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Home , Ikshvaku, Kumbhakarna, Manthara, Pinaka (Hinduism), Scion of Ikshvaku

[VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 4 I OCT. – DEC. 2016] e ISSN 2348 –1269, Print ISSN 2349-5138 http://ijrar.com/ Cosmos Impact Factor 4.236

Demytholization in ’s “ Scion of ”

Dr. Sunita Nimavat Assistant Professor of English N.P.College of Computer & Mgt., Kadi (North Gujarat).

Received Sept. 01, 2016 Accepted Sept. 28, 2016

ABSTRACT In this research paper titled “Demytholization in Amish Tripathi’s , I am going to talk about Amish Tripathy’s demytholization observed in Scion of Ikshvaku. Demytholization means The removal of mythological elements from something, especially from religious writing. In Amish Tripathy’s series on Lord Shive and Ram are the examples of Demytholization. Ram and are two characters of the two great epics of that have captivated the minds and hearts of the people for thousands of years. These two epics are not just books but a window through which Indian civilization can be viewed and understood. The word can be translated as ‘Ram’s journey’ presented an idealized Image of Ram that created the foundation of faith among the people. For him, Ram was an ideal hero with all virtues. The eternal and universal appeal of the Ramayana story inspired many poets of different regions, languages and sects to compose ‘Ramayana’ in their own individual ways. In Indian English literature and other regional languages, poets and writers have recreated their own versions of the story. Scion of Ikshvaku by Amish Tripathi is the latest addition to Rama story. The most remarkable thing about his treatment of Indian mythology is his demytholization and humanization of major mythological characters. He depicts his personages as ideal, brave, intelligent human beings instead of delineating them as deities or super human entities. Amish’s Ramchandra is not a God but a human being who is a tortured and ostracized prince.

Key words: Ramayana, Ram’s journey, demytholization, , deviations.

