Reading Diary B: Public Domain Ramayana

24. The Sandals - Not only is Rama a hero, but so are his brothers.  Bharata is humble enough to refuse the throne.  Instead, he rules from a location of exile and has his brother's shoes as the symbol of rule.  It is interesting that Rama's shoes are the symbol of authority.  It seems like he could have sent one of his many surplus weapons.


30. Battle with Khara - I really like the imagery when Khara's army is described as "black tremendous clouds rushing towards the rising sun."  His arrows "swept among the rakshasas like fire in a sun-dried forest."  This scene (along with much of the rest of the story) reminds me of a Tolkienesque fantasy.  I just image swarming armies of orcs closing in on a few hobbits and a wizard.  This seems to be Rama's most insurmountable challenge yet.  Yet he alone is able to defeat an army of thousands.

Rama defeats Khara

Image from Images and PDE Epics Blog

35. Ravana and Sita - The loss of Sita reveals weakness in Rama.  Until this point, Rama has been nearly without mistake and invincible.  But despite the warning from his brother about the deception of rakshasas, Rama chases after the golden deer and leaves Sita.  It shows that the only way to overcome Rama is through cleverness and wit; he is unbeatable through sheer force.  However, I expect that Ravana won't get away with his deed for long.


36. Jatayu - Jatayu seems like a very interesting character.  I'd like to know more about this bird that watches over the forest.