Chapter 3.15 - The story of Ruma (Women characters, part 2)

In Adhyatma Ramayana, the description of Ruma is seen in the Kishkindha-kanda. When Tara was grieving about the loss of her husband Bali, she almost complainingly says, “Along with Rama, Sugriva got the country. Let him now enjoy his position along with Ruma.”^[1] After driving away Sugriva from Kishkindha, Bali had stolen Ruma. After the killing of Bali, Ruma got Sugriva back.^[2] When Lakshmana, along with Hanuman, was going to speak to Sugriva, he was sitting with his wife Ruma.

In Adhyatma Ramayana only one woman character, Ruma, that does not give any special indication about her behaviour of character. Ruma is referred to in the words of Tara and when Lakshmana goes to Sugriva. Valmiki does not give any special personality or individuality to Ruma and therefore it is well-nigh impossible to make out a character sketch of this women character Ruma.