Ram and Krishna are two characters of the two devotion, art and philosophy. A.K.Ramanujan great epics of India that have captivated the minds called it “an endemic pool of signifiers.” India is a and hearts of the people for thousands of years. country with pluralistic attitude towards life. It is These two epics are not just books but a window inclusive and all-absorbing. It is said in through which Indian civilization can be viewed that “Ekam Sadvipra Bahudha Vadanti” (The one and understood. The Ramayana is a Sanskrit epic Truth is described in different ways by the ascribed to the great Hindu Valmiki. The learned people). word Ramayana can be translated as ‘Ram’s The eternal and universal appeal of the Ramayana journey’ which in turn becomes the readers’ story inspired many poets of different regions, journey towards Ram. Thematically, the languages and sects to compose ‘Ramayana’ in Ramayana explores eternal human values and the their own individual ways. A.K.Ramanujan concept of Dharma, not just religion as institution claimed that there are as many as three hundred but duty of a person towards family, society, different Ramayana that include folk stories about nation and the life in totality. Rama in oral traditions. Valmiki presented an idealized Image of Ram that Bhusandi Ramayana says, ”Ramayanam created the foundation of faith among the people. anantakam (The versions of the Ramayana are For him, Ram was an ideal hero with all virtues. endless).Tulsidas also wrote that the Ramakatha ‘The Ramayana’ became a medium of expression is limitless (Harikatha ananta). Romila Thapar of ideologies relevant in different times. The story said,”Version of Ramayana reflects Perspectives of of Ram became so popular that many poets, periods of composition, A.A. Macdonnel singers and philosophers used it to express their acknowledged that no work of world literature Research Paper IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews 7 [ VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 4 I OCT. – DEC. 2016] E ISSN 2348 –1269, PRINT ISSN 2349-5138 has made so profound an influence as the beings instead of delineating them as deities or Ramayana on life and thought of the people. It is super human entities. truly “a grammar of human relationships “. It is Ram is regarded as the avatar of Lord in true that Ramayana does not belong to any India. Lord Parshuram was the sixth Vishnu particular age as there are many versions woven according to Indian mythology. Vishnu for Amish during different periods keeping in mind the is not just avatar or reincarnation but the title to social and cultural milieu of time and place. be achieved. Ram had that potential and guru A.K. Ramanujan aptly remarks that the story of Vashistha believed that Ram would be the next Rama is so vast that no text can define it because Vishnu rewriting the history of the nation every telling has an interpretation and every through his noble deeds and idealism. Amish interpretation has a telling. In oral versions, there remarks that Vishnu was an ancient title accorded are multiple versions of the Ramayana to the greatest leaders, idolized as the particularly in south India and South-East Asia. propagators of Good. Lord Parshuram, the There is an extensive tradition of story-telling previous Vishnu guided people out of the age of based on Ramayana in countries like Indonesia, violence to the age of knowledge. Amish Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam, demytholizes the very concept of . Maldives and so on. There are many regional Vashishtha had a hope that Ram would complete versions with deviations such as kamban’s the task lord Parshuram had left. Lord Parshuram ‘Ramayana in Tamil, Ramcharit Manas by was also Ram, The word Parshu was later added in his favorite weapon was Parshu, an axe (18). Tulsidas, Bengali version by krittiras, kurempu’s Sri Ramayana Darshanam in kannada. There are Amish’s Ramchandra is not a God but a human also Buddhist and Jain versions of the Ramayana. being who is a tortured and ostracised prince. In In Buddhist variant , Dasaratha is depicted as the most of the earlier Ramayana stories, the birth of king of Benares; while in Jain Ramayana, Ram is celebrated as the advent of Avatar, the is depicted a devout Jain and after war, Ram reincarnation. Amish describes Ram’s birth renounces the world and becomes a Jain monk. realistically. When he was born, he did not move Another major deviant is that Ravan was killed by and he was not breathing. Nilanjana, the doctor Lakshman. Vimalsuri, Ravisena, Gunabhadra patted on her back to make him cry. She placed the wrote the in Jain tradition. baby by Kaushalya’s side and the queen held the motionless body of the baby to her bosom. Soon, In Indian English literature and other regional the baby moved and gripped her hair crying out languages, poets and writers have recreated their loudly (30). own versions of the Rama story. These variants and deviations are the expression of the creative On that very day, Dasharath was defeated and urge of the writers. They have used the story of injured by Ravan. Therefore he considered Ram’s Rama to comment on the contemporary problems birth as inauspicious. The court astrologer had and issues. Scion of Ikshvaku by Amish Tripathi is said that if the baby was born before midday, he the latest addition to Rama story. However, he would turn out to be the greatest person in does not call it Ramayana but Ramchandra series, history but if he was born after midday, he would this book being the first of the series that will suffer misfortune and never known personal follow. Amish has become quite popular with his happiness (31). Nilanjana had recorded the time Trilogy. The most remarkable thing about of Ram’s birth. It was exactly midday, not a minute his treatment of Indian mythology is his late, not a minute early. Dasharath was convinced demytholization and humanization of major that he was born with bad karma and his birth mythological characters. He depicts his was inauspicious for the Raghu lineage. personages as ideal, brave, intelligent human

