In many popular tellings and in Ahdyatma Ramayana, Surppanakha approaches Rama as a beautiful woman. However, in Valmiki Ramayana, she approaches Rama as a rakshasi in a ghastly form. She in fact tells Rama that she is a Rakshasi and can take any form she likes. She also describes her entire family to Rama. Further, Rama advises Lakshmana that he should never ridicule Rakshasas like her.

The description that she came as a beautiful woman only serves to underline the ability of Rakshsas to change their form at will; and to resort to deceit to win over strong and Dharmic people.

Picture: Lakshmana disfigures Surppanakha by Raja Ravi Varma

When Surppanakha wished to marry Rama, the brothers teased her back and forth. Enraged, she lunged towards Sita. An enraged Lakshmana pulled his sword and cut the tips of her nose, ears, and breasts. She cried out loudly and went straight to her brother Khara. He first sent 14 of his warriors who all perished at the hand of Rama. He then sent 14,000 warriors led by his brothers Dooshana and Thrisiras who also died at the hand of Rama who used the divine bow of Vishnu and Indra’s arrow which had been gifted by Indra.

All fourteen thousand warriors were liberated and became celestial beings, as they had the great fortune to be killed by the Rama himself. They narrated the story of their previous birth. Although they were Rakshasas, they did Tapas and got the vision of Maheswara, He offered them liberation from Samsara but said that they have to wait until Rama appears and gives them liberation. They asked Rama to explain the concept of Brahman, the ultimate reality.

Rama explained that Paramatma is the witness to all names and forms of this world. He watches us through all the three states waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. Paramatma is the Brahman. It is the only entity that has existence, consciousness, and bliss, all combined as one (Sacchidananda). We go through childhood, adulthood, and old age, under the watch of Paramatma, but it is not affected by any of these changes. When we meditate upon Paramatma, we get absorbed in It and get to see the oneness in all.

Picture Credit: J Martin and Manoj Publications

Lakshmana went and informed the sages that Khara and fourteen thousand Rakshasas were killed by Rama. They breathed a sigh of relief hearing the news. To protect their saviours, the sages gifted them a specially prepared ring, a Choodaratna - an ornament for the forehead studded with diamond, and a body armour. Rama took the ring and wore it immediately. Sita was given the Choodaratna, and Lakshmana got the body armour.

Picture Credit: Chitra Ramayana, Palm Leaf Illustrations from Kerala

Surppanakha told Ravana about the beauty of Sita and the bravery of Rama who had killed 14,000 warriors by himself. He suspected that Rama is not human and he could be Bhagwan Narayana who has taken birth to kill him. He was keen to get killed by Bhagwan since it would give him Vaikunda. If Ravana were to win, he could anyway continue ruling as a Rakshasa. So, he decided not to shy away from fighting Rama.

Picture Credit: J Martin and Manoj Publications

Maricha was Ravana’s uncle. Even though he was a Rakshasa, Maricha was pious one and a devotee of Rama.

Maricha was upset hearing Ravana’s wicked plan. He said it is an ill-advised plan by people who don’t have the best interest of Ravana. Maricha said that he lives in fear of Rama. He also said that Rama is not human and is Narayana himself. He has descended on earth to re-establish dharma. His life mission is to kill Ravana.

Maricha also advised Ravana that if Ravana becomes Rama’s devotee, Rama will protect Ravana and he can continue as the Rakshasa king. Maricha advised Ravana to serve Rama and live happily.

Ravana was enraged and threatened to kill Maricha if he does not obey his order. Maricha decided that it is better to die at the hand of Rama than get killed by Ravana.

Picture Credit: J Martin and Manoj Publications

Rama realised that Ravana cannot sit quiet and will seek revenge. He told Sita Devi about the impending arrival of Ravana. He warned her that he would show up in the guise of a bhikshu, a sage looking for alms. He asked Sita to merge into Yoga fire. Her replica must remain in the Ashram. Sita should stay in the Yoga fire for a year until he kills Ravana to protect Dharma. Sita did so and merged into the fire.

The replica of Sita (Maya Sita) requested Rama to catch the deer and Rama set off, asking Lakshmana to look after the Ashram and protect Sita.

We all know the familiar sequence of events after that. Maricha cries out Sita’s and Lakshmana’s name in the voice of Rama deceptively. Sita urges Lakshmana to rush to the help of Rama. She accuses a hesitant Lakshmana of coveting her and wishing for Rama’s death. Lakshmana leaves reluctantly. Ravana comes in the guise of a Rishi, reveals his true self and abducts Sita. Jatayu puts up a valiant but losing fight.

Picture Credit: J Martin and Manoj Publications

Lakshamana does not draw a line in front of the hut to protect Sita. This incident is not in any other Sanskrit version of Ramayana too. The latter narratives remind us of the immense sense of duty that Lakshamana had to protect Rama; and the moral valour of Lakshamana that his mere line could stop anyone from entering the hut. In fact, in Valmiki Ramayana, Lakshmana says that he will go and look for Rama and that the deities of the forest may protect Sita.

Picture: Sita is enthralled by the Golden deer, by Raja Ravi Varma

In popular narrative, Ravana carries Sita in a Pushpaka-Vimana or a flying chariot. In Valmiki Ramayana, he carries her in a magical chariot pulled by donkeys. However, Jatayu fights Ravana, smashes his chariot, slays the donkeys and kills the charioteer. Ravana then carries Sita physically and flies away to Lanka.

The popular narrative that Ravana carried Sita scooped the earth around Sita and carried her is also not in the original Valmiki Ramayana. He holds her by the hair and thigh and carries her in his lap. The narrative only reminds us of the link that Sita has with her mother earth. No one would be able to separate Sita from mother earth and therefore she had to be carried along with earth.

Picture: Ravana slays Jatayu by Raja Ravi Varma