Ramayana Reading Notes C
Ramayana: 89-131
The author explains that this one of the most controversial
chapters in the Ramayana. Throughout the Ramayana, Rama is depicted as an ideal
man. However in this chapter, Rama begins to act out in half-knowledge, haste,
and out of partiality. Rama and Lakshmana enter the kingdom of Kiskinda, which
was a kingdom ruled and inhabited by monkeys. The subjects in this kingdom
possessed extraordinary intelligence, speech, immeasurable strength and
nobility. Rama and Lakshmana meet Hanuman (also known as Anjaneya). Hanuman
takes them to Sugreeva, who shares his story with them.
Sugreeva's Story:
Sugreeva explains that he had an elder brother named Vali.
Once, Vali helped the gods churn the ocean in order to obtain nectar. This act
pleased the gods and Vali was rewarded with immeasurable strength. He was given
a special gift; whenever anyone lost to Vali, they would lose half their
strength which enhanced Vali's fighting powers. A demon named Mayavi challenged
Vali in a fight. Vali chased Mayavi and pursued him into a subterranean
passage. However, when Vali did not return for 28 months, Sugreeva reluctantly
became king.
Vali returns to the kingdom after killing Mayavi. He becomes
insulted that Sugreeva did not wait for him and decides to kill Sugreeva. Vali
pursues Sugreeva, until Sugreeva seeks shelter in Mount Matanga where Vali was
forbidden to enter.
Dundubi's Story:
Dundubi was a powerful demon in the shape of a buffalo. He
sought to engage in war with Vishnu. Dundubi asks the gods, Vishnu and Indra to
grant him powers so that he may fight forever. The gods tells Dundubi to go to
earth and meet Vali. Vali attacks Dundubi and they fight for a year. Vali kills
Dundubi and throws his bones on to Mount Matanga.
After narrating his story, Sugreeva tells Rama that he saw
Ravana carrying Sita. Sita had bundled up all her jewelry and threw it onto the
mountain. Rama becomes grief stricken seeing Sita's jewelry and blames himself
for not protecting Sita. Hanuman suggests that Sugreeva vanquish Vali, so that
they may leave the mountain. Sugreeva goes to Kiskinda Mountain and calls out
to Vali. Vali hears this and decides to fight Sugreeva, but Vali's wife warns
him that Rama had joined Sugreeva's side and that he would lose. Vali
disregards this and begins to fight with Sugreeva. Rama asks Sugreeva to wear a
garland around his neck so that he could be able to recognize him. Sugreeva
does so and Rama shoots an arrow at Vali, killing him.
Vali is shocked that Rama had shot an arrow at him. He tells
Rama that he was unfair to choose sides on a fight that was not his to begin
with. Rama explains to Vali that when he misunderstood Sugreeva and took
Sugreeva's wife as his own, Rama had the right to kill Vali. Vali realizes that
Rama did not commit an unrighteous act and asks Rama to take care of Sugreeva
and Hanuman.
When the Rain Ceases:
Sugreeva was crowned king of Kiskinda and thanks Rama. Rama
tells Sugreeva and Hanuman to go back to the kingdom and to meet him with an
army after the rainy season. Rama begins to become distraught a depressed due
to his inability to protect Sita. Lakshmana comforts Rama and ensures him that
they will find Sita. Once the rain ended, Rama's spirits lifted. Sugreeva
forgets about his deal with Rama, which anger Rama. He sends Lakshmana to go
talk to Sugreeva. Sugreeva tells Lakshmana that he forgot about his deal with
Rama and that he was embarrassed for his behavior. Sugreeva send the army to
Rama and Hanuman leaves to locate Sita. Rama tells Hanuman details about Sita:
her physique, beauty, and personality. He gives Hanuman his ring to give to
Sita so that she may recognize him. Hanuman learns that Sita was in Lanka.
Memento from Rama:
Hanuman arrives in Lanka and shrinks himself so that he
could find Sita. He finds Sita in Ashoka Vana and encircled by rakshaka women.
Hanuman gives Sita the ring and tells her that Rama is on his way to save her
from Ravana. Sita gives Hanuman an ornament that she saved and tells him to
give it to Rama. While leaving Lanka, Hanuman burns down the city except for
the tree Sita sat under.
Ravana's in Council:
Ravana builds the city again and wants to take revenge
against Rama and Lakshmana. He meets with his council to decide how to take
revenge against Rama. Kumbarna, Ravana's adviser, tells Ravana to not back down
and fight Rama. Ravana's son, Indrajit, tells Ravana that he will defeat Rama
and Lakshmana by himself. Ravana's brother, Vibishana tells Ravana that he is
committing a huge mistake and that he is going down the wrong path. He tells
Ravana that he was abusing the power that he gods gave to him and that he was
losing his honor through lust and avarice. However, Ravana refuses to listen to
his brother.
Bibliography: R.K. Narayan, "The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic" 1972.
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