We’re on day 8 of the 21-day lockdown and ‘Ramayan’ fever has gripped the whole nation. Ramanand Sagar’s mythological series is being re-telecast on Doordarshan National during this period of coronavirus quarantine along with other iconic shows like BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, Byomkesh Bakshi, Shaktimaan and Circus for some much-needed distraction.
Yesterday’s episode had Queen Kaikeyi demanding 2 boons from King Dashrath after a chat with her maid Manthara and the outcome was 14 years of exile for Prince Ram.
My morning started with this. #Manthara#Kaikeyi pic.twitter.com/LN6aDwyHOn
— Bye Bye (@Sagar25687231) March 31, 2020
We already knew it was coming but this happened.
https://twitter.com/Sagen_25/status/1245015150874095617
After watching things take a drastic turn, Twitter was filled with memes on how evil Manthara turned out to be and how she manipulated Kaikeyi.
#ramayan memes🚩 pic.twitter.com/iqIASWtfoK
— 𝑨𝒓𝒑𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒂|झोलाछाप medico⚕️ (@WagonR_wala) March 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/Vibziiee/status/1244864232270622721
Kaikeyi :: Its impossible for Bharat to become A King Now .
Manthara :: #Ramayan pic.twitter.com/vh86I9UWUA
— THE | Epic Blogger | (@Kush_official_) March 31, 2020
Kaikeyi is the reason coupons have fine print #RamayanOnDDNational
— Shishir Garg (@gargshishir) March 31, 2020
Manthara why you doing this to my gullible Kaikeyi? 😔
— M. 🍃☀️🪷 (@catastrochic) March 31, 2020
It also sparked a serious discussion on the positive and negative personality traits of Kaikeyi with some people recalling her bravery during war and others pointing out her emotional vulnerability, reports Business Insider.
Today's episode was totally lit!! 💯
From Manthara's ploy to Kaikeyi's heartlessness to Dashrath's helplessness to Kaushalya's pain to Laxman's anger to Sita's determination to Ram's calmness… I felt each and every emotions today. ISTG I had to hide my tears 🥺🙈#Ramayan— ᴥ︎︎︎_ℕ𝚞𝚖𝚋𝐋𝔦𝔱𝔱𝔩𝔢𝔅ꪊᧁ_𖠌 (@BookishDishu) March 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/vatsalkotia/status/1244839988325281792
Manthara is not at fault, neither is Kaikeyi.
What’s within comes out in testing times. People respond according to their nature.
We’ll see how Lord Ramachandra responds to his banishment. Therein lies the lesson for humans 🙂
— Kushagra (@karshneya) March 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/Saffron_Kanya/status/1244844078522499075
https://twitter.com/cup_cake0999/status/1244848833063878656
Learned 2 things –
1- Mata Kaikeyi was a warrior , used to go in battlefield . Women empowerment isn't a new thing to India .
2- Doesn't matter how brave & bold you are , but if you're emotionally vulnerable , there's always a chance for u to get manipulated by some Manthara .— vimal singh rawat (@vimal_s_Rawat) March 31, 2020
Look what brainwashing did to Kaikeyi. Be vigilant. Negative energies are all around.
— ShruTea (@ChidiyaChirps) March 31, 2020
Kaikeyi, otherwise a wise and brave woman, clould easily be dissuaded by Manthara. It shows only one thing — always use your own brain. Never borrow it from others.
— Alok Mishra (@PoetAlok_Mishra) March 31, 2020
Today's Ramayana lesson- no one is bad. Our company makes good or bad like Kaikeyi by Manthara.
Perfect person remains calm in all situations like Ram.— V B LAL (@VblalB) March 31, 2020
How can Kaikeyi be so cruel?🙄😢
— 𝒟𝒦 (@parisarapremi) March 31, 2020
It takes just one Manthra to cause an evil- just one Manthra!
— Alok Bhatt (@alok_bhatt) March 31, 2020
I really appreciate the timing, planning and grit of Kaikeyi ji. Had she been in a corporate she would have nailed it.#RamayanOnDDNational
— Sinbad (@SinbadJahazi) March 31, 2020
Isn’t it amazing that after watching ‘Ramayan’ so many times, we’re still able to find lessons from the plot and draw parallels with current times?