Extra Credit Reading Notes

• Ayodhya is the capital of the country of Kosala.
• Kosala, beautiful large country which had a very large river running through it.
• Ayodhya contained many fountains, palaces, mansions and squares.(Imagine the giant city from Tangled) 
• King Dasaratha was a great king who ruled fairly over the country, but sadly was childless.
• Ravana gained powers through prayer and was out to destroy worlds and enslave other gods.
• Vishnu promised to incarnate as Dasaratha's son and defeat Ravana as he could only be defeated by a human.
• After a sacrificial ceremony was performed, Dasaratha's wives gave birth to his children after proper time.
• Viswamithra convinces Dasaratha to allow his son Rama to go with him to Sidhasrama.
• Viswamithra has a great analogy about how if a seed sprouts too close too its parent tree that it will have its growth stunted compared to an overprotective parent.
• Lakshana also accompanied his brother Rama to protect Viswamithra.
• Rama begins his destiny to destroy evil after he kills Thataka with an arrow to the throat.
• Because Vishnu was incarnated currently as Rama, Mahabali seized earth and heaven.
• All the gods affected by Mahabali appeared to Vishnu and begged him to regain their kingdoms.
• Vishnu took birth as brahmin dwarf in response to their appeals.
• Vishnu disguised as a dwarf came to Mahabali and tricked him into giving him a gift of land. Mahabali saw that he was a dwarf and granted Vishnu's request of as much land as he could cover in three strides. After the oath was agreed to the dwarf transformed into a giant and took one step that covered the entire span of earth, the second step covered all of heaven and the third step was right on top of Mahabali's head which sent him to the underworld which disposed of him.
• Thataka kills demons with arrows while Rama protects the sacrificial fire and those who are praying near it.
• Ahayla was to be turned into a piece of granite until Rama passes by her.
• Ahayla was later restored to her earlier form my Rama.
• Rama catches the eye and heart of Sita.
• Rama was also infatuated by Sita and could not stop thinking about her.
• Anyone who was able to lift, bend and string Shiva's bow was deemed fit to marry Sita.
• Rama was not only strong enough/able to bend and string the bow he also broke it when he fired an arrow out of it.
• Rama was then deemed worthy of marrying Sita.
• Rama and Sita were then married in a huge event.
• Dasathra realises that at his age that his reign as king needs to end and that he needs a successor. He names Rama as the next king.
• Kaikeyi reminds Dasathra about the promise that he made to her. Dasathra must now tell Rama that he will no longer be the king and that his brother Bharatha will be king.
• Rama is commanded to leave the kingdom and live in the forests for the next 14 years.
• Everyone in the kingdom mourned the loss of Rama into exile.
  

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Bibliography: Narayan's Ramayana by R.K. Ramayana