Reading Notes: Ramayana Part A

Rama breaking the bow of Shiva. Source: Wikipedia

Rama: Avatar of Vishnu, by Donald A. Mackenzie

Dasharatha had been told he would have sons, which the gods would provide.  The god's must deal with Ravana, who was impervious to them and their methods, because he was enslaving the gods and causing them problems.  Vishnu decides to take the form of mortal man to take on Ravana because he can be beaten by man or ape.  He becomes the 4 sons of Dasharatha that were promised with Rama being the most beautiful and powerful.

Rama Wins Sita, by Donald A. Mackenzie and Romesh Dutt

In an earlier story Rama met Sita in a garden when he was exploring the city and instantly fell in love.  Sita was an avatar of the goddess Lakshmi whom Vishnu was also loved, so the match was inevitable and predestined.  Sita's father, the King, decides to hold a contest to determine who is worthy of his daughter Sita.  The challenge is to bend a great bow of the god Shiva.  Many had tried and failed including many Rakshasas.  Rama, determined to win Sita, decides to take on the challenge.  To spectators amazement, Rama Strings the bow with ease and bends it back so far that it snaps in two right in the middle.  He beats the challenge with ease when others can't come close and wins Sita for himself. 

Manthara and Kaikeyi, by Donald A. Mackenzie

Upon hearing that Rama will be named the next king, Manthara, servent of the youngest wife of Dasharatha begins to plot to prevent this from happening so she will not have to serve under Rama or Sita.  She convinces Kaikeyi to call in her boons she is owed by the king to instead have Bharata, the king's youngest son, as the heir apparent instead of Rama.  Manthara hated Rama because he smote her early in his life when she did something he didn't like.