[ Siya Ke Ram ] Episode Discussion Thread/Live Update - Page 2

@bold did they actually show something like that😲😲 😭I missed little bit of starting...btw why kaushalya was angry n bitter towards dasharath..?

Good that they included shanta story...even Shanta entrance was der today kya?

I guess I hv to watch it again from starting lol...

The rest of the episode was OK. I am not a fan of gloomy, depressive atmosphere in mythos and to be honest, I saw no reason for such a sad atmosphere in Ayodhya. Baal Kand is supposed to be very cheerful and thrilling. There is more than a fair share of tragedy later on from Ayodhya Kand onwards. Why make Baal Kand depressing too? Especially after the birth of the four princes, there was no room for sadness in Ayodhya. The entire Kingdom including the Rajmahal was in high spirits.

But the Kingdom of Ayodhya truly looks majestic. It's a treat to the eyes.

I like the actress playing Kaushalya, hope her character improves later on! Sumitra's character is very sweet but the acting of the lady playing her is a bit awkward and stiff. I guess she'll need some more time to settle into her character. Kaikeyi is OK. There is something sinister about her already, but I'm glad they didn't make her evil early on. The conversation between her and Manthara was funny. 😆

One major disappointment for me was the costumes. I know there are many people who like simple costumes and jewelry, but people like me, who watch mythos to see the grandeur and royal costumes and jewelry of the ancient days, would be disappointed to see a mytho like this that has such simple attire. With the budget that is available to Nikhil Sinha, he can make this show so much grander and beautiful with glittering gold jewelry and shiny silk costumes.

Also, it is not just the simplicity of the costumes, but the style of costumes looks more like Mughal Era than Treta Yuga, especially Kaikeyi's costume. When I saw Kaikeyi's attire, I was reminded more of a Mughal begun than a queen of King Dasharath.

In terms of costumes and jewelry, Star Plus' Mahabharat last year did a brilliant job. 👏 Their jewelry took my breath away and the sarees, draped in an elegant traditional style around the ladies, looked so regal.

Even the royal people in this show look dull and dreary in their attire. They look no different than the praja to be honest. I hope Nikhil Sinha improves on this, because in his previous show Devon ke Dev Mahadev, he had lovely costumes and jewelry.

In terms of rating, this is what I would give for the first episode.

Sita's birth - 5/5 👏👏

Ayodhya Scenes - 3/5

Mithila Scenes - 4/5

Vasishta's Gurukul - 4.5/5 (really good, but not impressed with the child actors)

Costumes and Jewelry - 1/5 (definitely needs to improve!)

what is the story behind Ram's elder sister being given away. ive never heard of it

Sri ram's intro with vishnuji's backdrop looked great & i half expected to see SRJ's face pop up as vishnuji😆 got so used to see him in tht char

Btw i found the hindi a bit easy going than mahadev & mahabharat

Many many years before Ram and his brothers were born, King Dashrath and his wife Kaushalya had a daughter named Shanta. King Dashrath was close friends with King Romapada, the King of Anga (the same Anga ruled by Karna in the Mahabharat), and since Romapada was childless, King Dashrath gave him Shanta in adoption. King Romapada brought her up as his own daughter and then gave her in marriage to Rishyashringa, a sage who later performed the putrakameshti yagna for Dashrath in order to beget heirs.

This story has no details about Shanta, and why Dashrath gave her in adoption, nor her age when she was adopted. But adoptions between Kingdoms were very common back in those days. Remember, Kunti was also adopted. Her birth father was King Shurasena (also the father of Vasudev) but he gave her up in adoption to Kuntibhoja, his cousin, hence why she is called Kunti.

http://www.valmikiramayan.net/bala/sarga11/bala_11_prose.htm

Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda in Prose Sarga 11

.

Minister Sumantra continued, "oh, the great king, I will further narrate all that has been said by Sanat Kumara, the best one among all deities, kindly listen to these favourable words."

Sage Sanat Kumara belongs to the bygone era of Ikshvaku dynasty. Please refer to the account regarding the era-system if ancient India at endnote.

"A king named Dasharatha will be born into Ikshwaku dynasty who will be very virtuous, resplendent and truthful one to his vow." Said Sanat Kumara, the Sage."King Dasharatha will befriend the king of Anga and the king of Anga will beget a fortunate girl named Shanta.

Shanta is said to be the daughter of Dasharatha and given to Romapada in adoption, and Rishyasringa marries her alone. This is what Sumantra says to Dasharatha at 1-9-19.

The son of the king of Anga, the earlier king of Anga kingdom, will be known as Romapada, or also know as Chitraratha, and the highly renowned king Dasharatha approaches Romapada. Then king Dasharatha says to king of Anga "oh, righteous one, I am childless and hence I intend to perform a Vedic ritual. Let the husband of your daughter Shanta, Sage Rishyasringa, preside over that Vedic ritual at you behest, for the sake of progeny in my dynasty.

