Baal Kaand | Ayodhyaa Kaand | Aranya Kaand | Kishkindhaa Kaand | Sundar Kaand | Yuddh Kaand | Uttar Kaand
 

Home | V-Raamaayan | Aranya Kaand

Previous | Next

After taking bath in Godaavaree, they came back to their Aashram. They did Havan etc. Thus they were living there happily in every delight. Raam used to tell Puraan, history and stories to Lakshman and Seetaa. One day when Raam was sitting with Seetaa in His hut, like a Moon with Chitraa star, telling some story, that a Raakshasee came to their Aashram incidentally. 

She was nobody else but the sister of ten-headed Raavan. She saw God-like Raam whose face was glistening, whose eyes were covered with lotus-petal like eyelids, who looked like Kaam Dev (love god), and got love-stricken. But both were opposite to each other in look. Raam's hair was very beautiful, her hair was red; Raam was handsome but she was ugly; Raam's voice was sweet while hers was terrible; Raam was young while she was old; Raam was good natured while she was ill-natured.

She saw Him with a woman carrying weapons in Tapaswee guise so she said to Raam - "How come that you come to forest which is haunted by Raakshas. Tell me the truth about your purpose to come here." Raam said to her - "O Beautiful, There was a Raajaa Dasharath mighty like Devtaa. I am his eldest son, people know me by the name of Raam. This is my younger brother Lakshman who is very obedient to me; and this is my wife Seetaa. I have come here by the order of my parents for the sake of Dharm and virtue. Now I want to know about you. Which country you are from? What is your name? Whose wife or daughter are you? You look like a Raakshasee. Why have you come here at this Aashram. Tell me the truth." (see Note on Shoorpanakhaa)

Raakshasee said to Raam with a great love - "Now listen to me, I tell you the truth. I am a Raakshasee and my name is Shoorpanakhaa. I can change my form at my wish. I wander here alone in this forest by my own power. Raavan, the mighty son of Vishravaa, is my brother if you have heard about him. And Kumbhkarn who sleeps a lot, he is also my brother. I have one more brother, Vibheeshan. he is a pious man. His nature is not like Raakshas' nature. I have two brothers more, Khar and Dooshan. They are also very mighty. Hey Raam, I wander here and there with my own power because I am gracious. You become my husband for ever. What you will do of Seetaa? Seetaa is not as beautiful worthy for you. I wish to eat these humans, then you also wander with me on these mountains without any hitch." Thus she talked to Raam.

Sarg 18-Lakshman Devours Shoorpanakhaa

Hearing this, Raam said to Shoorpanakhaa with a smile - "O Beautiful, I am already married and my wife is with me. For women like you being a co-wife will be distressing. I have my younger brother here. He is very good natured, handsome and is still unmarried. He has not even seen any woman's face, therefore he needs a beautiful woman. You may marry him, and you will live with him even without a co-wife."

Hearing this, that Raakshasee came to Lakshman and said - "Hey Lakshman, A beautiful woman only like me can be worthy of being your wife. You can enjoy with me in this forest." Grasping her purpose, Lakshman said - "I am only His servant. How can you long to be a wife of a servant? Raam has all the qualities, so be His wife. You will be His younger queen. Raam's wife is not a beautiful woman, therefore Raam will leave that old woman and marry you.

Raakshasee, believing Lakshman, went to Raam again in His hut and said - "Hey Raam, You don't love me because of this ugly woman, therefore I will eat Her in front of you, then you can live comfortably with me in this forest." After saying thus, that ugly Raakshasee ran towards Seetaa to eat Her as a great meteor runs towards Rohinee (star in the sky).

Raam stopped her angrily and said to Lakshman - "It is not good to extend friendship with wicked people, so you deface her." Lakshman took out his sword and chopped off her nose and ears. Raakshasee ran away to that side of the forest where she came from. She went to her brother Khar and fell on the ground. Khar used to live there with his Raakshas army. She reported everything about Raam's coming to forest along with His wife and brother from the beginning to end.

Chitraa Star is said to be the whitest star in blue sky. Chitraa and pearl are the same in color. Here this simile is for Seetaa as She was beautifying against blue colored Raam.

Home | V-Raamaayan | Aranya Kaand

Previous | Next