Why Uttara Ramayana Falls Short of the Thrill in the Original Tale

The classical story arc that most readers are familiar with follows a predictable narrative pattern: a hero is born, he conquers the heart of his beloved, faces hardships, gets married, more hardships, and finally achieves a happy ending. However, this formulaic journey of adventure and triumph is shattered in Uttar Ramayana. Just as Lord Rama demolished the Shiva Dhanu, Uttar Ramayana dismantles the cliche of a happy ending.

No Great Antagonist, Differently

After the death of Raavan, the audience's satisfaction peaked as Rama was crowned and tears welled up at the touching sight of Hanuman. Many wondered how such a treasure of devotion could be returned with a mere materialist offering. The narrative completion was felt when the protagonists achieved peace and prosperity. However, the presence of a significant antagonist that kept the hero engaged throughout the story is missing in Uttar Ramayana. This results in a different kind of narrative, more akin to a family drama than a heroic saga.

Apart from the Heroic Trials, Family Drama Prevails

Our ideal couple, Ram and Sita, do not live happily ever after. The narrative takes a turn for the worse; their lives are torn apart, and the inseparable bond is tested beyond repair. The separation is not due to the usual villain Raavan, but something even more disgusting than his reputation would suggest.

But is the ending any more kind? In the final winding down of Uttar Ramayana, even after all the problems are solved, the narrative remains unresolved. For avid Ramayana lovers, it isn’t a thrilling experience more so because due to the added Uttara Kanda, the story no longer adheres to the central villain concept that made Ramayana so riveting. The characters in Uttar Ramayana don't represent the typical heroic figures; they are humanized with flaws, making it a saga that lacks the grandeur seen in the original.

Uttara Kanda: Clarity and Confusion

To understand Ramayana without the inclusion of Uttara Kanda is simple and straightforward. It’s about a woman’s kidnapping by a villain and a daring rescue. However, the addition of Uttara Kanda complicates the narrative. We are left wondering who the true hero is now. This part raises the question of why Rama subjects Sita to tests of chastity that no ordinary human would, blurring the distinction between divine and mortal.

Tragedy in Contrast to Opulence

The story of Uttar Ramayana evolves from being a grand saga of adventure and triumph to a somber tale of tragedy. The first part of Ramayana, attributed to Tulsidas, narrates a miraculous journey where ordinary humans were elevated to god-like status. However, in Uttar Ramayana, fate seems cruel. Devi Sita is sent to the forest during her pregnancy, and Rama never sends anyone to inquire about her safety. The tragic end to the story is further marred by the deaths of Lakshmana and the reunion of Luv and Kush with their father, who performs the yagaswa and defeats his brothers.

Uttara Ramayana holds no grand thrills for the modern reader. Poets and scholars often opine that it is a fictional creation, with no definitive proof to support or deny this claim. The narrative given in Uttar Ramayana remains the only source for understanding Rama's life post-ascendancy.