Friday, January 31, 2020

(Extra Credit) Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part A

The story begins with two kings, Dasharatha and Janaka.  Dasharatha was father of Rama.  The capital was very prosperious and wealthy.  Although Dasharatha had everything, he still had no son.  Dasharatha performs a horse sacrifice to have a son.  Many brahmins (similar to a priest) witnessed the ritual.  The gods promised four sons unto Dasharatha.  Vishnu was divided and was born as each of the four sons of Dasharatha.  A rishi (enlightened person), Vishvamitra, gathered the two of sons of Dasharatha to battle against rakshasas.  They battled a rakshasa, Thataka, and Rama shot her with an arrow and killed her.  Vishwamitra chanted mantras, and Rama received celestial weapons.  Vishwamitra tells Rama of a few stories.  Rama and Lakshmana wanted to see the city, so they left Vishvamitra.  Rama meets Sita and they fall in love.  As a test, Sita's father, Janaka, has Rama bend a bow.  Rama breaks the bow and there is a loud thunder. Parashurama (Axe-Rama), tests him with another bow.  Dasharatha chooses Rama to be his heir among his sons.  Manthara, a nurse of prince Bharata (one of the sons), is unhappy at Rama's instillation.  Rama is banished and he goes to the jungle of Dandaka.  Sita and Lakshmana plead with Rama to accompany him.  Dasharatha remembers his curse due to his karma and dies.  


Parashurama, or Axe-Rama

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