As the book begins, Kosala, an extensive country where few people have been, is described. The capital is Ayodhya and it is the "rich city". King Dasaratha resides here with his 3 wives but not children. Dasaratha's only want is to have children, but to do so he needs to defeat Ravana. Vishnu, a god, becomes the incarnate of Dasaratha's son, Rama. In order to have his sons, a sacrifice was performed by sage Rishyashringa. Through this sacrifice, each of Dasaratha's 3 wives becomes pregnant and he now has 4 sons. His sons, Rama, Bharatha, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna, all learned about yoga and philosophy.
The next chapter of the book is about Rama's initiation and journey to becoming a saviour. Through this chapter, it is clear that Rama's life mission is destroying evil and demonry in the world. Sage Vishvamitra comes to Dasaratha's court for the purpose to take Rama with him on his yagna journey. The sage was very persistent on wanting Rama to accompany him as he was trying to help Rama begin his life mission. In this chapter, the sage says that every human being will eventually leave when Dasaratha is resistant on letting his young son go on a dangerous mission. Lakshmana, another son, goes with Rama and the sage for the yagna. Along their journey, the sage shared many stories about beings who Rama would eventually meet in some capacity.
Thataka's story reminded me of the movie Moana, when she is set on a journey to get to Te Fiti, which was an island deity who was wreaking havoc. Thataka and her sons were cursed by Agasthya who killed her husband. Thataka harassed all who enter her land and wished ill on them. Once Rama arrived to her land, his job was to kill her, but he hesitated because she was a woman. "A woman of demoniac tendencies loses all consideration to be treated as a woman". This was a quote said by sage Vishvamitra. This quote makes me think from Thataka's side of the story and how she was feeling through all her pain of losing her husband and sons.
Mahabali's story was told next. He was a fighter and conqueror. An incarnation of Vishnu, as a dwarf, plead with Mahabali for 3 steps of land from him. Mahabali was more than willing to help, but Sukracharya, his mentor, warned him not to. Mahabali did not listen and ended up being conquered by the dwarf. This story brings in the theme of being too willing and not cautious enough of other's real motives.
As Vishvamitra was preparing for the sacrifices with Rama, many people had gathered. Thataka's sons among other demons had come to disrupt and avenge the death of their mother. Rama was able to kill both of them with arrows and the other demons withdrew. The next stop on their journey was to Mithila City where King Janaka was to perform yagna.
Ganga's story came about as they reached the river that flows through the land that cleanses and transforms all those who come in contact with it. Before the river got these abilities, King Sakara performed a "horse sacrifice" which would make him the supreme lord of all the kingdoms the horse passed. Indra and other gods were watchful and nervous about the sacrifice and abducted the horse to an underground pit and hid it behind sage Kapila. King Sakura's sons went in search for the horse and while also tormenting Kapila. Kapila killed all of his tormentors but Sakura's grandson, Bhagiratha. Bhagiratha's life mission was to help attain salvation for his ancestors. He prayed for thousands of years for help from Shiva to bring the Ganges river down to earth.
Ahalya's story was told next. She married sage Gautama who had been her caretaker since she was young. Indra was infatuated with Ahalya and one day when Gautama left, Indra assumed the sage's form to sneak into Ahalya's bed and make love to her. Ahalya realized too late that the sage was not the real sage. Gautama came back because he felt something was off and found them. He turned Indra's organs to female organs and turned Ahalya to stone with the only way to redemption would be when Rama passes. Rama eventually rids Ahalya of her sins. Indra was later transformed and he was turned into the "thousand-eyed god".
Once at Janaka's palace, Rama and Sita saw each other. Before this life, Rama and Sita were together in heaven but due to the incarnations, they do not remember each other. Both become sort of lovesick with each other. Janaka gives Rama the chance to marry his Sita by letting him attempt to life, bend, and string Shiva's bow, an act that many other suitors before him could not do. Rama was successful and a wedding was planned. Dasaratha was the last of the guests to arrive. Rama and Sita were married along with Dasaratha's 3 other sons who were married at the same time.
