Storytelling for Week 3: Captured

When he arrived at Lanka, Ravana introduced Sita as his new mistress. However, Sita scoffed at the sound of this comment, which made Ravana's wife and other mistresses wonder about the truth behind this abrupt announcement. Ravana decided Sita's arrival deserved a celebration of her. So the citizens decorated the town with fancy colors and lighting. Also, the rakshasis danced around her and praised her beauty because Ravana ordered them to. Once the citizens had a chance to individually greet Sita, those who could afford it showered her with extravagant jewels for their new queen. Not amused by the events, Sita refused them all, drawing attention to the fact that Ravana had actually kidnapped her and she was there unwillingly. Because of Sita's actions, Ravana was forced to tell those close to him how he had actually obtained her. Ravana was annoyed by her behavior, and due to Sita's unappreciative acts, he sent her away to Ashoka Vana, imprisoning her in hopes of convincing her to reject Rama and accept Ravana as her husband. Ashoka Vana is a pleasure garden; it was supposed to be a joyful place, but Sita's experience in this place was often accompanied by Ravana trying to force her to be his wife.

Meanwhile back in Lanka, rumors among the common asuras flew around town like wildfire. Some believed in their king's purity, preaching, "Ravana wouldn't steal a woman without her will. She must be shy." However, others questioned his intentions, asking, "Would Ravana really steal another man's woman? Why else would she be so standoffish to her new kingdom?" They couldn't imagine any other reason why a woman of such beauty would be so ungrateful. Queens wouldn't deny the gifts from her people, especially at the introduction celebration. Unfortunately, the citizens had to make assumptions about Sita as Ravana never exposed his truths except to a selective few, whom he knew wouldn't turn on him.

As time went on, day after day, Sita grew lonely and increasingly exasperated at her situation. She wondered and wished for the day that Rama would arrive for her rescue. Suddenly, Ravana entered shouting, "Well, you miserable woman, have you decided who your true prince charming is?" 

She responded without hesitation, "My beloved Rama is searching for me, and when he arrives you will be sorry." 

This angered Ravana and he responded in rage, "You foolish woman, it will be you who are sorry!" Then Ravana stormed out. Every day after this encounter, Ravana came to visit Sita, making threats towards her and Rama. His threats promised Sita that he was going to destroy Rama. When Ravana wasn't near, Sita pleaded with the rakshasis who were guarding her. The rakshasis, unfortunately, remained loyal to Ravana despite feeling sorry for Sita when they looked at her.

Meanwhile, Mandodari, Ravana's first wife, tried to figure out Sita's past and her intentions for the future. However, Ravana kept a good secret! Just when Mandodari was losing hope, Hanuman arrived in Lanka seeking the site of Sita and to inform Ravana that Rama was coming for him. Once Mandodari heard the news, she decided to make a visit to where Sita was residing. In the middle of the night, Mandodari sneaks to Ashoka Vana unnoticed. She startles Sita and tells her about  Hanuman's arrival in Lanka. 

Mandodari says to Sita, "My husband Ravana told me that he found you injured and saved you. I do not understand why you are acting so ungrateful. Do you know who Hanuman is?" 

To the surprise of Mandodari, Sita already knew of Hanuman's presence as he has already visited her, and Sita responds, "I was not saved by Ravana. He kidnapped me! Hanuman is here to tell Ravana that my husband, Rama, is on his way to rescue me." 

Mandodari, in tears, leaves Sita after hearing the truth about Ravana. She also fears the safety of her city.

Furthermore, while Mandodari was away, Hanuman was making his exit known in Lanka by burning the capitol to ashes.

(Image Source: Hanuman giving Sita Rama's ring by Soham Banerjee

Author's note: I chose this story because I am hoping I could put it into my Portfolio to give an event about the great character, Sita. Ravana kidnapped Sita, and she is shown as a damsel in distress. I want to highlight what Sita could be doing while waiting on Rama that could be of some assistance when he arrives to rescue her. I, also, imagined Mandodori, Ravana's wife, as being curious about the threat of  her position as Ravana's favorite wife by Sita's arrival in Lanka. This is why I wrote about Mandodari coming to Sita to figure out her intentions. However, Mandodori thought she was waiting on Ravana to decide if Sita was going to be his new wife. Furthermore, little to Mandodori's knowledge, Sita wanted nothing to do with Ravana, and was desperate to return to her husband, Rama. The pure avatar of a goddess never posed a threat to Mandodori or the asuras. She just wanted Rama. Ravana was the one that was holding her against her own will. However, he was telling Mandodari a lie to make her position feel threatened. I chose this image because at the end of the story Hanuman had already visited Sita, and during this visit Hanuman gave Sita a gift of good faith from Rama, his golden ring. The token of love is what gave Sita the courage to tell Mandodari what was really happening with Ravana.

