Week 14 Reading Diary A: Eastern Stories and Legends

The Hare That Ran Away

• Don't believe something just from word of mouth, you could be putting yourself at risk for something that isn't even true. 

The Monkey and the Crocodile 

• The Monkey outwits the crocodile in his own "game" of trying to trick him into getting what he wants

The Hare that was Not Afraid to Die

• Buddha reborn as a hare
• 3 friends-monkey, jackal, otter
• The hare (Buddha) and his friends are told to offer food to any beggars that they encounter. The two friends take things from other people, but the hare offers his on flesh. The true test of sacrifice 

The Parrot that Fed his Parents

• The Parrot is allowed to continue stealing rice because he is doing so to provide for his elders/youth 

The Man Who Worked to Give Alms

• Buddha= Vissaya 
• His always give alms graciously
• The king gets jealous of him.

Buddha Sitting under a Tree: Blogspot 

Week 13 Reading Diary A: Francis and Thomas-Jataka Tales

The Little Gildmaster

• A man is able to build up his wealth from just one dead mouse. He uses this to gradually build his way up in society, using clever schemes to make the most of what he has. 

King Makhadeva's Grey Hairs

• King Makhadeva-righteous ruler who reigned for 84,000 years in Mithilia 
• Finds a grey hair on his head and gives up his position to become a hermit
• grey hair reminds him of death and motivates him to reflect and lead a holy life
• Finds the "Four Perfect States", becomes a king in Mithilia again, unites his family, goes to become a hermit again (cycle)

The Monkey's and the Ogre

• The monkey's are follow the command of their leader, which proves life-saving
• The ogre is convinced he will eat all of the monkeys, but their leader outsmarts him-using reeds as straws to drink from the lake. It's a win-win, they get to drink and avoid getting eaten

The Discontented Ox 

• "Big Red"-Bodhisatta 
• "Little Red"-his brother
• Together, they had to do all the work of the family 
• Munika-fattened big to be given as dowry for the marriage of the family's daughter 
• Little Red gets jealous of the great food Munika is getting fed, but Big Red has to point out that he is only getting that because he will soon be killed 

The Oldest of the Animals

• Three friends-partridge, monkey, elephant 
• The partridge  becomes their leader because he has the most seniority
• doesn't matter the size or stature of the leader, just their wisdom 

The Crab and the Crane: Wiki Commons

 

Reading Diary B Week 12: Twenty Jataka Tales

The Two Pigs

• Mahatundila and Cullatundila-two pigs that get taken in by an elderly woman and raised as her children
• "Bathe in the Pool of water as on a bright feast-day , and you shall find a perfume that never fades away"
• pool of water=love 
• perfume=love (never fades away)

The Patient Buffalo

• The buffalo doesn't pick on the monkey because he knows he is too small/simple to deserve that harsh treatment 
• Don't pick on the weak to make yourself feel better

The Sarabha

• Mysterious deer that lives deep in the woods 
• The Sarabha helps a King who is trying to capture out of a chasm he has fallen into. 
• The king feels more pain from viewing the deer as his enemy 

The Great Elephant

•  A story of sacrifice 

The Quarrelsome Quails 

• All the quails have to do to avoid being caught is cooperate. 
• The bickering of two quails also gets others trapped in the net 

The Forest Fire 

• The quail with small wings is able to do something his stronger brothers would never (drive back a forest fire) 
• It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog 

The End of the World 

• A little hare creates an uproar because he mistakes a fruit falling from its tree for the world coming to an end. 
• Don't jump to conclusions 

Lion saving all the animals from "the end of the world": Twenty Jataka Tales 

Reading Diary A Week 12: Twenty Jataka Tales

The Monkey-Bridge:

• The lesson is for rulers to love out of love for their subjects, not because they have the biggest sword
• King Brahmadatta 

The Guilty Dogs 

• All the dogs were ordered to be killed for something the royal dogs had done (who were the only ones to be spared) 
• Dog chief reasons with king and proves palace dogs guilty 

Banyan 

• Banyan-King of Deer (Golden Deer)
• He offers himself as a sacrifice to a gluttonous king in order to spare a mother who has a young daughter. By doing this the King finds love and spares the lives of all animals in the woods. 

