August 19 Episode - Stars and Losers

I liked today's episode and I am seeing them as stars of the show or the losers. But before starting with the stars, let me go with the ones who in audience were amusing.

Originally posted by: Angie12

I liked today's episode and I am seeing them as stars of the show or the losers. But before starting with the stars, let me go with the ones who in audience were amusing.

Mahadev is of the course the hero of the show that he is directing and so as usual he is having the most fun these days because he is the only one (here many times Parvati is not privy to everything) who knows the ending too. So he told Parvati to relax and enjoy the show as he didn't want to miss even a single line of the entertainment he was witnessing in Janak's sabha.

Parvati who was secretly happy to see Ram giving an appropriate lesson to Parshuram was still worried about Sita until she observed that Sita is quite capable of taking care of herself. Then she relaxed and started enjoying the entertainment. Parvati had to be happy as Parshuram is the one who had broken her son Ganesh's tooth. So she too wanted him to get a payback.

Naarad is just a great commentator when he made that funny quip about Parshuram not being to able harm Ram when he himself blessed Sita. I hope that Naarad is retained as a commentator when the war between Ram and Raavan starts because live action needs good commentary too.

Ok now with the stars - starting in chronological order.

1. Sita - Sita is one capable person of taking care of things where Ram is concerned. As soon she figured out that it was Parshuram, she went and took his blessings before the whole drama started. Parshuram who cannot see anything beyond his "righteous" anger blessed her with "Saubhayavati Bhav". After that blessing, she stood there with a calm face. Even Parvati was amazed at her best friend's resourcefulness.

2. Lakshman - He was the star as expected. He doesn't anything nonsense from anybody and he was absolutely that capable ones do not need to brag. Parshuram really had no answers to any of his arguments, so he resorted to threats and what not. Lakshman was the most fun. Also it is good that Shesnaag's avatar had an upper hand on Vishnu's avatar for a change.

3. Ram - Ok, Ram was great too. He is a big diplomat and let Parshuram vent on and on and then came forward. He also did not stop Lakshman from arguing either. Parshuram was mollified somewhat at this gentleness and like Ravan also underestimated Ram's strength. So he wouldn't believe that Ram could have broken the dhanush and hence asked for the proof. And..

4. Vishwamitra - ...Vishwamitra stepped in at the right time. Vishwamitra was Parshuram's uncle even though they are of same age, as Parshuram's mother Renuka was Vishwamitra's older sister. So Vishwamitra must have known Parshuram quite well. He decided to teach him a lesson and prompted Parshuram to give a challenge to Ram.

5. Ram again - He took the challenge and got Vishnu's bow and then used it appropriately to bring Parshuram down to earth. I liked both Ram's and Vishwamitra's smile. Ram in his cool calm way taught a great lesson to Parshuram.

Some honorable mentions: Janak who tried to mollify Parshuram as he didn't want his wrath to fall on his new son-in-law. Of course, Sita in all this was not worried and kept quiet.

Now the losers:

Parshuram - Parshuram is one humorless avatar of Vishnu who just ends up making blunders after blunders. It was time for him to retire and let Vishnu's another avatar take the lead. What was the big deal if Pinak was broken. If Mahadev was ok with it, what was Parshuram's problem? Also once you give somebody the gift, it is up to them to take care of it or not. if anybody, it should have been Janak and Sita to get angry. Anyway, Parshuram's ego had been getting out of hand as nobody before Ram/Lakshman ever challenged him. So it was time for him to get a reality check and he did.

Raavan - This guy thankfully did not have much to say. So after flying in the stolen Pushpak, he decided to reflect on his defeat and came to a conclusion that it was Mahadev's fault who was out to humiliate him. Then he started playing the victim where everyone from Rishi, Janak and Ram were conspiring against him. So Ram is now his sworn enemy and his victim list will keep on increasing in next 14 years.

Finally, some confusions from the episode and precap:

1. Isn't Parshuram the seventh avatar and Ram the eight one because Krishna is the 9th avatar. But the episode mentioned Parshuram as the sixth and Ram as the seventh. Am I missing some avatar between Ram and Krishna?

2. So Hanuman was younger relative to Ram and only grew up rapidly because of the energy release from Pinak? I have never heard of this before. So is this another one of CVS concoction or is it really true?

Originally posted by: shivamala

Thanks, Angie you are talking about TV serials anything goes, there is nothing like who comes before or after. CVS can create whatever they want.

Originally posted by: Soniaman

Angie...nice one...
Our sita maiya is very intelligent...so she takes blessing before anything happened...
Nice epi...
All characters are great...

Originally posted by: misti73

Thanks Angie for your thoughts. Liked them and again I am late. I did like yesterday's episode and like you would like Narad giving the background commentary when the war will take place.

Misti, no problem with the late response. I too should be taking time off from the forum as I have so many deadlines. But my brain is fried and confused with all the analysis I am doing currently and hence the forum is acting as a break for me these days.

Yesterday I liked Sita the most. She handled the situation quite well and calmly went for Parashuram's blessings...Liked Ram's quizzing look towards her when she started her walk. Janak was initally shocked seeing her walking towards Parashuram but then he realised what she was upto and sweetly introduced her to Parashuram who promptly blessed her saying Saubhagyavati Bhava and thus gave her husband his blessing. Sita knew that her husband is safe and she quietly stood aside and let men do all manly stuff. Narad was right that Parashuram has not realised that he himself has blessed her husband.

I too Sita the best. She did not say a word to anybody. Gave a glance to Ram, started going towards Parshuram as soon she realized the gravity of the situation, reassured her mother, who tried to stop her, with just a touch on her hand, and then stood calmly throughout the whole "discussion" process. She even smiled when Ram took the challenge and put the string on the bow as she had full faith in Ram's capabilities. Narad is way too funny with his one liners.

Liked the war of words between Lakshman and Parashuram and then Ram coming in and calmly facing Parashuram which irked Parashuram more. Janak realising that until and unless Parashuram is mollified he is not going to keep quiet and he glances at Vishwamitra, silently asking him to find a way. Vishwamitra got the message. Parashuram realised who Ram really is and he stood back.

I like the actor who is playing Lakshman. He suits this role and I have always liked reactive, impulsive Lakshman as Ram is too much of a diplomate for my taste even though I agree that Ram type people are needed when the passions run too high and situations are volatile. Vishwamitra was the wise sage in this saga.

So on the whole a good episode and I liked Ram here. Piyush is slowly getting in the character, he is now more relaxed and that shows in the scenes. Agree to all you have said here.

Mahadev and Parvati are reminding me more and more of my parents. I mean my mother usually asks my father regarding his views on some happenings in their life when she knows what has happened. The only difference is that unlike Mahadev my father after some time gets irritated and says that "why are you asking me for explanations when you already know the answers..to which my mother usually remarks that "she just wants to hear his POV". 😉

😆 I like your mother. Mahadev does have patience and he many times enjoys answering Parvati in his enigmatic manner and let her figure out things at the end.