Reading Notes: Ramayana Public Domain Edition Part A

Dasharatha

• Story of two kings

• Descriptive and heavily detailed account of the city full of happy people

• Dasharatha sad because he has so sons from his three queens

Dasharatha's Sons

• Ashwamedha - hors sacrifice - for son

• Queens happy on sacrifice

• horse came back after wandering

• Kaushayla- Chief Queen slew the horse

• celebration, chantings, and portions of the horse thrown into fire as chanting occurred

• Gods promised 4 sons

• 4 Gods oppressed by Ravana, Vishnu divided himself into four parts

• King had four sons of which Rama was the most beautiful, and was perceived to have all the marks of Vishnu

A few years later

• Young men

• Vishvamita, a sage wants Rama and his brother's help from devils (rakhshasas) who disturb their practices 

• Dasharatha devastated to know Rama's life would be in danger performing this task

• Rama's victory was assured by Vishvamitra

• Face a dark and fearful haunted jungle

• Thatka mother of March (a divil woman)

• Her being female, Dasharatha's sons were reluctant to kill her

• Rama shot of arms, Lakhshmana deprived her of nose and ears, she became invisible

• Rama shot her using his hearing - sound of where she was

• Rama got weapons the next day

• March leads band of rakhshasas, he was thrown into the sea and the there ones were either consumed or killed by the weapons

Sagara Story

• Vishvamitra tells Rama Sagara's story and stories in general

• Sagara has two wives but no kids

• went to Himalayas for rituals for kids

• after 100 year boon says Asamanja will give birth to his heir, and the other one will have 60,000 sons

• Set out horse for 100 days and it went missing

• Ashumant-his grandson found the horse, and ashes of 60,000 relatives

• Needed Ganga river for the ashes

• Bhagiratha adored Shiva for a year to get what he wanted

• Ganga was arrogant and precipitated to reach Earth but Shiva made her wander in his hair for a year

• Bhagiratha tried to recourse Ganga to the lake, she came into the oceans and reached the 60,000 ashes with raised the Spirits to the heavens

Ahalya

• Rama asks about an abandoned placed

• Indra God fell in love with Ahlya

• Disguised himself as her husband Gautama to seduce her

• Some say she found out

• She was punished either invisible/stone

• Rama ends her punishment and brings her back to life

• Rama is greeted and welcomed by Gautam and he purifies his wife

Sita

• Lakhshmana and Rama walked into the streets alone 

• Girls gossiped that the dark one was good for Sita

• The weapons, pearls, and the looks game attention to the men

• Fell asleep in Meadow of Sports tournament field which was the place of ladies

• bathed in a stream, they plucked flowers near the Kings beautiful palace and lake

• Sita happened to be walking in the garden with her maids

• The maid told Sita about the youths and Rama knew by the Jingle of Sitas bangles that she would be the one he would love eternally

• She prayed for the prince infant of Bhavni and flowers falling in her hands represented her wish was granted

• She did rituals at home and Rama was restless as well

King Janaka

• Vishwamitra indroduces the men to Jakata

• Jakata took his bow and said whoever can bend this bow can marry Sita

• Rama snapped the bow in the middle

• King was ready to marry the two

• Messengers sent for marriage

Parashurama

• tall bulk man with bow in one hand and an axe over his shoulder

• Description "His body was bare except for a deerskin cloth about his loins. On his brow were marked three white lines that showed he worshipped the god Shiva. His hair was twisted in a knot"
• mad because someone broke the bow
• Lakhshmana almost killed because he called the bow old and made fun of it and him dying
• Rama cooled the Hermit down
• Hermit gave Rama the bow of Vishnu and it clasped as soon as it was in Rama's hands
• The hermit was in awe
• Rituals, marriage, and high emotions
• Rama and Sita get married
• Rama's three brothers find brides as well

Heir

• Dasharatha has 4 sons now and needs to pick an heir
• He wanted Rama to be the heir
• Brahimis, army-leaders, countrymen, and citizens chose Rama
• "By reason of his many virtues, for indeed he towers among men as Shakra amongst the gods. In forgiveness he is like the Earth, in debate like Brihaspati. He speaks the truth and is a mighty bowman. He is ever busied with the welfare of the people and not given to detraction where he finds one blemish amongst many virtues. He is skilled in music, and his eyes are fair to look upon. Neither his pleasure nor his anger is in vain; he is easily approached, and self-controlled, and goes not forth to war or the protection of a city or a province without victorious return. He is beloved of all. Indeed, the Earth desires him for her Lord."

 Manthara and Kaikeyi

• Kaikeyi = Dasharatha's youngest wife
• Manthara = her servent 
• "Ugly and misshapen was Manthara; she was short-necked, flat-breasted, and had legs like a crane; she was big-bellied and humpbacked. When Rama was a child she had offended him and he smote her, and ever afterwards she regarded him with fierce enmity."
• Kaikeyi influenced by the nurse
• Nurse asks for her to ask for two boons of which Kaikeyi was promised
• Kaikeyi asks her husband for Rama to be sent into exile and for her son Bharata to be the heir as her two boons
• Dasharatha furious and upset at hearing this but finally gave in saying"                                               I grant the boons, but I reject thee for ever and thy son Bharata also.”

Rama is Banished and Exiled

• City preparing for Rama to be heir, celebrations beginning and him being pampered
• Chief counselor asks for Rama
• Rama and Sita walk in people cheering, being blessed, etc.
• Dasharatha looks upset "his body was bent, his face was worn with grief. Tears fell from Dasharatha's eyes as his son kissed his feet and the feet of Kaikeyi also; he strove to speak while tears streamed from his eyes"
• Kaikeyi expressed her wish and Rama didn't show how grief stricken he was                                    “I will depart this day in fulfilment of my father's vow. Cheerfully will I obey his command. Let Bharata be summoned quickly from Girivrajah, and I will hasten to the jungle of Dandaka.”
• He leaves to Sita who begs to leave with him as a dutiful wive. Lakhsman goes with them as well
• People gossip, some decide to leave the city as well
• Told his father he will be back after 14 years 
• Kaikeyi brought dressed of bark for the three to wear and argued for the soldiers not to go with them. Sita protested saying "How can I wear raiment of bark? I cannot use such attire.”
• Dasharatha claimed Kaikeyi's command was only for Rama and the bark dress was taken away from Sita
• They reached Ganga together
• King of Nishada fed them and greeted them
• Sita prayed to Ganga for a peaceful return after 14 years
• they vowed to protect Sita and talked about what happened. Lakshman told Rama not to give what happened ands to stick together

Dasharatha's Karma

• He accidentally kills someone
• Sad, visits the family, mother and father sorrowful
• They had only 1 son
• Hermit sets fire and he and his wife enter with the kid
• two wives present during his death
• none of his 4 sons accompanied him during his death
• He died sorrowful and guilty of what he had done

Rama and Sita 

Image Source: https://sites.google.com/site/fortheloveofkamadeva/rama-and-sita-the-epic-love-story

Bibliography

Laura, Gibbs. Reading Part A: King Dasharatha. Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/search/label/PDE%20Ramayana