Week 2: Reading Diary B

Rama's senses of honor and duty seem to know no bounds. He selflessly accepts his exile, and doesn't resent his stepmother at all when Rama was informed it was her idea. He even offers to let his wife, who is his soulmate, stay behind at the palace. I wonder if anything can get a rise out of Rama, or if he is even capable of doing wrong. When Rama learns of his father's death, he becomes very emotional. This is only the second time Rama has displayed such strong emotion, the first being after he first saw his wife. Even when showing emotion, Rama shows great restraint when compared to his peers. His brother Bharatha spent five days in the palace mourning his father's death, while Rama takes only a short while. Rama even acts kindly towards the demon Soorpanaka when first meeting her, even though the destruction of evil entities is the entire purpose of his incarnation.

I was surprised that Kaikeyi told Bharatha the truth about Rama's exile. Bharatha seems to be an honorable man, and Kaikeyi must have known that Bharartha would be very furious with her. He only spared her life because he knows Rama would hate him if he killed Kaikeyi. He also refuses to become King on account of Rama's honor. Rama seems to not only be a paragon himself, but inspire the quality in those around him. Bharatha only accepts the crown after seeming to understand that it is divine intention that he rule for the time being. Even in accepting rule, he renounces it as much as possible. He places Rama's sandals at the throne and declares he is only ruling in Rama's place until he returns.

I was confused by the demon Soorpanaka. She arrived a wolf in sheep's clothing, so to speak, but quickly revealed her true nature to Rama and Sita. I don't understand why she would fall in the with Rama when she is a demon, the very thing Rama is supposed to rid the world of. She shows her true colors after being mutilated by Rama's brother, and scorned by Rama.

It seems that Rama cannot be bested by demons when confronted directly. He coasts through two battles with the demons, emerging untouched. The demons must use trickery to get the better of him, and so Ravana hatches his plan after hearing of Sita's beauty from Soorpanaka.