Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part A

Ramayana: Part A

Main Character:

Dasharatha

Rama

Sita

Lakshmana

Manthara

Summary: It would seem that Dasharatha, a mighty king, is unable to bear any sons from his three queens, Kaushalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra. In a desperate attempt, he performed the Ashwamedha, a horse sacrifice to the gods. Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Indra came and promised that four sons would be born. The sons - Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna - had the marks of Vishnu. One day, Rama and Lakshmana set out on a quest with Vishvamitra. Visgvamitra told Rama a legend of a king named Ayodhya, who could not have children like Rama's father. Therefore, he asked the gods for their graces. He was granted Asamanja. Sagara tried to do a horse sacrifice, however the horse ran away. He sent his sons to find it, only to be reduced to ashes. Ayodhya, son of Asamanja, found the horse and helped complete the sacrifice. Rama found a holy wood which broke Ahalya's curse and brought he back to life. Rama falls in love with Princess Sita, whom their past avatars, Vishnu and Lakshmi, were also in love. The King uses this opportunity to conduct a competition between the two men. The successful suitor wins the hand of his daughter. The challenge is to bend the bow of Shiva. At the wedding of Rama and Sita, Rama's other brothers were able to find suitable brides from Janaka's family. King Dasharatha must make a choice between which son should carry the royal blood line. The house servant comes to find out that Rama was chosen and is unpleased. 

Setting: Hindustan

Story Idea: I would want to tell the story in the different points of views of the three wives to Dasharatha. I could only imagine the amount of drama that would occur in the royal household. It would be a Hindu version of the TLC Sister wives. Each mother would, of course, believe their son is the best regardless of what they have done. It would be interesting to see how each wife defends their son. Especially since one of them was able to convince the king to banish Rama. 

Ramayana - Image Source

Bibliography: Reading Part A. from PDE of Ramayana Indian Epics: Images and PDE Epics. Web Source.