Week 7 Reading Diary A: Buck's Ramayana

• After Indrajit's funeral, Ravana has all his troops prepare for a massive offensive. 
• Malyavan leaves the battle to visit his mother, Shiva.
• Hanuman and Sugriva kill the demon magicians.
• Ravana blows off Kala and continues to dance around causing a massive storm.
• Matali is hit by Ravana's mace and is killed but Rama is able to revive him. 
• Ravana is thrown from his chariot and faces Rama on the ground.
• Ravana tricks Rama into thinking he is Indra but Matali helps see through the trick and tells Rama to attack. 
• Ravana was shot through the chest and was killed.
• The arrow that shot Ravana was so powerful it ended up imbedded in the earth.
• Shuka gives Rama a letter from Ravana which tells him to take Sita back.
• Rama makes Vibhishana king of Lanka.
• There is a funeral for Ravana where he is burned.
• Rama sends Vibhishana to fetch Sita.
• She walks into the city gathering and meets Rama.
• Rama tends to a couple last detailes in Lanka and then travels back home to keep his brother from killing himself.

Storytelling Blog post, Week 6: Hanuman The Cat

As Hanuman gazed up at the legendary walls of Lanka he could not help but feel awe struck by its shear beauty and formability. As he gazed at the wall he thought to himself “ If I were to scale these walls as I am now, a monkey, I surly would be recognized and killed.” It was then that Hanuman  noticed a cat slinking in and around the feet of the guards at the gate. He knew what he had to do, even though he was absolutely disgusted by the thought; he must turn himself into a cat. The thought of having to lick oneself and cough up hairballs made his stomach lurch but Hanuman took a deep breath closed his eyes and “poof” shrank into a fluffy white cat. Once transformed, he opened his eyes and proceeded to the gate where as he drew nearer he realized people were quizzically staring at him. He looked around and realized he was still walking on his hind legs. He quickly snapped down on all fours and pranced his way past the guards and through the gate.  He couldn’t believe he had almost blown it and he hadn’t only just arrived. As Hanuman walked through the streets, he noticed that he had no idea where he was going. He couldn’t exactly ask one of the thousands of demons walking the streets to show him around and show him where Sita may be being kept. Hanuman roamed the streets struggling to find his way until he stumbled across a livestock stall where a farmer was milking his cow. Begging eagerly by the farmer’s side was the same cat he had seen earlier sneak into the city. Hanuman knew if he could befriend this streetwise cat he might have a chance in finding Sita. So  Hanuman scampered over to the chicken coop and slowly opened the door, allowing all the chickens to run free. The farmer, noticing all his chickens escaping, stopped tending the cow and started chasing the chickens. Hanuman then ran over to the cat and urged him to drink as much of the milk as he could before the farmer came back. He and this cat of Lanka dove into the milk and got their fill. Once they had become fat from the milk, Hanuman mentioned to the cat that he was knew in town and would really enjoy a tour of the city. The cat, which insisted to be called Steven, gratefully accepted the request. He proceeded to take Hanuman around the city, showing him all the ways in and out of the city, the military establishment, jails and gardens. Hanuman was absolutely in awe of how huge the city was and how many demons it housed. He knew if it came to a battle between Rama and Ravana there would be a great deal of death. After exploring majority of Lanka, Hanuman asked Steven where it was that Ravana lived. Steven replied “ that’s in the very center of the city, in the royal compound. If you want to go there you are on your own, its way to dangerous.” Hanuman understood and trotted off alone to find Sita in the heavily guarded royal compound. He had finally started to get used to being a cat. He didn’t mind the periodic self-washing, he found it was actually rather refreshing. The fact that he had claws was another unexpected bonus. He could climb and scamper like he never had before. As he reached Ravana’s center city, Hanuman was fully convinced that he could pass as a cat and successfully find Sita.

Authors Notes:

I chose this story because I felt like Buck didn’t elaborate enough on how a monkey like Hanuman would react to being turned into something so different like a cat. I also felt the need to add a guide to the story since Lanka is such a massive city and Hanuman has no idea where to start looking for Sita.

Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way.

