The Cause Poem by Angelina Pandian

“Ravana! Oh! Brother Ravana!
See me, your sister, your blood, your own
Insulted, injured and mocked – all
Because of my love for you.
A beauty there stood, Sita
Blessed gain, better than all boons
To make her your handmaid
I went and enquired for you
But, look this was my gain
Insult, reprimand, injury and threat
Such affronts made against me
Me, no, not me but, against you
Lankeswara! Do men fear you no more
Have you become complacent?
Arrogant he was, that Rama
With anger he paled like the moon
He spoke, yes! “out you go” he ordered
The very recollection gives me pain
And to his aid rushed Lakshmana
Who cut my nose a bit too soon
Or, Sita herself I would have asked
And brought her here across the Maine.
Why do you stare? It is I, Surpanake!
Your strange hesitation makes me swoon
Was it for you I sought a bride and bled?
Better if on those sylvan glades I was slain.”
“No, No! it is not so, sister dear,
Their life is now mine alone,
Sita from them would be separated
And my bridal garlands their very veins.”
Saying arose Ravana Mighty King of Lanka
A wind rustled among the sylvan glades
Where Rama was sporting with beautiful Sita
And the hoofs of the Golden Deer Mareesa
Parted the green grass walking towards them!

[Rama rejected the love of Surpanaka, sister of Ravana. The version of Surpanaka's story as told to Ravana in half truths and bare lies, manipulating his brotherly affection, kindling his lust for a married woman - Sita, fanning hatred and being one of the reasons for the epic story of Ramayana being created, written with poetic license]