Reading Notes: Divine Archer Part A and B

 

Author: Cornelia Blakemore Warner Fund, Date: 490, Description: Divine Archer, Link

Divine Archer

Author: F.J. Gould, Date: 1911, Link

    The reading that I decided to do for this assignment was "The Divine Archer" by F.J. Gould. Essentially, this is the shortened or abridged version of the entire epic. I believe that it goes through the main events in an organized manner and doesn't omit the key facts and details during the sections. 

    Section one consists of the initial part of the epic where the setting and plot are explained. It kind of glances over the fact that the king was not able to have any male heirs to the throne and goes right into introducing the four sons. We learn that Rama is the main character in the story and is favored by the gods. The section continues with the readers learning about Vishvamitra asking Rama and Lakshmana to kill demons. They end up doing so, entering the city afterward, and we are introduced to Sita.

    Section two's main focus is about Rama and Sita's relationship. We learn about the tournament that Sita's father holds in order to find a suitor for her to marry. The person who is able to bend Shiva's bow will be allowed to marry Sita. After he bends the bow, Parashurama comes out and asks who bent the bow. Rama then bends Vishnu's bow and he gets the approval to marry Sita. The marriage ceremony happens and every son in Rama's family gets a wife.

    Section three is about the succession of the new king. We learn that one of the servants, Manthara tricks one of the king's wives to banish Rama from the kingdom. Instead of becoming the next heir, the king is replaced with Bharata. Rama is banished and Lakshmana and Sita come to join him in his exile.

    Section four is about the initial exile phase. They end up meeting a hermit called Valmiki who tells them to live on Chitrakuta. In the city, the king finally dies and we learn about the hunting accident where he shot an arrow and killed a boy. He was cursed by the father that he would lose a son. Bharata comes back to the city not knowing everything that happened. He is angry after hearing the news and tries to get Rama to come back. Rama says no, hands him a pair of slippers, and the story continues.

    Section five is about meeting Ravana. Rama and the gang get nice divine weapons from Agastya. Soon after, a demon falls in love with Rama and tries to get with him. Rama says no and she gets mad, sends a demon army to attack the gang. Rama defeats all of them and Lanka gets Ravana to come help. He gets Maricha to help trick, Rama. Maricha disguises himself as a golden deer and Sita gets tricked.

    Section six involves Ravana and Sita. Sita gets separated from the brothers and Ravana takes this time to try to get Sita to marry him instead. She says no and he gets angry. He decides to kidnap her and force her to like him. The holy vulture Jatayu sees this and tries to save Sita, but he gets his wings ripped off by Ravana. Jatayu tells Rama what happened before he dies. Rama meets Sugriva and Hanuman. 

PART B

    Section 7 involves the initial search for Sita. Hanuman is tasked with finding Sita's location. He eventually finds a vulture names Sampati. He is coincidentally Jatayu's brother and knows where Sita is. He says that Ravana and Sita are in Lanka where Ravana rules. Hanuman goes to Lanka and find Vibhishana. He is shown the location of Sita and he gives her Rama's ring to let her know that he is looking for her. Hanuman is captured and brought to Ravana's court.

    Section 8 is when the city gets burned down. Ravana wants to kill Hanuman, but decides to set his tail on fire instead. Because of this, most of the city is burned down. After this happens, he goes back to Sita and gets something from her. We then transition to Rama and his army preparing for war and the infamous bridge scene where Rama shoots arrows into the river.

Section 9 is about the conclusion of the conflict and Rama's ascension to the throne. Rama's army attacks and it takes days of battle to finish the fight. Rama is given Indra's chariot and weapons to use to kill Ravana. After Sita is found, Rama insists that she prove that she is still a virgin. Sita ends up being banished because nobody will believe her side. We learn about Sita's two boys in exile and see both her and Rama going back to heaven.