikeyi that his father was dead and that his brother was exiled.
He wept because he was sad his father died and because he missed his brother Rama.  He knew that Rama was first in line for the throne.
Bharata said he would bring back Rama so that he could sit on the throne.
This I think is super cool because I often hear stories about younger brothers of the heir to the throne get jealous.
Bharata was not jealous and he did not take over the kingdom for himself.
Instead, he loved his brother and wanted to give him what was rightfully his.

Rama and Bharata

Bharata finds Rama in the jungle and they both mourn after their dead father
Bharata tells Rama he is in line to rule.
Rama still wants to fulfill the vow he made to his father of living in the jungle.
Bharata says that Rama should not keep a promise he made to a dead man.
Then Bharata goes on to say things that would be controversial at this time in India.
He says parents are only a part of your life for a little while.
When you grow up and leave your parents, you do not have to honor them any longer.
He also says that there is life after life.
You only get one life to live so you should make the most of it.
He basically throws the belief of reincarnation out the window and claims that selfish priests made it up.
Rama disagrees and says that the motives are good and that people are defined by their good deeds
It would be evil for him to leave the jungle and go against the commands of his father
He argues saying that if Bharata was right, there could be no good nor evil.
Everyone would just do as they see fit
The wise men condemn evil for a reason
Bharata offers to live 14 years in the jungle so that Rama can take over as King
Rama refuses

The Golden Deer

Ravana comes up with a plan (golden deer) to capture Sita
Maricha took upon the shape of a golden deer to lure Sita in.
The goal was to abduct Sita.
Sita spots the golden deer as she is picking wild flowers.
She tells Rama that she wants to lay on the deer's golden skin.  This kind of reminds me of the crocodile whose wife wanted the monkey's heart.
Similarly to the crocodile, Rama agrees to get the deer.
Lakshmana warns Sita saying that Rakshasa (people eater demon) will change their shape into deer to draw people in

Bibliography

Bharata Returns, Rama and Bharata, and The Golden Deer from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie

The Golden Deer Verse from Ramayana, the Epic of Rama, Prince of India by Romesh Dutt

Image Source: Sita Spotting the Golden Deer: Wikimedia Commons