Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Ramayana: A Divine Drama – Vol. V
So, he addressed his sister thus: “Sister, tell me, do those two
brothers live at Panchavati all alone Or, are there others with
them Have they no followers, companions or courtiers”
Surpanakha 6 replied “No. They have no band of bodyguards or
kinsmen or warriors. The elder of the two, named Rama, has a
woman with him, who is endowed with superlative beauty. She
is even more charming than they. She is the very Goddess of
Love, in human form. The two brothers are resident at
Panchavati, with this woman. They roam about freely and
without fear in the forest glades and valleys. In fact, I have never
so far set eyes on such perfect feminine beauty. The like of her
does not exist on heaven or earth.”
Listening to the words of Surpanakha, the lusty passion of
Ravana was aroused, and he became the bond slave of ruinous
foolishness 7 . He wriggled out of the feeling of hatred towards
Rama and Lakshmana and started planning stratagems to bring
Sita away from their presence. He sank in thought and was
plunged into anxiety and restlessness, without any effort to
quench hunger or thirst. Such was the fatal fascination that
haunted him. While Surpanakha was describing the beauty and
splendour of the brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, there was one
person in the Audience Hall, Vibhishana 8 , who gave ear to the
story with joy in his heart and tears in his eyes. He installed those
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See Chapter, Surpanakha - Surpanakha's description of Rama
Evil people easily succumb to evil words. The words of Surpanakha
created a storm in the mind of Ravana. He worked hard at hatching a
plot to abduct Sita and make her his wife. (SSB 1996 p.69)
See Chapter Vibhishana - VIBHISHANA LISTENS TO RAMA
BEING DESCRIBED BY SURPANAKHA WITH JOY
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