The Tortoise and the Geese 

• A king learns who to hold his tongue 

The Fairy and the Hare 

• The hare is rewarded for his pure intentions and honesty while his friends do the wrong things for the right reason 

The Young Parrot 

• The young parrot is able to take rice from a farmers land after he tells him why he is taking it. 
• Good deeds are often rewarded 

Swan Kingdom

• King of Benares- same king from Monkey Bridge story 
• King Dhritarashtra- king of swans 

The Master's Test 

• What matters is what you do when nobody is watching

"There is no place wherein nobody is watching"- Twenty Jataka Tales 

Week 10 Reading Diary B: The Life of Buddha Sacred Texts

The Crane and the Fish-lesson learned: cunning does not always succeed. Buddha tells this to his followers before he leaves to visit his father.

Once Buddha returns to his old home, everyone is surprised to see this transformation from a flashy prince in a chariot to a humble monk begging for food. He gains a following of people, "for he is more beautiful now than ever"
       -it's not all about material riches

Kind Sudddhodana snaps at Buddha for begging and Buddha tells him of his past life where he gladly had is own feet and head cut off and his body impaled and fed to the birds, because he knew he would become Buddha one day. The moral of the story is that living a holy life will bring you peace and no worry. King Suddhodana fully believes in Buddha after this.

Buddha goes to see his wife, Gopa, and she has given up all her luxuries too. She lives just as he does, not sleeping in a bed and only eating once a day. Buddha then commends her, and then goes on a rant talking about how bad women are. Strange.

Buddha's brother, Nanda, is set to be king in his absence. However, Buddha approaches him and calls him out for his worldly/material happiness and Nanda soon falls at his brother's feet and becomes his disciple-leaving the throne and his beloved future wife behind.

King Suddhodana is sad that his whole family is leaving him, and he tells Buddha. Again, Buddha calms him down and then leaves  Kapilavastu and returns to Rajagriha.

A young, very poor, girl in Cravasti gave up her only possession to the Buddha as a donation-a course dress she had saved up for. Upon giving this humble gift she died and became a Goddess of Indra.

Nanda is still grieving about having to leave his wife. Buddha then sends him into the heavens and he sees an Apsara who is far more beautiful. He remains pious because of this Apsara and is shunned by the disciples because of it.
      -Doing the right thing for the wrong reason is still wrong.

Nanda eventually conquers his desires, but then wears the same robe as Buddha and claims to have equal virtue. This again gets him criticized, this time for his pride.

King Suddhodana dies.

Buddha with the Group of Five: Wiki Commons 

Reading Diary A: Week 10-The Life of Buddha Sacred Texts

Although he has attained the ultimate wisdom, Buddha refuses to enter nirvana before accumulating a following and spreading his teaching to others.

Buddha turns Mara's daughters into hags for trying to seduce him, but then reverses this once they admit their fault to him.

Trapusha and Bhallika-the first to profess their faith in Buddha and his law.

Initially, Buddha refuses to preach his knowledge because he thinks people will be too ignorant to comprehend his thoughts. The Bhrama finally convinces him otherwise.
            -Whats the use of having all that knowledge if you don't share it.

Buddha tries to make Rama's son, Rudraka, the first to hear his words but he is dead.

He decides to preach to Rudraka's 5 disciples instead. On the trip to Benares (where the disciples live) he asks a boatman to help him cross the Ganges-the man will only do it for money and Buddha flies over the river. The man is then very distraught for casting away such a holy man.

They disciples decide to not acknowledge Buddha, but once he gets closer they cannot resist and they immediately take good care of him and listen to his every word.

He tells the disciples about suffering, the 8 fold path, etc.. They then proclaim their faith in him

"The thirst for power, the thirst for pleasure, the thirst for existence; there, O monks, is the origin of suffering." - The Buddha Finds his Former Disciples

Kaundinya-first disciple to approach/follow Buddha

Yasas- a rich kid who gives up his worldly life to follow Buddha.
            -His friends come to try and convince him other wise (Vimala)

The Hare and the Hermit- The hermit is starving and tells his friend the hare he is going to leave back for the city. The Hare then tries to throw himself in the fire to save his friend from the corruptions of the city. The Hermit saves him, vows not to leave, and then they are blessed with rain and plenty of food.
          -Buddha compares Vimala to the hermit, asking why he would try and prevent his friend from obtaining salvation.

