Week 5: Ramayana, Part A

(Found on Google Images, Rama and Sita in exile)

Story: "Ramayana" in Indian Myth and Legend (1913) by Donald A. McKenzie

Rama was born as the son of Dasartha - the king of Kosala - and Kausalya, who was one of Dasartha's three wives. Kausalya was barren, and bore Rama as a result of a sacrifice to the gods to defeat an evil spirit. As a young child, Rama set himself apart from other children as he didn't fill his time playing with toys or being concerned with childish things. It was clear that he was special and had a bigger calling than anyone else. 

Throughout the story, we learn about many spirits and demons that require sacrifices to oblige. One in particular is Thataka, who appeared once when Rama was traveling with the sage Viswamithra. Out of fear of being eaten by Thataka, Viswamithra instructs Rama to kill the demon, and Rama is successful in doing so. This opens the door for Rama to learn more about weapons and how they are effective in killing demons and spirits.

Upon finishing their travels, Rama laid his eyes on the beautiful Sita, and she on him, and they immediately fell in love. She is the daughter of King Janaka, and when the king found out Rama wanted his daughter's hand in marriage, he came up with what he thought was an impossible task for Rama to accomplish. He instructed Rama to lift and string Shiva's bow, which used to belong to the god. Rama had great strength and completed the task, and even was so strong he broke the bow. He took Sita's hand in marriage, and they had a furious love for each other. They truly were in love with one another, and made their journey back to Kosala - Rama's homeland. 

When they returned, Rama's father Dasartha had turned old and grey, and was in need for a successor. Rama was the favorable choice, and everyone rejoiced as he was named the new ruler of Kosala. However, the night before his inauguration, Dasartha's youngest wife - Kaikeyi - had other plans. She was convinced by her son's handmaid Manthara to banish Rama from the land; and this was because when Rama was young, he embarrassed Manthara in front of people. Kaikeyi listened to Manthara and wanted her son Bharata to be the king instead. She used the two boons Dasartha had promised her to banish Rama from Kosala for fourteen years.

Rama left without putting up a fight, and this sent an uproar throughout the city. The only person that didn't want Rama to be the successor was Manthara, and her evil wishes caused turmoil among all the people. Dressed in bark, Rama insists on leaving despite everyone else trying to convince him to stay. He left with Sita into exile, and Bharata was named the new king. That next day his father - Dasartha - passed away. Bharata didn't know what to do, so he also dressed in bark and went into exile to convince Rama to return and take over the succession. He gave Rama a pair of sandals that symbolized royal authority, and left again to be the ruler from outside the city.