In the scuffle between Sugriva and Vali, Sugriva is indebted
to Rama for interfering in the brother’s fight and serving Vali the final, fatal
blow that led Sugriva to fill his brothers void on the throne. Since Sugriva
usurped his brother’s place of power, he then has the means to repay Rama for
his favor in sending his troops far and wide in search of Sita (who was stolen
by Ravana in Part B). It wasn’t until troops in the South happened upon Sampati,
Jatayu’s (the noble and valiant bird who was vanquished trying to save Sita in
Part B) brother that they learned of Ravana’s location on the island of Lanka.
This is where the story picks up as the monkey named Hanuman, with the support
of his peers who pump him up with the motivational story of his birth, does he leap
“leagues” across the sea toward the rakashasa’s castle where Sita is held
captive. Hanuman’s experience once he arrives is not easy—he himself has to escape
from the demons who set his tail on fire but not before he is able to see and
speak to Sita. On his way back over the ocean to tell of his travels and gather
others, his blazing tail is smothered and soothed by the water. When he reaches
Rama, we learn a little of the fears he is facing as he organizes his plan and
orders his followers to heed dangers of rakshasa magic. At the very end, we get a sense of what the Ravana
is feeling in preparation, and we learn he has a younger brother named Vibhishana.
After being banished by Ravana for his warnings of impending justice, Vibhishana
joins Rama’s forces.
In this part of the Ramayana features a lot of suspenseful
scenes. The theme of brotherhood is made very pain in Part C, with first
Sugriva and Vali’s deadly struggle, and now the future face-off of brothers
Vibhishana and Ravana when Rama comes to Sita’s rescue. I’m interested to see the
conclusion of this recovery escapade. Some of my favorite scenes were those episodes
that had small side stories, like that of the vulture whose wings were scorched
from flying too close to the sun or the one where we heard of Hanuman’s beginnings
and his athletic abilities. Another scene that stood out to me in terms of
content was when Hanuman had finally found Sita in the Ashoka grove; its word
choice was very visually appealing.
Bibliography:
Author: VariousTitle: Ramayana
Source: Public Domain Edition, Web
(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
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