Reading Notes: The Ramayana Part A

                                                                           Rama: Wikimedia Commons

There was a king named Dasaratha who was sad because he did not have any children. He then finds a sage, Rishya Sringa, who performed a sacrificial fire that caused a supernatural being emerging with sacramental rice. When Dasaratha's wives ate this rice, they each had two children: Rama and Bharatha, and Lakshmana and Sathrugna. We find out later that Rama is the human incarnation of Vishnu, a supreme god.

Later, Sage Viswamithra comes to see Dasaratha. He asks Dasaratha to allow him to take Rama to a sacred ground that is surrounded by evil. Distressed, Dasaratha initially says no, but then allows him to take Rama if Lakshmana is also allowed to go. Thus, Rama and Lakshmana leave with Viswamithra,

During the journey, they come across a desert. Viswamithra tells them the story of Thataka. Thataka was cursed to become a demon and became a scorcher. She carries a trident with spikes and has a cobra armlet. She is what caused this once fruitful region to become a desert. She also harasses hermits and eats anything that moves in the desert. She then appears before them threatening to eat them. Rama hesitates to kill her, as she is a woman. However, Viswamithra persuades him to kill her, as she is not a woman but instead pure evil whose only purpose is to kill and destroy. Rama then kills her which brings great joy to the gods. Due to this Viswamithra teaches Rama all of the techniques in weaponry. Any presiding deities of various weapons came before Rama and declared themselves loyal to him.

The group continues on until they reach a mist-covered wood on a mountain. Here, Viswamithra tells them a story about Mahabali. While Vishnu was meditating, Mahabali seized the earth and heaven and brought them both under his subjection. Many gods came to Vishnu begging for his help to reclaim their lands. In response, Vishnu took birth in a poor family and was a very small person. He then went to visit Mahabali as this small man. He praises Mahabali and thus, Mahabali grants him a gift. Vishnu, still the small man, asks for the land he can obtain in three strides. Bali laughs and grants him this wish. He pours the oblation of water and once that water touches the dwarfs hand, he grows into a majestic stature than spanned the earth and sky. His first step covered the entire earth, his second covered the heavens, and the third he used to step on Mahabali into the netherworld.

After telling this story, Viswamithra begins to make sacrifices where they were. Demons were angry at this and tried to disrupt the prayers; however, Rama and Lakshmana were protecting them. Lakshmana was shooting at the demons while Rama sent up arrows to create a shield that protected the sacrificial fire. Once Rama shot both of Thataka's sons, killing one of them, the demons withdrew their attack. Once the sacrifice was complete, the group started off to Mithila City. 

On the way to the city, they came across the river Granga. Viswamithra tells them her story. They then reach Mithila City where they find Ahalya - the sage Gautama's wife. Viswamithra tells them her story. She was turned to granite after the god Indra deceived her. Once Guatama found out, he cursed Indra to having a thousand eyes and turned her to granite. Only after Rama would touch her with his feet would she wake.

In Mithila, Rama sees Sita, who was a reincarnation of Vishnu's wife, Lakshmi. After seeing him, Sita begins to feel ill with love. Rama also thinks of her and wishes to see her again. The next day they set of to King Janaka's palace. In order to marry Sita, Rama must break Shiva's enormous bow. Rama broke the bow with ease and the gods were pleased and showered down flowers and blessings. Now, the wedding planning began. Once Dasaratha arrived, Rama and Sita were married. Rama and Lakshmana then returned home with Dasaratha and Viswamithra retired into the Himalayas.

Later, Dasaratha realizes how old he has become and anoints Rama to be crowned the next day. He urges Rama to be extremely careful and become king without delay. He is also worried that Bharatha, Rama's brother, would fight to become king. Since Bharatha was away, his mother, Kaikeyi planned to fight Rama becoming king. She confronted the king and reminded him of two promises he intended to keep. Thus, Rama was to be banished into the woods for 14 years and Bharatha was to be crowned king. When Dasaratha realized Rama had left, he died. When Bharatha returned to the palace and discovered the death of his father and that Rama had been exiled, he was filled with sorrow and hatred for Kaikeyi. He immediately sought out Rama. Rama declared he would remain in exile for 14 years and that Bharatha should be king. They then agreed that Bharatha would act as a regent for the 14 years until Rama returned home to become king.

Bibliography: Narayan, R K, and Kampar. The Ramayana. New York, Penguin Books, 1972.