On another matter, I am sure all of you have read Muppalla
Ranganayakamma's RAmAyanam-Vi-sha-vru-ksham , a 2 or 3 volume book.
It makes such nice and pleasurable reading, that I consider it
a master piece of literary criticism (Islamic fundamentalists
can learn from this that among Hindus, a criticism of a popular
deity's character, can not only be published, but become highly
popular in itself).
To anyone going to India, I sincerely recommend acquiring this
book if they can find it.
Speaking of RA-mA-ya-nam, I would like to share this joke that
I heard from Prof. RAmAnujan (c0-author of VNR garu).
RSL (Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana) were leaving for vanavAsam. The
entire population of Ayodhya came to the banks of the Ganga river
to see them off. The boat is ready, and RSL waited and waited for
the people of Ayodhya to leave, so that they can begin their journey
into the vana before the sun goes down. But the people showed no
inclination of wanting to leave. Finally, to get things rolling
Rama said "We are grateful for your kindness to us. We will be
alright. So, ladies and gentlemen of Ayodhya, I order you to go
back to your homes now" And the people began to obey his order.
After the vanavasm was over, RSL were returning to Ayodhya along
the same path. They came to the same spot on the banks of Ganga.
They found some people waiting. They all had very long beards, etc.
It was clear to Rama that these people had been waiting at the same spot
for a very long time. He was perplexed, and suddenly it became clear to him
that these people are some of the residents of Ayodhya who came to see
them off when they were beginning the vanavasam.
He said "Kind people, why are you still waiting here? When we left for
vanavasam, I ordered to go back to your homes. Did you not here me?"
The people said "Ramachandra, you ordered the ladies and gentlemen to
go back to their homes. But we are the ko-jjAs of Ayodhya"
Touched by their kindness and obedience, Rama gave them a boon that each
of them will be born in the 2nd half of the 20th century as MPs of Congress
party, and reap rich benefits.
By the way, in which culture did jokes originate? Can Telugu's lay claim to
this? I do not know how old Pa-ra-mA-nan-da-yya si-shu-la ka-tha-lu are, but
many of them are somewhat like jokes, and nice to read (at least when you
are a child).
Katta Murty.