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Bhumi – the goddess of Earth, considered Mandavi – wife of Bharata, Sita’s cousin, to be Sita’s real mother
Kushadvaja’s daughter
Janaka – king of Mithila; Sita’s adoptive Mithila – the capital city of Janaka’s
father who found Sita in a furrow
kingdom, and Sita’s birthplace
466
ch a r acter s a nd ter ms
Shrutakirti – Shatrugna’s wife, Sita’s
Sunayana – King Janaka’s wife, mother of cousin, Kushadvaja’s daughter
Urmila and Sita
Sita – “Furrow,” Rama’s wife who appeared Urmila – Sita’s sister, daughter of Janaka from the earth, adopted by King Janaka
and Sunayana; wife of Lakshmana
as his own, also known as Janaki
OTHER BEINGS AND TERMS
Agni – lord of fire
Dharma – one of Kaikeyi’s favorite horses Ahalya – the stone-woman, Gautama’s
Gautama – one of the sapta-rishis, or seven beloved wife, a mind-born daughter of
sages, recognized as supremely exalted;
Brahma
author of several ancient hymns found
Ananta-Sesha – thousand-headed serpent
in the Rig and Sama Vedas
on whom Vishnu rests
Indra – lord of Heaven
Atibala – one of the sentient mantra-
Indrajit – “Conqueror of Indra,” Ravana’s weapons Rama receives from
son and heir to Lanka
Vishvamitra, healer of wounds, sister to
Jatamamsi ointment – an Ayurvedic
Bala
remedy
Ayodhya – the indestructible capital city of Kajal – a black-colored cosmetic used
Earth
around the eyes and sometimes on
Ayodhyan – citizen of Ayodhya, “the
forehead
indestructible”
Kalinga – a province
Bala – one of the sentient mantra-weapons Kamadeva – cupid, god of love
Rama receives from Vishvamitra,
Kaushika – Vishvamitra’s original name
reliever of fatigue, sister to Atibala
before transforming into a sage
Bhagiratha – Rama’s ancestor who
Kekaya – Kaikeyi’s birth kingdom
brought down the sacred Ganga from
Khus – vetiver, Rama’s favorite fragrance the heavens
Kuvera – treasurer to the gods, Ravana’s Bilva – a tree whose leaves are used in
half-brother
worship and for decoration
Nishadas – the forest tribe loyal to
Brahma (Lord) – father of the universe,
Ayodhya, ruled by Guha
the creator of all, and granter of boons
Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth and
Brahmin – a high priest deeply schooled in prosperity, Vishnu’s eternal consort
the sacred scriptures
Mahisi – the Great Queen
Chakra – Vishnu’s legendary discus, one
Manu – the First Man, who built Ayodhya
of the weapons Rama receives from
and fathered mankind
Vishvamitra
Marichi – Ayodhya’s blood-drinker
Dandaka – an uncivilized jungle
prisoner; son of Tataka
considered a borderland full of
Menaka – a celestial damsel and dancer in supernatural creatures
Indra’s court
Dashamukha – “Ten Heads,” one of
Padmini – Sita’s personal maidservant
Ravana’s original names
Parashuram – the notorious warrior hater 467
ch a r acter s a nd ter ms
Parivritti – the neglected woman Surya – lord of the sun
Rambha – a celestial damsel, one of the
Tara – Rama’s horse
famous four
Tataka – the first blood-drinker Rama kills; Rasatala – the hellish planet below Earth a female monster
where the blood-drinkers were cursed
Tulsi – the holy basil plant, an essential to live
component in the temple’s rituals
Ravana – King of the blood-drinkers; name Urvasi – a celestial damsel in Indra’s means “loud wailing”
court; often considered one of the four
Rishyashringa – son of Vibhandaka,
primary ones, along with Rambha,
mysteriously conceived by a deer
Menaka, and Tilottama
Romapada – king of Anga, close friend of Uttar-kashi – a province above Kashi
King Dasharatha
Varuna – the ocean god
Rudraksha – spiky beads worn by holy
Vavata – the concubine
ones for auspiciousness
Vayu – lord of the wind
Sandesh – the stallion King Dasharatha
Vedas – the sacred ancient text, divided rides on when he first meets Kaikeyi
into four divisions: Rig, Sama, Yajur,
Sarayu – the river running alongside
and Atharva
Ayodhya
Vedavati – incarnation of the goddess
Shabala – a celestial wish-fulfilling cow, Lakshmi, who cursed Ravana when he
