Reading Diary A

This Indian epic ,Ramayana, reminds me of fairy tales and epics we hear about in school.  We have King Dasharaha who married three wives and is eventually blessed with fours sons. This epic focuses on his son Rama. Rama is becomes an avatar for the god Vishnu.

Thataka

In this part Rama does battle with a female Rakshasa which is a demon. Rama eventually slays her using a great arrow with the help of his brother Lakshmana. This story reminds of when Greek heroes would fight monsters. For example when Hercules fights centaurs or other beasts

King Janaka and Rama Wins Sita

King of Mithila, Janaka, made a challenge. If any suitor could bend Shiva's Bow, he could marry his beloved daughter Sita. Rama accepts the challenge and ends up breaking the bow of Shiva. the resemblance from Greek mythos comes from the return of Odysseus. Where a challenge to bend the bow of Apollo announced and he is the only one who can accomplish such a feat.

(Parashurama, Source:wikipedia)

Rama is Banish

In the previous chapter, Rama who was selected to ascended to the throne is to be exiled due to the intervention Kaikeyi. In a conversation between Rama and his father he follows is fathers decision and accepts exile. While his youngest brother, Bharata,  was now to inherit it. I thought it was crazy how Rama who is the avatar of the god Vishnu to be exiles. Out of the four sons, he was the most accomplished and liked so becoming a king would be no problem for him.