8 IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews Research Paper [VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 4 I OCT. – DEC. 2016] e ISSN 2348 –1269, Print ISSN 2349-5138 http://ijrar.com/ Cosmos Impact Factor 4.236 Dasharath in Amish’s book does not adore and The pride of old Ikshvaku’s seed love Kaushalya as in other Ramayana versions. For lofty thought and righteous deed.” This deviation also shows that Dasharath did not (Valmiki Ramayana) possess royal virtues that were required in a great The character of in most of the king. His favorite wife was who had saved traditional Ramayana versions is that of crooked, his life in the battle of Karachapa. As a noble son, hunch back, limping vamp-like maid servant who Ram never thought or uttered a disparaging word incites Queen Kaikeyi to send Rama to the forest about Dasharath but Bharat was outspoken and and install Bharat is the crown prince of . minced no words criticizing Dasharath as a Manthara , I n Amish’s scion of Ikshavaku is a hopeless king .He said to Ram, brilliant businesswoman. She was born in a poor family and in her childhood, she was afflicted with “Nobody in Ayodhya gives two hoots about a law, small pox that made her face scarred and ugly Dada! We are a civilization in an advanced state of looking. Her right foot was partially paralyzed due decay.” to polio. Once she slipped from the balcony at a Under Dasharath’s rule, Ayodhya’s economy was friend’s house which left her disfigured. However, deteriorating. Once a wealthy and prosperous she regained power through her wealth that could kingdom with wonderful architecture, Ayodhya finance the entire royal expenditure of . was in a state of constant decay. Even law and Manthara had a beautiful daughter called Roshni, order were in shambles and Ayodhyans broke the rakhi sister of the four Ayodhyan princes. She every law with impunity. The rich and the nobles was an expert vaidya(doctor) besides being an considered themselves above the law and they intelligent and a woman of noble virtues. She tried to brow beat the police when the law caught attended the sick people nursing them back to up with them (118). In Amish’s Scion of Ikshvaku, health selflessly. She was gang raped and brutally the state of Ayodhya is completely in contrast killed by Dhenuka and his gang. Roshni’s death with the depiction in Valmiki Ramayana, Tulsi’s was a great shock for the masses as she was Ramcharit Manas or even Kamban’s Tamil famous for her charity, grace and pious character. Ramayana. R.K.Narayan’s versions of Kamban Many people called her the virgin Goddess. There Ramayana describes Ayodhya in the following was unprecedented rage for retribution among manner, people. Dhenuka was under age and therefore “Kosala was an extensive country and a few could could not be punished by law. Other seven claim to have crossed it end to end. Ayodhya was accomplices were executed but Ram stood by law its capital – a city of palaces, mansions, fountains, inspite of his anger at the horrible death of his squares and ramparts with the king’s palace rakhi sister. Dhenuka was secretly put to death by dominating the landscape. The city was imposing Bharat at the behest of kaikeyi and Manthara. and compared well with the fabulous city of There is no mention of Roshni and the gangrape Amravati which was ’s or Alkapuri of by Dhenuka in any Ramayana versions. This is an ’. imagination of Amish Tripathi who probably had Valmiki Ramayana depicts as a wise Nirbhya rape incident in mind. Amish connects and just king. the characters, incidents and thoughts with the “There reigned a king of name revered, modern context in his book making it more To country and to town endeared, relevant to the modern readers. Great Dasharatha, good and sage, Amish’s Portrayal of Lakshman, Bhrat and Well read in scripture’s holy page; Shatrughan also differs from traditional Ramayans Upon the Kingdom’s weal intent to some extent. Lakshman was tall and muscular. Mighty and brave and provident; He had vowed to protect Ram at all cost. Bharat

