Cultural Experiences

          Sita, the wife of Rama (also known as Ramayana) was taken by rakshasa women who kept her locked away in the palace of the villain referred to as Ravana in vengeance towards Rama. Rama and Ravana clash head to head very often and as a result of Rama winning the battle against Ravana, Ravana decided to take something that Rama held very close to him and guarded with his life. Sita is known for her gentle and praising beauty as the author puts it. Ravana tried over and over to win her over from Rama and tried going about it a different way. He tried sweet talking her to choose him over her soulmate, Rama. Ravana kept praising her beauty, intelligence, looks, vocals, etc. to win her over as he couldn’t win her over by forcing her into having her fall in love with him.            Sita in a way was like Princess Fiona from Shrek being locked away in a castle and playing prisoner till she gets saved. She was p...

Ramayana Part B Notes - Narayan: city of Ayodhya (on the river Sarayu) in the kingdom of Koshala. - Dasharatha: the king, assisted by his mentor, Vashishtha. - doesnt have any children and assisted by the advisor. - gods need human who can kill Ravana (10 headed rakshasa). - Ravana: obtained divine protection against gods, underworld creatures. - and amongst supernatural beings. - didnt request protection against mortal men or monkeys. - Vishnu agrees to become incarnate. - Rama = avatar of Vishnu. - Vashishtha advises that yagna = sacrifice performed by Rishyashringa. - Rishyashringa: power to bring rain and end droughts. - he obtains a special rice from the sacrifice and gives it to his wives. - his wife Kaushalya: gives birth to Rama. - Kaikeyi: gives birth to Bharata. - Sumitra: gives birth to Lakshmana and Shatrughna. - Vishvamitra was once king but became a sage. - arrives at court and asks to take Rama to battle demons. - Thataka was not always a demon. - ya...

Kubera - Pulastya: son of Brahma. - Brahma marries Trinabindhu. - Trinabindhu + Brahma = Vishrava (Kubera). - Brahma intrigued by Kubera and makes him the guardian of the world and of wealth. - gives him the flying chariot, and advises him to live in Lanka. Lanka - Vayu: wind god. - Vasuki: cosmic serpent. - Vayu blew Vasuki off the peak of the mountain. - made it land in the sea (origin of Lanka) - home of the rakshasas. Rakshasas - Brahma felt hungry and gave birth to Praheti. - Praheti: yaksha, Heti, rakshasa. - Heti's son married Bhaya, sister of Yama. - son of Heti is Vidyutkesa and abandoned the baby. - traveled to Lanka and lived in a city built of pure gold designed by Vishvakarma. Lanka in India These are some of the temples located around the area and showcase the amount of devotion that people give to the gods and goddesses they believe in and pray to. Kubera in Lanka - many gods went to Vishnu for help. - Vishnu rode on Garuda...