Reading Notes | PDE Ramayana Part D

The Bridge
-Rama and army of monkeys need to get into Lanka from across the water
-Nala, a divine artisan, constructed a bridge for armies to cross

Rama Attacks
-Rama advances on Lanka
-Ravana tries to trick Sita into despair

Indrajit
-Garuda = great winged mount of the god Indra; enemy of the nagas
-Garuda comes to heal the armies of Rama that are hurt by Indrajit

Kumbhakarna
-He is one of Ravana's brothers and greatest warriors
-They have to wake him up and feed his appetite before he can battle

Hanuman and the Mountain
-The armies are again attacked by Indrajit
-Hanuman must save the army

Lakshmana and Indrajit
-Indrajit tries to trick Rama (with illusion) into thinking that Sita has been killed
-Vibhishana tells Rama about the illusion then about a sacred place in which they can ambush Indrajit

Ravana's Lament
-Lakshmana has slain Indrajit and Ravana mourns his loss
-He vows revenge

(Ravana. Web Source: Wikimedia).

Ravana and Lakshmana

-Ravana tries (and almost succeeds) in killing Lakshmana

Indra's Chariot

-The gods continue to watch the battles unfold

-Indra sends his own chariot and Matali (charioteer) to help Rama

Rama and Ravana

-Agastya, the sage, comes for the final battle in Lanka

-Gives Rama advice on how to beat Ravana

Ravana's Death

-Rama defeats Ravana using the Brahma weapon

-This was the gods' goal all along - they rejoice

Mandodari's Lament

-Ravana's chief wife, mourns the passing of Ravana

-Vibhishana performs funeral

Sita and Rama

-Rama still guarded in grove by rakshasis

-Things did not happen as Sita expected after battle

Sita Tested

-Sita demands a test to prove her fidelity to Rama

Pushpaka

-Rama takes Sita back to Ayodhya in the chariot Pushpaka, which used to be Ravana's

Rama and Bharata

-Reunion of Rama and Bharata

-This is still celebrated today in a Hindu festival

Rama Crowned King

-Rama becomes King fourteen years later

Valmiki's Hermitage

-Rama sends Sita into exile due to wishes of the people (they doubted her fidelity after being with Ravana)

-Rama felt bad about killing Ravana, so he performed a horse sacrifice to clean his body of sin

-Sita gives birth to two sons

Sita Departs

-Rama hears the twin boys recite the Ramayana 

-She departs

Rama Departs 

-After Lakshmana is taken by the Gods, Rama decides it is time for him to depart as well and become a Vishnu again

Bibliography: PDE Ramayana