Reading Notes B Week 3: Ramayana

Image Credit. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana by Unknown. Source: Wikipedia. 

     The beginning of reading B is very dramatic. I really like Bharata's loyalty to his father and brother. He despises his mother for what she has done. The death of Dasharatha has really shaken his family and his kingdom. Ten days of lying on the floor mourning definitely show the reader how much these people cared for their king. Rama is loyal, like his brother Bharata, to their father. The fact that he is contemplating remaining in the jungle even though his father is death shows the level of respect that he has for him. I think that Dasharatha banishing Rama to the jungle is a dramatic part of the story that has caused a lot of strife for everyone involved. Taking Rama's sandals back to the city in his place seemed a bit underwhelming. I was hoping that Bharata would be able to convince Rama to return.
     Sita's birth story is very strange. I like how at the end of the story she is telling Anasuya her marriage is described to be very loving and happy. The battle with Viradha is a nice bit of action in this story. Rama is playing the classic hero again saving Sita. The ending was very strange. Dying rewarded Viradha. Agastya is very helpful and gives Rama a lot of weapons. However, he is unable to convince Rama not to go deeper into the forest. Rama retains his defining characteristic of remaining loyal to Sita instead of giving in to Shurpanakha. I am not sure how to feel about him offering his brother in his place.
     Shurpanakha is rejected and runs to her brother for help. He is a good brother and assembles a force to go and attack Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. Rama defeats his foes yet again. I like Ravanna's character. He is a good brother but also he is very full of himself. He does not think twice about pursuing Rama and intends to make him pay for what he did to Shurpanakha. I think Ravanna knows that Sita is very important to Rama so his plot with Maricha is very devious. Their plan to kidnap Sita is working. Ravanna has kidnapped Sita and I assume Rama will be distraught when he finds out.
     Jatayu! What a helpful creature. I also think that Sita is very smart for leaving her jewelry for Rama to find. Sita is loyal to her husband and really lets Ravanna have it when he tries to sleep with her. I am so sad that Jatayu had to die. Also, I think that Rama will avenge his death. Shabari's story is kind of dark and twisted. I was hoping Rama would be closer to rescuing Sita at the end of this reading.

Sources used: M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder. Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition.