Reading Diary A: Public Domain Ramayana

42. Sugriva's Story - Sugriva's story about how he came into conflict with his brother Vali is particularly tragic.  For a year, Sugriva stands watch over the hole where Vali descended to fight an enemy.  When Sugriva sees blood issue from the cave, he believes his brother is dead and covers the mouth of the hole with a mountain before he leaves to rule the kingdom.  When Vali finally escapes from the hole, he banishes Sugriva for abandoning him.  While Rama takes Sugriva's side, to me, this seems like both Sugriva and Vali are at fault.  Sugriva broke his vow to guard the hole and did not seek to avenge his brother.  Vali refused to forgive his brother and made the situation worse by banishing him.

49. Sampati and Jatayu - Both Sampati and Jatayu are extremely helpful to Rama.  Sampati tells that Sita was taken to Lanka.  He also tells the story about how he lost his wings.  Jatayu fainted when the two were racing and Sampati's wings were burnt off when he tried to protect his brother from the sun.

50. Hanuman's Leap - Impressively, Hanuman leaps 100 leagues over to Lanka.  He even tears through a rakshasi on the way.  This story was interesting because of Hanuman's feat and the water monster.  When I Googled, "water rakshasa," all that I found was information on a game called Summoners War.  Upon further research, Hanuman jumped through Surasa, a naga or serpent.  Surasa is the daughter of Daksha who is the son of Brahma, god of creation.

Hanuman's Leap

Image from Wikipedia

57. The Burning of Lanka - Hanuman is not a good spy, but he is a good saboteur.  He is captured when he destroys the Ashoka grove.  Now, not only does he escape, but he burns half of Lanka to the ground in the process.  Just a few years ago, a new species of monkey, called the fire-tailed tiki monkey, was discovered.  I wonder if they are related to Hanuman.