We finally started reading the Ramayana this week! I was a little late on catching up with my reading but I am so happy to have the chance to get started. In part A of the Ramayana, we get introduced to the two mighty kingdoms of Hindustan, one ruled by Rama's father (Dasharatha) and the other ruled by Sita's father (Janaka). We learn that after an Ashwamendha performed by the brahmin's, Dasharatha is rewarded with four sons. Dasharatha had three wives, in which Kaushalya was Rama's mother, Kaikeyi was Bharata's, and Sumitra was Lakshmana and Shatrughna's. Rama was seen as the most beautiful and compared to Vishnu (the preserver god of Hinduism).
We are then introduced to Vishvamitra, whose sacrifices were being disturbed by two rakshasas (Subahu, and Maricha) working for Ravana. He informed Dasharatha that only Rama could help him overcome these problems. Rama and Lakshmana decided to go with Vishvamitra to help him out. The brothers are then forced to kill Thataka, the mother of Maricha, to help Vishvamitra. This also led other sages and people at the hermitage to appreciate and honor Rama. Vishvamitra then tells Rama the story of Ganga and Bhagiratha. The essence of the story tells about how the Ganga river came to be and the reason most Hindus distribute the ashes of their dead in the river. After the Ahalya story, we are introduced to Sita. It was quite cute that Sita and Rama met in a garden and fell in love at first sight! Then we are introduced to King Janaka, who declares that the person who can bend Shiva's bow will get his daughter. And of course, Rama can bend it and marries Sita.
Now we go back to Dasharatha, who decides it is time for Rama to control the kingdom. However, while everyone else was happy, Manthara, the nurse of Prince Bharata (son of Queen Kaikeyi), was displeased with the decision. She poisons Queen Kaikeyi to not accept Rama as the next king. She told the Queen to ask the King of the two wishes he said he would grant her. So Kaikeyi asks King Dasharatha that her son, Bharata be installed as Yuvarajah and that Rama be banished for fourteen years to live in the jungle. She threatened to commit suicide if the King does not listen. So the King grants her wishes, but he also breaks off ties with Kaikeyi and her son. So Rama gets sent to Exile but Sita and Lakshmana go with him. But to further the shame, Kaikeyi also required that they shed their royal attire (except for Sita) and live as devotees.
Now, Dasharatha was so distressed at the situation, that while releasing his anger he accidentally kills another hermit. The hermit's father then curses Dasharatha to his death. At the end of Part A, Dasharatha dies after asking Kaushalya, Rama's mother, for forgiveness. Throughout the reading, we are also told interluding scenes of Indra, Vishnu, and Ravana.
Bibliography:
Name: Indian Myth and Legend
Author: Donald A. Mackenzie
Link: Ramayana PDE
We are then introduced to Vishvamitra, whose sacrifices were being disturbed by two rakshasas (Subahu, and Maricha) working for Ravana. He informed Dasharatha that only Rama could help him overcome these problems. Rama and Lakshmana decided to go with Vishvamitra to help him out. The brothers are then forced to kill Thataka, the mother of Maricha, to help Vishvamitra. This also led other sages and people at the hermitage to appreciate and honor Rama. Vishvamitra then tells Rama the story of Ganga and Bhagiratha. The essence of the story tells about how the Ganga river came to be and the reason most Hindus distribute the ashes of their dead in the river. After the Ahalya story, we are introduced to Sita. It was quite cute that Sita and Rama met in a garden and fell in love at first sight! Then we are introduced to King Janaka, who declares that the person who can bend Shiva's bow will get his daughter. And of course, Rama can bend it and marries Sita.
Now we go back to Dasharatha, who decides it is time for Rama to control the kingdom. However, while everyone else was happy, Manthara, the nurse of Prince Bharata (son of Queen Kaikeyi), was displeased with the decision. She poisons Queen Kaikeyi to not accept Rama as the next king. She told the Queen to ask the King of the two wishes he said he would grant her. So Kaikeyi asks King Dasharatha that her son, Bharata be installed as Yuvarajah and that Rama be banished for fourteen years to live in the jungle. She threatened to commit suicide if the King does not listen. So the King grants her wishes, but he also breaks off ties with Kaikeyi and her son. So Rama gets sent to Exile but Sita and Lakshmana go with him. But to further the shame, Kaikeyi also required that they shed their royal attire (except for Sita) and live as devotees.
(Image shows Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana in the woods at a Sage's hut- image provided by Wikimedia Commons)
Now, Dasharatha was so distressed at the situation, that while releasing his anger he accidentally kills another hermit. The hermit's father then curses Dasharatha to his death. At the end of Part A, Dasharatha dies after asking Kaushalya, Rama's mother, for forgiveness. Throughout the reading, we are also told interluding scenes of Indra, Vishnu, and Ravana.
Bibliography:
Name: Indian Myth and Legend
Author: Donald A. Mackenzie
Link: Ramayana PDE
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