Before He Was God: Ramayana Reconsidered Recreated

Contents Acknowledgements IX Timeline Xli Foreword XlV Prologue 1 1 Chaitra: 9 Invocation 10 Ayodhya 10 Aja and Indumati 10 Dashratha ascends the throne 13 Dashratha's expedition against the Asuras 13 Dashratha kills Shravana 15 Yearning for a son- .Asboamedba yajna 18 Kaushalya 20 Kaikeyi 22 Sumitra 23 Birth of Rama and brothers 24 2 Vaishakh: 27 Vishwamitra comes calling 28 Journey to Siddhashram- Stories of Vishwamitra's life 29 Rama kills Tataka 31 Journey to Mithila 36 Rape of Ahalya 37 Janak finds a new-born babe 39 Sita's swcryamvar 40 Sita meets Rama 42 Rama's arrow goes on target 43 In Janak's palace 45 Rama weds Sita 47 3 Jyaishtha: 51 Life in Ayodhya 52 Sita 52 Vishwamitra takes his leave 55 Bharat and Shatrughna leave for Girivrija 56 Rama involves in state affairs 57 Dashratha plans retirement 61 Kaikeyi traps Dashratha 65 The Play 68 Kaikeyi asks for two boons 69 Dashratha calls for Rama 71 Rama's exile- Vanavasa 75 Sita wants to go along 76 Lakshman's fury 78 Taking leave of Father 79 Rama leaves Ayodhya 83 Night at Tamasa's bank 83 At Ganga's bank- Shringaverpur 86 Crossing the Ganga 88 Bhardwaja Ashrama 90 Crossing the Yamuna 95 Chitrakoot- The cottage upon Mandakini's bank 97 4 Ashadha: 103 Dashratha's demise 104 Bharat's dream 106 Return to Ayodhya 106 Bharat's lament 107 Bharat gives mukhagni to Father 110 Bharat's Coronation 111 Bharat goes to meet Rama 112 At Bharadwaja ashram 114 Chitrakoot 116 Reunion at Chitrakoot 119 Bharat's entreaty for Rama's return 122 Janak arrives at Chitrakoot 127 5 Shravana: 129 Life in Chitrakoot 130 Peace of paradise shattered 131 Thunder, rain and the Fire God 132 Autumn and Spring- hand in hand 135 Beyond Chitrakoot- Dandakara'9a 138 Attri's ashrama 139 Other ashramas- Other abodes 141 Yajna in honour of Rama 144 Sita's plea on ahimsa 145 Killing of Viradha 147 Sharbhanga ashrama 148 Sutikshna ashrama 148 Agastya's ashrama 149 Panchavati 150 6 Bhadrapad: 151 A shadow of evil 152 Injury and insult 157 Khara and Dushana killed 158 Shroopnakha heads for Lanka 160 Ravana hatches a plan- rushes to Janasthan 162 Ravana stalks his prey 163 Sita's abduction 164 Jatayu's rescue bid 168 Rama is surprised by Lakshman 169 Search for Sita 170 Jatayu dies in Rama's arms 171 Sita's unending journey to Lanka 173 Ravana's proposition 174 7 Ashvin: 177 Search for Sita 178 Encounter at Pampa lake 179 A cave on Mount Rishyamook 182 Alliance with Sugriva 182 Rama kills Vali 186 Scouting for Sita 187 Hanuman crosses the sea 188 A yajna in Mahakaal temple 190 Meeting Sita in Ashoka Vatika 192 Hanuman's adventures 195 Arrest and Punishment 196 Hanuman returns 198 8 Kartika: 201 Hanuman brings Sita's news 202 March on Lanka 203 Ravana's debaucheries 205 Ravana makes overtures to Sugriva 206 Ravana in Council 207 Vibhishan seeks refuge 209 The causeway repaired 210 Rama's army reaches Lanka 215 Gifts from surprise visitors 216 Angad takes Rama's message 219 9 Margashirsha: 221 Assault on Lanka fort 222 The moat breached 223 Meghnada fires naag-paash- Hanuman brings herbs 224 Meghnada exults - Ravana 228 Ravana's hopes belied- His generals killed 229 Ravana enters the fray 232 Ravana summons Kumbhakarna 234 Kumbhakarna's tranquilizers 234 Kumbhakarna goes to battle 236 Ravana mourns lVlmbha's death 238 Ravana grieves for his four sons 240 10 Pausha: 243 Meghnada performs sacrifice 244 Meghnada strikes again 245 Meghnada slays 'Sita' 248 Lakshman kills Meghnada 250 Ravana goes to battle 255 A ratha for Rama 255 Ravana returns to battle 256 Rama kills Ravana 258 11 Magha: 261 Women wailing for Ravana 262 Rama goes to bring Sita 262 Lakshman crowns Vibhishan / Shroopnakha visits Rama 264 Saudamini meets Rama 265 The return to Ayodhya 266 Urmila in Ayodhya 269 Hanuman meets Bharat 270 The Coronation 272 Sita revives in love's shower 274 The aftermath 277 Rama wanders ingognito 277 Sita's exile 278 Lakshman takes Sita to Valmiki asbrama 280 Sita is left alone 282 Sita meets Valmiki 283 Rohini 284 Janak send Shatananda to bring Sita to Mithila 285 Sita and Rohini 287 Sita delivers twins 288 12 Phalguna: 289 Rama awaits Lakshman's return 290 Rama sends Shatrughna to Madhura 290 Rama sends Bharat to fight .Asuras 291 Kaushalya's demise 292 Rama performs Ashvamedha yajna 293 Lava and Kusha recite Ramayana 293 Rama meets the rishis 294 Rama sends Lakshman to bring Sita home 295 Sita kills the sacrificial horse 297 Janak's demise / Journey to Mithila 299 Sita's demise 301 Floating on Saryu's waves 303 Author's Note 306 Glossary 316