Reading Notes: The Divine Archer, Part A

Notes taken based on "The Divine Archer" by F. J. Gould in 1911.

I appreciate prose versions of texts. It always seems like I never get a fully adequate understanding on my first read through of the original version. It's on the second read through of a different version that helps fill in the gaps.

Rama and Lakshmana
taken from Wikipedia
Section 1 
The Divine Archer

 The birth of Rama...it feels like so long ago that we began this journey through the Ramayana. And here we are again. The gods are overjoyed and everyone is happy due to Rama's birth. And of course, the scene with Kaushalya, seeing her baby transform into a cosmic being for an instant. But of course, this is just normal for a mother, right? A mother always sees greatness in her son.

Rama and Lakshmana - name a more iconic duo. I always enjoy reading about the two brother's adventures because they're so loyal to each other.

Section 2
Rama and Sita meet, and it's love at first sight. There's a contest to string a bow. Whoever does it can marry Sita. No one can do it, but of course, Rama not only bends the bow, but shatters it - the shatter heard 'round the world. Then some random hermit dude shows up and is all like, "Yo, bend this bow - it's Vishnu's." And the bow, when Rama touches it, instantly just strings itself up. Then the hermit guy disappears, never mentioned again as to who he was or where he went.


Section 3
Dasharatha needs an heir, and of course, Rama is the top choice, not just by his own standards, but everyone loves Rama. Everyone except Manthara, Queen Kaikeyi's evil servant. Kaiyeki is Bharata's mother and because she saved Dasharatha's life once, he granted her two wishes. Manthara convinces her to use these wishes to make Bharata king and exile Rama! But Rama, being the upright son he is, obeys willingly and goes into exile. Sita and Lakshmana join him because they are loyal.

I always wondered about this part. I mean, I respect Rama's decision to follow his father's command, but righteously, it would've been fine if he returned, especially after Bharata comes and gets him. Instead, he leaves the kingdom without a king for 14 years.

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