Reading Notes: Ramayana Part A

Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita in Exile: Wikipedia

• Plot
• Ravana was made invulnerable against Gods and Demons, and because of that, he began making gods his slaves
• Yama, god of death and the sun and moon gods became under his rule
• This is the most important part of the plot because it sets up all of the reasoning as to why Vishnu was sent down into human form 
• King Dasharatha did not have any sons, so he performed a horse ritual and was gifted four sons
• Vishnu was born in human form as Rama, son of Dasharatha 
• This is the beginning of the story to defeat Ravana
• As a young man, he was sent to fight against two Rakshasas who were disturbing rituals of a hermit named Vishvamitra 
• Rama beat one of the Rakshasas named Thataka and was gifted celestial weapons
• He used these celestial weapons later when fighting off Rakshasas and demons trying to disturb Vishvamitra 
• This is an incredibly important part of the plot because it begins Rama's climb to greatness as well as the relationship between Visvamitra and Rama
• Lakshmana, Rama's younger brother, is introduced during this part as well
• Ganga is a story that was told by Visvamitra to Rama about the goddess Ganga 
• This is kind of a side story and does not pertain much to the main plot
• Ahalya is a story about Guatama and his wife Ahalya. The god Indra took the form of Guatama because he was in love with Ahalya.
• Ahalya realized that it was not actually Guatama, but after Guatama found out he punished both of them
• Rama runs into Ahalya later in the stories and frees her from Gautama's curse 
• This is another side story that does not have too much to do with the plot.
• Rama and Sita were both gods in human form, and fell in love at first sight when Rama was bathing in the Stream
• To prove that he could marry Sita, Rama bent and broke the bow of Shiva in front of King Janaka: Sita's father
• As a final test, Parashurama gave Rama a loose bow, and as soon as Rama grasped it, the bow string tightened up 
• This part of the plot is important because it brings Rama and Sita together
• King Dasharatha began to get old and wanted to make Rama king 
• Manthara, Kaikeyi's slave, was the only one who objected because Rama smote her when he was a child
• Manthara has boons with Kaikeyi, and forced her to make Dasharatha banish Rama for 14 years in the Jungle 
• On the day Rama was to be made king, he was banished and along with him came Sita and Lakshmana 
• This part of the plot is important because it has many themes associated with it 
• Karma is a good example because King Dasharatha accidentally killed someone's son and now lost his own 
• This final part of the plot for Part A and sets the scene for Part B 
• Characters 
• Lakshmana
• He is probably the most interesting character 
• He gets almost no introduction, but is with Rama throughout the story
• He also goes into exile with Rama despite not having really any reason to 
• Rama and Sita
• Definitely the two main characters of the story
• A lot of introduction and I am curious to see about how the next part of the story goes with both of them being in exile 
• King Dasharatha 
• This character was told very well
• There is a definitive beginning and end, and a lot of the themes revolve, to some extent, around him 
• Other Characters 
• One thing I am confused about is why Manthara is so angry as Rama, and why Kaikeyi is seemingly unmoved by the fact that she is banishing her son
• Bibliography:
• Author: Various contributors
• Title: Ramayana
• Source: Public Domain