Monday, January 26, 2015

Reading Diary B for Week 3: Rama battles Ravana

Across the Ocean

  • Rama accepts Vibishana, Ravana's brother, despite that opinion of many army men: "one who seeks aslyum must be given protection" (displays his grand character again)
  • Hanuman reminds Rama that Vibishana was the one who spared his life as the messanger to Ravana (shows Vibishana's pure intentions)
  • Makes a bridge to Lanka --> arrival!
The Siege of Lanka

  • The monkeys dominated the Lanka army (asuras)
  • Rama embarrasses Ravana at first encounter and allows him to return with more weapons
  • Rama kills Kumbakarna, Ravana's brother
  • Lakshmana kills Indrajit, Ravana's son
Rama and Ravana in Battle

  • Ravana sent all of his powerful weapons at Rama, but Rama conquered them all
  • Rama sent the Brhmasthra through his heart
  • When Ravana went faint, Rama suspended the fight and waite until he was restored to fighting condition (fair warfare)
  • Rama feared he had killed him in the back because he was retreating (wants to conquer with grace/ not be unfair) p.147
Interlude

  • Gets Sita back, but Sita has to prove her purity in front of Rama and the crowd
  • Sita jumps into the fire, and the fire god grabbed her which proved her innocence and Rama accepted her back
Coronation

  • Dasaratha returns from the heavens with a light heart from Rama's achievements --> Rama wishes for him to forgive Bharata and Kaikeyi (wow!). He grants Rama's wish and returns to the heavens
  • Rama travels to return to his kingdom, showing Sita his travels
  • Bharata was going to kill himself if Rama was late --> only promised him 14 years
  • Rama welcomed back into his kingdom by even Kaikeyi
Epiloge

  • Rama is crowned
  • Sita is placed beside him
  • Hanuman kneels at his feet and obediently serves/worships him as he was called to do by his father (always near/ loves Rama)
  • Lakshmana one step behind them (devoted and watchful)

(Rama in battle photographed by Evelyn Paul

No comments:

Post a Comment