Epics of India: Ramanaya Part C

Monday, February 4, 2019

Ramanaya Part C

Part C

Hanuman, the messenger of Sugriva, disguised himself as a beggar to overtake Rama and Lakshmana when they wandered about the lake country. He was the best of the monkeys and who they were seeking. He agreed to help them find Sita. Hanuman's brother, Vali, behaved very badly, and Rama felt sorrowful and revengeful for his friend Sugriva.

The wife of King Vali, Tara, learned Rama had aligned himself with the other side. She begged her husband not to fight Sugriva. Vali goes out and fights Sugriva and Rama hides until he ambushes. He kills Vali very dishonorably. All grieve for the dead king and Sugriva becomes King. However, he cannot help him until the rainy season ends. Also by terms of his exile Rama has to stay in the wilderness and he finds it very hard to sit there and wait.

Sugriva sent out expiditions in all directions after the rainy season ends. The party that went south includes Hanuman, Anganda, and Jambavan. Eventually, they found a vulture named Sampati who told them information after hearing about his brother Jatayu. He told them that Sita was in Lanka. The journey was very difficult and Hunuman was the only one who could make it to Lanka.

In Lanka it was very hard to find Sita. She was hidden in a grove of ashoka tree guarded by rakashasis, not in the palace. He also watched Ravana try to persuade Sita to leave Rama for Ravana. Sita had never met Hanuman before so at first she rejected him as a trick from Ravana. Then he showed her the ring of Rama and she believed him. She refused to be touched by any man other than Rama so she would not let Hanuman carry her away but she sent him with a token proving her existence. Ravana had only allowed her 2 months to live if she continued to refuse him.

Hanuman was not happy with just finding Sita, he smashed the Ashoka grove. Prince Aksha captured him and brought him to his dad. Ravana then set Hanuman's tail on fire. The fire spread to all of lanka and burned the island. Sita stayed safe, and Hanuman left to bring a rescue team.

Hanuman and his army returned to where King Sugriva and Rama were. They decided to march on Lanka to get Sita.

Ravana gathered a council to decided what to do. They didn't know where to give back Sita or not. Ravana's younger brother, Vibhishana, alone opposes war. He is kicked out because of his view and goes and joins Rama.