Monday, January 23, 2017

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part A

Today is Monday, January 23rd, 2017, and I am completing the Week Reading Part A.

I read the Prologue and Chapters 1-3 of R. K. Narayan's Ramayana.

The Prologue was an introduction to the Ramayana and the protagonist of the story, Lord Rama. It tells the story of his birth and how he came to be.

Chapter 1 is called "Rama's Initiation" and is about how Rama was initiated into his mission of fighting for good over evil. As Sage Vishvamitra took Rama and Lakshmana, along the way to his hermitage, Sage Vishvamitra narrated stories of different people and places that came along the way. My personal favorite of those stories is of Ahalya.

Chapter 2 is called "The Wedding" and is about how Rama got married to Sita. At the end of chapter 1, Sage Vishvamitra completes his yagna (sacrificial fire), and the three of them (Sage Vishvamitra, Rama, and Lakshmana) come to Mithila for another sacrificial fire. Once in Mithila on their way to the palace, Rama's eyes fell upon Sita, fell in love with her, and vice versa. This chapter outlines the events that lead up to their wedding and their wedding.

Chapter 3 is called "Two Promises Revived" and is about when Queen Kaikeyi puts her two wishes to King Dashratha and when Rama was sent for fourteen years of exile. It was during the time of crowning the king-elect (like president-elect in the United States). Because Rama was oldest, he was coronated to be the king after King Dashratha. Queen Kaikeyi's personal attendant, Manthra, did not like that, and filled Queen Kaikeyi's ears to tell King Dashratha send Rama to exile for fourteen years and to make Bharata the king-elect. Manthra succeeded in her mission: Queen Kaikeyi asked King Dashratha to send Rama for fourteen years exile and to make Bharata the king-elect. Even though King Dashratha was hesitant, because Rama considered Queen Kaikeyi as his own mother, he gave the crown to Bharata and immediately left for exile with Sita and Lakshmana.

If I were to write a story, I would write about Jethabhai, Popatbhai, and Iyerbhai dressed up in disguise to get Sakharam (Bhidebhai's scooter) back from Don Baadal (don = gang leader) after Don Baadal kidnapped it.

Click here for a reading guide to R. K. Narayan's Ramayana

Here is Rama reviving Ahalya to her original state and taking her out of Rishi Gautama's curse.
Source: (Google Images)

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