Research Paper IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews 9 [ VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 4 I OCT. – DEC. 2016] E ISSN 2348 –1269, PRINT ISSN 2349-5138 loved Ram like Lakshman but Lakshman always bow of the previous Mahadev, Lord . suspected his integrity. Amish depicts Bharat as said that she was only a caretaker of the bow ladies’s man who was often infatuated by beautiful which needed great care and regular lubrication. damsels. He was also a great foodie who enjoyed Amish turns the bow story into realistic story of good, rich food. Shatrughan was a scholar, well an excellent legendary bow bereft of miracles and read and well-versed in scriptures and undue halo. philosophy. Ram was an ideal man, intelligent and At the time of Swayamvar, Ravan picked up the abider of law and justice. Lakshman and Bharat bow, strung it and knocked it violating the rules of felt that he was good and noble to a fault who the Swayamvar arrogantly. Vishwamitra declared suffered for no fault of his own. that he had violated the sequence as Ram, the The character of Sita is also major deviation. She Prince of Ayodhya was first to compete in order. was the prime minister of . Besides being a Ravan left the Swayamvar venue in anger with his good warrior and strict administrator, She was guards. Ram won the test and also the hand of Sita intelligent and rational in her attitude. When Ram whom he had already given away his heart. The saw her for the first time there was a flush on his wedding was simple and solemn followed by dark-skinned face. Sita had a lean and muscular attack on Mithila by Ravan and . It physique with whitish complexion.Amish was almost impossible to defeat Ravan and his describes her character in highly poetic words. He huge army. Vishwamitra told Ram to use writes: asurashtra as it was the only way to defeat Ravan. Vishwamitra was a Malaya putra, the leader of the “Had the entire universe garnered all its talents Malaya putras. Loard Rudra had forbidden the use into creating a perfect face -of delicate beauty and of asurashtra many centuries ago and those who ferocious will-this would be it” (232) broke the law would be punishable with She had a look of mountain people and her banishment for fourteen years. Ram decided to warrior body had proud scars from the battle accept punishment and save Mithila for the love of wounds. Ram was mesmerized by her beauty and Sita. Later, this punishment becomes the main demeanour. He felt that his heart found a true ally cause of Ram’s voluntary banishment. This is also in Sita. Ram who had immense control over him the major twist in the Ramayana Story. felt for the first time that his heart was beyond his The use of asurashtra results in Ravan’s defeat control. Sita invited Ram and Laxman to visit the and destruction of his army. Asurashtra was not a royal garden the next day. She wanted Ram to weapon empowered by mantra but science. It was attend Swayamvar. She was impressed by Ram’s like a missile which emitted demonic clouds of idealism and views on marriage. Deep down, She green gas. Ravan had to fly back to in his had decided to live and share her life with Ram. pushpak vimaan. Amish describe pushpak vimaan At Gupt Swayamvar, Ram strung the bow, mocked as a giant conical craft made of some strong metal the arrow and pierced the eye of the whrling fish with huge rotors attached to the top of the vehicle. above. Here also, Amish has made a major It made deafening sound when the rotors were in deviation. In valmiki Ramayana, Tulsi Ramayana motion. Amish divests pushpak vimaan, Pinkaka and other versions, the swayamvar, test was to lift bow of Lord Rudra, asurashtra and Lakshman the bow of Lord Shiva and just string it. Ram not Rekha of all miracles. He explains them in only strung it but broke it making Parshuram scientific and technical manner. Lakshman Rekha furious. In Amish’s work, the test is quite different. designed by Lakshman has been called Lakshman He has employed the test of Draupadi wall by Amish. It was an ingenious defensive Swayanvarar from in Ram story. feature to protect the panchavati cottage from Earlier Sita had shown the bow pinaka to Ram and outside attack. scientific treatment of all such asked him to practice with it. it was a legendary

