|
Page1
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.
Author - C.Raja Gopalachari
|