"On hearing those words of king Dasharatha that benevolent soul Romapada, the king of Anga, considers heartily and agrees to send the one who endows progeny by rituals, namely Sage Rishyasringa his son-in-law.

The words pradaasyate putravantam are read in some translations as 'Rishyasringa who already has a son...' while others read it as 'a sage who endows progeny by putra kameSti ritual...' But in Maha Bharata father Vibhandaka says to Rishyasringa to comeback after begetting a son, which Rishyasringa did not concede. So taking this some say Rishyasringa has a son. But it is generally accepted that putravantam as aahitaagni, Vedic ritualist of eminence, according to: jta putra ka keo agnn adhta...according to shruti scripture.

"On receiving that Brahman, Sage Rishyasringa, at the behest of his father-in-law, that king Dasharatha gets rid of his febrile condition and will accomplish that Vedic ritual, feeling very felicitous in the depths of his heart.

"That king, the desirer of glory, the knower of virtue and the lord of people, namely Dasharatha will be requesting that best Brahman Rishyasringa with his palms adjoined in supplication for the conduct of ritual, for progeny and even for his heavenly abodes, and that king of all the quarters of earth will accomplish those desires from that eminent Brahman Rishyasringa.

Heavenly abodes are dependent on begetting sons: aputrasya gatir nsti svargo naivaca naivaca There is no way out [in other worlds] for those without sons... shruti scripture. Hence the request of Dasharatha is that way.

"There will be four sons to king Dasharatha that abound with valour, enrich dynasty's reputation and they will be renowned among all beings." Thus said Sage Sanat Kumara to other sages.

'Sons and Paradise are intimately connected in Indian belief. A man desires above every thing to have a son to perpetuate his race, and to assist with sacrifices and funeral rites to make him worthy to obtain a lofty seat in heaven or to preserve that which he has already obtained.' Gorresio via Ralph T. H. Griffith [1870-1874].

"This way he that ancient and godly Sage Sanatkumaara, who is also Brahma's brain-child like Narada, said this legend in earlier Divine Era, called krita yuga..." thus Sumantra continued his narration to Dasharatha.

Comment: Please refer endnote for yuga / era classification.

" Oh, great king the manly-tiger, he that Sage Rishyasringa be led here on your proceeding in person with staff and transport and on adoring him well personally." Thus Sumantra concluded his narration.

On hearing the word of advise from charioteer, Dasharatha became gladsome and made Sumantra to reiterate to that sage also, for his approval, then Dasharatha travelled to the place where that Brahman Rishyasringa is, along with the inmates of palace-chambers and ministers too.

While the chief priest Vashishta is officiator of all rituals no king can invite another priest to perform something without the consent of the officiating priest. Hence the consent of Vasishta is obtained, after asking Sumantra to reiterate what all was said, to sage Vashishta also. anena prcna tvik abhyanujanena na eva anya neya -- dharmktam

On crossing over the rivers and forests slowly and steadily Dasharatha entered that kingdom where that eminent Brahman is there. Then Dasharatha saw that best Brahman who he is nearby king Romapada, andwho is resplendent like ritual fire. Then king Romapada gladdened at heart of hearts paid excellent respects to king Dasharatha procedurally and in view of their friendship. Then Romapada informed the wise sage Rishyasringa about the friendship and relation with Dasharatha, and then that sage worshipped king Dasharatha in his return.

Thus well received by king Romapada, king Dasharatha spent seven to eight days with him, and then spoke this to king Romapada.

"Oh, lord of subjects, your daughter Princess Shanta may go over my city Ayodhya along with her husband Rishyasringa, as oh, king, I am contemplating to perform a great Vedic ritual, indeed." So said Dasharatha to Romapada. So it shall be" said king Romapada agreeing to their travel with king Dasharatha, and addressed these words to that Brahman sage and his son-in-law, Sage Rishyasringa "You may proceed along with your wife."

Here Ralph T. H. Griffith's translation [1870-1874] has that Shanta is the daughter of Dasharatha: 'This king,' he said, 'from days of old / A well beloved friend I hold. / To me this pearl of dames he gave / From childless woe mine age to save, / The daughter whom he loved so much, / Moved by compassion's gentle touch. / In him thy S'ant's father see: / As I am even so is he...

Then Rishyasringa agreed and replied to the king Romapada "So it will be done" and then having been permitted by the king he set forth along with his wife. Those valiant kings greeted each other with thanksgiving palm-fold, and in friendship they embraced each other and gladdened. Then king Dasharatha who set forth to Ayodhya bade farewell to his friend king Romapada, and he firstly sent quick-footed messengers to Ayodhya to inform his citizens about his arrival along with Sage Rishyasringa.