Bibliography: 

• Narayan, R. K. (1972) The Ramayana.

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

Wikimedia)

Week 3 Reading Diary A: Vali -- Ravana in Council

Vali

• Sugreeva's Story
• Vali is king of Kiskinda (humanized monkeys)
• Surgreeva is Vali's younger brother (both monkeys and the sons of the sun god)
• Rama crosses Surgreeva and Hanuman (his helper) path while in search of Sita
• Vali is the most powerful of all, but he used it for protection of his "monkeys"
• Vai gains half his opponent's power when he fights and destroys them
• Mayavi, a demon, challenges Vali --> second guesses his challenge and runs away to the edge of the world
• Vali chases him and is away for a long time
• Surgreeva is forced into king by his consellors
• The consellors close off the entrance in fear Vali has been defeated and Mayavi will return to destroy Surgreeva
• Vali returns in rage because he thinks Surgreeva tried to keep him out so he could rule
• Surgreeva retreats to Mount Meru for protection as Vali is cursed by Sage Matanga (demon) and cannot be on that mountain (will destroy him)
• Rama pities Surgreeva and offers his assistance --> great character 
• Surgreeva knows Rama is Vishnu as he feels drawn to remain with him
• Rama proves his talents --> impressive
• Dundubi's Story
• Dundubi was a demon that wanted to use the most powerful of all gift for evil by fighting all the time
• Shiva told him he would have to defeat Vali in order for his wish to be granted
• Dundubi and Vali fight for 1 year
• Vali finally wins by ripping Dundubi's horns off, gorging him, and tossing them --> which happened to land on Mount Meru where Sage Matanga was performing  sacred rites
• Hence --> Vali is not allowed on Mount Meru because the Sage cursed him and will be annihilated if he goes there
• Surgreeva tells Rama he knows where Sita is
• Surgreeva and Rama devise a scheme to get her back and the first task is to kill Vali
• When Surgreeva challenges Vali, Vali's wife, Tara, (whom he stole from Surgreeva) warns him of Rama's aid
• Vali feels invincible and fights Surgreeva until almost death when Rama strikes him with his bow
• Vali doesn't understand why Rama (known as the Lord of justice) would do this
• Vali and Rama explain their sides and Vali takes pride in Rama treating him as a human (higher then a monkey)
• Vali made Hanuman Rama's servant
• It was interesting on pg 103, "it was through your steadfast meditation and prayer to Shiva that you were endowed with strength superior to even the 5 elements." --> dedicated meditation to a God is what got people these mystical powers 

When the Rain Cease

• Surgreeva is crowned king of Kiskinda
• Rama waits out the rainy season in the forest while Surgreeva is living in luxury in his new kingdom (drunk off wine the entire time)
• Surgreeva is late to round an army
• Lakshmana goes to Kiskanda in rage and brings back Surgreeva who promises that the army is coming
• -->Surgreeva's palace was frightened by his mood so at first tried to protect Surgreeva
• The army arrives and Hanuman and a selected army travel south which is the direction Surgreeva saw Ravana take Sita
• Rama describes Sita and Hanuman has 1 month to find her and return
• The army goes searches high and low and even assists a goddess in breaking out of an underground exile to return to her heaven
• The army is about to give up and take their lives when they speak of Jatayu which causes Sampathi to arrive (brother of Jatayu)
• Sampathi is injured and needs someone to say Rama's name so that his wings will grow back and the army preaches Rama's name
• Sampathi becomes the ruler of his kind and points the army in the direction of Lanka, where he saw Ravana take Sita (p119-120)
• Hanuman grows into a massive creature and takes one step to cross the water to Lanka --> shrinks him smaler once arrives

