Reading Notes: Ramayana Part B

Bharata returns, ignorant to all of the tragic events that had occurred in his absence. He threatens to kill Kaikeyi but decides to find Rama instead. First, he performs funeral rites for his dead father, mourning for 10 days. Bharara finally reunites with Rama in the jungle of Chitrakuta, and he decides to stay in the jungle for 14 years so Rama could return to Ayodhya. Rama refuses, so Rama gives him a pair of sandals, symbolizing the good of Rama. Rama and Lakshmana also battle the demon, Viradha, who kidnapped Sita. Since Viradha can't be killed by sharp weapons, so they cast him into a pit and he attains heaven. Rama also meets the sage Agastya, who gives him a sword and bow and Rama vows to be virtuous and heroic.  Later, he meets the rakshasa Shurpanakha, who falls in love with him. As a result, he matches her with Lakshmana. Rama eventually battles Khara, Dushana, and his rakshasas. He attacks them with flaming arrows, then kills Dushana with a sword and Khara with a flaming arrow. Shurpanahkha hears of Rama's victory and tells her brother Ravana. Ravana then seeks Maricha's help, the son of the slain Tharaka. Maricha agrees and assumes the form of a golden deer to lure Sita. He succeeds and Sita begs Rama to capture the deer for her, but Maricha also imitates Rama's voice to lure Sita even further into his trap. She begs Lakshama to find him, so Ravana disguises himself as a sage to kidnap the vulnerable Sita. As Ravana carries Sita through the sky, she drops her jewelry to make a trail for Rama to find her. Jatayu sees these events occur and tells Rama and Lakshmana. Meanwhile, Ravana brings Sita to Lanka and he tries to rape her, but Brahma protects her by casting a curse on Ravana. Rama and Lakshmana head on their journey to find Sita and meet a demon Kabandha. He asked them to burn his body, and in return, he tells them that Ravana has Sita and they must seek the help of Sugriva to slay Ravana. On the way, they also meet Shabari

A story I would be interested in possibly interested in retelling would be the "Battle with Khara" since it's a climactic battle. Throughout the story, Rama is pushed even further into his destiny as he has more adventures and earns more weapons. He also makes more enemies, such as Ravana, Khara, and Maricha. The story becomes tenser as the story moves forward, in which Sita is abducted by Ravana using various means of deception. It adds a layer of excitement and action, drawing me into the story more.

Rama's Battle with Khara 

Source: Wikimedia

Source: Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)