SOUTH ASIAALLIES
Rama’s greatest allies in the rescue of Sita were Sugreeva,
Hanuman, and their army of monkeys. Hanuman’s great
strength and powers of shape-changing and flight proved
invaluable. He made two journeys to Lanka, the first to
locate Sita, and the second to help Rama defeat Ravana and
rescue his wife. Having found Sita on the first journey, he
was discovered by Ravana’s guards who set his long tail on
fire, but he survived, setting Lanka ablaze as he escaped.
During the final battle in Lanka, many of Rama’s warriors,
including Lakshmana, were killed. Hanuman fetched a
magic herb from the Himalayas to revive them. He was
rewarded with everlasting youth for his devotion to Rama.The final battle
During the battle, whenever Rama cut off a head or
arm of Ravana, a new one grew in its place. Finally,
Rama used a celestial weapon given by Brahma.The death of Jatayu
When Ravana abducted Sita, an old vulture called Jatayu tried
to save her. Jatayu attacked the demon king and destroyed
his chariot, but Ravana cut off his wing, so killing him.Sugreeva fighting Vali
Since Sugreeva and Vali looked alike,
Rama told Sugreeva to wear a garland
so that Rama could identify him.Hanuman carrying the mountain
Hanuman was unsure which magic herb
would revive Lakshmana, so returned to
Rama with the entire mountain of herbs.Hanuman found Sita imprisoned on the island fortress of
Lanka. Its location made Lanka diicult to attack, as did the
fact that Ravana had an entire army of demons. Hanuman and
his monkeys built a bridge over the sea so that they could
attack Lanka. In a series of battles, Rama, Lakshmana,
Hanuman, and the other monkeys killed the most fearsome
demons. Finally, Rama slew Ravana and rescued Sita. Then
Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana returned home.
Rama was unsure about accepting Sita as she had been a
captive of Ravana. Hurt and distressed, Sita ofered to walk
through fire to prove her chastity. She emerged unscathed, but
back in Ayodhya, a chance remark by a washerman prompted
Rama to doubt Sita again. She sought refuge in the hermitage
of the sage Valmiki, where she gave birth to twin boys. Years
later, Rama recognized them as his sons and invited his wife
to return after another trial by fire. Tired of constantly having
to prove her chastity, Sita appealed to Mother Earth to take
her back. On hearing her cry, the ground opened up
and Sita disappeared into it.SURPANAKHA
One day, a female demon named Surpanakha lusted after
Rama and Lakshmana, and made advances towards them.
When the brothers rejected her, she tried to attack Sita, and
Lakshmana retaliated by cutting of her nose. Surpanakha was
infuriated at the way Rama and Lakshmana had treated her,
so she went to her brother Ravana, the ten-headed demon
ruler of Lanka, and incited him to abduct Sita in revenge.
Ravana sent a demon disguised as a golden deer to distract
Rama and Sita. When Sita wished to have the creature as a
pet, Rama went of in pursuit of the deer. Ravana then tricked
Lakshmana into following Rama and, having approached
Sita disguised as a hermit, carried her of to Lanka.RAMA AND HANUMAN
Rama and Lakshmana began their search
for Sita. On their journey through the
forest, they came across the monkey
god Hanuman, who served Sugreeva,
the monkey king. Sugreeva, like
Rama, was also in exile. His brother
Vali had taken his place as king.
Hanuman asked for Rama’s help
in removing the usurper. Sugreeva
challenged Vali to a duel, during
which Rama killed Vali. His kingdom
restored, Sugreeva agreed to aid Rama.
Hanuman decided to help in rescuing
Sita. Parties of monkeys were sent out to
search for her. After many adventures,102