Momento From Rama

• Hanuman arrives at Lanka and has to search through many women and castles to find Sita
• Hanuman was almost mistaken with one beauty who was living in luxury and began to get mad (Sita was actually living in terrible conditions as well and being visited by the harsh Ravana to make her his first mistress) 
• But he paid close attention to the details Rama gave to him about Sita
• When he found Sita she was being held captive and guarded, Hanuman stops her from hanging herself (Sita remains pure!)
• Sita sends hope (momento necklace she saved in return to his ring)
• Hanuman destroys parts of Lanka by stepping on buildings to make his presence known to get captured so he can tell Ravana of Rama's arrival
• Ravana wants to kill Hanuman but is spared because he is reminded by Vibishana that it is wrong to kill the messanger (demons? who cares if it's wrong?)
• As leaving, burns Ravana to the ground but ensuring Sita's safety

Ravana in Council

• The architect Maya rebuilds Lanka's capital and Ravana is in awe, but remembers his capital was destroyed by a monkey
• The commander in chief of his army points out that he has stolen a man's wife and kept her against her will and he thinks the gods are repaying him (release Sita)
• Kumbakarna and his army decide to attack Rama, Lakshmana, and the monkeys
• Ravana's son Indrajit offers to take Rama and Lakshmana out for him
• Ravana's younger brother Vibishana warns Ravana that he hasn't asked the gods for protection from humans or monkeys and Ravana vanishes him because he thinks he is a trader (Ravana realizes Vibishana is the one that told him to spare the monkey) 
• Vibishana joins Rama and Ravana plans to attack

Hanuman in India photographed by Puja1984

Wikimedia

Famous Last Words for Week 2

This past week has been great! I found out that my mom is getting me an iPad! I am pretty excited. I got behind on my work this weekend because my best friend turned 24 Friday! However, we have had some good food and have made some unforgettable memories. Wow, 24 what an oldie! I am going to have to visit him in the nursing home soon! Anyways, Martin Luther King Jr. day caused me to think I could be lazy and not do much. It was a great weekend, but I am in a hustle this Sunday. Luckily, there is a "Long Island Medium" marathon to keep me company. :) There aren't many options to pick my best writings this week, so I guess I will pick my storytelling assignment. I felt like my focus this week was to brush up on my quoting skills. I feel that aspect of writing will be important this semester. I read a great story this week from a classmate, Scott. He had a great outlook on Rama and the Bow to win over Sita. He was really creative. My other classes are going well! I am really loving the Principles of Health and Exercise class. Dr. Black is awesome; he knows a lot of random facts that I love learning. I always take classes in my major and think. I am so glad that I picked this major. It is so perfect! I discovered a new option for a career, a Cardiac rehab therapist. I am excitedly looking into it. Also, I learned that an active obese person is healthier then an inactive moderate sized person. So get up and enjoy the fresh air people! As always, I am just trying to take this semester one week at a time! Come on SUMMERRR! Tomorrow, I am going to see my granny for some good food and visit time! This week should be fun and hectic too! 

(A photo I got when I caught my granny enjoying ice cream on my Papa's birthday) 

Topics: Storytelling Project

1. Women Characters: I choose women characters because I love to see and hear about women being in a place a man would typically be in. For many years women have been oppressed. However, in recent years, I feel that women have been taking a stand by showing men that women can do a job just as well as he can, maybe better! In history, women were not placed in a position of power. To read about goddesses would be intriguing to see how a woman handled her position. I am really interested in Sita because she is the reincarnated version of Lakshmi, and her beauty is breathtaking. Although she is beautiful, she is adamant about the purity of her body. She is stolen by the demon Ravana, and Rama refuses to believe that she remained pure. This relates back to today's society as some of these girls out here are grimy and untrustworthy. This story sends the message that not all girls have the wrong intentions.

• Research: I have reviewed the Encyclopedia for Epics of Ancient India to research more about the story of Sita. I found this topic on the E-storybook Central. Wikipedia was also able to give insight on different aspects of the story of Sita and her beautiful purity.

2. Love Stories: I choose love stories because I'm cliche. Just like every other girl, who doesn't like a good romance novel. Something about being able to imagine the perfect person and the feeling that follows along with it. I think that learning about Kaikeyi and Dasaratha's love story would be interesting because Dasaratha has three wives. The dynamic of having to please three women and how a women feels having to share a man is intriguing. I couldn't imagine acting as a mother to my husband's other wife. I am not sure if I would be able to keep my sanity, so it would be interesting to learn how Kaikeyi did this. I have already learned of one instance where she was unable to treat Rama as her own, when she exiled him in order to allow her own son to be king.