"Let the entire city of Ayodhya be well decorated very quickly, let her streets be sprinkled with water and then swept, let the flags of welcome be hoisted.." Thus, king Dasharatha ordered messengers that are sent beforehand.

Then on hearing the arrival of their king all the citizens felt very happy and readily performed all those works exactly as ordered by their king. Then king Dasharatha keeping Rishyasringa before him entered the well-decorated city Ayodhya amidst the full sounding of conch shells and drumbeats.

Then all the citizens are very happy on seeing that Brahman, Sage Rishyasringa, who is well honoured and being entered into the city by their king Dasharatha, as has been done once by Indra when he entered sage Kashyapa's son Vamana, the dwarfish boy and the incarnation of Vishnu, into heavens, and thus those citizens felt that their human lord Dasharatha vies with divine lord Indra.

The simile of Indra to king Dasharatha is in two ways. Dasharatha ruled kingdom like Indra who rules Heavens. The word Indra karmaNa also refers to the deeds of Dasharatha, in helping the gods' forces combating the demonic forces. Thus the deeds performed by Dasharatha are like those of Indra's. Here Dasharatha is bringing Sage Rishyasringa to Ayodhya. Earlier Indra led Vamana, the dwarf-boy to heavens. Vamana is the incarnation of Vishnu in early ages and after Vamana suppressed Bali, the Emperor to netherworlds, Indra took Vamana to heavens. Thus Dasharatha is like Indra on earth, both by his virtue and deed. Incidentally, Vamana i.e., Vishnu, is the son-incarnate to Sage Kaashyapa, while sage Rishyasringa is the grandson of the same Kaashyapa. Thus Sage Kaashyapa is instrumental to these two incarnations. Through the divine grace of Sage Rishyasringa, the same Vishnu is going to take birth as Rama, while Sage Kashyapa is a grandparent of Rama in this era, and while he alone was Vishnu's father when Vishnu incarnated as Dwarf boy Vamana.

Dasharatha entered the sage into the palace chambers and worshipped him there as ordained in the scriptures, and in bringing the Sage here into his country, king Dasharatha believed that his desired is fulfilled. On seeing her, the broad-eyed Shanta, who came there along with her husband all the ladies of palace derived happiness for the homecoming of their own daughter, as it were.

Shanta thus being admired by all of them, and in an exceptional manner by Dasharatha, comfortably resided there along with her husband, the Vedic scholar Rishyasringa.

The Riwik is not just a reciter of Veda-s but more a director or conductor of whole orchestration of the Vedic ritual, which involves lots of rules, in reciting hymns, in performing deeds and all in their exactness. The whole lots of works that need be performed have the order of precedence like prime, auxiliary or adjunctive in their ordinance. A Ritwik is the elated scholar who keeps track of these activities while other scholars recite hymns as directed by these Ritwik-s. Hence, Ritwik-hood is the highest.

This serial was something I was looking forward to from the first time it was announced to the final moments before I watched the show (which was later than most other people since I was stuck at work). The title of this serial is apt for what is being depicted -- Siya KE Ram. A show that focuses on the many treasures of the life of SIta Mata, and without a doubt I think it's perfect that the Mithila scenes are far more superior in terms of characterization, quality, and dialogues. That all being said, here are my thoughts for the very first episode of Siya Ke Ram.

Mithila:

Words cannot describe the beauty I found in Mithila. Many Ramayan serials used to skip over Mithila and only bring it up when Sita Mata was getting married. I loved the fabulous introduction to the serial with the poor man having no luck with water, how he ran to the chariots and how he fell, and how he was given water. I loved how the second poor, humble man refused to take food because there were others far more hungrier than he was. Janak was by far the character that struck a nerve of awe. He was calm, cool, collected, and simply fabulous. You could see the pain in his expressions, a true RajaRshi. His wife Sunaina was also played with excellent performance, but I was more focused on Janak during those scenes. While he didn't necessarily eat her character, his performance just made you want to keep your eyes on him. A splendid job and round of applause to the actor playing Janak, well done.

Ayodhya:

First off, the graphics and VFX were amazing. The level of detail, the quality, the beauty all goes to show how far we have progressed in terms of graphics. I have no doubt that the war scenes will be quite a delight.

Coming on to the characters -- I wasn't too happy with Ayodhya. It all felt a bit too strange to me:

Kausalya Mata bathing a golden baby statue, Dasaratha being a bit rude (IMHO) to Kausalya, Sumitra being the wise one who filled Dasaratha's heart with hope for the future, and Kaikeyi being a person who couldn't really express her extensive love for Rama.