10 IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews Research Paper [VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 4 I OCT. – DEC. 2016] e ISSN 2348 –1269, Print ISSN 2349-5138 http://ijrar.com/ Cosmos Impact Factor 4.236 things gives his work quite convincing and incident is also a major deviation as in other realistic touch. Ramayana Shurpankha tried to seduce Lakshman and Ram in vain. Frustrated demoness tried to Kaikayi asked Dasharath her two boons which attack them and Lakshman cut her nose as an act demanded Ram’s banishment from Ayodhya for of punishment. Amish’s version is different as fourteen years and declaring Bharat, Her son the Vibhishan accompanied her to Panchvati camp. As crown prince. She said that Dasharath should said It was their customary law that Ravan announce at the royal court that as Ram had should retaliate as his sister’s blood was shed. broken the law of Lord Rudra, He was to be exiled for fourteen years. Ram too accepted it not just for Amish’s characters also carry minor or major honoring the boon given by Dasharath to kaikayi deviations. Jatayu was a maya. The captain of the but for breaking the law of Lord Rudra. This is Malayaputra tribe left behind by Lord also a deviation from traditional versions of the Parshuram.– were a race born with deformities. Ramayana. kumbhakarana was also a naga , a human born with physical deformities. Ravan was great and Vibhishan came to Panchvati warrior with intimidating physique. His skin was and stayed there as guests. Shurpanakha was pock-marked and he had a thick beard and huge beautiful with blonde hair an up turned nose. handlebar moustache. He wore a headgear with Amish introduces her as the child of fair-skinned, six inch long horns. Kuber was a wealthy trader of light-haired foreigners of north-west. She had Lanka. He was a fat cherubic man with round face. magnetic eyes and disproportionately large He wore rich jewellery and bright colorful cloths. breasts. Jatayu said that vibhishan and He had effeminate manner and Dashrath looked Shurpankha did not always see eye to eye with down upon him like all vaishyas(traders). He Ravan. And so they should not have been sent by believed that wealth was the right of a conqueror Ravan. Vibhishan also told Ram that had escaped and he charged quite an exorbitant profit from from Ravan’s Kingdom as they had suffered a lot him. at his brutal hands. Jatayu and his people who guarded the panchvati were suspicious but Ram Amish Tripathi’s Shiva Trilogy and his offered Vibhishan, Shurpankha and his people Ramchandra series would be interwoven as the shelter. three major tribes would continue to dominate the next series also. These three tribes are the Shurpankha was jealous of Sita and she Vayaputras, the tribe left behind by Lord Rudra, complained about the food cooked by Sita. Sita the previous Mahadev. The Malayaputras, the could sense that she was attracted by Ram. Once tribe left behind by Lord Parshuram, the sixth Shurpankha and Sita went to the river Godavari Vishnu and the feared race of human being born where Shurpankha tired to make Sita unconscious with deformities. At the end of the book, Amish by stuffing into her mouth some toxic herbs. introduces the land of pariahans that lay beyond Furious Sita dragged Shurpankaha to the cottage the western borders of India. It was the home to with her hands tide. Surppankha accused Sita of the previous Mahadev, Lord Rudra. The parihans attacking her. Shurpankha tried again to attack were utterly fair-skinned with hooked ape-like Sita with a knife but Lakshman lunged forward noses, sharp foreheads and long locks of hair and and banged into her. He seized her arms and beards. They too were Nagas and their leader had pushed her back her own knife cut her nose a massive frame, sturdy muscular features and making her cry with pain. She screamed loudly godly aura. He was revered as Lord ordering Vibhishan to kill them all. She called her whose duty was to protect Ram and Sita. Amish brother coward as he dragged her from Panchvati introduces Lord Hanuman at the end of the book camp. Jatayu told Ram that Ravan Would certainly as a parihan of awe-inspirity gait. It can be seek revenge as her sister had been injured. This

Research Paper IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews 11 [ VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 4 I OCT. – DEC. 2016] E ISSN 2348 –1269, PRINT ISSN 2349-5138 expected that in the next book of the series, He References would focus more on lord Hanuman whom 1. Amish Tripathi Scion of Ikshvaku Wetland Ltd. mythology believes to be the next Rudra. New Delhi:2015. At few places, there are gaps that have been left 2. A.K. Ramanujan , Three Hundred . unfilled by the author. However, the story of Ram 3. Paula Richman: many ramayanas Los Angeles: by Amish is quite fascinating and realistic. The University California Press, 1991. most important aspect of the book is a fine, Subtle 4. Tulsidas, Ramcharit Manas, Gita Press, Gorakhpur. observation on various issues of the nation, life 5. The Ramayana of Valmiki Translated by Ralph T.H. and society. The author’s creative imagination Griffith, Project Gutenberg .(E-book). makes the book quite an interesting. Version of the 6. R.K. Narayan The Ramayana (Kamban) Penguin great Ramayana for modern readers, particularly Books, New York. the youths of modern India who need to be goal- oriented, Law-abiding nation builders.

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. ~ Leo Tolstoy

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