Week 4 Reading Diary A: Starting the Ramayana by Buck

The demon warrior, Indrajit, begins the book by talking about Narayana and Valmiki (the poet). Rama has exiled Sita when she was pregnant with his two sons. Narada tells Valmiki to go rescue Sita. Valmiki must also teach the story of Rama to Rama's twin sons (Kusha and Lava).

King Dasharatha has no sons. He gets help and a sacrifice is prepared so that his wives will bear sons. Kausalya is Rama's mother. Kaikeyi is Bharata's mother. Sumitra is Lakshmana and Shatrughna's mother. When all of the sons are sixteen years of age, Vishwamitra goes to them and asks for their help in battling the rakshasas.

Ravana had great powers given to him by Brahma. He could not be conquered by gods, asuras, yakshas, nagas, or rakshasas. He challenges many powerful people because of his powers. His brothers also got powers. Vibhishana could always remember Dharma. Kumbhakama could sleep for six months after one day of being awake. Ravana is married to Mandodari and has one son, Meghanada.

Rama helps to break Ahalya's curse that she is under because of her husband, Gautama. This returns her to her former beauty. This curse was because her husband found her in bed with Indra.

Rama and Sita had fallen in love at first sight. For Rama to be able to marry her, he broke the bow of Shiva. He succeeds, and the two are married. Rama's brothers marry daughters of Janaka, also. Janaka is Sita's father.

Rama breaking Janaka's bow