who appeared from the milk ocean
accosted her
during the legendary churning
Vibhandaka – ascetic, grandson of
Shambara – the blood-drinker who causes
Brahma, father of Rishyashringa
King Dasharatha’s near-fatal wound
Videha – the province of King Janaka
Shatananda / Ananda – son of Gautama
Vishakanya – a strikingly beautiful
and Ahalya, Sita’s mentor and King
maiden, poisonous to the touch;
Janaka’s chief priest
assassin of kings
Shiva – lord of dissolution, who dances
Vishnu – the maintainer of the universe, vigorously as the world comes to its end
present in every molecule of creation
Shigraga – one of Sita’s distant relatives, an Vishvakarma – the divine architect of the old man Urmila dreaded marrying
gods who made Shiva’s bow
Soma – a plant with a moon-shaped
Vishvamitra – Rama’s mentor, formerly
bulb, addictive, intoxicating, used
King Kaushika, exalted from warrior to
medicinally as a pain remedy
sage
Subahu – the impersonator who sets
Yama – lord of death
Marichi free; son of Tataka, brother of
Marichi
468
Artist’s Note
The illustrations for this book began as a vision that never left me. Sita, Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman have been in my consciousness since I was a young adult living in Sweden.
Like a seed that is put into fertile soil, the Ramayana has been growing daily. The fruit of that seed will be an illustrated trilogy based on India’s ancient classic.
The origin of this project can be traced back to 1998 when my daughter left home at the age of fourteen to attend a boarding school in Florida. Needless to say, my life changed as she left Sweden and I had to adjust to living without her. The idea of working on a project together took birth at that time. Because of the vast distance between us, I thought that a joint project would keep our bond strong and I would perhaps feel less the pain of separation from her.
I dare say that this book is a product of love more than anything else: the love that my daughter and I share for each other and the love we have for the wisdom, beauty, and knowledge of the ancient Indian history and religion.
I am basically a self -taught artist in regards to book illustration and painting watercol-ors. It has been a continuous learning experience for me, a process that is still in progress.
I am grateful and indebted to numerous artists, both earlier and contemporary, who have helped me on this journey. Without absorbing their skills and accomplishments I would not be where I am today as an artist. I am certainly aware of my limitations as an illustrator, 469
a rtist’s note
which helps me be humble and reminds me to experiment with new ways and to learn from the experts.
The illustrations do not entirely cohere with the text. There are several reasons for this.
Primarily, the manuscript did not exist when I began to do the artwork. This was a new experience for me and my daughter. I knew next to nothing about illustrating a book as I embarked on this project. My daughter also began expanding the text to such an extent that I began a marathon to keep up. Much contemplation has gone into each illustration, and up until the publisher’s deadline, I worked diligently, hoping to produce one painting per chapter.
The trilogy is the product of efforts by many people who are dear to me. Without their patience and support this work would never have fructified, like a plant that can’t survive without water and nutrition. A special thanks goes to Vrinda, my daughter and co-worker.
Her writing complements whatever I do graphically. I could never have done this book without her and it encourages me to see how she is so inspired by this writing and how she has brought it to a very personal level. Her writing has greatly enhanced both of our lives.
470
a rtist’s note
I also must extend a big hug and thanks to Len, my husband. He has always encouraged me in my artistic pursuits, even if, as a consequence, dinner was not always there on the table.