• Research: By reviewing Kaikeyi story on Wikipedia:Kaikeyi it will be easier to understand where she came from before Dasaratha and how she managed to exile his beloved son. Also, obviously, learning about Dasaratha and all of his wives on Wikipedia: Dasaratha  will be insight to his actual love story with all of these women.

3. Animal Characters: I love animals! They have a way of showing people how to love one another and how to treat everyone with respect and loyalty. I loved the character Jatayu in the story Ramayana. He was a loyal friend of Dasaratha, and after discovering his son, Rama  living in the forest Jatayu takes a vow to do all he can in order to protect him, his brother, and his wife. Jatayu dies heroically after trying to stop Ravana from kidnapping Sita from Rama. However, Ravana's strength was too much for Jatayu. This story shows the character of animals. Another option could be the bear Jamabavan. This story is interesting because he is reincarnated to protect Rama, and be of assistance to Rama in his battle against Ravana. There are many other options in the topic of animal characters that would be fun to research and learn more about.

• Research: The story of Jatayu is the one that is most intriguing because loyalty means a lot to me. I found some good information on Wikipedia: Jatayu about Jatayu's past and his historic death. On the topic of Jamabavan, I found information on Wikipedia: Jamabavan. This bear was a created for the use of Rama.

4. Birth stories and death stories: Even though death is generally a difficult topic to discuss, in books there seems to be a dramatic death of the antagonist or the supporting characters of both sides. To research about the deaths of some of these protagonist in Indian Epics would be interesting. One example I am interested in right now is the death of Ravana. On the other side of death, the topic of birth has been found interesting in Indian Epics because some of the most heroic characters are reincarnated. One example of births are Rama and his brothers. As the God's gave them children so that Rama could be created to destroy Ravana. These two characters are protagonist and antagonist against each other.

• Research: I found the story of Ravana on Wikipedia: death. This source also helped to give background information of Ravana's character in the book, Ramayana. In order to discover more on Rama's and his brothers' births, I used Wikipedia: births. This source is actually the story of Dasaratha, but it includes the tales of his beget sons.

       (Image Source: Lakshmi photographed by abhisays website)

Storytelling for Week 2: Kaikeyi fears her future

After Kaikeyi talks with Kooni, she finds herself having a panic attack about her future. She decides she is going to spend her night in the Kopa Gruha. The Kopa Gruha is a room where Kaikeyi goes when she has fallen into an ill mood. Kaikeyi knows that when the king learns about her whereabouts he will come looking for her. As she is alone in the Koba Gruha her mind begins to race about her future and what the best possible scenario is in order to correct it. She comes to the conclusion that she has no choice but to force the kings hand in crowning her own son in order to remain royal. As very common for a woman, she begins to act out the scenarios of how the King, Dasaratha, is going to take her plans for the crowning of Bharata instead of Rama. She begins by asking Dasaratha, "Why didn't you tell me your plans before you began making the arrangements? It would have been nice to hear of the ceremony from you instead of the people of the kingdom. I am the queen still after all, am I not?" Dasaratha replies with his apologizes but she doesn't care to hear them. She moves on to ask him, "What made Rama more worthy then my son? Am I not worthy enough?" Then she imagines his reply. "Rama is more fit for King. He went out into the woods with Visvamitra and destroyed God's. He will protect this kingdom. I trust him." In which she replies, "But my son has been with my father learning the traits of being a king. He possesses all the required qualities to rule a kingdom as well!" She imagines Dasaratha response, "Well I am more fond of Rama. He is my eldest son and he has made me very proud." With this Kaikeyi gets angry! She assumes Dasaratha is also more fond of his first wife, Kausalya, due to these comments. She then hisses, "Well remember when you promised me those two promises? I want to use them now!" With this Dasaratha will become irate she imagines. She knows he is going to know what she is up to. She continues, "I want you to exile that adored Rama, and make my son the king of Ayodhyra, so that I will remain in my rightful place at the top." With the thought of saying this greedy remark to Dasaratha, Kaikeyi begins to cry. "Exiled!," she whispered to herself. This greedy feeling that has overwhelmed her is against her character, but she is so fearful of her future. She sees herself slowly drifting out of wealth, and the kingdom praising Kausalya instead of her. She is frightened. She imagines it won't happen immediately, but she is scared of the long-term effect for her in crowning Rama instead Bharata. She has always been accustomed to being praised and being blessed with all the luxuries of the world. While being so obsessed with her well-being, she has forgotten how Dasaratha is going to react to her earth shattering news. She then imagines that Dasaratha will leave her, but reassures herself this won't matter once her son is king. He will be so overwhelmed with gratitude for her, he will make sure to take care of her as an effort to return her favor in making him the king. She never imagined that her request was going to kill Dasaratha. She even thought she was doing what was right for her son not just herself. However, even Bharata becomes appauled by her and shuns her because of her greedy behavior. Now she is going to end up worse then she could ever imagine because of her actions.  After this drama, Kaikeyi became so exhausted with her emotions. She found herself limp laying on the floor, where Dasaratha finds her later that night. Furthermore, even though Kaikeyi thought she was helping her and her son, she was solely focused on her future. Greed can be a detrimental factor of any relationship. Always take a step back and analyze your actions to ensure you aren't only concerned about your own outcome.

