August 4 - Sargas 16 and 17 of Aranya Kanda.
A quaint description of how Sri Rama goes to bathe in the Godavari river early morning with Sita and Lakshmana in winter. They remember how Bharata must also be experiencing the cold and difficult conditions as they are.
Then enters an important persona. She is going to tweak the story of Ramayana a few notches up. Announcing the rakshasi Shurpanakha!
***
The Hemanta ritu arrives. It is the season from mid October to mid December.
Hemanta is so called because it is the period of hima (snow), mist, and early morning fog. The temperature dips and a cold wind blows to make us experience chills and crave for the afternoon sun.
One early morning, just before sunrise, Sri Rama goes with Sita and Lakshmana towards the Godavari for bathing and prayer. Lakshmana describes nature in this season and how life responds to the misty, dewy, foggy, cold weather.
नीहारपरुषो लोकः पृथिवी सस्यमालिनी ।
जलान्यनुपभोग्यानि सुभगो हव्यवाहनः ॥
प्रकृत्या हिमकोशाढ्यो दूरसूर्यश्च साम्प्रतम् ।
यथार्थनामा सुव्यक्तं हिमवान् हिमवान् गिरिः ॥
रविसंक्रान्तसौभाग्यस्तुषारारुणमण्डलः ।
निःश्वासान्ध इवादर्शश्चन्द्रमा न प्रकाशते ॥
"People are encountering so much of snow, fog and dew, and the earth is decked with vegetation. Water bodies are too cold to be attractive. Instead people love the warmth of the fireplace.
"Nature dictates at this time that the sun is distant from the earth (remember he is farthest from October to January) and there is so much snow settling on the Himavan (the himalayas) that it suits his name.
"The sun is dimmed by the atmosphere filled with mist. Even the moon is clouded by mist, like an image fuzzy in a fogged mirror."
Lakshmana continues in this vein describing nature. He also says this is a time for romance, celebration, travel and even conquest. There is harvest and prosperity all around.
He also makes a surprising comparison to Sita's beauty. The days look dull like Sita when she has developed a deep tan by moving around in the sun.
People look forward to the afternoons when the sun warms up every space. The wind blows to accentuate the feeling of cold. Tuskers come all thirsty to the river to drink water but their trunks recoil at the touch of such cold water. Birds stay on the banks not interested in sporting in water, much like soldiers shying away from battle.
Suddenly Lakshmana remembers that even Bharata must be suffering from cold dips in the Sarayu. He bemoans the fate of Bharata, tender and unexposed to hardships in his growing years, now sleeping on the cold ground and living an ascetic life. He also says that it is common belief that a son always takes after his mother, but not our Bharata. Indeed, how could Kaikeyi, wife of the noble king Dasharatha, and mother of such a noble Bharata, be so wicked? कथं नो साऽम्बा कैकेयी तादृशा क्रूरशालिनी? At once, Sri Rama cuts Lakshmana down. "Never speak like that of our mother. Of course, whatever you say of Bharata is so right. Indeed I am constantly remembering him as he came full of tears to Chitrakuta and importuned me to return to Ayodhya, even when he knew that I was firm in my promise to father."
After they bathe and offer their prayers, the three return to the hermitage. The mild sun has arisen. In that light, Valmiki says, Sri Rama with Sita followed by Lakshmana resembled Lord Shiva with Parvati and followed by Nandi!
***
Some time later, it is nearing noon and Sri Rama and Sita are sitting in the courtyard (पर्णशाला). Lakshmana is standing by. There arrives a huge rakshasi (demoness). Valmiki spares no detail to describe her ugliness. But she is simply besotted to see a radiant youth of obvious valour and infinite beauty ( lotus petal-like eyes, moon-like face, broadchested, long limbed, holding weapons, all in all a god.) She is overridden by lust (Kama's arrows). She boldly approaches Rama and asks who he is, what is he doing in these parts that belong to rakshasas, dressed as an ascetic, and with his wife by his side?
I should summarise how Valmiki contrasts Shurpanakha's appearance to Sri Rama's appearance. She has a very ugly face with crooked eyes, unlike his moon-like face and lotus-petal like eyes. She has a protruding belly unlike his flat and attractive middle. She looks old and haggard, unlike the youthful Rama. She has ugly red hair unlike his long tresses of jet black. She has a very scarily harsh voice unlike Rama's very melodious voice.
Sri Rama politely replies, saying he is the eldest son called Rama of King Dasharatha, this is his younger brother Lakshmana, this is his wife Sita Vaidehi, and he is fulfilling his father's orders to be in the forest and is dedicated to performing his Dharma. He asks,"Oh beautiful lady, you seem to be a rakshasi. Tell us about yourself and what you are doing here".
That Sri Rama calls Shurpanakha beautiful is interpretable in two ways. He was being courteous as usual. Or that just before she accosted Rama, Shurpanakha by her powers had transformed herself into a very pretty maiden.
Shurpanakha replies that she is the sister of Ravana. Of course, you would have heard of the famous rakshasa, world conquerer, Ravana, son of Vishravas? She has two other brothers- one always sleeping called Kumbakarna and one who is not at all like a rakshasa - Vibheeshana. She has two other famous warrior brothers Khara and Dushana who rule this forest. She herself is a formidable raskhasi. She can assume any form at will, and travels around this forest doing whatever she pleases.
अहं प्रभावसम्पन्ना स्वच्छन्दबलगामिनी ।
चिराय भव मे भर्ता सीतया किं करिष्यसि ॥
"Look Rama, I am full of powers, I can travel anywhere with my might and speed. You better become my husband forever and discard this Sita. Of what use is she?"
"In fact, she is so ugly and totally unsuitable for you. I shall at once devour her and this brother of yours, and we can get together and frolic happily in the mountains and forests doing whatever we please!"
Sri Rama smilingly replies Shurpanakha. We shall see that tomorrow!
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
