Anand Neelakantan

Rama conducts the funeral of Jatayu, the vulture/eagle that was killed while trying to stop Ravana abducting Sita. Can human morality be applied to birds and beasts? Folk versions say Rama went against nature by conducting a funeral for a bird, thus denying food to other creatures….

Ravana tries various methods to entice Sita. He even appears as her father, Janaka, to persuade her, but she sees through his disguise….

Different stories about the origin of Hanuman, the superhero of India, are discussed. The Ramayana is also a tale about orphans, and how each of them is linked to form a beautiful tapestry….

Bharata, the son for whom Kaikeyi sought Rama's exile, goes to Rama to beg him to take back the kingdom. Rama refuses, and Bharata returns, carrying Rama's paadukas on his head. These he places on the throne and prays to while ruling Ayodhya on Rama's behalf….

Ravana sorrows over the loss of those he has loved, including his brother and two sons. Indrajit is sent in for the final battle….

Broken-hearted, Dasaratha lies on his deathbed. He finally understands that he is paying for his karmas – for giving away his daughter for a son; killing the only son of an old couple; and giving Kaikeyi his word from a false sense of ego and pride….

Rama promises the scavengers of the forest that in his next life he will compensate them for cremating Jatayu and thus denying them sustenance. The cycle of life is discussed….

Why did Rama have to take the help of the monkeys? A prank Vishnu once played on Narada, making him into a monkey, and Narada’s curse, is retold here….

Across the sea from Lanka, Rama crowns Vibhishana King of the Asuras. Ravana sends spies into Rama's camp, but they are caught….

The Maya Sita concept in various Ramayanas is discussed in detail, as is Rama's anguish and why in moments of deep despair, no amount of intellectualization works. It is Rama's vulnerability and flaws that make him both human and humane….

Kumbhakarna is awakened from his long sleep. The symbolism of Kumbhakarna in our lives is discussed here. He tries to persuade Ravana to give Sita back to Rama, but Ravana refuses to relent….

Rama is crowned King of Ayodhya and begins his rule. Sita becomes pregnant. The news delights Rama until he hears the slander being spread regarding Sita's chastity….

Ravana kidnaps Sita. The choices Sita makes in this episode decides her destiny. Various versions are discussed, including the concept of Maya Sita and Sita as Ravana's daughter….

Hanuman and the other Vanaras go further south in search of Sita. They face various impediments in their quest. They pass the barren land of Kaandu, and the fertile valley of Swayamprabha….

Rama orders Ravana to be cremated with the full honours due a King. The unending debate about whether Vibhishana or Kumbhakarna was the righteous one, is discussed here….

This is the tale of Ravana's sister, Soorpanakha, a woman wronged by all the men she has ever loved – her brother, her husband, her lover….

Sage Valmiki is moved by a bird's death in the act of love, killed by a heedless hunter. Angered, Valmiki curses the hunter. But Sage Narada counsels him not to be judgemental about anyone, saying there is a cause for everything….

This is the story of Dasaratha's firstborn, a daughter, briefly retold here. Dasaratha yearned for a son, ignoring his daughter; even giving her away to be adopted. He eats the fruits of his choice and actions at the end of his life….

Sage Viswamitra takes Rama and Lakshmana into the forest to teach them about life. He gives them two mantras to control hunger and thirst….

The circle of karma is almost complete for Dasaratha. All the choices he has made and his actions, based on those choices, are bearing fruit. Jabaali, Dasaratha's atheist minister, advises Rama to bow to the people's will; who do not want him to leave….