 (Kaikeyi laying on the floor in the Koba Gruha when Dasaratha finds her

photographed by Ravi Varma Press Kaikeyi in Koba Gruha)

Author's note: While reading what Kaikeyi did to Dasaratha and Rama, I couldn't help but think how this ugly amount of greed had overcame her. This emotion was so overwhelming, she forgot to step back and realize how she was affect others that she loves. Sometimes when something happens, we all need to stop only considering the outcomes on ourselves. From the stories about Rama's character. I know he would have made sure Kaikeyi was taken care of. She lost sight of what really matter, people. 

Narayan, R. K., Two Promises, The Ramayana, (1972): 41-44. Print

Week 2: Reading Diary B: Exiled

Encounters In Exile

• Rama moved further into the woods 
• Lakshmana built a beautiful hand made home
• A creature appeared to Rama, Soorpanaka. She says she has repented her demon ways
• She was a human form of Ravana's sister, the demon Rama was reincarnated to kill
• Soorpanaka is infatuated by Rama's looks the same way Sita was, and tries to use her beauty to trick Rama into marrying her
• Soorpanaka sees Sita and creates a plan to get rid of her
• Lakshmana chops her up, but Soorpanaka tries to convince Rama to marry her still with threats
• Soorpanaka sends attacks and get step brother Kara killed
• Soorpanaka goes for Ravana
• It is interesting to me that Rama knows his purpose in this life and doesn't let Soorpanaka's beauty persuade him
• Soorpanaka doesn't understand that her threats of sending Ravana his way is exactly what Rama wants
• If Rama had made any of the wrong moves by listening to his temptations his purpose for incarnation would have been ruined (obedient)

The Grand Tormentor

• Ravana is "king of kings" (demon) makes lots of God's his servants
• Soorpanaka convinced her brother, Ravana, to steal Sita from Rama due to her beauty
• This plan was created so she could win over Rama not for the good intentions of her brother's happiness
• Instead of facing Rama, Ravana tricked Sita by showing her  a golden deer she wanted and Rama wanted to give it to his wife so it drew him away from his wife
• The deer was Ravana's uncle, Mareecha
• Mareecha knows he is going to do. He is making a sacrifice for his nephew. I think he wants out of his demon life and wishes he could return a new "man"
• Rama got pulled far away from his cottage before he realized it was a trick and killed the deer
• When Mareecha died he shouted Lakshmana's and Sita's name to trick them into believing Rama was hurt
• Sita was fooled and this drew away Lakshmana
• Ravana swooped in once Sita was finally alone 
• Jatayu tried to stop Ravana, but he can't be stopped by any God's or demons. Only humans and monkeys --> Jatayu dies (eagle)  
• Everyone keeps warning Ravana about Rama, but he tries to act big and bad. However, he wont face him
• I thought it was interesting that Ravana knew Sita was being taken not by her will, and he had to take land with her just to obtain her
• Rama still hasn't encountered Ravana --> chicken

(Sita and golden deer photographed by Evelyn Paul

Amazed She Saw the Magic Deer)