Reading Notes D: Hanuman and the Mountain

I chose the story Hanuman and the Mountain from the Ramayana.

Source. Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914). [300 words]

An interesting character: Fire-God (Agni) smokeless, flickering tongue, bright.

In this story Hanuman carries the Medicine Hill to heal the wounded warriors that are helping Rama after Prince Indrajit uses the Brahma-weapon given to him by the Fire-God to defeat the army.  It is a cool and inventive story, displaying the strength and power of Hanuman.  Hanuman is the Wind-God’s son.
He heals all the “slain and wounded monkeys” but all the rakshasas (warriors for Ravana) are thrown into the sea.  This could make for some beautiful and compelling imagery if I could figure out how to write it in a detailed prose format.  Jambavan, king of the bears, tells Hanuman to get the four life-giving herbs that grow on Himalaya (king of Mountains).  Hanuman has to “bound over the sea” to reach the mountain, which is another piece of the action that could translate beautifully into poetry.
Vibhishana is the brother of Ravana and he tried to tell his brother to return Sita to Rama but Ravana was like “lol no bro.”  He is a Rakshasa himself but he is also a king of Lanka.  He turns on Ravana after a while and goes to help out Rama.  This dynamic is interesting, the denying of brotherly bonds in favor of pursuing the good/helping those chosen by the Gods.

Hanuman can’t find the herbs so he gets too frustrated and picks up the whole mountain.  Honestly, the mountain must have been so shocked.  I think that could also be an interesting character to write a story about.  I am picturing a wise, beared old man-mountain who blearily opens his eyes as Hanuman picks him up.  They burst wide when he realizes he’s no longer connect to the ground.

Image Information: Hanuman carrying the Medicine Hill
Source: Wikipedia

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