Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana C

As usual, choosing a few that I liked and could see myself doing a story on. Let's get this started! I don't have as many ideas for this reading section, but I felt overall they tonally different from the others. That might just be me though. The focus on rescuing Sita is apparent and the is a clear sense of urgency in this reading. It's even more exciting. 

The Rainy Season
Based on Ramayana, The Epic of Rama, Prince of India by Romesh Dutt and Relatives by Arthur W. Ryder
Being exiled is hard for anyone, but it's probably harder for Rama who cannot enter a city re: the terms of his exile, so he must wait for the rain to cease. He sits alone in the wilderness, lamenting about love and life. He's growing restless being away from his beloved. He really just wants to find Sita and be done with this whole ordeal. The lament is equal parts sweet and sad. Sweet, talking about his wife. Sad, talking about loneliness and distress. Poor lad. 

Based on The Iliad of the East: The Ramayana by Frederika Richardson Macdonald 
Their story immediately reminds me of Icarus, though slightly different context. They both fly too close to the sun and are brought down by their own reckless nature. The difference here that I noticed was that Sampati was there to help shield Jatayu from harm, introducing the importance of self sacrifice for those you care about. It was sad hearing about their troubles and wings, but it was still nice somehow. I like reading about the little lessons in the Ramayana. 

Based on Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. MacKenzie and Ramayana, The Epic of Rama, Prince of India by Romesh Dutt 
Sita and Hanuman haven't met before so Sita was right to be a little bit concerned by him. Having seen Rama's ring, however, she is happy, but also kind of sad. She wanted to see him. Rama send her a sweet message of his love and Sita goes with Hanuman. It's nice to see Sita kind of in a good position for once. She's really been beaten up throughout the whole Ramayana, it's nice to see a glimpse of hope for her and Rama.

Hanuman's Visit (Wikimedia Commons)

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