Ravana is meeting Sita at Ashokavana. 16th century. Picture found here

Week 6 Reading Diary B, Buck's Ramayana

• Hanuman comes back to Rama and tells him what happened.
• Rama must cross the ocean to reach Lanka.
• He rallies his monkey troops and has Nala make a bridge out of floating rocks.
• They then all pass over the bridge to Lanka.
• Vibhishana flees from Lanka after angering Ravana and joins Rama.
• He agrees to help Rama get Sita back but won't engage his people in battle.
• Sita is tormented by two demons who make an illusion of Rama's decapitated head. 
• Trijata feels sorry for Sita and decides to spy for her.
• Indrajit attacks Rama's force and kills many of his best fighters.
• Sita is shown a false battlefield where Rama and his men are killed. 
• She smells the medicine that Hanuman is using to heal Rama and his men and knows they are ok.
• Indrajit is killed by Lakshmana which spurs Ravana into battle. 

Week 6 Reading Diary A, Buck's Ramayana

• Hanuman tells Jambavan a series of stories.
• They consist of Rama's life and his hardships.
• Sampati helps direct Hanuman to where Sita and Ravana are.
• Hanuman decides he must jump all the way to Lanka.
• On his way, up a mountain named Mainaka helps him make the jump.
• Hanuman runs into one of Ravanas demons, Sinhika, and is swallowed. 
• He then punches his way out of her ear after crushing her heart.
• On arriving at Lanka, Hanuman changes his shape to a cat.
• He then roams around looking for Sita and eventually finds her in a ashoka grove.
• After insuring Sita help is on the way, Hanuman starts destroying Lanka.
• He is caught by Indrajit where Ravana orders Hanuman's tail to be set on fire. 
• Hanuman runs around Lanka setting the place on fire.

Story Telling Week 5, Buck's Ramayana

Alright campers, grab your sticks and marshmallows and gather around the fire. I am going to tell you a classic Indian campfire story. This tale comes from a very ancient legend that has been passed down from generation to generation. In a region just south of the great Himalayan Mountains there lies the vast Vindya foothills. It was on the top of the grandest hill that two brothers built a cabin and raised goats. Though these weren’t your typical brothers; they were the demon brothers Ilwala and Vatapi. The two had settled in the region after the great Vindhya Mountains bowed for Agastya in order to allow him to pass and continue his journey. Since that time many a traveler has traversed the region but to never return.  It is the poor unsuspecting travelers that end up offering Ilwala and Vatapi a plentiful source of food. It was on a night much like this one that a weary tradesman traveling across the Vindya was stopping for the evening to make camp. He was absolutely famished with nothing else to eat but the blackberries he had stumbled upon later that afternoon. As he began making camp he saw a light glow coming from the top of the next hill and sweeping down the grassy slope came a most delicious smell of cooked meat. He was not one to normally seek out charity but his stomach got the better of him and he began the hike up the hill to the cabin. He was already on edge for he had heard rumors of a creature that lurked in these hills and would lure travelers into a trap, a trap from which no one returned. As he drew closer to the cabin he became more relaxed as he noticed the pleasant sound of goats and the sight of a softly lit cabin interior. He walked up to the door and rapped three times where he was then greeted by the sprightliest old man he had ever seen. The traveler pleaded his case and the old man beckoned him into his cozy cabin. “What a nice little cabin you have here” said he traveler, “do you live by yourself?” The old man replied “ yes, yes I do. My wife died a few years back and now it’s just the goats and me. We’re a pretty close little family.” The old man then motioned for the starving traveler to take a seat at his table and enjoy a fresh bowl of goat stew. The traveler didn’t think twice, he dove right into the warm chunky stew and even going in for seconds. After the traveler slurped down the last couple drops he leaned back completely stuffed. He was just about to thank the old man when the old man interrupted him and yelled “come out, come out shouting!” The traveler looked confused but his face soon turned to agony as his stomach began to churn and gurgle as though it was about to explode. A searing pain grew and the poor traveler yelled out in pain as his stomach bulged out until all of a sudden he burst open like a balloon and out popped Vatapi. He gave Ilwala a high-five and they started feasting on the once weary traveler.

Authors notes: I chose this story because I have always enjoyed campfire stories and I wanted to add one to my current repertoire.

