Prof. Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri's Thai Ramayana 16. As Rama and Lakshmana wander in the forests

In Thai Ramayana Jatayu is shown as brave but not so bright! But in VR, he is very knowledgeable.... while speaking about his ancestry and himself, narrated the overall genesis of all beings.

 "Once upon a time there were lords of people, .. Of them Kardama was there at first...and lastly the great resplendent Kashyapa, was there as Prajapati...there were sixty highly renowned daughters to Daksha. Of them Kashyapa accepted eight slender-waisted daughters, namely Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kaalakaa and Taamra, Krodhavasha, also thus Manu and even Anala also as wives. Then Kashyapa said to those young wives, 'You all shall deliver sons similar to me and who can sustain the three worlds.' "

'Aditi, Diti, Kaalakaa and Danu agreed, but others became unheedful of Kashyapa's words. Aditi gave birth to twelve Aditya-s, the Sun-gods, eight Vasu-s, the Terrestrials-gods, eleven Rudraa-s, the Fury-gods, and two Ashvinis, the medicine-gods, total thirty-three of them. Diti gave birth to well-known Daitya-s, the so-called demons, and earlier this earth with forests and oceans belonged to them.' .......

'But Taamraa gave birth to five world renowned girls ...And from each of the five daughters are the other avian species,  Uluuka-s, the owls,  Bhaasaa-s, the vultures, and very sharp eagles and falcons, and swans and all other kinds of graceful water-birds. ..'

 'Krodhavasha gave birth to ten daughters ....from them are all of the the deer, .. elephant the great, Airaavata, the protector of world. And lions and sagely/mighty monkeys, baboons and tigers. Then Shweta gave birth to eight elephants that are at eight quarters of world, sustaining the world on their head.....'

'Rohini gave birth to cows and other livestock, while Surasa gave birth to Naagaa-s, viz., many headed serpents, while Kadru gave birth to ordinary serpents. Also, the wife of great-soul Kashyapa, lady Manu procreated humans, Brahman-s, Kshatriya-s, Vyasya-s, and Shudra-s.'

(Interesting to see Genesis making an appearance in our epics. Also the concept of Evolution in Dashavatara! Very debatable subjects!)

In Thai Ramayana the brothers are soon to meet Hanuman.  However, VR deals with many more episodes dealing with the destruction of demons and the sages that Rama helps. Intriguingly a few are destined to be killed by Rama. Invariably they help and advise Rama about their next move. Virada, a lurid voiced man-eater who is akin to a mountain-peak, among horrendous animals, who is about to be killed by Rama said this:

'By curse I had to enter this ghoulish demon's body, but I am a celestial gandharva, named Tumburu and Kubera cursed me.. When entreated by me, he that greatly renowned Kubera said to me, 'When Dasharatha's Rama kills you in a fight... then you will attain your nature of celestial body and you will go to heavens...King Kubera thus cursed angrily me for not presenting myself in his service when I was interested in a celestial dancer Rambha, and indeed he alone said this curse-clearance to me... And by your grace I am released from this utterly hideous cruse, and now I wish to go to my own heavenly abode, oh, firestorm of enemies, let safety betide you all...Oh, Sire, att one and half yojana-s of distance from here Sage Sharabhanga, a great saint of virtue, and an efficacious sage with sun-like resplendence dwells, you shall quickly approach him for he advises you opportunely... '

Then there is the anecdote of Karabanda and Ayomukhi, both very similar to the earlier stories.

 In the meantime, a demoness named Ayomukhi wanted to romance with Lakshmana, but Lakshmana cuts her ear and nose and chases away.

The episode of Kabandha has a turning point in the epic.
When Rama incinerates Kabandha he resurrects as a celestial being and detailing about Sugreeva he urges Rama to befriend him. He informs Rama that Sugreeva is also in a similar condition and he needs some one to rely upon, in order to overcome his problems, and thus Kabandha asks Rama to help Sugreeva, and get help as requital from Sugreeva.

Srihari said...

Very intriguing sub stories. Thank you for explanations.
I always enjoy reading your narations, although I do not always offer comments.
Hari

10 December 2012 at 12:12 

srinidhi said...

Thanks Hari for your comments. Welcome it as always!