Storytelling for Week 6 - Hanuman the Great!

"Oh my dear friend Rama, we must somehow make it across this ocean in order to get to Lanka and save your true love, Sita!", Hanuman exclaims to Rama. Rama, with a look of concern of his face, replies, "I am aware, Hanuman. We must find a way to send one of us over to Lanka to solidify that she is there and alive. Lets have a vote." As Rama's entourage gathers together, Rama explains that there needs to be a vote to determine who, that are capable, to cross the ocean and make it to Lanka to find Sita. Unanimously, Hanuman was voted to take on this challenge because of his monkey-like jumping skills. Afterall, he was in the form of a monkey. Hanuman was flattered, yet nervous. He had never made a jump like this in all of his life. He thought to himself, "This will be the ultimate challenge for me. I must use all of my strength and might to get over this ocean". Everyone had faith in him, and knew that if anyone could do it, it was Hanuman. Rama, especially, was encouraging towards Hanuma, and had little doubt that he could pull this off. After some training time, the day finally came, where Hanuman would make the great jump. He took a magnificent running start, starting from miles back, and jumped with all of his might! So many thoughts were running through his mind as he began this jump, "I don't know if I can do this. I'm not sure if I can live up to my requests.", "I shouldn't be doubting myself, I am Hanuman the great, and I can do anything I set my mind to!". The adrenaline kicked into full gear and Hanuman took off with unrelentless speed and strength. Rama and the rest of the team stood under to watch the attempted jump in awe, it was unlike anything they had ever seen before. As Hanuman made it across the ocean, it was smooth sailing for the most part, but there were some rough spots as well. He became tired and fatigued at one point. He thought he might not make it, and started to have doubts about himself. As he was going down, down, down, something magical happened. A mountain grew up from under the deep ocean waters, giving him a peak to land on. These mountains were named the Mainaka, and ultimately saved Hanuman's life. He was able to catch a good rest before setting off to finish his quest. He took another massive leap and began to make his way across the ocean. He was nearing Lanka, as he could see the lights of the town, when all of a sudden things went black immediately. He had a quick moment of panic. Hanuman had no idea where he was or what had happened. He ultimately realized that he had been swallowed by a sea demon. This makes Hanuman angry, so he retaliates by destroying the demon's heart and smoothly escaping through his ear! He had never been so happy to see daylight in his life. He was becoming closer and closer to shore, and before he knew it his feet were on the ground. Hanuman felt so accomplished and proud of himself. He had completed his task, and knew that Rama and the others would be so proud. After his quick moment of glory, he made the decision to turn into the form of a cat in order to more easily prowl the city. Hanuman does this successfully, and makes his way towards Sita.

Image Information: Hanuman Leaps to Lanka Updownload

Author's Note: I decided to tell the story of Hanuman leaping over the ocean to Lanka, because I wanted to show some of the thoughts that he might have had before, during, and after he made the jump. I wanted to add an emphasis of heroism to his character, and add a little bit different background. I thought this made the story light and simple. 

Buck, William. (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way.

Week 6: Reading Diary B - The Quest to Rescue Sita Continues

Reading Diary Pg. 270-324
The Ramayana by William Buck

Once Hanuman reports the news to Rama, he knows he has to get to Lanka to save her. He struggles with figuring out a plan to cross the sea in order to reach the city. In the midst of this, the Water King, Samudra, rises up and explains that a bridge can be made out of floating rocks across the sea by the monkey, Nala. With this, they get everyone together and one by one help in the making of the bridge to Lanka, until it is finally finished.

Vibhishana seeks to convince Ravana to give Sita back to Rama, and he is quite frankly offended by this. He does not take this lightly. Vibhishana is upset that Ravana has refused to do the right thing and give Sita back, so he sort of takes matters in his own hands by going to Rama and telling him for himself. Rama was skeptical at first, but ultimately decides to trust him. Vibhishana tells Rama all of the information that he knows and agrees to help him, but refuses to fight against his own people. This is understandable and relatable. No matter how angry you get at your loved ones or family members, you ultimately would not want to fight against them. This says a lot about his character.

Rama and his search team head over the bridge to Lanka and begin to make a plan to get Sita. In the meantime, Ravana has his minister, Shuka, a hawk, watching over Rama and his team. They eventually figure this out so Rama sends demon spies in the form of a monkey, which Vibhishana is able to detect.

Ravana uses his magicians to make it look like Rama has had his head chopped off. Ravana shows the head to Sita, and she immediately weeps when she recognizes his exact features. While this is happening, Phrahasta bursts in, not realizing what is going on, and exclaims that Rama has arrived in Lanka. Sita then realizes that this has been a sick prank.

Ravana wants war with Rama. He attacks Rama's forces, but Rama and his team are able to overpower him. when they are defeated, Rama awakens his brother, Kumbhakarna, who actually urges Ravana to give Sita back to Rama, as he believes it is wrong to take another man's wife. He eventually agrees to attack Rama though. This ended up being a bad choice, because Rama chops his head off, killing him. Ravana's son, Indrajit, get killed in battle by Rama's forces, leaving only himself left to fight Rama.

Week 6: Reading Diary A - The Search for Sita

Reading Diary Pg. 219-270
The Ramayana by William Buck

This reading begins with Hanuman telling the story of Sita's abduction to Jambavan. During this time, a new character is introduced. Jatayu's brother, Sampati, overhears the part of the story where Jatayu was involved, and unfortunately killed. Sampati is still grieving his brother, but remarks that he had actually seen Ravana flying over to Lanka. Lanka is a town that is across the ocean, and therefore hard to reach. Sita's search team decides that Hanuman should be the one to jump across the ocean to reach Lanka, since he is a monkey.

As Hanuman leaps across the ocean, he encounters some obstacles. He becomes tired and lands on the mountain Mainaka, which has been hiding under the ocean from Indra for years, and rises to give Hanuman a rest. As he almost finished his leap, the female rakshasa Sinhika rose up and swallowed Hanuman, but he was able to escape by crushing her heart and escaping through her ear.

When Hanuman finally makes it to Lanka, he realizes that he needs to find a way to navigate through the city without being seen so he disguises as a cat. That way he could walk throughout Lanka without being questioned. He makes his way to Ravana's bedroom, where he finds all of his wives. He did not find Sita there. Vayu, the god of wind, directs him towards the ashoka grove, where he would then find Sita.

While Sita is in the ashoka grove, Ravana comes to see her, trying to seduce her and get her to voluntarily admit to want him. Ravana is no longer allowed to rape women, so in order for him to love Sita, she needs to initiate it. Sita ignores Ravana, so he gets angry and walks away. When Sita is alone, Hanuman calls to her and speaks of Rama. She immediately weeps. She gives Hanuman a message to send back to Rama.

As Hanuman leaves Lanka, he decides to make some trouble in the town. Ravana is furious and orders for his head to be chopped off by his brother, Vibhishana. He refuses to chop his head off so Ravana ordered for him to set his tail on fire. He does but Hanuman breaks free and sets the entire town of Lanka on fire. Hanuman checks on Sita, and tells her that Rama will be back for her.