Ramayana
Major Sections
Books By Rajaji

KAMBAN'S SOORPANAKHA

RAAMA and Lakshmana drove out Soorpanakha, as one takes a stick and drives out a donkey straying into a garden. Such is the brief and simple treatment of this incident by Vaalmeeki.

Kamban, the Tamil poet, however, deals with it more elaborately and has made a number of changes in the story.

Sitting on the riverbank, Raama watched a swan walking and then looked at Seeta, also walking. Noting the similarity in the gait, Raama was pleased and smiled. Seeta, for her part, observed an elephant returning from the river and, reminded of Raama's gait, smiled.

Thus in Panchavati, beside the river Godaavari, love flowed smoothly between the banks of dharma. Just then Fate conspired with Lust to drag Soorpanakha to the presence of Raama.

Back ] Up ] Next ]

About Kamban's Soorpanakha
You are Here! Page1
Page2
Page3
Page4
Page5
Page6
Page7
Page8