Dasaratha

- shoots without looking at what he thinks is elephant drinking water

- it is a boy instead.
*Killing Brahmin is one of greatest sins in society
-injustice to parents of boy, who are blind, as he is supporting them
-he has to tell boy's parents he killed their child, they are devastated
-when king cremates boy, he was asked by parents to put them in fire as well
-they also curse him, that he would be in same condition
He will die when sons not available
He in fact does die in this way
Dasaratha is weak bc never wants to separate from Raama
Is always aware being separated puts him at risk (?)

Lakshmana
-What does he gain from helping Raama?
-Gives up all comforts of life for brother, unimaginable love
-Says he never looked at her wholly, only ever looked at feet
-This is a sign of ultimate respect
-Knows what her anklets looks like bc of this
-Her anklets fall and monkeys have her jewellry, know where she went
-They know its Seeta's bc of Lakshmana

Raama, Lakshmana, Bharatha, who is most selfless?

Satrughana

Kaikeyi
-Is the one who didnt care abt king dying as long as she could hear
conversation
between the animals
-Looks upon him in the same way in this last moments

Sugreev from Surya

Vaali from Indra
Hanumaan from Vaayu (Anjana)

Seeta
-About to give up life, but Hanumaan tells her about Raama

Jaambavaan
Is King of bears. Is in story of Krishna too. Accompanies Hanumaan in search
of Seeta
Has to remind Hanumaan of his powers

Kubeera is Lord of Wealth

-Makes him leave Lanka
-Cursed by woman (Vedavaati?) who was going to marry man she loved
-Raavan sees, abducts, and is to rape her but she curses him
-If he forces himself on woman, his head will split into thousands of pieces
-(Thought maybe she entered fire and reborn as Seeta, not in Vaalmiki R.
though)
- That is why he has to beg Seeta to comply

Vibheeshana & Maarecha

-Close to each other until Seeta abducted
-Raavan throws V out of Lanka, and V becomes friend of Raama

Dharma and Satya

-Two issues present in Vaalmeeki's society
-Dharma "Ultimate right thing to do"
 -What is right thing defined as?

Kula-dharma : tradition or custom followed in family (can differ)

Raaja-dharma: kings duties (ie give kingdom to son, etc)
Desa-dharma: custom in a region
Kaala-dharma: way of life prevailing in a society

Satya: superior to dharma (supreme to dharma bc dharma based in it)