Kind Padmaka- A story Buddha tells traveling musicians. The King sacrifices himself in order to save his people from an epidemic that is making them suffer.

King Suddhodana sends messengers to summon Buddha, but they all become his disciples and stay with him. Suddhodana then sends Udayin (Buddha's life long friend). He also ends up being a disciple, but does not forget his reason for traveling to Buddha in the first place. He eventually convinces Buddha to return to his father once the weather warms up.

Buddha's Sermon in the Deer Park : Wiki Commons

Week 9 Reading Diary A: The Life of Buddha Sacred Texts

• King Suddhodana- Great wisdom, sucessful in battle, has many friends
• Maya-Suddhodana's favorite wife
• Wishes to rid the world of suffering and poverty
• Gives up her royalties to live an austere life
• Maya's dream: She sees an elephant with six tusks enter her womb. This is the moment when she knows she will never experience hatred, anger, is malcontent 
• As King Suddhodana goes to the woods he starts to feel nervous/shaky 
• The God's speak to him and tell him that his son will be one of supreme knowledge and wisdom 
• Their son will be Siddhartha (Buddha) 
• The royal couple returned to the city and fed the hungry, gave alms to the poor. The blind saw, the lame walked and the deaf could hear. 
• When Buddha is born all of the world is joyous and corrects itself (sober up, gain reason)
• Asita the hermit weeps because will not be able to hear the preachings of the new born son. 
• When Siddhartha was born the Kingdom was more rich, prosperous, and peaceful. 
• Maya dies 7 days after the birth, the prince is given to Mahaprajapati, her sister
• She tries to put jewelry on him, but his thoughts are his true gems
• On his first trip to the temple all of the statues of gods came to life and sang to him
• Visvamitra- Siddhartha's teacher 
• In an attempt to carry on the family name Suddhodona tries to convince Siddhartha to get married (introduce him to pleasures)
• Siddhartha makes a list of merits for his potential wife and Gopa is chosen
• Siddhartha surprisingly passes all of the tests to win Gopa (again uses an arrow as the final test)
• Siddhartha lives a lavish life of pleasure while his father lives almost like a hermit. While the King is living as pious as he can, he introduces as many pleasures to his son as possible so he will not leave for an austere life. 
• Siddhartha finally leaves the palace and the gods expose him to the harsh realities of life-sickness, old age, and death. 
• Udayin (Siddhartha's long time friend) tries to keep his mind off of the things he encountered by throwing women at him. This does not sway Siddhartha at all
• Siddhartha sneaks away in the middle of the night and vows not to return until he sees the end of life and death
• Kanthanka, Siddhartha's horse he rode into the forest is sad and dies when he returns to his stable
• Siddhartha gains five disciples and sits on the bank of a river meditating and withering away physically. The disciples abandon once they see him return to a city and beg for food
• Mara, The Evil One, tries to attack Siddhartha as he sits under the tree of knowledge but his attack is futile and he is defeated.
• Siddhartha realizes that ignorance is the root of suffering, death, and discomfort. At this realization he becomes Buddha

Buddha at the Tree of Knowledge : Wiki Commons

Reading Diary B: PDE Mahabharata

• Pandavas go undergo an exile similar to Rama's
• Bhima and Draupadi unleash their angers on the eldest brother, but he remains faithful to his exile and to the will of the gods.
• Arjuna goes off to gain celestial weapons that will come in handy later. 
• Bhima encounters Hanuman in exile
• Duryodhana and Karna go to spy on the Pandavas and are stopped by celestial spirits who would not allow it. A war followed, and the Kausavas were defeated. 
• Karna deserted
• Duryodhana and much of his court was captured
• Bhima and Arjuna fight and get the prisoners released? 
• humbled/embarrassed Duryodhana
• Karna vows to kill Arjuna
• A secret messenger comes and tells the Pandavas of this news
• Indra, Arjuna's father, takes away Karna armour and earrings in exchange for a celestial dart.
• The Pandavas come to a lake and all but Yudhishthira die from drinking after ignoring questions asked by a voice. It turns out the voice is Dharma, god of wisdom and justice. He grants Yudhishthira two wishes-That they should be restored to life and go unrecognized for a year. (their last year of exile is to be in hiding and they have to do another 12 years of Kausavas find them)
• They return to INSIDE THE CITY and take up various roles
• Yudhishthira-teaches playing dice (so he can practice)
• Bhima-cook
• Arjuna-teaches dance
• All became loved by the monarch 
• Bhima secretly kills King Kichaka for attempting to rap Draupadi. This causes the Kausavas to raid his kingdom. The raid conveniently falls on the last day of the exile, so the Pandavas turn on the Kausavas and were taken as prisoners of Kichaka's son
• Both Duryodhana and Arjuna go to Krishna, but Krishna gets first pick because he was humbly bowing while Duryodhana pompously sat on his bed. Arjuna choses Krishna over an entire army. 
• Duryodhana tries to capture Krishna, but it only angers Krishna and he takes his godly form 
• The battle seems equal sided, but it is clear who will win. 

Bima fights Bakasura: Wiki Commons

Reading Diary A: PDE Mahabharata

• Prince Duryodhana planned to burn down a palace where the Pandavas and Kunti were staying. The palace was all wood and covered in oil. 
• Vidura 
• King Pandu and King Dhritarashtra brother
• Wisest of the brothers, his mother was slave so he had no power
• Vidura notices the signs of the plot and orders a tunnel to be dug to save his family. While they escape, a peasant family there begging for food dies and everyone thinks they it is the royal family. Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana think their plan has succeeded. 
• In the woods the Pandavas come across some rakshasas. The sister tries to save them, but Bhima is noble and wont leave his family's side. He fights the bad rakshasa, even drags him into the forest so he wont wake up his family. 
• Bhima and the sister of the bad rakshasa actually falls in love with Bhima and they live a happy life together
• Give birth to a son-Ghatotkacha
• The Pandavas and Kunti find refuge in a town that is ruled by Baka, who eats people in return for protecting the city. Kunti hails Bhima and he comes and kills Baka.
• Drapuda, friend who betrayed Drona (guru who trained Pandavas)
• His payment for training them was avenging Drapuda
• Nalayani, daughter of Drapuda, was married to all 5 Pandavas 
• This was the result of Karma for her actions in her previous life
• Arjuna breaks a deal of the marriage of the Panadavas to Draupadi. While his brother tells him to let it slide, he remains truthful to his oath and exiles for 12 years. During his ecile he meets Ulupi, daughter of the nagas King, the same character who gave Bhima his powers. Here he gains the power to become invisible in water and has a son, Iravat. He then uses this power to rescue 5 water nymphs who were cursed to take the form of alligators 
• good Karma 
• The Pandavas burn a forest and it return a god Maya builds them a palace unmatched by anything on earth. As they become more powerful, Duryodhana becomes even more bitter. 
• Yudhishthira loses all of the riches and lands of the Pandavas, including their wife Draupdi, who becomes a slave
• This results in a ferocious proclamation of revenge by Bhima. 
• The Pandavas are exiled after losing another gambling match

Vysa tell Drapuda about Draupadi's past life: PDE Mahabharata

Reading Diary A: PDE Mahabharata

• Vyasa was the composer of the Mahabharata and a character
• Vedas-everything man should know about heaven and earth
• Vyasa was born from a fish swallowing the semen of a great king.
• Devavrata was born from the Goddess Ganga who had taken human form and married a King. By drowning 7 of her children, she freed gods from their humanly form and allowed a bit of their powers to be absorbed into her 8th son. 
• Satyavati-Vyvasa's mother 
• Vyasa goes to meditate but will return to Satyavati in times of need if she thinks of him
• King Shantanu wont marry Satyavati because he refuses to make Vyasa heir
• Devavrate becomes Bhishma once he denounces his thrown in to allow his father to marry Satyavati (this was part of the deal Ganga made all along)
• Lady Amba is embarrassed of her rejection and isolation, is told by Shiva that she will reincarnate as a man and defeat Bhishma, who she is hellbent on destroying. 
• Dharma, God of justice, was born as Vyasa's son
• Kunti (wife of King Pandu) gives birth Karna, son of Surya, god of the sun. 
• Kunti was ashamed of her affairs and sent Karna down the River Aswa in a basket and picked up by a couple who had been wishing for a child for a long time. 
• Karna wore celestial earrings and armor that grew as he did. 
• King Pandu has a mishap in the woods, killing a brahmin and his wife in deer form, and is told he will die in the arms of one of his wives.
• this causes him to renounce all of his possessions to the brahmins, and went into hiding with his wives. 
• Rivalry between the Pandavas and the Kauravas
• Kauravas plot to kill Bhima, but they ironically make him stronger. 
• Drona-guru of the cousins 
• Pandavas
• Arjuna-warrior
• Yudhishthira-scholar
• Bhima-Club
• Nakula-taming steed
• Sahadeva-swordmans/astronomer 
• Karna shows up to the contest and strikes fear into the hearts of Pandavas

Purochan with Pandavas: Wiki Commons  

Reading Diary A: Online Ramayana by Sister Nevedita

• Kusi and Lava
• Sons of Rama and Sita 
• Dasharatha of Ayodha 
• mighty, unconquerable kingdom 
• With all this glory, Dasharatha still sad he does have a son
• Lord of the Rings? 
• Deities complaining to Brahma about Ravana 
• Soromon LOT and Gandolf 
• only men can slay him (only the ring can end Soromon)
• men=hobbits 
• Lakshman=Sam
• Rama=Frodo 
• Rama bends the might bow to win Sita's hand in marriage 
• Rama was closest to his father and his people
• "serene temper under all circumstances of fortune and misfortune; never vainly angered"
• "remembered even a single kindness but forgot a hundred injuries"
• Rama Weds the Daughter of Janaka 
• Rama is chosen as heir-apparent and is supported and loved by everyone 
• The scheming of Kaikeyi
• Manthara=Sauromon  LOT
• hunchback, persuades the queen to go against Rama
• Kaikeyi= Henchman 
• Dasharatha=King Theoden 
• Rama=Eomer (nephew of Theoden) 
• Rama exiled and faithfully obeys his father
• Eomer does the same in LOTR
• Sita and Lankshman following Rama is similar to the riders of Rohan following Eomer 

Dashthara Being Asked in Court to Banish Rama: Wiki Commons 

Reading Diary B: Public Domain Ramayana

Bharata, the brother that is meant to replace Rama as King returns, unaware of his father's death and brother's exile, and his furious/saddened. He blames his mother, Kaikeyi, and declare he will not take the throne from Rama.

Once Bharata finds Rama in the woods, Rama refuses to return to the Ayodhay and the throne, as this would go against the words of his father. This shows how much honor and respect meant in those times.

Rama's golden sandals-symbol of royal authority in his absence from the kingdom.

Bharata, Rama, and the Golden Sandals: Public Domain Ramayana 

Rama and Lakshmana encounter a rakshasa in the woods and attempt to kill it. Unable to kill in like any normal mortal, they decide to bury it in a pit. Little did they know, this rakshasa was cursed to take this from until Rama would slay him and grant him entrance back into the heavens. Rama and his prominence are again shown through this unlikely association. 

Ravana's sister, Shurpanakha falls in with love Rama and chooses him as a husband to rule with. This sparks the hatred between Ravana and Rama. 

Rama alone defeats the armies of Shurpanakha's brother, Khara while he send Lakshmana and Sita to hide in a cave. He is winning the ongoing battle with his foe. 

Shurpanakha finally tells Ravana of her dealings with Rama, sparking the rivalry between the two men. 

Ravana: Public Domain Ramayana 

Maricha, the son of Thataka who Rama killed, is sought out by Ravana to help take Rama down.

Using a sort of Trojan Horse tactic, Maricha take the form of a golden deer and mimics Rama's voice to draw Rama and Lakshmana away from Sita. Once Sita is alone, Ravana swoops in and steals her. 

The God's are happy to see that the time is coming when Rama will defeat Ravana. 

Ravana attempts to seduce Sita, but she remains faithful to Rama. 

Jatayu, the vulture who attacked Ravana, tells Rama what happened and where Ravana has taken Sita. 

They encounter Kabandha, another rakshasa in disguise, who tells the two men the whereabouts of Ravana and how to defeat him-seek aid from Sugriva the ape chief. 

Reading Diary A: Public Domain Ramayana

Dasharatha performs the Ashwamedha (horse sacrifice) and is promised four sons. One of these son's is Rama; the human avatar of Vishnu sent from the heavens to defeat Ravana, who is unable to be defeated by a God. This foreshadows the importance of Rama in the story.

Rama and his brother make their passage into manhood by accompanying Vishwamitra to battle and slaying she-demons. Rama reluctantly slays the she-demon and is rewarded with supernatural weapons that he is able to call upon simply with thought.

Rama finally meets Sita, and it is love at first sight. Although all of the girls in the kingdom would wish to be with Rama, he and Sita are powerfully drawn to one another. Sita, like Rama, is a human avatar of the Goddess Lakshmi. This signifies the depth and strength of the love the two share for one another.

In order to be with Sita, Rama must bend the bow of Shiva (Shiva Dhanush); a test called upon by Sita's father, King Janaka. Rama does this with ease, and leaves everyone in awe. A demonstration that some things in life are destined by fate.

Rama Breaks the Shiva Dhanush: (Wiki Commons)

Rama passes a similar test with Parashurama, who arrives shortly after his winning of Sita. Parashurama, also an avatar of Vishnu is angered and almost attacks Rama's brother before he intervenes. He asks Rama to string the bow of Vishnu, which he does easily. This further solidifies his prominence in the story. 

Rama and his three brothers all marry daughters of King Janaka, creating power families. 

Rama's prominence is further solidified by him being chosen as heir to his father's throne, and the support this decision revives from Dasharatha's council. 

Manthara, the "humpback" nurse of the royal family despises Rama and through her workings convinced Dasharatha to banish Rama from the kingdom and name another son king to be. His brother Lakshmana and Sita accompany him into exile, true devotion. 

As Dasharatha dies alone (none of his sons present) he realizes his karma for the actions of his life. 

Reading Diary B: Public Domain Ramayana

In an attempt to cross the sea, Rama shoots his arrow in the sea and brings forth the God of Ocean. He is respectful and reverent, and gives Rama advise on how to reach Lanka; summon Nala, a vanar chief, to construct bridge. Nala the  builds the land bridge "Rama's Bridge".

Under siege, Ravana attempts to trick Sita into believing Rama is dead with a fake head and bow resembling Rama. This tactic proves futile in shaking Sita's devotion to her husband. Indrajit, using his magic, seemingly destroys all hope of Rama and his kin winning back Sita. However, just in the nick of time, Garuda, a mighty humanoid bird, comes and heals all of the injured monkeys. This rallies the troops like never before and they are reinvigorated to lay seige on Lanka. 

Kumbhakarna, Ravana's brother "the mightiest of all demons" is a giant who serves as Lanka's last resort. While he is supposed to remain in sleep in accordance with the orders of Brahma, he is awakened and starving so he goes to the battle and starts devouring apes. It looks like hope is lost, but the Rama kills the mighty giant with flaming arrows and he falls into the sea. 

Indrajit is given a mighty weapon and almost wipes out the entire army of apes and bears. However the bear king tells Hanuman a way to save everyone, 4 magical herbs of the Himalaya. He can't find the herbs so he brings the entire mountain, which works nonetheless.

The women of Lanka protect Sita from Ravana's rage after he founds out his son is dead-Even bad guys have limits that need to be honored.

Ravana kills Lankshmana on the battlefield, but Hanuman returns to the mountains to retrieve the healing herbs that bring Rama's brother back to life. Rama talks about the importance of family and brotherly love.

"Gods assist the brave and true"- Indras Chariot

Rama finally defeats Ravana and becomes King of Lanka- the wish of the Gods from the beginning

Ravana's Heads: Ramayana Public Domain Edition 

"Rama was no earthly mortal but a messenger of fate"-Mandodari's Lament 

After Ravana's funeral Rama orders Sita to be returned to him. However, once she arrives he renounces her since she had spent so much time living with another man. Sometimes there are ulterior motives for peoples actions? Did he know he would do this all along? 

Sita  essentially replies with "I'm not like other women" but still chooses death by fire she is so heartbroken. The God's intervene and prove Sita's faithfulness. Rama said he had to have her love proven to ensure the people didn't think he was driven by desire. 

Rama's brother guards his throne honorably during his time away and gives it back without hesitation. 

Rama banishes Sita under peer pressure of his subjects. 

Sita returns to again demonstrate her faithfulness, but she is taken by the Gods in praise. 

Reading Diary A: Public Domain Ramayana

Sugriva and Hanuman. 

• Sugriva: Monkey king now in exile 
• Hanuman: Monkey-God; Ramas most devoted follower 
• Vali: Sugriva's brother; exiled Sugriva and stole his wife
• Hanuman teams up with Sugriva, tries to recruit Rama and Lakshama who are having the same issues (exiled). 

Sugriva's Story

• Sugriva=Shane (kinda)
• Vali=Rick (kinda)
• After hearing story Rama wants to stick up for Sugriva by fighting Vali

Sugriva and Vali 

• Kishkindha=royal town where Vali rules
• Tara=Vali's wife; tries to convince Vali not to fight 
• Dramatic showdown between Vali and Sugriva
• lots of vehement back and forth between Vali and Tara

Vali's Death

• Rama sneak attacks Vali and kills him with an arrow (dishonorable) 

King Sugriva 

• mahamatras=high officials of the monkey kingdom 
• Even Sugriva is sad about his brother's death. 
• takes the throne, but with tears in his eyes

The Rainy Season

• Rama is banned from city and has to wait out rainy season
• laments his undying love her his wife he was forced away from

The Armies

• Angad= son of Vali 
• Sugriva is enjoying the benefits of being king and puts of his promise to Rama of finding Sita
• finally sends out group of bears/apes to search  

Sampati 

• Sampati=old, wise vulture 
• Figure out that Sita was taken across the sea in the south by Ravana

Sampati and Jatayu 

• Sampati and his brother race and Jatayu falls, as Sampati tries to save him his wings are burnt by the sun and ruined. Wishing he was dead, a saint then tells him he will get his wings back once he helps a person who is much nobler than him (Rama?)

Hanuman's Leap 

• Jambavan=leader of the bears allied with the monkeys in the search
• Hanuman has magical powers? Turns huge to cross the sea to rescue Sita?

Hanuman in Lanka 

• Hanuman finds Ravan but not Sita. 
• Find it strange he didn't try to kill Ravana

The Ashoka Grove

• Ashoka Grove= where Hanuman finds Sita
• surrounded by she-devil monsters

Sita and Ravana 

• Sita refuses to give up Rama for Ravana and is threatened with torture from the she-devil monsters 

Hanuman and Sita 

Hanuman Captured 

• Hanuman fights of a ton of Ravana's minions
• Finally is captured by Indrajit, Ravana's son

Hanuman and Ravana 

• Discovering why Hanuman was there, Ravan lights his tail on fire

The Burning of Lanka 

• Hanuman gets super powers again and burns the majority of Lanka without managing to kill Sita 

The Burning of Lanka: Public Domain Ramayana

The March on Lanka 

• Rama and his crew of monkeys and bears prepare to attack Lanka and retrieve Sita 

Ravana's Court 

• Ravana and his subjects/advisers are awaiting the fight with Rama with readiness 

Vibhishana 

• Vibhishana=Ravana's younger brother
• Urges Ravana to release Sita and avoid the battle with Rama 
• Ravana accuses Vibhishana of being jealous and wishing ill against him
• Banishes his brother 
• Vibhishana joins forces with Rava