(Image Information: Rama breaking Shiva's bow to win Sita's hand; Source: Wiki)
1.
Two kingdoms - Koshala and Mithila
Ayodhya, Koshala (enriched with prosperous individuals)
King of Koshala is Dasharatha (of the Solar Race)
King of Mithila is Janaka
Dasharatha was upset because he had no male heir
2.
After a horse sacrifice, Dasharatha was promised four sons
3.
Ravana (demon king) was an oppressor of gods
Ocean of Milk (living place of Vishnu)
All four sons of Dasharatha were four parts of Vishnu
4.
Rama was the only son who could overcome the oppression of Ravana
He went with Vishvamitra (rishi) for ten sacrificial days and his brother, Lakshmana
The two brothers are likened to flames
5.
Thataka (rakshasa woman) - ability to become invisible
Rama killed Thataka with his arrow - Rama was granted celestial servants/weapons for his deed
Rama kills Thataka's son after he attacks a sacrificial altar
6.
The concept that individuals wanted their ancestors (sixty thousand sons of Sagara) to rest in Heaven, but couldn't until the Ganges touched their ashes.
7.
Gautam - a hermit who was highly honored by the gods
Indra appeared after the saint left
Indra then fled hearing of Gautam
Gautam's wife was guilty and so Gautam fled from her
Rama rescues Gautham's wife from his oath of damnation
8.
Rama's love at first sight moment with Sita in the King's garden
Sita prayed to one day marry Rama and her pray was believed to be heard
9.
Janaka will give Sita's hand in marriage to whomever can use Shiva's bow
10.
Rama was able to use Shiva's bow and broke it, therefore Rama won Sita's hand
11.
A sage stormed in angry at Rama breaking Shiva's bow, so he had him try Vishnu's bow as well
Rama was able to use Vishnu's bow, so the sage gave praise to Rama
12.
Rama weds Sita and then Lakshman weds Urmila (Sita's sister)
13.
Rama is decided by all to be the next King of Ayodhya
14.
Old nurse of Bharata did not agree to Rama being the next in line for the throne
She had offended Rama when he was a child and so he had action against her
Manthara convinces Kaikeyi to use her two favors the Maharajah promised her to not have Rama sit
on the throne and for her son to be exalted
15.
The Queen Kaikeyi does what Manthara says and demands that Bharata in place for the throne, while Rama is exiled
The Maharajah grants this but rejects Queen Kaikeyi and Bharata
16.
Rama is banished for fourteen years
Kaikeyi is cold, while Dasharatha is silent and sorrowful
17.
Sita and Lakshman convince Rama to let them go with him into the forest for fourteen years
Rama is made to wear a robe of bark, which shows that he is a devotee
18.
The depart for the forest and cross the Ganges
Lakshman comforts Rama so he stops crying and claims that he cannot be without Rama and doesn't
wish to be even in Heaven without him
19.
Retells an event that happened to Dasharatha (he killed a hermit who was taking care of his parents and so they jumped onto his funeral pyre to accompany him in death)
20.
Dasharatha dies two nights after Rama leaves
Bibliography
Public Domain - http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/search/label/PDE%20Ramayana
Romesh Dutt - # 10, 12, 15, 19
F. J. Gould - # 8 & 11
Ralph T.H. Griffith - # 7
Donald A. Mackenzie - # 1-3, 5, 9-10, 14-17, 19 & 20
Sister Nivedita - # 4, 13 & 18
John Campbell Oman - # 6
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