Dasaratha wants to retire and shift power to Rama. It is obvious that Rama is Dasaratha's favorite son. The community approves of the king's successor as does Rama. This chapter displays a sense of jealousy, between brothers and between mothers. Bharatha is crowned king as Kaikeyi requests that Rama be sent to exile for 14 years. Rama goes without resistance proving that he is a respectable and strong willed man that will do what is asked of him from his father. This chapter, along with what has been read so far, shows the character of Rama. Dasaratha has the realization that what has happened is because of his past. It's a theme of karma for something bad Dasaratha has committed in the past and it is now catching up with him.
Bibliography: Narayan, R.K. The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic. Penguin Books, 2006.
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| (Four Sons of Dasaratha; Source: Wikimedia) |
Thataka's story reminded me of the movie Moana, when she is set on a journey to get to Te Fiti, which was an island deity who was wreaking havoc. Thataka and her sons were cursed by Agasthya who killed her husband. Thataka harassed all who enter her land and wished ill on them. Once Rama arrived to her land, his job was to kill her, but he hesitated because she was a woman. "A woman of demoniac tendencies loses all consideration to be treated as a woman". This was a quote said by sage Vishvamitra. This quote makes me think from Thataka's side of the story and how she was feeling through all her pain of losing her husband and sons.
Mahabali's story was told next. He was a fighter and conqueror. An incarnation of Vishnu, as a dwarf, plead with Mahabali for 3 steps of land from him. Mahabali was more than willing to help, but Sukracharya, his mentor, warned him not to. Mahabali did not listen and ended up being conquered by the dwarf. This story brings in the theme of being too willing and not cautious enough of other's real motives.
As Vishvamitra was preparing for the sacrifices with Rama, many people had gathered. Thataka's sons among other demons had come to disrupt and avenge the death of their mother. Rama was able to kill both of them with arrows and the other demons withdrew. The next stop on their journey was to Mithila City where King Janaka was to perform yagna.
Ganga's story came about as they reached the river that flows through the land that cleanses and transforms all those who come in contact with it. Before the river got these abilities, King Sakara performed a "horse sacrifice" which would make him the supreme lord of all the kingdoms the horse passed. Indra and other gods were watchful and nervous about the sacrifice and abducted the horse to an underground pit and hid it behind sage Kapila. King Sakura's sons went in search for the horse and while also tormenting Kapila. Kapila killed all of his tormentors but Sakura's grandson, Bhagiratha. Bhagiratha's life mission was to help attain salvation for his ancestors. He prayed for thousands of years for help from Shiva to bring the Ganges river down to earth.
Ahalya's story was told next. She married sage Gautama who had been her caretaker since she was young. Indra was infatuated with Ahalya and one day when Gautama left, Indra assumed the sage's form to sneak into Ahalya's bed and make love to her. Ahalya realized too late that the sage was not the real sage. Gautama came back because he felt something was off and found them. He turned Indra's organs to female organs and turned Ahalya to stone with the only way to redemption would be when Rama passes. Rama eventually rids Ahalya of her sins. Indra was later transformed and he was turned into the "thousand-eyed god".
Once at Janaka's palace, Rama and Sita saw each other. Before this life, Rama and Sita were together in heaven but due to the incarnations, they do not remember each other. Both become sort of lovesick with each other. Janaka gives Rama the chance to marry his Sita by letting him attempt to life, bend, and string Shiva's bow, an act that many other suitors before him could not do. Rama was successful and a wedding was planned. Dasaratha was the last of the guests to arrive. Rama and Sita were married along with Dasaratha's 3 other sons who were married at the same time.
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| (Rama and Sita: Source: Flickr) |
Bibliography: Narayan, R.K. The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic. Penguin Books, 2006.
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