Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part A
One particular concept I would like to focus on is the concept of revenge within R. K. Narayan's, Ramayana, specifically within Thataka's Story. The Ramayana describes Thataka as a beautiful woman who married a chieftain named Sunda. They both had two sons, Mareecha and Sabahu who were blessed with having great strength and powers. However, they alongside their father Sunda, abused their powers and strength brining much destruction to land and killing many creatures. As a punishment a saint goes and kills Sunda. Thus, Thataka and her children sought to avenge the loss of Sunda, by taking revenge against the saint Agasthya.
The feeling of revenge engulfed Thataka and her children, not causing them to see that their actions have consequences. Rather than learning from their ways, they took revenge against the saint, and as a consequence they were cursed becoming asuras. Due to their feelings of hate for Agasthya they lost demigod status and became demon like creatures. Not only did Thataka lose her husband, but her sons left her and she was abandoned to be all by herself. Thataka had much beauty and a great status, yet due to the choices she alongside her family made, she lost everything made to suffer for the remaining of her life.
I do like how Narayan describes Thataka by stating, "She loomed over them with her eyes spitting fire, her fangs bared, her lips parted revealing a cavernous mouth; and her brows twitching in rage." (12). The characteristics that made her a woman were gone and rather Viswamirtha wanted Rama to view Thataka as a monster instead. Eventually, Thataka was slain by an arrow shot by Rama. Thataka had a family and love in the beginning, yet as a punishment she lost everything, and she died alone. Overall, it would be interesting to focus on the concept of revenge within a story I choose to write. Whether it be about Thataka or someone completely different I would like to focus on the concept of revenge and the consequences that come from it.
The feeling of revenge engulfed Thataka and her children, not causing them to see that their actions have consequences. Rather than learning from their ways, they took revenge against the saint, and as a consequence they were cursed becoming asuras. Due to their feelings of hate for Agasthya they lost demigod status and became demon like creatures. Not only did Thataka lose her husband, but her sons left her and she was abandoned to be all by herself. Thataka had much beauty and a great status, yet due to the choices she alongside her family made, she lost everything made to suffer for the remaining of her life.
I do like how Narayan describes Thataka by stating, "She loomed over them with her eyes spitting fire, her fangs bared, her lips parted revealing a cavernous mouth; and her brows twitching in rage." (12). The characteristics that made her a woman were gone and rather Viswamirtha wanted Rama to view Thataka as a monster instead. Eventually, Thataka was slain by an arrow shot by Rama. Thataka had a family and love in the beginning, yet as a punishment she lost everything, and she died alone. Overall, it would be interesting to focus on the concept of revenge within a story I choose to write. Whether it be about Thataka or someone completely different I would like to focus on the concept of revenge and the consequences that come from it.
This is a picture of Rama shooting an arrow at the demon, Thataka. Source: Wikipedia
Bibliography: R.K Narayan, Ramayana
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