Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Reading Part D

I really liked the vivid detail description of sudden natural phenomenon: The earth and the sea were immediately convulsed, and darkness covered the heavens; lightning flashed and thunder bellowed aloud; the mountains began to break in pieces. I liked how vividly descriptive of the natural phenomenon was.

I also liked another example of such description of the phenomenon: Dreadful were the omens of war that showed themselves: the earth shook, the clouds rained blood, a fiery circle fell from the sun.

It was very interesting to read about monkeys organizing themselves to fight one another. Sometimes they would play a role of a spy.

I could literally imagine and hear how it was like in my head: "Then the monkeys advanced in order and swarmed about the walls, flooding the moat and striking terror into the hearts of the rakshasas; scaling parties climbed the walls and battered down the gates with trees and stones, shouting "Victory for Rama and for Sugriva!"

To me, it sounded almost like one of those science fiction movies where monkeys swear their oath to human master and get ready for battles. Nevertheless, it was evident that monkeys couldn't fight so well over the night: "So night fell, and the demons ranged, devouring monkeys by thousands."

I liked how the gods and heroes of Ramayana could be sympathetic and emotional of his warriors: "Sugriva, Hanuman, Vibhishana, and all the leaders of the monkeys stood round about those wounded heroes with tear-filled eyes." Sometimes gods and heroes are ruthless warriors who would not show any emotions. But these characters such as Sugriva and Hanuman could feel sorrow and grief for the deaths of those who fought for them.

Was it an overconfidence? "Thousands of men danced and shouted and blew trumpets beside the great sleeper, but he could not be wakened; elephants were driven over his body, yet he never moved; then beautiful women came and caressed him, and he suddenly opened his eyes and roared like to the sea. His eyes were red with anger, and he cried, 'Why have I been awakened before my time?'" I thought this demon, Kumbhakarna wasn't afraid at all although he faced a lot of enemies that were coming after him. It was interesting to read how the demon could not fear outnumbered enemies at all.

Monkeys and Building Bridges. Source: Building the bridge to Lanka

Bibliography:

Sources used: M. Dutt, R., Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder.

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