The Bridge: serenely vs weltering billows. Like in The Incredibles- "I'd like to help you, but I can't...I'd like to tell you that the phone number you're looking for is 7428975938- but I can't. Sorry" the ocean says he can't be forded b/c ancient law but gives them a contact for a bridge.
Rama Attacks: Foreshadowing of war/big event: raining blood, earth shook. "wrought, as it were, of mind rather than matter". Sita knows when she's being fooled! Positive! Counterfeit.
Indrajit: This chapter does an excellent sensory job, sharing sights, sounds, and smells, which tend to be forgotten when writing stories. To keep from reiterating "Rama and Lakshmana", they were referred to as "the brothers" and "the sons of Dasharatha". Useful. This chapter was perhaps the lowest point in the epic: the protagonists appear slain, their army is beaten, and Sita remains in the villainous clutches of the foul vulture, but help from an ally appears as a light in the dark, and everyone's hope/vitality is restored. Their cause is so noble that death cannot harm them.
Kumbhakarna: "He's retired now, but in his former days he *casually* terrorized the universe." He defeated INDRA?! What a track record. Flaming arrows are the weapons of choice, it seems.
Hanuman and the Mountain: No time is wasted on the search for the herbs: he thinks outside of the conventional story box and just grabs the entire mountain. This is really cool. The Brahma-weapon...sounds like it was maybe "forged in the heart of a dying star". The bears are called upon. "Heart-shaped herb?"
Lakshmana and Indrajit: Family member of protagonist vs antagonist fam. When Ravana is ineffective trying to physically get Rama's head, he goes for mentally getting inside his head, perhaps an even greater battlefield than the one of the past few chapters.
Ravana's Lament: I love that one of Ravana's many art-depicted weapons is a book. Humanizing him: he weeps for his lost son and is kept from killing a woman, as it would "pollute his fame". Also girl power: rakshasa "dames" still protect Sita even though she is human because she is a woman too.
Ravana and Lakshmana: "The love of a wife or friend is easily won, bfut the love of a faithful brother is rarely found in this world of illusions."
Indra's Chariot:"Gods assist the brave and true!" Steeds celestial- what's their story? Also how are the gods watching this conflict? On a big heavenly tv or in cushy armchairs in the clouds? What if their satellite dish stops working?
Battle of Rama and Ravana: The sun, greater than all. I love the imagery of the gods appearing to watch in person. (perhaps the tv wan't exciting enough).
Ravana's Death: Though the head and heart are equals, the heart was targeted for Ravana's ultimate death (parallel with his son dying being a crucial blow?). Dang it's raining flowers again this happens quite a bit. It says celestial music was played and I immediately thought of the song Celebrate! by Kool & the Gang.
Mandodari's Lament: To quote Hamilton and paraphrase Newton: Every action has an equal opposite reaction. The death of Ravana does impact on others: particularly his eldest wife. "Nations perish for a righteous woman's woe."
Sita and Rama: He doesn't want to see her until she's taken a bath?!?! w. o. w. dude it's been months I thought she was important to you ok. He RENOUNCES HER WTF
Sita Tested: I dunno if she's bluffing (at the beginning) but I applaud this she's taking zero craps from her husband today.
Pushpaka: I like the style of backwards remembering storytelling- sort of abbreviated/listy because of the full scope of it (humorous). It's different from the rest and kind of epiloguey.
Rama and Bharata: AHA the classic time crunch for Rama to return in time for Bharata not to uphold his suicidal vow.
Rama Crowned King: ethereal. Beautiful, fancy spectacle. Worth the wait? Seemed too short.
Valmiki's Heritage: I am SO UPSET he sent her away. Of course mystery children oldest trick in the book. Again, what's the horse's story?
Sita Departs:
Rama Departs:
Bibliography:
Ramayana:
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| Image Info: An older Hindu religious painting/artwork depicting Rama proposing to Sita. Source: Pinterest. Link. |
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part D
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