Indian Epics

Author’s Note: There are so many characters who you get a tiny bite out of in the Ramayana.  Many of them are interesting and have wonderful and complex stories behind them.  In the story of Hanuman and Medicine Hill there is a brief mention of the Himalaya as Hanuman and his heroics are the main focus of the story since it is meant to progress the Ramayana plot.  However, since Indian myths personify nature like the Himalayan mountain range (AKA King of Mountains Himavath) there is a definite backstory that can be explored about the different characters and the natural elements in the stories.  I chose to explore the personality of the Himalaya so this story is told from third person focusing on his point-of-view.  Since he comes in at around the middle of the myth from the Ramayana, this story opens with Hanuman picking Himavath/Himalaya out of the ground. The Range of a Mountain/A Mountain’s Travels Himalaya is the King of the Mountains.   H...

Reading C: The Armies Ramayana I loved the visual of the apes and bears marching.   I think that would be an awesome image to try and replicate. I also really enjoy how much Rama cares for Sita, how much he is working to get her back.   It appears to be a very loving and mutual relationship.   There isn’t much characterization of Rama himself in this story, other than his desire to retrieve his wife. You really learn about Sugriva, King of the Vanars, in this story.   He’s drinking wine and having fun with his wives instead of fulfilling his promise to Rama.   Because he is acting like a sloth, Rama gets rather upset and sends his brother Lakshmana to tell Sugriva off.   I think this interaction could be interesting to explore.   Lakshmana frightens Sugriva so much that he “speedily” gathers his armies of apes and bears. Lakshmana’s ability to really frighten Sugriva, a king of Bears and Apes, makes me wonder what he could have don...