Hedonistic Themes in the Ramayana
As narrated in the Valmiki Ramayana, after Rama's victorious vanquishing
of Ravana and prior to Sita's banishment from the palace, Lord Rama and Sita
enjoyed their reign in Ayodhya indulging in eating meat, drinking wine and
being entertained by celestial nymphs (apsaras). Rama and Sita, who are worshipped by Hindus
and simultaneously regarded as supreme figures to emulate, did not let Hindu
ideals such as vegetarianism deter their quest for jubilant times in the
kingdom.
I. Non-vegetarian Rama
II. Wine-drinking Sita
I. Non-vegetarian Rama
Rama's non-vegetarian inclinations are apparent early in the Valmiki Ramayana;
in Ayodhyakanda sarga 20, he laments to his mom Kausalya about his
imminent exile from the kingdom into the forest (due to his wicked co-mom
Kaikeyi's plot) during which he would be abstaining from meat as is served at
the palace:
"[Rama:] 'I shall live in the forest for fourteen years abstaining from
animal food and living on tuberous roots and fruits like unto the ascetics. The
king shall confer upon Bharata the heir-apparentship and shall banish me as an
ascetic into the forest. And I shall live in that solitary forest for eight and
six years, feasting on roots, and fruits and performing the duties of a
hermit.' " -- Ramayana 2:20.
[Dutt, Manmatha Nath. The
Ramayana: translated into English prose from the original Sanskrit of
Valmiki. Calcutta: Deva Press, 1889-94. Vol. I.
p.246].
However, Rama resumes his meat-consumption (and alcohol-consumption) upon
returning to Ayodhya after his coronation, as revealed in the next quote.
II. Wine-drinking Sita
After recovering his kidnapped wife Sita from Lanka, Rama's coronation is
performed upon returning to Ayodhya.
Both Rama and Sita spend their evenings enjoying wine as well as
succulent well-cooked meats in the Asoka-grove. The following quote which captures this regal scene is from Uttarakanda
sarga 52 (or sarga 42 in some editions) of Valmiki Ramayana:
"All the trees in the forest were filled with flowers. And the rocks
there, covered with flowers falling down from trees, appeared like welkin
beautified with stars. And Rama's Asoka forest was like unto Indra's Nandana
and Kuvera's Chitraratha made by Brahma. Having entered the rich Asoka forest
abounding in many seats and houses and creepers Rama sat on an excellent seat,
covered with a beautiful coverlet and well constructed. Like unto Purandara
with Sachi he took Sita by the hand, made her sit and drink the wine distilled
in the province of Mira. And in no time the servants brought for him
well-cooked meat and various fruits. Being inebriete the beautiful Apsaras,
well-skilled in the art of singing and dancing, began to dance before Rama in
the company of Kinnaris. The virtuous-souled Rama, the foremost of those who
know how to please, satisfied those beautiful damsels adorned with various
ornaments. And Sita sitting by him, he appeared like the effulgent Vasishtha in
the company of Arundhati. Being greatly delighted the celestial-like Rama
pleased every day Sita resembling a celestial damsel. Sita and Raghava (Rama)
thus spent their days happily. And thus was spent the delightful winter giving
all enjoyments. Enjoying various things the high-souled Rama and Sita spent ten
thousand years. Once on a time, having performed all the religious ceremonies,
in the fore part of the day, Rama, to spend the evening, entered the inner
apartment. Sita, too, having performed all religious ceremonies, at first
attended to the service of her mothers-in-law. Thereupon wearing a beautifully
coloured cloth and being adorned with various ornaments Sita appeared before
Rama like unto Sachi approaching the king of celestials in heaven. And
beholding the auspicious signs of pregnancy in his spouse Rama attained to
excessive delight." -- Ramayana 7:52. [Dutt, Manmatha Nath. The Ramayana: translated into English
prose from the original Sanskrit of Valmiki.
Calcutta: Deva Press, 1889-94.
Vol. III. pp.1716-1717].
As narrated above, Lord Rama and Sita spent ten thousand years enjoying such
joyous activities. Then one day, after
Rama impregnated Sita (as illustrated above), rumors of Sita's sexual
infidelity with her former captor Ravana were circulating among the populace of
Ayodhya. So, as to avoid offending his
subjects and to retain his reputation as a virtuous monarch, Rama banished his
pregnant wife into the wilderness, although he knew the rumors were false; from
that point on Rama and Sita would eventually meet their demise with the
Ramayana ending ultimately as a tragedy, though the two do return to heaven as
Lord Vishnu and his consort Laxmi.