Reading Notes: Narayan Guide, Section D

Photo Information: Source

P. 121 Chapter 8, Memento from Rama


Hanuman arrives on Lanka and witnesses all of Ravana's wives sitting in their homes waiting anxiously for the return of their lover's embrace. After carefully observing the women for signs that one of them could be Sita. After searching Ravana's palace and surrounding woods, Hanuman finally finds Sita in Ravana's favorite retreat guarded by female rakshasa bearing weapons. Hanuman is moved by Sita's apparent resolve. The monkey reveals himself to Sita and shows her the ring that Rama had given him to prove to her that her rescue was near. Sita gives Hanuman the single piece of jewelry that she has kept hidden in her garment so that the monkey can prove to Rama that she is waiting. As Hanuman returns to the Indian mainland to report to Rama what he has seen, the great monkey destroys Ravana's retreat. Ravana's son, Indrajit, captures Hanuman and brings him to his father's court where Hanuman speaks of Rama's forthcoming destruction of Ravana. Ravana moves to destroy Hanuman, but his brother Vibishana reminds Ravana that it is improper to kill a messenger. Ravana orders Hanuman's tail to be set on fire. The monkey frees himself from his bonds and as he escapes, he sets fire to Ravana's capital with his flaming tail.

P 124 Chapter 9, Ravana in Council

Ravana's capital is rebuilt after Hanuman's destructive fire. Ravan calls all of his advisor's and generals to seek war council. Some of Ravana's council seeks to have let them handle Rama and the monkeys. Vibishana, Ravana's younger brother, tries to convince Ravana of his impending doom and pleads with him to not attack Rama on various moral grounds. In the end, Ravana resolves to destroy Rama. Vibishana then seeks asylum across the waters with Rama's camp.

P. 130 Chapter 10, Across the Ocean

Vibishana requests asylum with Rama. Rama is, at first suspect of Vibishana and the ways of the Asura. Through seeking the advice of his council, Rama is advised to not trust Vibishana. When Rama asks Hanuman, the monkey advises Rama to trust the asura based on the behavior that Hanuman witnesses while being bound in Ravana's court. Rama orders a land bridge to be built between the Indian mainland and Lanka so that Rama can commence his campaign toward Ravana and Sita.

P. 134 Chapter 11, The Siege of Lanka

The battle between Rama and Ravana's forces begins. Although the monkey armies loses many against the asura forces, Rama and his monkey armies conquer each of Ravana's champions one by one.

P. 139 Chapter 12, Rama and Ravana in Battle

Finally Rama and Ravana meet in battle. The fight begins with volleys of arrows form each warrior cancelling each other's out. Ravana works his way through each weapon moving from the conventional to the mystic. Indra offers his chariot to Rama and Ravana begins to realize that Rama is not a mere mortal man. Rama fights honorably to include waiting for Ravana to come out of a fainting moment before he continues the fight. Eventually Rama defeats Ravana with a mortal blow to his heart.

P. 148 Chapter 13, Interlude

Once reunited, Rama behaves distant to Sita. He reveals that he does not know if Sita has been able to maintain her chastity against Ravana. Sita proves her virtuousness by standing in a flame and being witnessed by Agni, the god of flame, as a testament to her integrity.


P. 150 Chapter 14, The Coronation

Rama comes to the realization of his godly origins as Vishnu through the Brahma. Rama is visited by his father, Dasaratha, who has been in heaven. Rama, Sita, and the monkey armies then travel back to Nandigram at the final hour of Rama's fourteen years of exile. They are received by Baratha and Rama with his queen Sita take the throne at Ayodhya.

Bibliography:

R. K. Narayan, The Ramayan : A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic, p 74-120