Introduction to Love As
Introduction to Love
As a 10 year old, I was given my mother's original edition of The Ramayana published in English by Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan. It was my primer to the grandest romance ever written. I was thrilled for Rama and Lakshmana who went with Vishwamitra to the forest and had their first adventures. I was happy that Rama could bend (and break) the bow and marry Sita. I cried through the chapter of Dasaratha pleading with Kaikeyi to drop the memory of promises past. I cried with the people of Ayodhya when they wished to accompany their beloved prince to the forest. I cheered Bharata who denounced his mother and yelled at her (never done by any Indian son usually) for her selfishness. I was awed by Rama's determination to stick to his promise made to his father and cried with him on hearing about his father's demise. I was contented for the trio who spent a decade in Panchavati. I laughed at the antics of Soorpanakha. I wanted a husband like Rama who adored his wife and could charmingly avoid the advances of another woman. I blushed for Sita's insults to Lakshmana and was heartbroken with Rama when she went missing. I was touched by the valour of Jataayu. I was jumping with the monkeys on finding Sita's jewels. I was cheering Hanuman on his way to Lanka. I was impressed by the demeanour of Mandodari and the regal bearing of Raavana. I was tickled by the chitchat of the rakshashis guarding Sita in the forest of "NO Sorrows"! I was impatient with Hanuman for not finding Sita on arrival. I was awed by Hanuman's superhuman strength, diplomacy and intelligence. I was sad with Sita, silently crying for her beloved. I celebrated with the monkeys when Hanuman brought back news of finding the missing princess. I routed for Rama to win the war soon. I was shocked with the rest of the world when Rama ordered the "Trial by Fire". I was jubilant on Sita coming through unscathed. I was happy with the "happy ending"- the coronation.
That first reading made such an impression that I had to re-read that book at least 50 more times. Each time, a new detail would etch itself into my brain. Over that long summer break after the 10th "Board exams", I got my hands on the original Valmiki Ramayana with text in sanskrit and translation in English published by Kalyana Kalpataru, a magazine of the Gita Press. It was in 7 volumes morphing to dust in thatha's cupboard. What attracted me were the hand-painted picture plates within! They gave me form to images in my mind. But I liked the images better than the forms painted!
It was that year I read the Publisher's Note, the Preface, the author's Note etc. from my tattered 1950's copy of the Ramayana! Rajaji recounts his talk with Gandhiji wherupon the Mahatma wonders where these modern kids get their idea of romance. Pat replies the former- the Ramayana of course! Every aspect and shade of Love is covered in that story: the love for a son, a daughter, a father, a mother, a brother, a king, a fisherman, a monkey, a friend, a squirrel, a wife, a husband, a country, the whole of humanity and the planet that houses it.
( to be continued)
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