The Noble Man

Initially, I was amused. And then I was thinking.

Rama sent his wife to the forest, but Ravana, the so-called demon, never touched Sita. What a noble man!

His anger was aroused on seeing his sister in agony because of her face being mutilated. He immediately set out to avenge her humiliation.

Rama and Lakshamana were cruel in taunting and hurting Shurpanakha.

Poor woman, really! She went to Rama, seeking intimacy with him. He refused, stating clearly that he had a wife and he was not interested in other women. But a man's 'no' is not always a no, so she persists. Poor thing, all she wanted was some sex. He could have said no, but he said no.

Seeing her desperation and wondering about his brother's celibacy, Rama recommends his brother. Shurpanakha doesn't mind... I am not passing judgement. Different people, different standards, different joys. I am sure the radiant Lakshmana was just as attractive. 

And she goes willingly.

But, strange men! A woman is all over them, and they insist on saying no. She believes in perseverence, try, try till you succeed. They remain polite and start teasing her. Unkind. Humour at the expense of a woman is not right. They could have yelled at her but not laughed at her! Better still, they should just have given in.

Won't such a woman be provoked? She is being mocked, she finally catches on, and whom does she blame? Sita, who has no role in this conversation. 

Shurpanaka pounces on Sita, having resumed her original form. What should the men have done? Just stood back and allowed the women to fight it out. Just watched the fight and posted on social media. But Lakshmana, the spoilsport, has to intervene to save his sister-in-law. Bad boy! 

Now, Shurpanakha rushes to her powerful brother who is going to be all compassionate and kind. Ahem.

"Oh, brother, when I saw that beautiful woman, I knew she was right for you but the husband and brother stood in the way," she says as she describes the beauty of Sita to Ravana. 

Wait a minute! That's not what happened, did it? Why is she speaking like this? 

Because, knowing what will get him interested, she just adjusts the fact a bit. Never mind she does not give the real reason why she was mutilated. It will get no reaction. He would just dismiss her. So much brotherly love! They already had other problems, and so it would be of no use. She needs her revenge, How does it matter whether he knows the real reason or not?

The sister has her brother's measure, and with her description of Sita's beauty, his attention too. That's a noble man!

So our avenging brother, who should have attacked the two brothers and declared war, has other ways to display his bravery. He sends his uncle to lure the men away. What a nobleman, indeed! 

He slinks in at a time when the two men will not be there.  Ssh... He is a nobleman.

Then, he transforms himself into a sage and approaches Sita to lure her out. Absolutely above board! He carries her off. Shall we say, she is swept off her feet? That's what love is all about. 

He keeps her in his garden, surrounded by lush nature. The romantic touch. 

He places guards around her so that... she may come to no harm? Generous beyond a doubt.

Stupid ladies never understand the purpose they are there for. Is it his fault that they harass and scare her? That she wishes she were dead? 

The nobleman wants her to change her mind, that's all, and accept him on her own so that his head may not roll as per the curse - a minor detail, really! It doesn't add up to his nobility so let's just push it under the carpet. 

And the fact that he talks of her husband being dead etc. is all part of the wooing - after all, everything is fair in love and war.

Even when sage advice is given that he send her back, he persists in holding her a prisoner though she is unwilling. Like sister, like brother. Sita will come around. Her no is not a no. Who can resist the royal, handsome and learned Ravana!

So this great man, who never touched Sita, who stood up for his sister, who promised the world to her... Don't! Don't call it kidnapping! He was just showing how a woman should be treated.