Week 11 Storytelling: Rama

Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana roamed the lands of India after being exiled from King Dasharatha’s kingdom. They had just finished a quarrel in which they had to defeat the demons Khara, and Dooshana. Shurpanka, Khara and Dooshana’s cousin, had escaped from the battle and retreated to the Kingdom of Lanka where she hoped to receive aid from her brother Ravana.

Shurpanaka begged Ravana to defeat Rama and Lakshmana in battle after they had injured her in battle. At first he disagreed because he did not want to involve himself with his sister’s drama. Shurpanaka then told Ravana about Rama’s beautiful wife Sita. Ravana grew more interested and finally decided to help Shurpanaka get revenge on Rama and Lakshmana.

Ravana devised a plan in which he would attempt to steal Sita away from Rama. He tells his uncle Maricha about the situation, and Maricha decides to help him. Ravana’s plan was to have Maricha shape shift into a beautiful golden deer. Sita would be so in love with the deer that she would send Rama and Lakshmana after it. Ravana would then swoop in to steal Sita away.

A couple weeks passed and the plan was set in motion. Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita were all taking a rest from travel. They all sat down and ate some fruit that they picked off nearby trees. All of a sudden a beautiful golden deer appeared before them. Sita instantly fell in love and urged Rama and Lakshmana to catch the deer for her. Rama said that he would go after the deer alone while Lakshmana protected Sita, but Sita disagreed. She said that Rama would have the best chance of catching the deer if Lakshmana accompanied him. This way they would catch the deer, and they would accomplish the task quicker than if one of them went alone so that they could hurry back to protect Sita again. After a lot of begging from Sita, Rama finally agreed. Lakshmana and Rama made way for the golden deer.

Meanwhile, Ravana hid where he could not be seen. After Rama and Lakshmana were out of sight he made his way toward Sita. Jatayu, a powerful bird the roamed the skies, had happened to be observing the situation that was taking place. He did not dare to challenge Ravana to battle because he knew that would end in his defeat. Instead, he flew as fast as he could to catch up with Rama and Lakshmana. He warned them that an evil and powerful rakshasha named Ravana was kidnapping Sita. He told them that he was a relative of the demons they had defeated earlier.

Rama did not know if he could trust Jatayu. He quickly shot a non-lethal arrow at the deer. The deer instantly transformed into Maricha. Rama believed Jatuyu’s story now. He instructed Lakshmana to defeat the injured rakshasha while he saved Sita. Rama jumped on Jatuyu’s back and made way for Ravana.

Rama and Jatayu finally found Ravana flying in his chariot in the sky. Rama demanded that Ravana return his wife. Ravana rejected Rama’s command and after that an intense battle followed. Each party exchanged blows but seemed to be evenly matched. Rama then decided to attack Ravana’s chariot instead of Ravana. He sent a shot at Ravana to bait him. As Ravana dodged the arrow, Rama intercepted his chariot’s motion with a barrage of arrows. The chariot was damaged and began to spiral out of control. Rama and Jatayu quickly pursued it and saved Sita. Ravana crashed to the ground with the chariot.

Jatayu descended to the ground. Rama and Sita were happy that they were reunited. Soon after, Lakshmana joined the family with news that Maricha had been defeated. Ravana then slowly crawled out of the chariot with several severe injuries. Rama told Ravan that he should have never attempted such a cruel act. He then shot Ravana with a barrage of arrows to ensure his death.

Here is an image of the comic book that gave me the idea for this story:

Source

Author’s Note:

I wanted the Ramyana to have an alternate ending. In the original story, Ravana successfully kidnaps Sita and takes her back to Lanka. In the process Jatuya is defeated after he attempts to save her. When Rama and Lakshman return, they have to seek information of Sita’s whereabouts. In my story I use Jatayu as a messenger to tell Rama that he is being tricked. Rama then catches up with Ravana just in time, and defeats him in battle.

Title: Rama

Year: 1970

Author: Amar Chitra Katha

Reading Diary B: Rama

For this week’s second reading diary I decided to read another version of the Ramayana. The comic book I read was called “Rama.” This book offers the Ramayana from Rama’s perspective. I noticed subtle differences from the PDE version. One of them is when Shurpanakha falls in love with Rama. Lakshmana and Rama joke around with her and make her angry. She then reveals her true form and Lakshmana cuts of her ears and nose. She runs to her cousins for help. She returns with Kara, Dooshana, and an army. I did not remember the army coming to attack in the PDE Ramayana. A part of the story that would be cool to rewrite would be the part where Sita gets captured. What if Jatayu warned Rama that when he was chasing the dear that it was a plot to capture Sita. Then Rama could kill the deer, and go back to protect Sita.

Here is an image of the comic book I read:

                                                                             Source

Title: Rama

Year: 1970

Author: Amar Chitra Katha

Reading Diary A: Ravana Humbled

For this week’s Reading Diary I decided to read another comic book about Ravana. I read “Ravana Humbled” by Amar Chitra Katha. This comic book explores the more devout side of Ravana. He was a pious worshipper of the God Shiva. In one episode, he was trapped under a mountain by Shiva because he disturbed a conversation of Shiva’s. He then proved his love of Shiva and secured a boon and some celestial weaponry. In another episode Ravana was defeated by Arjuna. They got into a confrontation because Arjuna disrupted Ravana’s worship of Shiva. Ravana is later freed by Arjuna after his grandfather Pulastya begs him. I think a cool rewrite would be where Shiva grants Ravana a boon while he is captured and Ravana defeats Arjuna.

