Ramayana_VOLUME V with index

Surpanakha
returned to Lanka. While Ravana was in that hesitant mood,
Surpanakha went again to Ravana and told him that while he is
brave and beautiful, while he had everything in his favour, that
he is not able to get Sita for himself is something which is
difficult to understand. Thus, she poisoned Ravana’s mind 115 .
(SSB 1977 p.14-15)
THE TWO ARCH-ENEMIES OF MAN – INNER
PERCEPTIONS
The sufferings depicted in the Ramayana are due to two characters that make
only short appearances, but represent the evil force of lust and anger---
Surpanakha and Manthara. They poison the minds of Ravana and Kaikeyi
respectively and set the stage for the tale of grief. (SSS Vol.5 p.344)
Kama and Krodha (lust and anger) are the two arch-enemies of man which
undermine his divine nature and drag him down into the mire. The Ramayana
story is woven round the anger of Manthara and the lust of Surpanakha. The
Ramayana of each individual too is woven round these two elemental
passions. When the first intimations of these evil influences threaten to invade
your mind, stop and inquire coolly into the nature of the urge, the manner of
the promptings, the type of the consequences for you and others. Reason out
these things, in silence and solitude. (SSS Vol. 5 p201)
Rama’s impending coronation, her anger increased by leaps and bounds, and
she desperately sought an outlet. The Krodha (anger) of Manthara and Kama
(desire) of Surpanakha are the cause for the entire Ramayana. The anger of
Manthara sent Rama to the forest and the desire of Surpanakha sent Sita to
Lanka. (SSB 1996 p.36-37)
115
“Even more beautiful than Rama is Sita." She told Ravana that after
seeing the beauty of Sita she got the feeling that Ravana alone was
worthy of Sita and that she did not deserve to stay in the forest. As she
spoke in this strain, Ravana's passion was stirred. (SSS Vol.23 p.44)
281