Week 3 Reading Diary B

·         Hanuman crosses the ocean into Lanka and almost mistakes Ravana’s wife, Mandodari, for Sita.

·         He then finds Sita in the Ashoka Vana pleasure gardens.

·         She is guarded by demons but he manages to give to her Rama’s ring. In exchange, she gives him some jewelry that she had saved.

·         Hanuman then proceeds to wreak havoc and destroys the Ashoka Vana.

·         Indrajit “captures” Hanuman and takes him to Ravana. They attempt to negotiate but to no avail so Ravana lights Hanuman’s tail on fire.

·         Hanuman then burns down Lanka to the ground with his tail (city is rebuilt).

·         Vibhishana is exiled by Ravana and goes to seek refuge with Rama. Rama takes him in and in exchange, Vibhishana gives Rama advice on how to attack Lanka.

·         Rama goes to the sea god in hope that it will let Rama build a bridge to cross into Lanka. The sea god agrees and a bridge is built with the help of men, monkeys, and a variety of other animals.

·         In the meantime, Ravana tries to trick Sita by showing her a decapitated head of Rama but she doesn't buy it this time. She knows how Ravana is full of trickery.

·         Rama begins the attack on Lanka but is struck by poison darts and faints with Lakshmana.

·         Garuda helps Rama overcome the poison darts and eventually Rama strikes Ravana in the heart which kills him.

·         Rama tests Sita to ensure that she is still pure.

·         Rama returns to Ayodhya as King.

Ravana; Wikimedia