Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Section B

Kaikeyi is one of the main antagonists to Rama for this section of the book.  She initially starts out praising Rama and expressing the love she feels for him as a stepmom, but ends up forcing Rama into exile for fourteen years.  Bharatha, the son of Kaikeyi, displays loyalty to Rama after he realizes that his mother engineered both Rama's exile and his succession of Dasaratha.  Dharatha attempts to reinstate Rama as king by chasing after him and attempting to make him King.  These actions show how beloved Rama is in the community.  The majority of the population even came to watch Rama and Bharatha argue over who would be king. The gods eventually step in because Rama's exile is integral to his mission.  He needs to defeat Ravana, so he journeys deep into the forest with Sita and Lakshmana. 

While living in the forest Rama is confronted by Soorpanka, the sister of Ravana.  The first meeting underscores Rama's attractiveness, as Soorpanka immediately becomes infatuated with him in the same way that Sita had before. She even comments about how much he looks like Vishnu. His Attractiveness is a main character trait. Soorpanka's inability to seduce Rama causes her great stress, so she returns to her brother Ravana and attempts to enlist his help to gain control of Rama.  Ravana is shown to be a lustful character because Soorpanka tells him of Sita and he immediately becomes infatuated.  Ravana is also a cruel person and enlists Mareecha to help him separate Rama and Sita.

Lakshmana shows that he is a strong and courageous person when he protects Sita from Soorpanka.  He also is a voice of reason.  His skepticism of the golden deer is spot on and when he believes that Rama is totally fine.  Overall Lakshmana is a loyal person who is very astute.

Lakshmana. Source

Bibliography
R.K. Narayan. Ramayana. Kindle