Week 3 Storytelling(Based on Part A&B) PDE Ramayana: Jabali and Rama Extended Cut

Hey, Ram, Jab said. Don’t you know that there isn’t a Hereafter, no Lala Land, Great Heaven above? Listen to your brother Brah. He doesn’t want to rule the land.

I get that your dad is dead and he kicked you to the curb for 14 years, but what’s it matter now? Especially since Brah told you that it was because that ugly Man-thera was still holding a grudge against you for snubbing her one time when you were young. Obviously she isn’t good with kids, but she brought out Queen Kai’s true ugliness too.

Don’t you see that Dash’s decree was only because he felt he owed it to Queen Kai, but it bothered him so much that he died of a broken heart afterwards. That means he didn’t want to do what she asked of him, it is strictly because of the silly favors so many people in our land call “boons.” They give them away never thinking of the repercussions they can cause. Even those close to the Monarch are lying down right now with broken hearts, working on ten days long. I fear that there will be no court for any of the Raghu family to return to if you do not step up and life your life in the here and now!

Hey Ram, said Brah. Let me trade you places. The sight of you will change the Kingdom and they will rejoice in your early return.

Jab said, See Ram, Laks left with you, Sita went too, now Bram wants to trade places so everyone can go back to the place they belong. We all know that Dash didn’t want to exile you, but did so because of the wiles of a woman whom he thought truly loved him. Sita and your brothers truly love you, that is something that is to be cherished and would be a good example for the Kingdom to see, how real love works. Please, please, leave these silly notions of fulfilling Dash’s wishes and live your life. He will not be around to see that you completed what he never wanted to ask of you.

Oh Jab, you poor man, said Ram. I thank you for trying to give me logic, but to me it is false. I believe in Lala Land and so do my family members so even though they would like for me to return they understand why I choose to stay exiled and dressed in bark. It is beginning to get comfy and is quite insulating anyway. I ask that you please try to believe in Lala Land again so that you will meet me there someday, but please do not speak these words to others as it is not what the Gods would want people believing. Lala Land exists because we believe.

Now Brah, I love you brother. Laks is with me and my beautiful Sita will not leave my side. I need you to fulfill your duty until my return and protect our father’s Kingdom. Just keep believing.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Labeled Jabali Upanishad - but this is how I see
his face after being turned down by Rama 

Bibliography:

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana.

Author's Note:

I like to shorten and change the character names. This is a retelling of Rama and Jabali's encounter when Bharata goes into the forest to request that Rama return. Jabali was a type of priest advisor to Dasharatha who shows that he does not have the same faith as most characters do in the story. I decided to turn it into a layman's term extended version.
 

Reading Notes: PDE Version Ramayana Part B

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana

I am so surprised that all the brothers never express jealousy of Rama, it is just accepted that he is the best and meant for the throne. Laks exiled with him, Bharata wanted to give up the throne or at least exile with him…but where is Shatrughna?

Dash’s broken heart death makes everyone important to his court so sad they lay down for 10 days, talk about overdramatic.

A japa is a mantra, and is done at Dash’s funeral, how about a rap?

I like that Jabali tells Rama to live in the here and now, don’t waste your opportunities and to come back and rule. However, telling Rama there is no Hereafter was not helpful and Rama refused saying the Gods would look down upon him. What if Rama agreed to go back and decided to believe there is no Hereafter? I think that is a bigger story at a later point, once I know his complete story.

Anasuya and Atri interaction with Rama and Sita could be longer and more detailed.

I think it is odd that Brahma grants demons favors or special requests also depending on their devotions.

Rama gets more fancy weapons, maybe turn a later story into more of their use or what happens when Laks tries to use them.

Rama has encountered several Rakshakas that just end up that way due to a curse, spell, or penance. 

He is usually able to give several characters their release to the Holy land.

Characters he has released in some way: Tumburu(Demon Viradha), Kabandha(Demon due to a spell), Shabari(normal person waiting for his arrival as  a promise to the saints)

I really think more of a back story of Jatayu the Vulture King might be interesting.

Image Source : Jatayu Nature Park website
Concept of Bird sculpture at park when completed 

Bibliography:

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana.

Jatayu Nature Park Website

Reading Notes: PDE Version Ramayana, Part A

This set of notes looks a lot like I am taking them to prepare myself for a test, but it is the way that I think. I have to logically assign out certain "facts" before I can get creative.

Basics to help me understand:

Hindustan = 2 kingdoms.

Kingdom 1 = Koshala whose King was Dasharatha(dad of Rama), Kingdom 2=Mithula - Ruled by Janaka(dad of Sita)

Capital city=Ayodyha full of rich and happy people…What if I flip this city, make it poor or ugly and everyone sad?

Kaushalya mom of Rama, Kaikeyi of mom of Bharata, and Sumitra mom of the twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

Chief baby mama=Kaushalya killed the horse upon the altar

Ashwapati- lord of horses, dad of Kaikeyi who is owner of Manthera

Brahmin – Vashishtha told Dasharatha that his son, Rama had marks of Vishnu

Lanka=island where Ravana(boss of all rakshasas) lives

Yama=God of Death (slave of Ravana)

Agni(Sun) Vayu(Moon) also subjects to Ravana

Story understandings:

Maharajah Dasharatha was sad because he couldn’t knock up any of his three wives(Kaushalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra.) with a boy, so they performed a horse sacrifice which is common in literature.

Those in attendance: Gandharvas, the celestial saints, the Siddhas, and seven Deva-rishis.

Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Indra (and his Maruts)

Total plot twist! Vishnu is going to be reborn as one of Dasharatha’s sons

Vishnu clued the other gods into who could hurt the Demon King(apes and men) and said that he would be reborn as Dasharatha’s sons

Maricha and Subahu were always causing probs at ceremonies - Vishvamitra, originally a kshatriya, asked Dash for help by sending Rama to intervene

Rama and Lakshmana went to the jungle to kill Thataka, but since she was a female there were hesitant. After maiming her by cutting off her arms, nose, and ears, Rama killed her while she was invisible.

Rama was given fancy talking weapons the next morning by the Vishvamitra. – A good place to be a butthurt and jealous brother.

While chilling with the brahmins at Vish’s house Subahu and Marichi showed up to ruin another offering. Rama thought of his fancy weapons and boom, they appeared casting Maricha to sea and consuming Subahu with fire. Then he killed all the other demons.

Rama and Sita meet in the King’s garden and is love at first sight…but for Rama, it is love at first sound due to her bracelet around her ankle.

ImageSource – http://nikitagoestoschool.blogspot.com

A side(God-like) test is to string Vishnu’s bow when it works, Parashurama knows that it is Rama avatar of Vishnu

All 4 brothers were wed into the Janaka family

Manthera talked Queen Kai into jealousy and to use her previous favors owed from Dash

Queen Kai is compared to an Apsara or a female spirit of the cloud and waters – beautiful

Dandaka – a jungle of importance. I will use in a story setting.

Wow!! Rama’s wife Sita, and even his brother who was always a sidekick went into exile so they could stay close to Rama.

Dash accidentally killed a hermit’s son due to carelessness when hunting. He was told that he would once lose his beloved son and Dash on his deathbed now believes that Rama’s exile is his payback/penance for his mistake as a young man.

The parents of the dead son threw themselves in the fire no longer willing to live. Dash dies of heartbreak just like Carrie Fisher’s mother.

Bibliography:

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana.