Week 2: Reading Diary A, Viswamithra's Journey with his Disciples

On page 3 the countryside is described, as well as a few activities, and the perpetual groan of mills working hard to sustain the life of the people. On page 4 the author describes the descriptions of festivals, weddings, and other celebrations. He writes, “Kamban describes every sound, sight, and smell of the country, even to the extent of mentioning garbage heaps with rows and hens busily scratching and searching them.” Memory is active, and humans construct memory through association. This association can come through setting, smells, and other senses. I think it is interesting that Kamban describes the scene so intricately.

-Vasishtha’s appeal to the Supreme God Vishnu: The ten-headed Ravana and his brothers threatened to destroy “our worlds and enslave us.” (p. 4). So, Vishnu became incarnate as Dasaratha’s son because the ten-headed Ravana and his brothers had not asked for protection from a human.

Viswamithra:

-once a king, a conqueror, and a dreaded name

-renounced his kingly role

-chose to become a sage

-carried himself with a sage’s eminence and a king’s authority

-quick tempered

-positive

-complete mastery of bodily needs , including the effects of heat, cold, hunger, fatigue and decrepitude

He came to the King Dasaratha to request the help of his son Rama. Quite hesitantly the king allows not only Rama but also Lakshmana to become Viswamithra’s disciples.

He is journeying to perform a yagna, and the boys are to be his protection. On the journey, he tells these stories:

Thataka’s Story

-Rama’s arrow pierced the throat of the wild energy, ruthless woman

Mahabali’s Story

-After this story, Wiswamithra performed the sacrifice under the protection of the boys. Asuras assembled in the skies to disrupt the yagna. The demons were armed with deadly weapons, and they flung boiling water on the holy ground. The saints were distraught, but Rama encouraged them to proceed with their prayers.

Ganga’s Story

-After this story, we meet Ahalya. Rama releases her from her imprisonment in a stone.

Ahalya’s Story

-After this story, Viswamithra said to Rama: “O great one, you are born to restore righteousness and virtue to all mankind and eliminate all evil. At our yagna, I saw the power of your arms, and now I see the greatness of the touch of your feet.” (p. 21).

There is a wedding and a coronation. The wedding was between Rama (the incarnate of Vishnu) and Sita (the incarnate of Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort).

Rama is exiled and everyone is distraught.