Reading Notes: Ramayana (Part D)

The plot of Part D is fairly action-filled compared to the previous three parts. In an abridged summary of the events, Rama and his allies barge into Lanka, and have to face Indrajit (Ravana's son) and Kumbhakarna (Ravana's brother). While it was as very tough battle for Rama and friends, Garuda appears to heal their wounded so they all can fight once more. Watching from above, the gods watch the battle, and Indra decides to send Matali and his chariot to help them in battle. After an eventful and destined battle between Rama and Ravana, Rama is able to defeat Ravana by slaying him with a weapon of Brahma, and all is supposedly well and Rama becomes king of Ayodhya. However, once Sita is rescued, Rama begins to deny her faithfulness and pureness because of her time in Lanka, although she went through a fire to prove herself. Rama exiles her, she gives birth to twins (sons of Rama), and the boys somehow find their way back to Rama. When he figures out they are his sons, he sends for Sita to return because he cannot live without her. Ramayana ends as Rama returns to the gods in the form of Vishnu.

            As I read this part, I thought it was interesting how intense the battles were, and the helpfulness of every character Rama had come across throughout Ramayana. The most interesting part of this section, in my opinion however, was the aftermath of the destined battle between Rama and Ravana. After wanting to rescue his beloved wife Sita for so long and going through so much trouble, Rama was so quick to deny Sita's loyalty and her exile made his fight for her seem pointless. He realized his mistake of exiling her only years after he comes across his two sons he did not know about because Sita gave birth to them after her exile.

Here are some ideas that I could write about:

• The outrage Sita feels after being accused of not being pure after her time in Lanka
• Vishnu's return to the heavens and being celebrated by the other gods
• The perspective of the gods watching the events of the battle, after waiting so long for it to happen
• Ravana's last thoughts as he is killed by Rama
• Bharata's thoughts as he sees Rama return, and his relief when he realizes that he doesn't have to kill himself
• Rama's coronation day

The Reunion of Rama & Bhrata

Bibliography: Public Domain Edition Ramayana