||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 8 - Aranya Kandam

Shoorpanakha’s meeting with Rama and Lakshman

Rama, Devi Sita and Lakshmana settled in the beautiful woods of Dhandakavanam of Panchavati.   Ravana has a sister Shoorpanakha who is wicked natured and cruel like a serpent. Once, she arrived in Panchavati and saw the two handsome youths Rama and Lakshman.   Sage Kakabushundi speaks “Oh! Garuda, a wicked and immoral natured woman fall for all the beautiful men, whether it is her brother, father, or son, like the stone of Suryakanthi melts in the sunrays. These kinds of women get easily feel for men and could not control their emotions. Shoorpanakha assumed the form of a beautiful woman and approached Prabhu and spoke in a melodious voice “There is no attractive women like me or men like you in the world. Lord Bhrama has created both of us with an intention I have searched for an appropriate man in three worlds, unfortunately, I did not find any, that’s why I have remained unmarried in my life. I am glad I have met you today, I am extremely happy.” Prabhu looked at Devi Sita and told her “My brother is unmarried you can approach him.” Immediately Shoorpanakha hurried to Lakshmana who understood the woman is none other than the sister of their enemy. Lakshmana spoke “ Sundari, listen to me, I am a sincere servant and dependent on my Master. Therefore you cannot live happily with me, my master is the King of Kosala, whatever he does for good only.  The servants who yearn for comfort, a beggar who yearns for respect, wicked yearn for wealth, prostitutes yearn for admiration, the proud person who desires for Purusharththa is like milking the sky instead of a cow.” Shoorpanakha looked at Rama desperately, but he hinted to stay with Lakshman, who was annoyed and spoke “People who have no self-respect would marry you, I cannot.” Shoorpanakha got angry and returned to Rama, and showed her dreadful appearance, Raghava noticed Devi Sita got frightened, so he looked at Lakshman and spoke in gesture.

 

Lakshmana cut her tongue and nose effortlessly, as it was an initial sign of the Great War between Rama and Ravana. Shoorpanakaha, could not control her rage, she approached her brothers Khara and Dhooshna and wept bitterly “Oh! Brother, someone has arrived in the woods to put shame on your prowess and courage.” Khara and Dhooshana watched at their sister who has got disfigured her marvelous appearance; she narrated all that happened in the woods. The two brothers of Shoorpanakha assembled a huge army of demons, which has the size of Anjanadhri and rushed to the woods in their vehicles, wielded in various weapons, led by Shoorpanakha who symbolizes inauspiciousness. They have experienced several dreadful omens on their way, but they were already on the edge of death did not get scared of anything. They moved through the woods vehemently, producing boisterous voices and abusing the deities. One of the demons said, “Kill those two men and bring that woman here”. The entire sky was covered in the dust raised from their colossal feet. Rama instructed Lakshman to take Janaki to a nearby cave, and keep her safe inside the cave. Lakshmana who is wielded in bow and arrow moved with Devi Janaki safely to the cave. Rama stood before the demons, all prepared with bow and arrow and smiled to himself. Rama stretched the bow aiming at the enemies; it was like the lion set to pounce upon the herd of elephants.