Reading Diary B, Week 5

Once again we see the story of the golden deer and Buck's take on the story. I really liked his in depth description of the form that Maricha took and the beauty he portrayed. For being so wise and powerful Rama really needs to learn to listen to Lakshamana and not be driven constantly by his heart. If he had Sita would not have been taken by Ravana.

In Buck's version I really enjoyed the story of Hanuman and how it was that he came about all of his powers. As with the last story, Vali is portrayed to be quite the pompous monkey and doesn't take kindly to the thoughts of others. However, unlike the previous version read, in Buck's story Rama and Vali don't have the drawn out conversation about Vali's death. In Buck's story Vali realizes from the beginning that Rama has given him true salvation and that by living his life in anger he has brought about his own death. Sugriva and Hanuman will help Rama after the rainy season comes.

The rainy season sequence way way too in depth for my liking. I usually appreciate the details used in Buck's version but 5 pages describing rain and its passing was too much. I did however like the description provided of the various monkey clans that arrived to help in Rama's quest; this just better helped to layout the foundation of the story. This version also goes very in depth as Sugriva tells the generals where to search in the 4 cardinal directions. The most important however is South which is the direction of Lanka and where Sita most likely is.

Reading Diary A, Week 5

Bharata is informed that Dasharatha is dead as he returns from his time away. His mother informs him of what has become of Rama and lakshamana. He isn't happy with what she has done and he believes that Rama is still the rightful king. He goes into the forest to try and find Rama and return him to the city. Bharata finds Rama and tells him of his fathers death, Rama still refuses to take the throne until his 14 year exile has been completed.

Story skips to the 14th summer in Rama's exile as he prepares to head into the Dandaka forest. He is given an even better bow than his original which he earned from Sita's father to gain her hand in marriage. This area is controlled by Ravana which we know will soon have an issue with Rama do to Sita. Sita is abducted by a demon and is then rescued by Rama and Lakshmana. Here begins Ravana's quest for Sita do the the attack on his sister and her descriptions of Sita to him in Lanka.

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Reading Diary B: Week 4

Dasaratha desires to make his son Rama the king of Ayodhya in his place. He converses with his council who are all in favor for this idea. He then questions his council as to why they would have Rama as their king and has a proud father moment. He tells Rama that he is to be made king the following day and to be careful because much can happen to a future king the night before his coronation. This is indeed the fact; Manthara convinces Kaikeyi to use her two wishes she earned and make her own son Bharata king and banish Rama to the forest for the next 14 years. Once again this version is much more detailed than the previous and really provides a clear story and description of the events at hand.

Rama fully accepts losing the throne and is the most obedient son ever. He never questions his fathers commands but only the reasons for Kaikeyi's decision. Rama meets with his father one last time before he leaves and request that he doesn't punish Kaikeyi for her choices. He then puts on his armor and over that bark clothes. The whole city is prepared to follow Rama into exile but he doesn't want to see his city die. According to Vasishtha they will grow tired of this life after 7 days and will return to Ayodhya. The elders summon the Tamasa river to block the chariots path in turn stopping Rama's travel for the day. He begs them to return but the people don't listen. He awakes while they still sleep and Sumantra devises a plan to fool the followers.

Guha seems to be an amusing character to say the least. I really enjoy his attitude and the descriptions given about his adornments. He also seems to be very well liked by Rama and they have an interesting history with one another.

Week 4 Reading Diary A: Buck's Version

I found this version to be very interesting compared to the original version that we read. Although much longer, I think Buck's version goes into a much greater depth which only helps the reader to better understand the stories. I think his version provides a stronger background for those of us who have no previous knowledge of the tales told.

Interesting Points

• In depth descriptions of Rama's physical characteristics 
• Various time periods: when the stories actual came to be and now the time that they were being told during.
• The background of Ravana
• The background of Rama in detail and his reincarnation as Vishnu 
• Descriptions of Lakshmana, almost another version of Rama 
• Overall much better physical descriptions of all characters involved in every scene 

Reading Diary B, Week 2: Lanka

Hanuman is told of his divine abilities that have been hidden from him his whole life. He is able to grow larger than a mountain and step across the ocean to Lanka. He then reduces his size and moves secretly through the city trying to find Sita. He first finds Ravana's wife, Mandodari, believing her to be Sita but begins to see that her features do not match those told to him by Rama. He continues his search and finds Sita surrounded by female guards who terrorize her. As they walk away Sita plans to hang herself but Hanuman reaches her in time and explains his presence. He presents her with the ring from Rama and she in turn gives him her jewelry to take back with him.

Hanuman runs from the guards and could easily have eluded all but allows himself to be captured by Indrajit, son of Ravana. Hanuman meets with Ravana and explains the situation and request the surrender of Sita. However, Ravana doesn't take this lightly and plans to kill Hanuman who is only spared by the words of Vibhishana, the youngest brother of Ravana. Hanuman's tail is set ablaze and he escapes, running through the city and lighting everything in sight on fire. Maya rebuilds the whole city.

Vibhishana and Ravana argue about his actions and Vibishana retreats across the water in order to join the camp of Rama. Rama's councils believes him to be a spy but Hanuman and Rama allow his entrance and take benefit in his knowledge of Ravana's forces.

The monkey forces move across the ocean into Lanka and the fighting begins. Ravana continually tries to make Sita believe that he has killed Rama. First by creating a decapitated head looking like his and showing it to her, secondly by poisoning him with snake darts that put him to sleep on the battlefield. Ravana is bested by Rama but the fighting ends and Rama allows him to rest and return the next day with fresh weapons.

Kumbakarna is a heavy sleeper, wakes up, and eats a lot of people and monkeys. Rama and Ravana battle one another in chariots, racing through the sky. Rama defeats Ravana with an arrow through his heart.

Rama test Sita in fire to make sure she is still pure. She passes and they are reunited. He gets a wish and all is forgiven. Rama returns to Adoy

Reading Diary A, Week 2: Vali & Sugreeva

Rama continues to look for Sita but his lose is beginning to tug at his heart strings. He meets Sugreeva who was once the right hand to Vali, the monkey king. When Vali left to chase after an opponent the throne was left unoccupied and the elders placed Sugreeva there in Vali's absence. They didn't know if he was dead or alive after he went into a tunnel chasing his prey. Sugreeva attempted to look for his brother but the elders would not allow it and blocked off the entrance. Vali however was still alive and broke free only to find Sugreeva on his throne. He wouldn't listen to his brothers explanations and attempted to kill him. Sugreeva managed to get free and ends up meeting up with Rama who he gets to help him. Sugreeva calls out his brother and they begin to fight. Rama kills Vali and explains to him his reasoning behind doing so in which Vali becomes enlightened and regrets the choices he had made.

The rainy season comes and Rama becomes very depressed and kind of pitiful. After the rainy season ends they wait for Sugreeva to send troops so they can cover the Earth in search of Sita. The troops do not arrive on time so Lakshmana goes to Kiskinda to find out what the issue is. Angry at first his nerves are calmed and the troops arrive later on. They are sent in every direction but the most important group heads south and gets caught underground. They meet a bird and restore his feathers to him. He tells them that Ravana had passed through there with Sita and that she was being held in Lanka.

They sit at the edge of the ocean deciding how they can go about getting across. Rama bargains with the sea god and he helps them to create a path to the other side and into Lanka. This is were the story gets interesting and the battle begins.