Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part B2

One thing that stood out to me from the story about the Battle with Khara was how Rama handeled Sita. I think that Rama showed his love for Sita yet again by having Lakshmana take her to protection as he battled with the demons on his own. 

In the story of Shurpanakha and Ravana, I was not expecting such an intense story. I found the introduction to contain just enough imagery and descriptive words to show the read just how torn the woman was. I do not think I like this story very much to use in my own story telling.

In the story of Ravana and Maricha, I found it interesting that Ravana still wanted to take on Rama after hearing all that he had done. To be so sure of himself to the point of threatening Maricha's life is, what I think, a mistake on his part. I also think it was interesting that Maricha decided to take form of a golden deer to attract Sita's attention and take her. I am excited to read the next to story to see what ends up happening. 

In the Golden Deer, Maricha went on a mission to catch Sita's eye. I was glad that Rama knew that the Rakshasas usually take the form of deer for this reason. He immediately assumed that it was a set-up to real Sita in and went about what he had to in order to slay the deer. 

In the chase, I was surprised to see that the deer was really killed and that Maricha did not change form and escape. Sita hears the deer's cries in the voice of Rama and actually goes to try and save him. I am wondering if she will end up in danger in the next story.

In Ravana and Sita, Ravana was watching and waiting for Lakshmana to leave Sita on her own so he could sneak towards her. Ravana was in disguise and Sita did not know this. She took his compliments until he began to ask her to leave with him to his kingdom. This shows her loyalty to Rama. Still, Ravana snatched her away. I may make this into a story where Ravana asks to help her get to Rama instead and then her end up in his kingdom until Rama comes to save her.

In Jatayu, Sita calls our to Rama and Lakshmana telling them they she has been stolen by Ravana. Jatayu, a vulture heard Sita and awoke from sleep to go and try to stop Ravana from continuing on as he warned him that Rama would kill him. Jatayu took it upon himself when Ravana refused. He fought until the sky-faring car fell from the sky and Sita landed on his lap. But, Ravana still defeated him once on the ground and continued on with Sita.

Once in Lanka, Sita was stuck in the palace of the demon king. Ravana continued to try and impress Sita, but she refused to accept any of his words. She told Ravana that she would rather die than gratify him by becoming his wife.

In Rama and Jatayu, Rama returned to the hut where Sita had been and found it empty. He immediately knew she had been taken away, but did not know where she was taken to go save her. Rama and Lakshmana searched everywhere for Sita. Eventually, they crossed paths with Jatayu as he lay dying and he told them where to find Sita.

(Photo from WikiMedia.)

Rayamana, Part B. Sources used: M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder.