Week 2 Reading Diary B: Ramayana

• It looks like Bharata and Shatrughna are upset that Kaikeyi and Manthara hatched up a plan to rid of Rama. Bharata vows to never sit on the throne until his return.
• Their is no killing of women in these tales. Shatrughna was told not to kill Manthara and Rama was not willing to kill Thataka. 
• Bharata goes into the forest and tries to persuade Rama to come back to the kingdom and become king. Rama refuses by claiming that he id doing the deed of his sire's wishes. 
• Since Bharata was not able to bring Rama back, he took his sandals to be placed on the throne until his return. Bharata says he will also not return. 
• Sita's birth is rather interesting. 
• They meet a priestess, Ansuya, who adorns Sita with robes and jewels. I love the flow of this episode. 



Viradha

• Viradha, a demon, kidnaps Sita, claiming to take her as his wife. He cannot be harmed by sharp weapons. They throw him in a pit in which Viradha claims he was cursed into this form. Since Rama was the one who slayed him, he is able to go to Heaven.
• They meet Agastya who gives Rama a celestial bow and invites him to stay with him. He denies and goes deeper into the forest. 
• A demon, Shurpanakha, falls in love with Rama and tries to seduce him to the dark side so to speak. Rama does not return the feeling and forces her onto his brother. Wait, isn't he married? 
• Prose is so much prettier to read. However, verse is a lot easier to read and understand what is going on. I do appreciate that both versions are included.
• Shurpanakha tries to visit with Lakshama but at the sight of Sita, tries to attack her. The brother mess her face up. She cries to her brothers who wants revenge on them.
• Khara and Ravana declare war with Rama. They were not successful. They recruit Thataka's son, Maricha, to abduct Sita by turning into a golden deer. He imitates Rama's voice feigning death.
• The portion of the story ends with Sita fighting off the evil Ravana and Rama and Lakshama looking for her. 
• I am glad that the story moved away from sorrow and dived into the trio's adventures in the forest. The change in pace was nice.