Rama meets Soorpanakha in Panchavati...

In the last post we learned how Rama, Lakshman and Sita set up a small mud hut with a thatched bamboo roof at Panchavati, and started dwelling there. They lived happily, with Laxaman lovingly looking after every need of Rama and Sita. 

Early one morning, when the three of them were on their way to the Godavari for a bath, Laxaman started reminiscing about Bharat. He missed his brothers deeply, and was upset that Bharat had denied himself the comforts of the palace and was living a life of austerity. "How could such a cruel woman like Kaikayi bear such a noble son?" he wondered aloud, but Rama stopped him from condemning Kaikayi any further. They reached the river, bathed, offered their morning prayers, and started walking back to their ashram, reminiscing about the past.

While they were thus walking in the forest, Ravana's sister (Ravana was the king of Lanka, modern Sri Lanka) Soorpanakha, was also wandering around. As soon as her eyes fell on the handsome Rama, she fell in love with him. Soorpanakha was a demoness and was horribly ugly, she had huge nose alike a vessel called Soopa used at homes to filter out rice, thats why she was named Soorpanakha (meaning nose like Soopa). Although being a demoness with her powers she transformed herself into a beautiful young woman and approached Rama. 

She asked him who he was and what he was doing in the forest. Rama stated that he was the son of King Dashratha, and was in the forest to fulfill his duty, with his brother Laxaman and wife, Sita. Soorpanakha then introduced herself stating that she was the sister of Ravana. She added that her brothers Kumbhkaran and Vibheeshan were also renowned warriors, while her other two brothers, Khara and Dooshan reigned over the Pnachvati area and everyone was afraid of them and of her. She then looked at Sita and said, "This little girl is not worthy of you. You need a real woman, someone like me." She then went on to tell Rama that she fell in love with him the moment she saw him, and asked him if he would consider accepting her as his wife. 

This 'proposal' amused Rama, and he smilingly turned it down stating that he was a one-woman man. "I am already married. The lady besides me is my wife. Why don't you ask my brother Laxaman if he would like to be your husband. He is without any lady here and perhaps he might be interested in you" stated Rama, teasingly.

Soorpanakha then turned towards Laxaman, who she also found to be exceedingly handsome, and asked him to accept her as his wife. Laxaman stated that he was but a slave to Rama. "Why would you want a slave when you could have the master?" Laxaman added that Rama could easily have two wives, so she should go back and insist that he accept her. Soorpanakha then went back to Rama, who once again turned her down. By now, she was angered, and when she saw Sita besides Rama, she declared that it was Sita's fault Rama could not be hers. She then assumed her original demonic form and advanced towards Sita. Sita was terrified when she saw this huge rakshasi advancing towards her, and called for help. Rama instantly shielded Sita while Laxaman attacked Soorpanakha and cut off her ears and nose. Soorpanakha ran wailing with pain into the forest threatening Rama of serious consequences ahead. 

This incident at Panchavati turned the Ramayana into a all new direction. Many intersting incident occured here from which finally ended with the great war between Rama and Ravana. Read the posts ahead to know more.