The three exiles soon became accustomed to their life in the forest and even began to enjoy it. Their royal life became a thing of the past, silk cushions and splendid bedchambers were forgotten. Ram, Laxman and Sita slept under the stars on beds of leaves and grass and lived on a diet of fruits and berries. Far from the cares of the material world, they began to take pleasure in the simplicity of forest living.

One day, the trio heard a blood-curdling scream and they came face to face with a hideous demon. She had wild bloodshot eyes and tangled hair. Her voice, when she spoke, was like a growl. She introduced herself as Surpanakha, the sister of Ravan, the powerful ruler of Lanka and the king of the demons. She had never seen such handsome young men like Ram and Laxman in her life and she had fallen in love with their beauty at the first glimpse. She invited them to come and spend some time with her so that they could enjoy each other's company. Ram refused her invitation saying that he would not be able to accept as he was with his wife. Enraged, Surpanakha rushed at Sita with bared fangs and outstretched claws saying that she could easily get rid of such a small obstacle. Laxman rushed to intervene and cut off the demon's nose and ears. Screaming in agony, the maimed demon rushed off into the depths of the forest. 

Surpanakha went straight to her brother, Ravan, the mighty demon king. She demanded that he avenge her humiliation and the mutilation of her face. She taunted him saying that were he to let Ram and Laxman's actions go unavenged, the other demons would only accord him the respect due to a toothless tiger.

The evergreen masterpieces of Rishi Valmiki & Goswami Tulsidas inspired a galaxy of Poets like Pundit Maharaj Bahadur 'Burq', Munawwar Lakhnavi, Mehdi Nazmi, Jageshwar Nath Betab, Saghar Nizami,  Shankar Dayal 'Farhat', Amaranth Sarshar & Braj Narain Chakbast etc who penned down hundreds of outstanding poems of stunning beauty. Playwright Danish Iqbal crafted this text  to create a performance of stunning charm and rare enthusiasm narrated by Fouzia Dastango

 

'Dastan Apne Ram Ji Ki' is a lyrical rendition of the eternal epic, adapted  from the classical renditions of the Holy Ramayana.

What happened next ? Find out in this episode of Dastan Apne Ramji Ki

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