The Kharavadha

Recursive Counter-Narratives in Vālmīki’s Rāmāyaṇa

Abstract

The article explores the significance of the repeated sub-narrative of Khara's slaying within Vālmīki's Rāmāyaṇa. Beyond the epic's well-known full retellings, the article focuses on the frequent, partial recurrences of the battle between Rāma and Khara and his forces, particularly as it is retold by various characters after the initial event in the Araṇyakāṇḍa. Goldman argues that this obsession with the "Kharavadha" serves not merely as a reminder of past events but functions as a crucial narrative device. These recursive accounts, often presented with selective emphasis and omissions by figures like Śūrpaṇakhā, Rāvaṇa, Hanumān, and Jaṭāyus, reveal their individual agendas, motivations, and perceptions of the central conflict. Furthermore, the reappearance of Khara's son, Makarākṣa, in the Yuddhakāṇḍa as a vengeful opponent underscores the enduring narrative impact of Khara's death. Ultimately, the article demonstrates how these recursive counter-narratives highlight the theme of revenge and shape the unfolding events of the epic, solidifying the Kharavadha as a pivotal and repeatedly reinterpreted moment within the Rāmāyaṇa.