Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part A

(Rama and Sita in what appears to maybe be the forest. Photo by Barry Silver)

I have read the PDE version of Ramayana part A. These are my notes.

PDE Ramayana, Week 3:

• Part A: The story line of this section is that the Dasharatha, king of Koshala, had no heirs. Therefore, he and his three wives made some sacrifices and participated in some rituals, and soon Dasharatha had four sons. One of his sons, Rama, was stunning in every way. Rama met a girl named Sita, and they eventually got married. Dasharatha decided to make Rama the official heir, but some people protested this idea, and in the end Rama was exiled to a forest for 14 year, with him went his wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshmana.
• Sita, by F.J. Gould, found in The Devine Archer:
• This story basically just explains who Sita is, and how she met Rama.
• The story is told in third person most of the time.
• The story starts with a detailed description of the setting in the moment.
• I would not personally say there was a lot of action.
• There were some first person dialogues, in fact it ends in a dialogue from Rama.
• Rama Wins Sita, by Donald A. Mackenzie, found in Indian Myth and Legend:
• This story is about Rama winning a challenge set up by Sita's father. Sita was the prize of this challenge, and so Sita was soon to become Rama's wife.
• This story is also told in third person most of the time, with a few first person quotes here and there.
• This story also had a poem format.
• For me this was probably one of the stories with the most action.
• It also had some old language phrases, which were very beautiful.
• This particular episode ended with a dialogue of declaration from Janak, Sita's father.
• Rama the Heir Apparent, by Sister Nivedita, found in Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists:
• This episode is about Dasharatha choosing Rama as his heir, however, many people protested this.
• This tale is also in third person for the most part.
• It starts out with Dasharatha making his decision in his head.
•  I would say there is action, but it is not fast action.
• This episode ends with orders being given.
• Crossing the River, by Sister Nivedita, found in Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists:
• This tale is about Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana crossing the river into the forest to begin their 14 years of being exiled.
• This episode is mostly told in third person once again.
• This episode starts with horseback traveling to the river.
• It also gives a very detailed setting of Ganga.
• I would say this story had mild action.
• This episode closes with the trio going to bed the first night in the forest.