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Full Description
The first-ever Ramayana to be written in a regional language, the Bichitra Ramayana claims a special place in the larger tradition of Ramayana writing as much for its independent retelling practice as for its indigenous, secular distinctiveness. Originally written in Odia in the mid-fifteenth century by Siddheswar Das (later known as Sarala Das), it owes its origins to the 'Uttarakanda' of Valmiki Ramayana. Its great departure and divergence from the master text shows that it has an agenda and politics of its own, demonstrated so powerfully that it makes the original invisible. Rich with folklore and legends and composed in the oral tradition, the Bichitra declares itself as a text for the layman. The voice of the common people supercedes the voice of the wise; the natural replaces the rational; the religious paradigm is substituted by a secular identity, and the mind is overtaken by the heart. The chief attraction of the Bichitra is the issue related to the position of women in a patriarchal society and the relationship between the two sexes.
Contents
Foreword 11 Introduction 15 1. Invocation 39 2. Prologue 41 3. Sita's Journey to the Forest 44 4. The Support of the Wild Animals 62 5. Sita in Valmiki's Hermitage 65 6. Sita's Journey to Bideha 69 7. The Birth of Laba and Kusha 71 8. Sita at her Father's House 76 9. Birth Rituals of Laba and Kusha 81 10. Sita's Trial by Fire 83 11. Early Education of Laba and Kusha 90 12. Laba and Kusha Collect Alms Outside Bideha 96 13. The Gods Plan for the End of Tretaya Yuga 99 14. Laba's Journey to Ayodhya 103
15. Rama Listens to the Ramayana 108 16. Calamity in Lomapada's Kingdom 112 17. Preparations to Fetch Risyashrunga 115 18. Risyashrunga Seduced by the Prostitutes 119 19. Risyashrunga Arrives in Anga 126 20. Laba's Return to Bideha 131 21. Kusha's Delay in Return Makes Sita Angry 133 22. Laba and Kusha Agree to Sing Together 137 23. Laba and Kusha Leave for Ayodhya 141 24. Singing by Laba and Kusha 146 25. Shanta's Marriage 149 26. The Story of Lanka 187 27. Ravana Blessed with a Boon 202 28. Marriage of Rama and his Brothers 229 29. Parsurama's Embarrassment 235 30. Rama's Journey to the Forest 237 31. Khara and Dusana Eliminated 241 32. Sita's Abduction 244 33. Making Friends with Sugriba 248 34. Lanka Set Ablaze 250 35. Preparations for the Battle 253 36. Bibhisana Seeks Refuge 255 37. False Heads 257 38. The Battle Breaks Out 259
39. Angada as Messenger 261 40. Indrajita's Fight 264 41. Rama and Lakshmana Caught in Cobra Snare 268 42. The Killing of Indrajita 272 43. The Killing of Kumbhakarna 274 44. A Duplicate Sita 278 45. Lakshmana Wounded Lethally 271 46. The Killing of Mahiravana 287 47. Jambomali's Battle 290 48. The Killing of Ravana 292 49. Sita's Trial by Fire 297 50. The Dead Soldiers Regain Life 300 51. Return to Ayodhya 302 52. Rama's Commendable Actions 306 53. Sita in exile 309 54. Sita in Valmiki's Hermitage 314 55. Birth of Laba and Kusha 317 56. Sita at her Father's House 319 57. The Second Trial by Fire 324 58. End of the Ramayana Recitation 328 59. Revelations by Laba and Kusha 331 60. Welcoming Laba and Kusha 336 61. Rama's Journey to Bideha 340 62. Sita's Waiting 344
63. The Meeting between Sita and Rama 349 64. Sita Sinks into the Netherworld 355 65. Mourning by Rama and Others 358 66. Mourning in Ayodhya 365 67. The Preparation for the Funeral Rites 370 68. Annual Rituals for the Dead 376 69. The Marriage of the Princes 378 70. The Partition of the Inheritance 380 71. Going on a Pilgrimage 385 72. Journey to Heaven 389 73. Epilogue 392 Glossary 397
