An Epic Text “The Ramayana” by Narayan: Critical Analysis Essay

One would expect consoling words after being rescued from a captor. However, after Sita’s rescue, she receives no such kind of words from her husband Rama. Her husband told her that he had gotten her as a prize after defeating his enemy in the war. He proceeded to tell her that he had recovered his honor as well as brought punishment upon his enemy. Moreover, he was glad that people had seen his might and by killing Ravana. He also purged himself of dishonor and he told her that he had not taken all that trouble for her sake but his own. The words that Rama told his wife were mean because they show that he did not care much about her even though earlier in the epic it is said he was troubled and could not live without his beloved wife. The kind of welcome she received would not be expected from a husband who had been separated from his wife for almost a year.

Rama went on to tell her that he suspected her conduct while she was captive. He said he had nothing to do with her because he could not imagine that Ravana had not enjoyed her being as beautiful as she was. He even told her she could go anywhere she pleased. He was not concerned about her well-being as long as his honor remained intact. His behavior towards her was cruel because he does not show her empathy but instead chose to rebuke her for something that was not her fault. She had been kidnapped against her will. Sita was grieved by her husband’s conduct and after going through the test of fire to prove her purity. She proved is saved from the fireproofing her purity. In response to her being found innocent, Rama said that he knew she was innocent but he did it prove to the people that she was pure. However, one can doubt Rama’s word after considering his earlier rebuke to his wife.

He gave in to the rumors that were circulating regarding his wife’s purity because he was a man who wanted to appear right before his subjects. He valued their opinion and for that, he would do anything to maintain their approval and respect. He yielded to the people’s rumors because he did not want to take the blame and the shame the situation had brought upon him.

Sita was angry at the way her husband treated her. She told him that while she was captive all she thought about was her husband and yet he dared to put her at fault. Sita was saddened by her husband’s abandonment greatly. She even told him had she known that is how he felt she would have committed suicide to save him from all the trouble of her rescue. Finally, Rama’s heirs killed Lakshmana in horse battle after he came to defend the army that had been felled by the two little boys Lava and Kusha.