Sam Cohen, my late father-in-law deserves a mention here also. The accumulation of inheritance from his life’s work helped to pay for the manufacture of this trilogy.
“From the inside out” is an expression that many of you have heard. That is what I want to welcome you to. My inside creative, fantastic world of art and illustration will be shared with you and the outside world. I hope you enjoy it.
Lastly, I am eternally indebted to my spiritual mentors, to Srila Prabhupada, and to the brilliant spiritual path of bhakti. I humbly offer my heart in their service.
471
Illustration Index
The Great Queen
The Victory Horse
Kausalya
page 3
page 37
The Swan Lake
Peacock in Ayodhya
page 7
page 41
The King’s Stallion
Garden Gazebo
Sandesh
page 10
page 47
Kaikeyi on
Kaikeyi’s Caretaker
Horseback
page 19
page 51
Battling
Kaikeyi and
Blood-drinkers
Manthara
page 27
page 57
The Great King
Peacocks
Dasharatha
page 60
page 30
472
illustr ation index
Manthara
Kaikeyi the
on the Prowl
Warrior-Queen
page 69
page 120
City of Ayodhya
Battle Wounds
page 83
page 124
Soaring Cranes
The Vision of a Boy
page 86
page 131
Ravana’s Phantom
A Tender Moment
page 94
page 145
The Sacrificial
Battle Axe
Horse
page 98
page 154
King of the
The Disgruntled
Blood-drinkers
Hunchback
page 105
page 162
The King and
Holy Dancing Girls
his Queens
page 111
page 170
473
illustr ation index
The Heavenly
Kaikeyi on Swing
Nectar
page 201
page 173
The Successful
Toddler Rama
Sacrifice
page 204
page 175
The Royal
Dasharatha’s Joy
Playground
page 179
page 206
The Firstborn Son
Four Royal Brothers
page 181
page 211
Kausalya’s
The Foundling
Motherly Love
Princess
page 185
page 217
Sleeping Sons
Wild and Free
page 187
page 222
Kaikeyi’s Pride
Hunting Expedition
page 194
page 233
474
illustr ation index
Archery Lesson
Dasharatha’s Sword
page 241
page 277
Spiked Club
Teenage Rama
page 245
page 286
Rama’s Bow
Shabala – The
and Arrow
Wish-fulfilling Cow
page 251
page 293
Ayodhya’s
Vishvamitra
Oldest Prisoner
and the Princes
page 254
page 301
Tataka – The
Battle Axe
Hideous Demoness
page 259
page 305
Youthful
Bala and Atibala
Prince Rama
page 310
page 267
Dasharatha
Ahalya – The
Defends Ayodhya
Stone-woman
page 271
page 318
475
illustr ation index
Sita’s Morning
Sita’s Beauty
Routine
page 323
page 360
Vedavati Accosted
Flying Geese
by Ravana
page 363
page 324
Lakshmi –
A Shield and Sword
Goddess of Fortune
page 368
page 326
Kashi on his
Juvenile Sita
Elephant
page 332
page 371
Stringing
Sorrowful Sita
Shiva’s Bow
page 377
page 338
Sita and Rama
Rama under Attack
in Love
page 381
page 346
Sita’s Love
Manthara’s
for Animals
Lily of the Valley
page 354
page 393
476
illustr ation index
The Swans
The Exiled Royalty
Deliver a Message
page 442
page 397
The Portentous
Dasharatha’s
Omen
Despair
page 404
page 444
The Pivotal
Dasharatha’s
Moment
Deathbed
page 410
page 451
The Beloved’s
Kaikeyi Weakens
Demands
page 455
page 417
Rama and
Invoking a Memory
Lakshmana
page 418
page 470
Rama’s
Sita and the
Consecration
Sacrificial Bow
page 427
page 471
Young Sita
page 436
477
Look for Book Two
Available Spring 2017
Unknown, tmp