               Ramanarayanadatta astri Volume: 2 Publisher: [Gorakhpur Geeta Press]- Agastya drinks the ocean

Week 5 Reading Diary A, Buck's Ramayana

• Dasharatha was found dead in his bed next to his queen. He died of a broken heart.
• The body was placed in a vat of oil  to preserve it while Bharata could be fetched.
• Bharata is displeased with his mothers actions.
• Bharata then takes a massive army of queens and servants into the forest to find Rama.
• Bharata learns from Bharadwaja that Rama is at the city of Chitrakuta and heads that way.
• Bharata tells Rama of their fathers death and how he wants Rama to return and rule. 
• Rama decides not to return but to finish his exile.
• Rama, Sita and Lakshmana go and visit Agastya where he gives Rama a more powerful bow. 
• The three then plan their journey into the Randaka demon forest.
• The three build a house at Panchavati where they are visited by Ravana's sister, Shurpanakha.
• After being denied marriage by Rama she attacks Sita. She then gets her but kicked by Lakshmana.
• The demons of the forest then retaliate against Rama and Lakshmana but are beaten back. 

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Storytelling for Week 4: Valmiki and Sita

The day was coming to an end and the shadows of the trees along the riverbank began racing to the other side.  Crouched next to the gentle flow of the water was Sita. Valmiki observed her for a good while and realized she was crying. He then decided to console her and see if there was anything he could do to help her. As Valmiki came closer and closer he also realized she was with child. He  could not bear to have this poor abandoned women looking into the water contemplating her own demise.  Valmiki rushed to her side where he accidently startled Sita so bad she almost fell into the river. Valmiki quickly apologized for startling her so bad and then offered her his finest tree bark tunic.  She asked him “ who are you and why do you help a stranger in the woods?” Valmiki responded in an overly exaggerated tone“ I am the all mighty Valmiki and I have been called upon to care for you and your two unborn sons.” Valmiki stands there in front of Sita with his hands on his hips and chest puffed out like a gamecock. Sita smiled and could not contain herself from giggling. “ Thank you old and wise Valmiki, I have just been banished from my home in Ayodhya and have no place to go so you are quite the blessing.” Valmiki beckons Sita to follow him farther into the forest where they could start a new life as hermits. As they walked between the towering trees Valmiki was racking his brain for ideas on what he could make a new home out of, for he knew a termite house like his last home just would not do. A thousand years meditating and he lost all sense of reality. The odd couple eventually happened to come across a clan of hermits where they were welcomed with open arms. With spirits raised after finding an accepting community and having the joyful companionship of Valmiki, Sita was finally  beginning to accept her banishment. The hermits cooked for Sita and Valmiki and helped them make a cabin in the deep in the woods where nobody would disturb them.        

Authors notes: I chose to tell the story in a way in which Valmiki was more of a comedian yet still a wise man. I figured Sita would benefit more from having a companion that is lighthearted and fun to be around and in turn help ease the pain of being banished. 

Srishti_Karta Bhagwan Valmeki Ji, 8 March 2014, Sagarballu

Bibliography: Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way

Week 4 Reading Diary B, Buck's Ramayana

• Rama begins planning his coronation after his brother Bharata leaves to visit his grandpa. 
• Like in the previous story Kaikeyi has Dasharatha fulfill a couple of his promises and ends up banishing Rama and making Bharata king.
• The people don't want Rama to leave.
• Lakshmana leaves with Rama and Sita.
• On their way out of the city they drive a chariot and ignore the kings pleads to come back.
• They meet up with Rama's old friend Guha.
• Guha smokes a cigar made of nutmeg, sandalwood, and goat butter.
• The group travel along the Ganga. 
• The three are told to build a house in Chitrakuta by the sage Bharadwaj and do so.

Week 4 Reading Diary A, Buck's Ramayana

• The story teller Sauti is telling the story to a buddy. 
• Ravana is once again the demon King
• Lord Vishnue decides to be reincarnated as a human,Rama, in order to defeat Ravana. 
• Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna are all Dasartha's sons.
• Indra is the king of the heavens.
• King Dasartha makes a fire sacrifice to Vasistha and is granted his sons.
•  Valmiki is called out of his home in an anthill by Narada.
• Valmiki in turn saves Sita from committing suicide after she was exiled by Rama.
• After being saved by Valmiki, Sita gives birth to two of Rama's sons. 
• Sita was exiled due to supposedly being unfaithful.
• Ravana marries Mandodari.
• Gautama blames his wife's beautiful looks for her impure acts. 
• He scatters her looks around the world so she becomes invisible. 

