Week 3 Reading Diary: Part C

I am first intrigued about the second half of the Ramayana with the appearance of monkeys as characters. We see them as friends/followers of Rama or even as gods or even enemies. We also find that along Rama’s journey to get back Sita, many enemies are given opportunities to stay out of the way of Rama. Thus far all enemies in the path of Rama that do not stand down have fallen or been defeated. Examples include Sugriva’s brother, Vali, and the foreshadowing of Ravana’s fate. Karma is also reflected here as Rama helps Sugriva claim his throne and in return Sugriva helps Rama with armies to find Sita.

• Rama is asked for help by Sugriva to battle, after learning the past of Sugriva and his brother Vali.
• Wife of Vali foreshadows the fate of Vali with the battle of his brother Sugriva and ally Rama.
• Rama ambushes Vali as foreshadowed.
• We see another role of monkeys, the mahamatras, the high officials of monkey kingdom.
• Rama becomes inpatient on the quest for finding his beloved Sita, His lament is very telling.
• On the quest for Sita Hanuman, one of the army leaders heading to Sri Lanka, faces many challenges along his adventure. However, he does make it to Ravana's palace but does not find Sita immediately.
• Sita is later found guarded by demons in a grove.
• Hanuman is captured but then escapes out of Ravana's court fleeing back to notify Sugriva and Rama of Sita's whereabouts.
• Part C of the reading ends with anger of Ravana at his brother in his words of wisdom. Ravana's brothers fleas the city of Lanka to join Rama's army for war against Ravana.

Sugriva and Rama

Source. Rama and the Monkeys by Geraldine Hodgson (1903)