Epic Observations About Indian...Epics.

Ravana's owner had just brought home two new kittens. He could smell them through the bedroom door. His owner had cooed to him about keeping them separate until they got used to each other's scents, and fed him near the door, so that he would be near them. It wasn't going to work, though. This was his house, and he didn't want to share. It was a few days before his owner scooped him and carried him into the living room, scratching him under the chin the whole way. It was enough to temporarily distract him, that is, until she set him down next to two frolicking kittens. They paused their play to watch him with wide eyes that were too big for their little heads. They abandoned their toys to sniff Ravana. "Ravi, this is Sita and Rama. They're going to live with us, okay? You be sweet to them." Ravana refused to make eye contact with his owner or the kittens, who were now circling him curiously. He would bide his time, then he would teach these newco...

Hamuman watches Sita awhile before he rescues her and sees Sita refuse Ravana. Sita's about ready to hang herself. Hamuman let's himself be captured to tell Ravana about Rama and urge him to change his ways? Hamuman sets everything but the trees that Sita sits under on fire. Vibishana betrays his brother Ravana and goes to seek Rama. They all throw crap into the sea, even the little squirrels, and the god of the sea arranged it into a bridge so they can cross to Lanka. The sleeping brother and the invisible son. Omens: his bow strings suddenly snapped, mountains shook, thunder rumbled, horses cried, elephants moved dejectedly. "Sita was overjoyed. She had been in a state of mourning all along, completely neglectful of her dress and appearance, and she immediately rose to go out and meet Rama as she was.  But Hanuman explained that it was Rama's express wish that she should dress and decorate herself before coming into his presence." (161). And she told hi...

Ravana gets to Sita by taking care of her charity. They have fairies of the woods? The younger monkey, Sugreeva, asks Rama to help him kill his brother who is unjustly murderous. Rama does, and when Vali is shot he has to be explained to why Rama wasn't unjust. "When the Rains Cease" -- "Yes, later. The rainy season is coming. At the end of it, come with an army. There will be time enough." (116) "Women can lead one to death," (115). Wow, what a crock. Manmatha, god of love. Lakshmana, upon meeting the women of Sugreeva's court, is reminded of his mothers, and nearly weeps. "I will not describe to you her waist, which is, as it should be, delicate and unseen." (126) No, nu-uh, no bueno. snmky-009.jpg by Koji Ishii Narayan, R. K., The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Version of the Indian Epic.  (Reading Guide)