Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part D

Listed below is a summary of my notes from the PDE Ramayana Part D. This section of the Ramayana concludes the fate of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and all kingdoms involved. In a last attempt to save Sita, Rama and his alliance obtain powers and weapons that will aid them in victory or defeat of Ravana. 

The God Vishnu. Web Source: Wikimedia Commons

• Rama attempts to pass the ocean by performing sacrifices, but the God of Ocean becomes angered. He suggests Rama ask for assistance from vanar chief, Nala. Nala helps construct a bridge of islands to enable the armies to cross. Rama lays siege to Lanka, while Ravana's own spies shift into monkeys, to advise him to surrender Sita to avoid Rama's wrath. Ravana refuses and tells Sita lies, in attempt to have her submission. However, Ravana is called to the rakshasa battle, which exposes the truth to Sita. 

• The rakshasas and monekys battle, and rakshasas grew stronger at night, devouring monkeys by thousands. Then Indrajit became invisible and sent deadly arrows flying at Rama and Lakshmana binding them. Sugriva, Hanuman, and his men become frightened and feel defeated. Rama urges them to retreat to their homes safely, but Vibhishana and Sugriva encourage the armies to keep hope alive. Suddenly, Garuda arose and the arrows fell from Dasharatha's sons and they were healed. This gave the monkey chiefs great courage to continue the battle.

• The rakshasas try to awaken the greatest of monsters, Kumbhakarna. But he is under Brahma's decree to sleep for six months and awaken only once. With all of their might, the rakshasas awaken the beast before his time. They fed him and indulged him with wine and flesh. They tell him of their current battle, and he sets out for battle defeating Hanuman and capturing Sugriva. Rama and the mightiest rakshasa continue battling, but Rama prevails and slays him. Ravana grows angry and Indrajit vows to slay Rama and Lakshmana. Indrajit offers libations and sacrifices a goat. The Fire-God bestows upon him, a Brahma weapon. Indrajit uses the weapon to kill copious monkeys and chiefs, while still remaining invisible. Rama looks at this as a sign of defeat. But Jambavan speaks to wind God's son, to help them reach the Himalayas for four-life giving herbs to heal the host monkey. He cannot find the hidden herbs, so he takes the whole mountain, restoring life to the slain and wounded monkeys. 

• Ravana tries to convince Rama that he has killed Sita, but Vibhishana assures him that is false. Lakshmana and Vibhishana go to fight Indrajit and Lakshmana has God's assist to beat him. Ravana is enraged and sorrowing over his son's death, and seeks revenge by killing Sita. But rakshasa dames advise him not to, because he would reap shame. So, Ravana goes to battle with fierce hate in his heart. He aims to kill his traitor brother, but Lakshmana intervenes and in turn gets struck in the heart. Lakshmana dying, leads Hanuman to go back to the Himalaya and retrieve more living herbs. Lakshmana awakes and is healed from the paste. 

• The god's watch the fight, and Indra sends Rama his chariot with Matali, and gives Rama his royal bow and quiver to slay Ravana in war. Ravana sends Rama's chariot fro Indra, into flames of serpents. Rama takes a Garuda weapon and sends golden arrows devouring the rakshasas serpent arrows. Agastya advises Rama to hail the sun god, Aditya who would defeat Ravana. But the battle continues without letup. Rama uses the flaming weapon that Brahma created for protection of the gods, and it strikes Ravana in the heart as he perishes. Vibhishana binds Ravana's body and performs the funeral rites, establishing himself as king of Lanka. The rakshasas fight at the sight of Rama's victory. Ravana's eldest wife, Manodari grieves over the loss of her lord and husband. She reminisces over the fate of her life after losing the battle with Rama. 

• Rama wishes to see Sita. Vibhishana retrieves her for him. Rama at the sight of Sita is upset and no longer yearns for her, because she has spent too long in Ravana's home and renounces her. Sita is tested of her loyalty by having Lakshmana set up a funeral pyre. The fire is burning, but the gods intervene to show Rama that Sita is unstained and longs for him only. Rama then regains Sita with trust. Sita and Rama journey back to Ayodhya as Rama tells Sita of the things and people he has seen and met during his exile. Upon their arrival to Ayodhya, Bharat embraces Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Sugriva, Hanuman, and Vibhishana. He speaks of his wish to restore Rama as rightful king and places the jewelled sandals on Rama's feet.

• The fourteen years of exile are over, and Rama is established as King on his father's throne. The kingdom of Ayodhya rejoices in goodness and praise. Events turn as Rama banishes Sita to the hermitage of Valmiki, because of the kingdom's questioning of Sita's faithfulness when captured by Ravana. Sita bears two twin boys from Rama while in exile. 

• Lava and Kusha defeat the royal army sent by Rama. Lakshmana sends another army but they are defeated along with Lakshmana. Rama goes to wage war and capture the horse himself, when he comes upon Lava and Kusha. He engages with the twins after he finds out Sita is their mother. Rama makes Sita test her loyalty again for the kingdom's sake, and she proves faithful once more. The earth places Sita on the throne of nagas and sinks down. Rama assures the people of her truth, but Rama and the kingdom weep at her absence. At the ends of his journey, Rama decides to return as Vishnu. The rights are prepped for those to follow him to Sarayu, as they make their passage. 

Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

Authors:  M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder.

Web Source: PDE Ramayana Part D