Explorations in Religious Identity (RE 300 WR)

I think Bharata is the most memorable and compelling character in my opinion. When Kaikeyi ordered Dasaratha to honor one of her boons I figured that Bharata would be satisfied and feeling justified to become King. But Bharata’s refusal of the throne and going after Rama was shocking (37). In science fiction and any story that includes a throne it seems that every character that has any chance at it goes for it. “Game of Thrones” actually comes to mind because the show’s whole premise is the battle of the throne. Over eight seasons. If the Ramayana’s main issue was that it would have been one boring season with no blood or witches or dragons. Horrible. But Bharata’s allegiance and outright disobedience of his mother’s wishes were quite the plot twist and shows his Bharata’s character more than anything else. And once he goes after Rama his continued refusal once Rama tells him to take the throne further solidifies his character as pure and strong (184). Finally Bharata’s reaction alone to seeing Rama is admirable and reminds me of Laksmana’s unwavering allegiance to Rama as well. Bharata is immediately overcome with emotion upon seeing Rama and praised him, acknowledging him as rightful ruler (181). 

Laksmana is fascinating to me. His unconditional loyalty and devotion to Rama is incredible. The first shocking instance of extreme loyalty is when Rama is called away to fight the raksasas, Laksmana without question, joins Rama on the quest. Following Rama into the quest gains him great rewards such as mantras and a wife, Urmila, but he consistently places  Rama ahead of himself. When Rama is exiled, Laksmana follows despite having no requirement to do so. Instead he sacrifices his duties in the city, his wife, and creature comforts associated with his position. In defense of Rama and Sita, Laksmana kills Ravana’s sons, which is no small feat. Laksmana is a compelling character due to his sacrificial nature and deep devotion to his brother, Rama. 

There is a lot happening in the Rāmāyana so far, and a lot of characters of note, but I am still stuck on Sītā.  Even in just reading the introduction and watching the videos about the Rāmāyana, I found her whole arc to be fascinating, from the undying loyalty to Rāma to how she responds to Rāma at the end of the Vālmīkī narrative.   For one, I think her birth story is absolutely fascinating: how she was “not born from a human womb” but rather was found while her father was “ploughing the sacrificial fields in order to clean them up” (89).  I think this clearly sets up how Rāma and Sītā are destined to be together, given that they were both born under unusual circumstances and are likely destined for greatness given the sacrificial nature of their births.  I also find her persistence in joining Rāma in his exile compelling.  When Rāma comes to inform her what has happened with Daśaratha and Kaikeyī, he puts up a strong argument for why she should not accompany him, including dharma as one of the reasons (133).  But still she argues why she should go with him, turning his argument in his face and saying that “when a woman is given away by her father, she stays with her husband…that is her dharma” (134).  She is not willing to take no for an answer, and I understand how it is virtuous because of the loyalty in that action, but I like the spunk that she has with it.  And she has a similar spunk when she later snaps at Laksmana over not going to help Rāma, telling him “you have no love for your brother” and calling him an “ignoble creature” and “heartless wretch” (231-232).  For a lot of the story, she is simply present but not heard.  But the times when she is given clear dialogue, it does not fit into this quiet, gentler character that I would expect of the ideal woman in this narrative.   

However, Valmiki acknowledges that this was a poor emotional decision.  "As soon as he had spoken, Valmiki thought to himself, 'What are these words that i uttered in my grief for the bird?'" (41).  I read that as Valmiki immediately recognizing a foolish emotional reaction.  He is a wise man who does not ignore his conscious even when he makes rash decisions.  

While his name is not mentioned much in the readings, Valmiki is also seemingly portrayed as a prideful man with his opening statements on page 35, but we soon realize he was genuine in his curiosity to find "the perfect man."  When he is told the story of Rama, a man greater than he, he doesn't get jealous or envious.  He is pleased with the story and praises Narada for the story of Rama in all his glory (40).

From the wide array of characters from The Ramayana, I consider Sita to be the most captivating. She is deemed “virtuous” by Anusuya, a wife of a sage who is “so virtuous that she is honoured by all people” (195-96). If a fellow woman of this status applauds Sita’s behaviors, then she must truly be worthy. I find it interesting, though, how she “loved Rama twice as much as he loved her” (102). Sita follows Rama, a man that loves her less than she loves him, into the wilderness, and never complains. In fact, she barely speaks at all. The story hardly presents dialogue from Sita (except for 203-05, 231-33, and some of 235-238), yet she is such a righteous character. Rama is righteous and he receives all of the epic’s attention, but Sita doesn’t. She is just, simply, there. When she is mentioned, it’s oftentimes in association with Rama. Is she not her own individual person? Is she not a key role? Plus, it seems odd to me that the story claims Sita as the one interested in the false, golden/silver deer. Sita became infatuated by it, causing Rama to search for it. As the story says, “She had been completely deceived’ (229). Well, Rama was, too. While his searching occurs, Sita is abducted by Ravana (237). She appears virtuous, yet foolish. Did the story intentionally create this impression of her? A passage says, “I have spoken from the foolishness of being a woman” (205). This sounds belittling. I believe she doesn’t receive the respect and recognition she deserves in the narrative nor does she fully respect herself as a woman. The only character thus far to respect her actions besides Anusuya is Agastya (207). Sita does everything for Rama, making her look like a little puppet just living in Rama’s world. Is she not more?