Kausalya -- she seemed to come off as a bitter woman, maybe even slightly crazy. She was very wise, but it just seemed that StarKausalya didn't find it possible to express her love for Rama all too much. When Dasaratha mentioned that she should prepare to go visit Rama, I think it would have been appropriate to have some sort of indication that she wanted to go to Rama badly, but moments later she regained composure and remembered Rshi Vasistha's words. Maybe even something subtle like a sparkle / gleam in her eyes would have been nice enough. But she felt a tad bit stone hearted.

Kaikeyi -- I'm glad the CVs didn't ruin her character all too much. I was literally clenching my bed sheets as I watched her ask Mantra to guide her, but the feeling when Kaikeyi started laughing because she was making fun of Mantra's obsessive scheming nature felt wonderful. I think that we also missed the element of her affection for Rama. She mentioned how her love for Rama was on par as the rest, but in reality, Kaikeyi loved Rama more than everything. For her, Rama was everything and I wanted to see something more to this. Perhaps we will see a flashback episode when Rama returns and the queens are reminiscing Rama's birth, Rama's childhood, etc. where Mata Kaikey's love for Rama truly shines.

Sumitra -- I loved her introduction, it was a wonderful song and everything went very smoothly from the worshiping to the Dasaratha sitting behind her to their conversation. Again, I missed the element of Rama's affection here as well. In fact, I felt that Sumitra had the least amount of affection for Rama because she didn't really bring up much about Rama. The queens were crazy about Ram, and I did expect something more regarding this. However, the dialogue was wonderful and showed Sumitra's gentle side. I think this would have been more fit for Kausalya to say, but still fantastic job.

Dasaratha -- I don't think I've ever seen a Dasaratha the way I want to see Dasaratha. His character is the hardest to imagine because on one hand we have a king who has nightmares about being separated from his son and on the other hand, we have a father that's crazy about his eldest son. Even when I think about it, I don't know how I would imagine Dasaratha in terms of a character, I think the most appropriate description would be to compare Dasaratha's affection towards Rama much like maybe the Gopis of Vrindavan towards Krishna. Not necessarily as a lover, but the particular rasa and bhava is so strong that Dasaratha is constantly thinking only about Ram. He feels uneven without Ram, but he manages to keep his kingdom in check maybe because he knew Ram would be happy in that. I'm not quoting parts of the Ramayan, mind you -- I'm just trying to understand how Dasaratha would have felt. Again, it's something hard to visualize, so I don't want to say too much. I will say that Dalip Tahil did a wonderful job, and it's great to see him as Dasaratha.

Gurukul --

Question -- who was the bird guy? I think his name was mentioned once, but I couldn't catch it since the audio quality wasn't that good.

My biggest peeve was being able to figure out which kid is who. Since Lakshman and Shatrugna were twins, I kept thinking that the taller actors (From the group of three when BLS were first introduced) were twins, but then when Shatrugna said Bharat Bhaiya, I realized that one of them was Bharat but I wasn't sure. Then when one boy turned around and pointed to Rama Bhaiya I thought that he was Lakshman because he was closer to Ram, but then again Bharat was too and I just gave up figuring out which kid was who. I think the kid that spoke the first when Vasishta asked that question about how the kids would help out a neighboring kingdom was Bharat, and the second kid that spoke was Lakshman, but their faces looked pretty similar to me.

Child actors were great, Rama maintained composure and had the best dialogues. Loved how he said that he would personally go to the kingdom to help rather than just send supplies. Bravo!!

Sita's Appearance -- This was by far my favorite part of the entire episode, the second one being everything MIthila related. Everything about this scene was spot on and perfect, from the VFX, the camera, everything. I loved how the rain fell and everyone went crazy. Wonderful.

In the end, I think this is something I will watch for Mithila and Sita. So far so good. Just work on Ayodhya please CVs. It isn't as great as Mithila and as Sita's sasural, Ayodhya needs to be perfect for her arrival there 😛😉

Visuals of Ayodhya and Mithila were a treat to watch .

Regarding Kaushalya's character , she indeed was a woman who had a sad life..if we read VR , she comes across as a woman who was most of the time quite sad , she had never received love and respect from her husband and Kaikeyi treated her like dirt!

When Rama is sent off on exile, Kau vents her misery in front of Dashratha and recounts how he treated her before..

Manthara's counsel to Kaikeyi is also a must read , in VR , she says to Kaikeyi , what if Kau treats you the way you treated her before? Once Rama is king Kau will reign supreme and she might imprison you or make your life miserable like you did to her and that hits the nail in coffin and Kaikeyi is off to kopa bhavan! Rest is Ramayan. Even though mrs kopa bhavan loved Rama more than Bharata, the above mentioned insecurities got the best or rather worst out of her

In Forest Ram also recounts how his mom spent her life miserably and that he had not given his mom any joy ..

There's more to Kau's character, she isn't vengeful and didn't retaliate once Rama returned from exile , actually she never plans any retaliation ; Just that she wasn't a very cheerful character and she spent most time on her own