Week 4 Reading Diary

This week I am reading Ramayana. Since I took the Epics of India class last year I thought this would be a good one to read. 

Birth ofRama: The beginning tells about who is telling the story and how he became the teller. The teller of the story is Valmiki and Brahma told him to tell the story. Valmiki wrote the story down page by page as he saw the visions before his eyes. Rama is born because of his father’s horse sacrifice. Rama is the reincarnation of Vishnu. Vishnu did this so that he would be able to defeat Ravana the demon king.

Vishwamitra,Rama's Teacher: Rama was the most beautiful of his brothers. The all learned 18 languages and other things. Then they started learning military sports. Rama surpassed everyone in these. Vishwamitra came when the princes were 16 and asked to take Rama with him as protection. Dasaratha agreed but only if Vishwamitra took Lakshamana as well. Vishwamitra agreed and they left.  Taraka was the first demon that Rama and Lakshmana faced with a little guidance from Vishwamitra they killed her. Vishwamitra chanted mantras that gave Rama and Lakshamana weapons. He then took them to his hermitage and Rama protected the sacrifice from 3 demons. The next day they left out for Mithila.

Rama andSita: When they showed up at Mithila the king showed them the Bow of Shiva. No one had ever been able to string the bow. Rama took the bow and stung it then he bent it so much that it broke. With that he was allowed to marry the king’s daughter Sita. Rama was chosen to take over as king.

Kaikeyi’sPlot: Manthara was not happy that Rama had been chosen king. She came up with a plan to make sure that didn’t happen. Kaikeyi had two boons given to her by the king. So to keep her from being the maid of Rama’s mother, she wanted Bharata to be made king and Rama exiled for 14 years. The kings unwillingly granted the boons.

Rama’sExile: Rama tried to console his mother but she was too grief stricken to console. Sita and Lakshamana plead to go with Rama. He tried to have them stay behind but they insisted on going.

The Death ofDasaratha: Rama Sita and Lakshmana left for exile and the people followed them. At dawn the next day the three left so that they would not be followed. All the followers went back home.  Dasaratha, Rama’s father, remembers when he accidentally killed a boy and then was cursed by the father to lose his own son. The second night after Rama left Dasaratha died.

Rama andBharata: Bharata returned and was maddened that his mother had done what she did. He also said he would get Rama to return home. Rama told Bharata that he could not break his promise to their father. Rama gave Bharata a pair of sandal back and Bharata placed them on the throne. He said he would live outside the kingdoms walls and would guard the throne for Rama.

The Rakshasas: for 13.5 years the three lived in piece in their hermitage. Then Surpanakha showed up and tried to attack Sita do Lakshmana cut her ears and nose off. She leaves and finds one of her brothers and has him go attack Rama. Rama defeated the army.

The Golden Deer: Surpanakha then went to her brother Ravana for help. Maricha took the form of a golden deer which made SIta have Rama chase after it. Rama killed Maricha but for Maricha called for Sita and Lakshmana for help. Sita sent Lakshmana to help Rama. Ravana takes Sita and Jatayus tries to save her but is slain by Ravana.

Rama’s Quest for Sita: Jatayus tells Rama where Sita went with his dying words. Rama meets Hanuman. Rama killed Sugriva’s brother to restore the kingdom and gave Sugriva his kingdom back.

Hanuman: Ravana tried to have Sita but she rejected him time and time again. Sugriva gathered his army of apes and bears. Hanuman makes it to Lanka and into the womens chambers and sees all the beautiful women.

Sita in the Asoka Grove: Hanuman finds Sita. She is delighted and tells him she only has two months till Ravana kills her. Ravana prepares for war with Rama.

The War with Ravana: Nala has to build the bridge to cross the sea. Rama’s army makes it across the sea. The two armies go into battle. Ravana’s army was losing so they awakened his brother Kumbhakarna. Rama defeated Kumbhakarna. Indrajit, Ravana’s son, injures Rama and Lakshmana along with many others. Hanuman carries a mountain back to the battlefield to heal them. Then Lakshmana kills Indrajit. Rama kills Ravana days later.

Rama’s Coronation: Rama would not receive Sita because he thought she had sinned. The Fire god protected her and showed that she was innocent. Rama returned home because his exile was over. The people whispered against Sita. This caused Rama to exile her. Rama meets his sons 16 years later. Sita had Mother Earth take her back to prove her innocence. Rama was really Vishnu reincarnated and Sita was his wife Lakshmi.