Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part A
Reading Notes
At the beginning of the story, we are introduced to Dasharatha who is the king of Koshala. He has one main dilemma, he has no children. At the same time, the gods needed someone to kill Ravana. Therefore Vishnu becomes incarnate as Dasharatha's son, Rama and acts as his son. A sacrifice is made by Rishyashringa the sage and through the sacrifice Dasharatha has four sons; Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna. He is then visited by an old sage that use to be a king. This person is Vishvamitra and he is on a mission to kill some demons. He ask the king if Rama can assist him on his quest. The king is hesitant, but agrees to it and Rama's brother, Lakshmana comes as well. They begin their journey and travel through the desert. This area is accompanied by the demon Thataka. Rama battles her and kills her. Along the way Vishvamitra teaches Rama mantra and astras. They continue to travel through the desert and they meet Thataka's sons - who are also demons - and they seek revenge for their mother. Rama and Lakshmana work together and defeat the demons and then they travel to meet King Janaka. As they were travelling to the king, Rama awakens Ahalya who was previously encased in stone. They arrive to the kingdom and Rama sees a woman called Sita. They immediately fall in love. In order to be with her, Rama has to string the bow of Shiva. Meanwhile, back home, Dasharatha names his successor. He attempts to do this secretly, but one of his royal servants tells Bharata's mother who uses one of the favors that Dasharatha owes her. He agrees and exiles Rama for fourteen years. Dasharatha realizes this is due to a previous curse when he unintentionally killed a boy.
Bibliography: Kamban / R. K. Narayan, The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic
At the beginning of the story, we are introduced to Dasharatha who is the king of Koshala. He has one main dilemma, he has no children. At the same time, the gods needed someone to kill Ravana. Therefore Vishnu becomes incarnate as Dasharatha's son, Rama and acts as his son. A sacrifice is made by Rishyashringa the sage and through the sacrifice Dasharatha has four sons; Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna. He is then visited by an old sage that use to be a king. This person is Vishvamitra and he is on a mission to kill some demons. He ask the king if Rama can assist him on his quest. The king is hesitant, but agrees to it and Rama's brother, Lakshmana comes as well. They begin their journey and travel through the desert. This area is accompanied by the demon Thataka. Rama battles her and kills her. Along the way Vishvamitra teaches Rama mantra and astras. They continue to travel through the desert and they meet Thataka's sons - who are also demons - and they seek revenge for their mother. Rama and Lakshmana work together and defeat the demons and then they travel to meet King Janaka. As they were travelling to the king, Rama awakens Ahalya who was previously encased in stone. They arrive to the kingdom and Rama sees a woman called Sita. They immediately fall in love. In order to be with her, Rama has to string the bow of Shiva. Meanwhile, back home, Dasharatha names his successor. He attempts to do this secretly, but one of his royal servants tells Bharata's mother who uses one of the favors that Dasharatha owes her. He agrees and exiles Rama for fourteen years. Dasharatha realizes this is due to a previous curse when he unintentionally killed a boy.
Bibliography: Kamban / R. K. Narayan, The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic
(Rama and Sita: Flickr)
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