Here is an image of the comic book I read:

Source

Title: Ravana Humbled

Year: 1984

Author: Amar Chitra Katha

Storytelling Week 10: The Sons of Rama

Years have passed since Sita was exiled from the kingdom. Rumor around the kingdom is that she could have cheated on Rama with another person. Even if she claimed she did not have an affair, it is only logical that our great king got rid of her because she could not prove her loyalty. However, when she was exiled Rama had no idea that she was pregnant. Rama did not even get to meet his two sons until years later in battle. This family reunion makes for an interesting story. Before we jump into the story I would like to give you a quick introduction of myself. I am a housekeeper for Rama and have worked for this family for many years. My name is Bhavic. Now lets jump into the story!

One day it was time for Rama to perform his yearly Aswamedha. This is a religious ceremony performed by a king, which will help to secure the good fortune of the kingdom. After performing the majority of the ritual, Rama released the sacred horse into the wilderness to roam the land freely. He sent his brothers Shatrugha and Lakshmana to keep an eye on the horse from a distance and keep it safe.

As the horse was roaming the lands, it came across two hunters named Luv and Kush. They skillfully trapped and captured the sacred horse. Shatrugha and Lakshmana thought that they would be able to handle the two hunters easily but to their surprise they were easily defeated. Lakshmana and Shatrugha retreated back to the kingdom to describe the battle they just waged with the two hunters. Lakshmana described them as fast as lightning, strong as an ox, and having battle skills far beyond their young age. Lakshmana even went as far as to compare their skills to Rama! When Lakshmana said this, Rama’s face was in disbelief. He laughed at the idea that two random hunters could rival his effectiveness in battle. Rama immediately instructed his army to prepare his chariot. Rama would be paying these two hunters a visit.

Rama ventured deep into the forest and finally caught up with the two hunters. He approached the two hunters and said “I believe that is my horse you have,” as he charged the two hunters. To make the fight fair Luv sat on the sideline and would only interfere if his brother needed him. Kush and Rama waged an intense battle. The two men were extremely skilled with the bow. Every arrow one man shot was intercepted by an arrow of the other man. After this they waged close combat with swords. Although Ram was an extremely polished warrior he struggled to keep up with Kush’s strikes. Kush eventually took a couple steps back and told Rama that the battle was boring him. He then told his brother that he could have his turn if he wanted.

Luv excitedly sprang into battle. Within 5 minutes of intense battle Luv had Rama in place to deliver the final blow to end the battle and Rama’s life. Before Rama was killed he had one question for the boys. “You guys are very well-polished fighters. You remind me of myself in my younger days. To who do I owe this defeat to,” Rama questioned. Luv and Kush answered with their names and also told Rama of their family lineage.

Rama was surprised at these details. He told the boys that he was actually their father. The two boys did not believe him so they tied him up and presented him to their mother, Sita. Sita was shocked to see Rama in this state after so many years. “I raised them well didn’t I,” she bragged as she untied Rama. After the family reunion, Rama asked his two sons if they wanted to come back to the kingdom with him. Rama was getting old and soon would need to pass the throne to someone. The two boys refused unless their mother was allowed back into the kingdom as well. After some debate, Rama finally agreed to let them all stay in the kingdom. Today is the first day in many years where I have seen the royal family united. The Aswamedha was completeted and the kingdom lived happily ever after.

Author’s Note: I decided to write an alternate version of the story present in the comic book called the “Sons of Rama.” In the original version the sons of Rama and Sita defeat several of Rama’s men. After their defeat, Rama finally visits them in the forest to find out from Valmiki that they are his sons. The boys end up moving in with Rama in the kingdom while their mother takes refuge with the Earth Godess Bhumi. I thought it would be more interesting if Rama got to fight with his sons before finding out that they were related to him. Additionally, I gave Sita more respect in this version. I made her the primary parent of the two boys, and made sure that she was considered when everyone planned to move back into the kingdom. I also wanted to tell the story from the point of view of someone close to the family. That is why I picked Bhavic the housekeeper.

Here is an image of Luv, Kush, and the stolen horse.

Source

Title: The Sons of Rama

Year: 1971

Author: Amar Chitra Katha

Reading Diary B: The Sons of Rama

For Reading Diary B for this week I decided to read another comic book. This one is by Amar Chitra Katha and is called “The Sons of Rama.” In this story Sita is exiled when she is pregnant. She has two sons named Luv and Kush. They grow up without there father and are taught of all of his accomplishments by Valmiki. Later in the story, Rama is performing Aswamedha, which is a sacrificial ritual that will bring his kingdom good fortune. After he sends out the horse and his sons capture it. He sends his brothers and an army after it to get it back. Each group was defeated. Rama then learns that these are his sons. I think it would be cool if Rama actually went out to capture his horse. Then him and his children could do battle. I also might end the story with the sons staying with their mother.

Here is an image of the comic book I read:

Source 

Title: The Sons of Rama

Year: 1971

Author: Amar Chitra Katha