Reading Notes: Ramayana Part B

Reading Notes: Ramayana Part B

Part B

Sources used: M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder.

21. Bharata learns of his father's passing and is devastated. He also learns of what his mother did to ascertain his position on the throne. Mourning the physical loss of his father and the social loss of his brother, he vows to get his brother Rama back and restore his rightful place on the throne. 

22. Dasharatha's funeral has come. It is the duty of Bharata to perform the funeral rites for his father. He must do this before he can begin to search for Rama.

23. Bharata treks out into the wilderness to find Rama. They lament over the loss of Dasharatha and discuss the future. They seem to be at an impasse, for Rama refuses to violate the command of his father and return to the city. 

24. As a compromise, Bharata has Rama wear a pair and sandals and then gift the sandals to Bharata. These sandals, symbolic of Rama, were the symbol of royal authority in Ayodhya. Bharata swore to merely serve by ruling the kingdom for his elder brother.

25. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana tell their story so far to the sage Atri and his wife Anasuya.

26. A demon, Viradha, captures Sita! Rama and Lakshmana realize that they cannot kill this demon in a normal way, so while Rama pins it down, Lakshmana digs a hole and they throw the demon into the pit. The demon recognizes its destiny to be bested by Rama and transcends to heaven.

27. Rama meets another sage, Agastya, who bestows him with godly gifts. 

28. The group encounters a rakshasi, Shurpanakha, who professes her love for Rama. She says that she has chosen him as a mate. Naturally, Rama declines. However, he does suggest that she pursue Lakshmana, as he has no partner at the time. 

29. Shurpanakha does not take kindly to this jest and decides to attack Sita. Rama and Lakshmana defend Sita, and wound Shurpanakha in the process. Shurpanakha relays this information to her brother, Khara. Khara sent 14 rakshasas to capture the hermits. Khara also tasked his brother Dushana with assembling 14,000 rakshasas to kill the "hateful" Rama. 

30. In an epic fight scene, Rama single-handedly dismantles the 14,000 piece demon army and slays both Dushana and Khara with his celestial weapons. 

31. Shurpanakha, war-torn and rough for wear, returns to her brother Ravana and relays the information of Rama's power to him. 

32. Ravana consults with Maricha on a plan to get to Rama through Sita. Maricha disguises as a deer and goes to the campsite of the hermits to become noticed by Sita.

33. Maricha in deer form catches the attention of Sita, and she tells Rama that she wants its pelt. Rama tells Lakshmana, however, Lakshmana has mixed feelings, as deer is a common choice for demons to incarnate into, especially to lure monarchs away from their kingdoms. 

34.  Rama slays Maricha. As a dying breath, Maricha imitates Rama's voice and calls out for Sita and Lakshmana. Lakshmana knows that a trick is up, but Sita thinks Rama is injured. She sens Lakshmana in after Rama. 

35. After Rama and Lakshmana have left Sita alone, Ravan approaches her, disguised as a forest sage. He kidnaps Sita!

36. Jatayu, a mighty vulture, fights Ravana, attempting to stall him and save Sita. This does not work according to plan, but Sita manages to drop her jewlery (ala a trail of breadcrumbs in Hansel/Gretel).

37. Ravana attempts to rape Sita, but she is protected by a decree from Brahma. Ravana must convince Sita to give her consent. She refuses. 

38.  Lakshmana finds Rama and they return to the hut. There, Jatayu fills the two in on what happened with his dying breaths. 

39. The pair encounter another demon, Kabandha, who promises to give them information about Sita if they cremate him and free him from his imprisoned self. Kabandha tells them that Sita is being held captive on the island of Lanka and that they must seek the aid of the ape chief, Sugriva. 

40. The pair find a hermit, Shabari, who has been expecting them for a long time. This dwelling place is interesting, as it is caught in a time warp. But now that Shabari has met these travellers and has sent them on their way to find Sugriva, she requests that they perform her funeral rites. 

(image - Dasharatha's funeral - credit)