Reading Notes: Ramayana Online, Part A

I found the wide variety of names and terms to be a bit confusing when I started to read. I decided to abbreviate names and other terms with one letter to make it easier on myself.

• King D is stuck in a dilemma as he wants to produce an heir to his throne
• He carries out the animal sacrifice to receive the god's blessing to have children
• It was interesting to see that there was a separate storyline going on with Ravana
• I did not expect to see Rama be born as a human avatar
• Rama and his brother V went off to take care of the problems Ravana was starting
• Rama gains possession of his celestial weapons after his first battle
• The story of Ganga is interesting and I could use that for a story idea iteslf
• I could do the same with Ahalya's story
• I think that the love Rama has with Sita is interesting
• I did not expect there to be more avatar's of different gods
• The challenge to marry Sita reminds me of King Arthur and the sword
• I was not surprised to see Rama bend the bow before everyone else
• I liked the character of Para. I think he could play in integral role as he is also an avatar
• I found the wedding ceremony to be confusing with the language used
• I could probably retell it in a way that is easier to follow
• King D is adamant on making Rama the next king
• The many great traits of Rama and won over the hearts of the people

After reading the rest of the sections I decided that I liked the Rama is Banished and Rama Goes Into Exile the best. So, I took some notes on those sections.

• The scene between Rama and his father is very intense and saddening
• The grief that his father is going through is noticeable and very moving
• Rama understands the will of his father
• He does not protest to his banishment
• It says a lot about Rama and his character
• He wants to fulfill the will of his father and be the best son he can be
• The scene was saddening to everyone involved. The attendants wept
• Rama was unmoved and left
• Sita is deeply loyal to Rama and vows to go with him on his journey
• It was nice to see Rama's devotion to him as well
• Rama, his wife, and brother set off for the forest
• I thought it was of note that Rama's wife did not wear the bark as well
• Sita did not have to be bound by the rules that Rama was bound to
• I could not help but feel bad for Rama and the unfortunate events that had fell upon him

I think the last two sections I took notes over are very powerful and integral to the rest of the story. What happened to Rama was unfortunate, but I was happy to see his wife and brother would be accompanying him. I believe that these two sections would be a great story to retell in the future.

(A picture of statues representing Rama and Sita by Ayan Gupta. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Bibliography: Ramayana Online from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie. Source: Blogspot