Week 2: Reading Diary A

Rama's Initiation

• First introduced to Viswamithra, the sage who becomes the mentor to Rama and his brother Lakshmana.  
• Dasaratha, father of Rama and Lakshmana, initially attempts to have Viswamithra take him on the voyage instead.  He is turned down and consents to his sons aiding the sage.
• The trio begins their journey to Sidhasrama, a holy area that Viswamithra wants to perform a yagna at. He teaches the boys different things as they travel.
• Thataka's story - This story seems to be used to show the destructive qualities of anger, particularly how it can take over and destroy everything.  It is also one way to explain the creation of the desert.
• Mahabali's story - When Rama was Vishnu, Mahabali took control while Vishnu was meditating.  After other gods came and begged Vishnu to retake control, he tricks Mahabali into granting him control of the land he steps on.  When he asks he is a small human.  After Mahabali grants this request, he retakes his form and takes the heavens and the earth back.
• Ganga's story - This seems to be a story regarding perseverance and hard work.  It also promotes loyalty to family.  This also talks about the origins of the Ganga river and the powers that the water carries.
• Ahalya's story - This was a sad story where the woman, Ahalya, was punished because she was deceived into sleeping with someone who took the form of her husband.  When her husband discovered this he transformed her to stone.  Rama's stepping on her released her from this curse and returned her to her husband.
• The next chapter deals with Rama and Sita glimpsing one another and falling in love at first sight.  Though she only saw him briefly, thoughts of Rama consume Sita, allowing her no rest.  When Rama manages a feat no one else has been able to do, stringing the bow of the god Shiva, he wins her hand.  The kingdoms then begin to celebrate and prepare for the wedding.