Ramayana Episodes
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The 4 princes were conceived when a sage gave King Dasharatha some charmed rice pudding to feed his three wives.
Rajasthani school
Rama and Sita's wedding. Note how bride and groom are standing on platforms off the ground, reflecting popular belief that bride and groom are deities on their wedding day. Deities overhead shower flowers and blessings.
Indian poster art, 1970s, courtesy of Dr. Alan Hauck
Rama and Sita's wedding. This also shows common wedding tropes--the bride and groom circle the sacred fire with their clothes tied together.
Dasharatha's distress
Queen Kaikeyi (standing) has demanded that Rama be exiled for 14 years, and that her son Bharata be installed as king in his place. Years before the king had promised her two boons, but she had never exercised them. He is caught between breaking his word, and losing his favorite son. Fourteen years probably has to do with Saturn. Saturn/Shani is a planet known for bad fortune, and it takes 14 years to circle the sun.
Departure from Ayodhya
Sita and Lakshmana (as Rama's wife and younger brother) insisted on going with him. Texts report that Rama das unperturbed, though everyone else was distraught.
Indian poster art
"Disciplingin Manthara"
Manthara (Kaikeyi's maid) had incited Kaikeyi to demand her boons. Here Rama's brother Shatrughan punishes her for this. This shocking image (1970s poster art) is the only reference I have ever seen to this incident (the violence doesn't reflect well on the family).
When Rama left he appointed his brother Bharata as his regent. Bharata put Rama's sandals on the throne to indicate that Rama remained the king. Pahari school painting, note how the people are wearing Moghul style clothes.
Ravana (10 heads) hears how Lakshmana mutilated his sister Shurpanakha by cutting off her nose. This was the plot event that eventually resulted in Sita's kidnapping
The golden deer lures Rama away.
Sita's kidnapping
At the bottom right Ravana (disguised as an ascetic) pulls Sita's foot outside the protective circle. At the top left, in his true form, he drives her away in his flying chariot.
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