Storytelling for Week 3: Ramayana

Under the shade of a massive simsupa tree in Ravana’s garden, Sita pondered if she must endure this imprisonment for the rest of her days. With only the comfort of a thin sheet she huddled against the base of the tree. Around her were the ever-glaring rakshasi with their dark braided hair and glowing armor. They had been guarding poor Sita for over half a year and had started to become restless. They were fearsome warrior women who yearned for a fight and the only way to quench their blood thirst was to antagonize Sita. The rakshasi would constantly call her degrading names, keep her from ever falling asleep and occasionally kick dirt in her fase. As Sita would sneak a couple hours of sleep she would wake herself by crying out but only crying out one word, Rama! Day after day she would hold onto her memories of being with Rama and how happy the two of them were. The Rakshasi saw her beauty as something of a threat to their way of life in Lanka. They saw Ravana as a father figure and became jealous when Ravana thought Sita had caught his eye and stole his attention. The rakshasi did not want this new girl to steal attention away from them after they have worked so hard to win Ravana’s respect and love.  One day when Ravana came to court Sita to once again be his main wife she just broke down and could not hold her composure. Ravana  had told her that in a battle to the death he and Rama had fought and he himself had won. She did not believe Ravana but could not help but think it might be true, for she had not heard a singling thing from Rama. Though  Ravana continued with his mind games and offers of glamor and riches Sita continued with her drive to perceiver until she was rescued by her true love. The only pleasant visitors Sita ever received was Mandodari, one of Ravanas wife’s.  Though she was one of Ravana’s wife’s she was very hospitable and caring. She would sit with Sita and braid her hair while they ate fine cheeses and wine. Mandodari would constantly encourage her to make the best of the situation and mediate where she would hopefully find peace in this hectic world. It was the occasional visit by Mandodari that really helped keep Sita going. She had been pondering possible ending the misery by her own hands but was ultimately brought out of her depression just enough to keep going.     

Authors Note:

The story telling style I went with was one of the evil step sisters. I focused a lot on the rakshasi as being the abusive and jealous sisters of Sita. I found this style to be fitting because I feel as though the demons of Lanka are rather close knit and have a lot of drama between them. The changes I made in the story were ones that expanded on the characters dialog and actions that came in contact with Sita. I also added the visit of Mandodari who I wish had played a more central character in this scene.  

Bibliography: Narayan, R. K. (1972) The Ramayana.

Sita interring earth 

Javedhasmi     

Week 3, reading diary B: Ramayna

• ·      The army comes across a fallen goddess which they help break out of her imprisonment.
• ·      A giant monster by the name of Sampathi turns up and startles the army. He turns out to just be curious about his brothers death, Jatayu.
• ·      Sampathi ends up magically growing his wings back and in turn tells them Ravana took Sita to Lanka.
• ·      On arriving at Lanka, Hanuman started searching the city. He shrunk himself in order to not be noticed.
• ·      Hanuman found Sita being kept in a garden with a squad of angry warrior women guarding her.
• ·      Hanuman warns Ravana of his eminent destruction if he does not turn Sita over. After saying no, Hanuman sets the capital on fire.
• ·      Ravana rallies his generals and army to defeat Rama and his monkey army.
• ·      Vibishana abandons his brother Ravana and joins Rama.
• ·       Hanuman convinces Rama it is a good idea.
• ·      Rama offers Vibishana the crown if they win.
• ·      Vibishana gives Rama details on Ravanas army and weapons.
• ·      Rama builds a bridge and begins a siege of Lanka.
• ·      Rama and Ravana battle it out.
• ·      Rama won but let Ravana go.
• ·      The second time they met, it was a show of magic weapons.
• ·      Ravana sent volley after volley of magical weapons at Rama.
• ·      Rama shot one last arrow at Ravana and shot him through the heart, killing him.
• ·      Rama in turn regained Sita and Vibishana gained the Kingdom of Lanka.