Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana Part C

Hanuman, the monkey god, disguises himself as a beggar. Once he finds Rama and Lakshmana, he is excited they can be an ally and takes them to see Sugriva. Once there, Sugriva tells Rama and Lakshmana the story of how Sugriva lost his wife because of his older brother, Vali. Sugriva goes with Rama to fight Vali. Vali's wife, Tara, begs Vali not to fight Sugriva, but he doesn't listen. Sugriva and Vali flight, but Rama delivers the arrow that ultimately kills Vali. Sugriva and Tara mourn Vali's death and Sugriva is made king. Sugriva promises to help Rama once the month of Kartik passes, but Rama isn't able to stay in cities, so he remains in the jungle waiting for Sugriva. Sugriva is slow to help Rama once the rainy season passes, so Rama sends Lakshmana to threaten him. Shortly after, Sugriva sends armies out to search for Sita. During their search, the armies were unable to find Sita, but they met Jatayu's brother, Sampati. Sampati informed the monkeys that Sita would be in Lanka. Hanuman uses his power to jump over the ocean and into the city of Lanka. Hanuman was unable to find Sita in Lanka, but found her in the Ashoka grove surrounded by demons. Sita refused to be carried away with Hanuman, so he tries to destroy Ravana's servant. This caused a battle between Hanuman and Indrajit, Ravana's son, that ends with Hanuman being captured. Ravana sets Hanuman's tail on fire as a punishment and Hanuman used this opportunity to set Lanka on fire. Luckily, Sita was able to stay safe during the burning of Lanka. Rama and the armies plan a march on Lanka while Ravana debates giving back Sita to avoid the conflict. Ravana's younger brother, Vibhishana, is the only one who opposes the war which causes him to leave Lanka and join Rama. 

Hanuman finds Sita in Ashoka 

grove and shows her Rama's ring 

Source: Wikimedia

Bibliography: Public Domain Edition of the Ramayana by M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder.