Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana Part D

Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

from M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder.

Notes for Part D

#61
In this Ramayana story, we learn about a great feat of engineering - building a bridge from the mainland to Lanka (reminder from the previous reading note, this bridge must be at least 345 miles long) entirely out of stones. I thought it was cool to find out that this is an actual place! The real life version is much shorter than 100 leagues long, but it is a former land bridge that was good for crossing. When the Ramayana was written, it probably was the purpose to explain such a land bridge, and the motivation behind building it.

Monkey engineering at its finest, building the bridge to Lanka. Source: PDE Ramayana

#65

Hanuman has to save the army by getting the medicinal herbs mentioned earlier when Rama and Lakshmana were thought to be dead. Using his jumping ability, Hanuman goes to the Himalayas, but cannot find the herb, so he just takes the mountain back with him. Hanuman loves his friends so much he would take the whole mountain to them in order to heal them. This is like a parent going to the store to find something for their child, but unable to find anything besides the variety pack, just buys many variety packs in order to make sure their kid gets what they want. Hanuman's loyalty to his friends makes him an easy character to root for - we all want friends like Hanuman

#71

Who doesn't like it when the hero wins? Rama finally defeats Ravana after a long battle, with lots of people dying and being revived and magic weapons being used to help and hinder the heroes. Brahma contributes to the story again here, with the Brahma-weapon Rama is finally able to kill Ravana. I always note when Brahma is actively involved in the story, because he seems to play both sides. In this case, Rama is able to benefit and win the battle, and just needed a more powerful weapon in order to defeat Ravana.

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