Before the reader comes to know Ravana, he is mentioned on page 4 as an extraordinarily powerful, reckless character, whose forces are unaffected by the gods. Returning to this paragraph after the first two readings was helpful in clarifying the plot. “Ravana can be destroyed only by a human being since he never asked for protection from a human being,” Vishnu said as he promised to incarnate himself as King Dasaratha’s son, Rama.
Although King Dasaratha eventually dies of depression following the plight of his son, Rama, being instructed to leave the kingdom, not to return for fourteen years, his character initiates with a strong desire to have children to carry on his dynasty. We see Dasaratha instantly love each one of his children while their presence intensifies his quality of life. These emotions are suddenly dilapidated when Sage Viswamithra requests the protection of Rama and Dasaratha’s fatherly instincts must be oppressed in response to the advice of his guide, Vasishtha. Throughout the rest of the reading, Dasaratha is an overjoyed witness to the marriages of all of his sons, but the reader begins to witness the decline of his health and desire to rule as King. The transformation from a formidable, honorable, obliging ruler to one who is decrepit with a lack of desire and interest to rule could be influenced by the increase of Rama’s strength and widely known reputation. It is possible Dasaratha is feeling defeated by the great virtues his son carries, leading to his consequential retirement as King.
Quickly I wanted to mention the initial encounter between Rama and Sita and their effects on one another. As stated on page 23, Vishnu is married to Lakshmi, the current incarnate of Sita, and both Sita and Rama become distraught with fear of never seeing each other again. I did not know if their reactions were due to their reality of being married, or for some other reason. Maybe someone can help me out with that thought process.
The significance of a promise and the pressure to honor it is a concept I find very interesting. When King Dasaratha decides to name Rama as his successor and Kaikeyi becomes so overwhelmed with the ideas Kooni imparted that she ruins the Kings legacy, the unforgiving importance of a promise becomes apparent. The cheerful regard with which Kaikeyi first reacts to news of Ramas future as King is paradoxical to her correspondence with Rama and Dasaratha after Kooni instills in her false ideas.
I have a character list typed up, but I think I am going to post it with the next post.
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