Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part C

 

Image source: Lakshmana confronts Sugriva
(British Library: Mewar Ramayana)

Reading Notes:

• Rama helped Sugriva kill Vali. 
• Sugriva became king, and Angada (Vali's son) became the crown-prince.
• Sampati (Jatayu's brother) helped the monkeys to locate where Sita is. 
• Hanuman remembers his powers and flew to Lanka. 
• He saw Sita, showed her the ring Rama sent and asked to carry Sita back, but she refused. She wanted Rama to rescue her.
• Ravana ordered for Hanuman's tail to set on fire. Later Hanuman, with that tail, set Lanka on fire. 
• Hanuman returned with good news. 
• Vibhishana (Ravana's brother) came to seek refuge from Rama. Rama gave him refuge. 
• Monkeys, bears, and squirrels help build a bridge to Lanka.
• Hanuman fell in love with a mermaid and had a child! 
• Indrajit (Ravana's son) pinned Rama and Lakshmana with his serpent arrows to the ground. However, they were alive. 
• Garuda came to the rescue and healed Rama and Lakshmana. 
• Rama prayed to Goddess Durga for their victory.

One thing that stuck out to me was that this whole war could have technically be avoided if Sita let Hanuman carry her to Rama. I don't understand why, but that could be a nice retelling of a story!

Source: Tiny Tales of the Ramayana by Laura Gibbs