Week 2: Topics

The Life of Rama- I would like to dive into Rama’s life a little bit more and explore the idea of how Rama is living as a mortal. Not only on his life as a mortal but his mortal attributes such as emotions, for example, anger and love. Specifically exploring his relationships with Ravana and Sita respectively. Furthermore, looking at the future of Rama in the novels as he transitions from living in the forest to living in the city as king. I want to really explore the dynamic of Rama having to struggle knowing that he is a god living as a mortal sent to save the people.

The story of the creature Ravana- Ravana in the beginning is a greatly storied creature that has Greek mythology-like story. Throughout the beginning of the epic we have learned much about Ravana and his feelings towards Rama. The dynamics of his relationship with Rama can also be divulged from this side of the relationship as well. I want to also examine what the people think of Ravana in comparison to Rama.

The Epic from the eyes of Sita- Sita goes through a very interesting roller coaster of events in the between Rama and Ravana both chasing after her. I would consider looking at the relationship between Rama and Sitan while also exploring the motivation for Ravana to try and force a relationship with Sita as well. What was his real motivation for trying to get to Sita? Was it all just to spite Rama?

The view of the gods- With this final idea I would look into the entire story from the view of a god who is in the role of a bystander watching the story develop. This would be another approach to focus on the way Rama is interacting in the mortal form with other mortals. Do all the gods approve of Rama and his actions as a mortal? Or do the gods have any envy towards Rama for getting to experience the world as a mortal?

Regarding research formal of these ideas, I have done most of my research so far regarding the relationship between Rama and Ravana as that conflict has really grasped my interest. Through doing that research I have learned a lot about Sita as well. The one that would require the most new research would be the last one as I would need to narrow down specifically what I would want to focus on. 

Week 2 Storytelling: Vishnu and his monkeys

The gods were faced with the ultimate challenge, defeating Ravana. Ravana was the ultimate challenge because he and his brothers had received powers from the gods that allowed them to threaten all people and gods. On top of that, the people turned to the gods for help, but Ravana had protection from the gods. There were only two types of being that could defeat Ravana: humans and monkeys. Vishnu thought over this agonizing decision but ultimately decided the gods must do what is in the best interest of the people. He himself would become a human, Rama, and the other gods would become great monkeys . Ravana lived up in the hills where he could overlook the city. He felt that he had power over all humans because he knew the gods could not hurt him. However, he had heard of a new great human named Rama that had earned the reputation as the savior of the people. Rumor had spread around town that his mission was to defeat Ravana, but Ravana knew that this was not possible for Rama was simply just another human. Ravana sought out to meet this boy Rama and discovered him on the edge of town away from the people training. When Ravana approached him, Rama informed him he was training to defeat him. Ravana, however, chuckled and informed Rama that a human could not defeat him and he would lose his life if he tried. Rama informed Ravana that he had a secret weapon that he would not be able to defeat and then disappeared out of Ravana's sights. The next week Rama decided it was time to defeat Ravana and free the people from his powers. Rama approached Ravana outside of town in the hills and Ravana said to him, "I hear you have come to defeat me, but you must know I will kill you'. Rama responded, "For I know that I cannot defeat you, I am just one human, but with my army you will be defeated" Ravana then responded, "What army?, For you are just a mere boy with no followers". At that point in time, dozens of monkeys dressed as warriors emerged on to the tops of the surrounding hills, these monkeys were all of the gods who had come down to Earth with Vishnu in order to defeat Ravana. Ravana had a look of sheer agony come over his face as he knew that monkeys were the one species that would defeat him. The monkeys started coming from all directions as Ravana stood no chance against Rama and his forces of monkeys. After the defeat of Ravana, Rama and the monkeys returned to the streets where they were treated as heroes, however, the rumors had started flying that they were all gods. Rama, then gathered all the people and informed them that yes, he was Vishnu, but from now he on he would forever be Rama, as well, the monkeys would from now on be monkeys. They went on to explain that once you choose to come from the heavens and take another form you sacrifice your life as a god and take on the new life you have chosen. Vishnu and the other gods had made the ultimate sacrifice for the people.

Author's Note: I basically decided that I wanted to take the very beginning of the story where Vishnu and the other gods decide to come to Earth in order to battle Ravana and make that into a story of it's own. I picture this being in a village like the ancient city of Pompeii with the great Mt. Vesuvius i the background. Also, if you have seen the movie "Field of Dreams" that is where I got the idea for the gods not being allowed to return to god form but instead being stuck as Rama and the monkeys for eternity.

Bibliography:

• Narayan, R. K. (1972) The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic.

Monkeys in training for their battle

Source: Wikipedia

Week 2 Reading Diary A: Starting the Ramayana

I was immediately intrigued by the idea of Dasharatha's character. I think the idea of this great leader with whom he has no one to turn his crown over to is intriguing. From the beginning you can sense that there is going to be a very interesting story regarding his succession. The arrival or Rama and the other children immediately fuels the expectations. Obviously the reader should be rooting for Rama because he is the avatar of Vishnu but you can almost sense trouble within the situation. When it dives into chapter 3 with Dasharatha alone it seems that they are portraying him as the great leader with the most difficult of decisions in front of him. He must face the reality that his time has come to hand over the crown of the kingdom he has ruled for so many years. However, as soon as he has made this great decision to hand it over to his great and promising son, Rama, the plot twist rears it's head with perfect timing. It makes you wonder with the idea of the author here, did he consider just continuing on to make Dasharatha as this great ruler who handed the kingdom over to a perfect ruler in Rama? Or was the plan all along to create this debacle of vanishing Rama so that Bharata could take the crown?

Vishnu

Source: Wikipedia