Reading Notes: Nine Ideal Women: Sita, Promila, and Shakuntala, Part B

 Nine Ideal Women: Sita, Promila, and Shakuntala by Sunity Devee

Promila's Story

- He had several sons and all were brave, but the eldest was the bravest and most hand- some of them all. He had met Indra, the king of devas, in single combat, and long and fiercely they had fought, till the Rakshasa defeated the god Indra. That was the reason he was called Indrajit, the Conqueror of Indra.

*Oo, I like how we're getting a peek into the evil side now.*

 - Indrajit, with his Promila, went to his garden-house, by the sea, and here they wandered in the sylvan glades, and all their days were one long-continued happy dream. Indrajit drank the nectar of love from Promila's lips, and for her the world was Indrajit. Thus the gladsome days slipped past and they knew not what was happening in the world of strife and woe.

*Oh wow. A completely different picture of evil here.*

- "My brother dead ! Birbahoo, the mighty, slain by Rama ! My parents bent with sorrow ! And I enjoy this peaceful life ! "

*Supposedly evil, but he has people that he loves.*

At last, some one remembered Indrajit 's old nurse and she declared her willingness to go.

*Interesting.*

-Carried away by the energy of her words, the maidens hastened to obey, and soon a troop of them rode out, all beautiful and clad in armour. 

*Oo, I really like the image that this gives me! I love women in power.*

"Fair maidens, I have no wish to fight any one, least of all a devoted wife. Carry my homage to your Princess, and tell her she and her escort may pass."

*Wow, I'm surprised at the way they are handling things here.*

In her little right hand, she carried a drawn sword, and, as she passed Prince Rama and he joined his hands in homage to her, she raised her sword in salutation. All who watched the triumphant progress of Promila thought it a privileged sight and that they had never beheld anyone so dazzlingly beautiful as the Crown Princess was that night, and they likened her to a moon, surrounded by a court of stars.

*Wow.*

As he walked swiftly through the Palace -garden, he heard light footsteps following him, and, turning back, saw Promila. He opened wide his arms, and she flew into them, like a bird to its nest, and was lost in his embrace.

*Aw, love is the one genre that I can't conquer in my writing.*

"Be you armed or not," shouted Lakshmana, "what care I? When one finds a tiger in a net, is mercy shown it ? Your life I seek, and shall have it at all costs."

*I feel like this is out of character for Lakshmana.*

Lakshmana's only answer to this just and grave reproof was a furious attack and Indrajit was obliged to defend himself with the altar ornaments.

*They're really just out here trapping Indrajit. Imagine how choked he must feel in this moment. I might write a story like that.*

Could it be possible for Indrajit to be killed, unarmed, while praying to God Agni in the temple ? But the silent flower-garlanded body of his beloved son, and the strewn ornaments of the altar, spoke only too truly of the ghastly tragedy.

*That's just cold blooded.*

Shankuntala's Story

- ... he must be made to see life with more human eyes

*I like the concept of someone who doesn't understand humanity having to learn how to be human.*

All we want you to do is to show Bishwamitra the beauty of mortal love. It is the real link between man and God, and no human life is perfect without the knowledge that comes from love and suffering for the loved ones.

*Hm.*

"What have I done? Am I a father? Where are my vows of life-long celebacy ? My tapa, of long years, all are ruined, and I, who tried to get a higher seat than all the devas, stand here an ordinary human being, the height of my pride all gone. — Away ! away ! do as thou wiliest, with the child and thyself. I shall bury myself in the thick forest, where none can find me, and cleanse my soul by penance and prayer, ' ' and he left her.

*Interesting where his values lies.*

Palace Garden (Source: Needpix)

Bibliography: Nine Ideal Women: Sita, Promila, and Shakuntala by Sunity Devee. Website: Internet Archive.

Comments

Popular Posts