Mythology and Folklore Blog

First Encounter Story source: The Life of Buddha by Andre Ferdinand Herold (1922). Original Source Plot: So there is this prince who was incredible sheltered from the outside world. one day someone told him about how beautiful nature was outside nad he desperately wanted to go outside. The king wanted his son to see no evil so he ordered all the sick and beggars and allowed his son to go out. there was an extravagant chariot made up and the king basically decorated the whole town so that what his son saw would not be how things actually are.  The gods became jealous of all the praise that the prince was reviewing so they sent an old man and made him cross paths with the prince.  The prince was confused at the man as he had never seen anyone elderly. So he asked his charioteer if the man was a monster. The charioteer told him that this was just an old man, and that one day this would happen to the prince too.  Thoughts: I love this story because it is such a crazy, almost...

Rama and Lakshmana ‘dead’ Story source: Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913).           “R…ama… Rama… can you move?” Said Lakshmana.      “Hardly” replied Rama. “I can’t feel my legs.”      “you think this is the end brother?”      “It is never the end. As long as there is breath in my lounges I won’t stop until Ravana is destroyed. This world has been plagued in darkness long enough Lakshmana, and I intend to stop it, whatever the cost. For the enemy is mighty, this is true, but I am Rama. Savior of the land **stands slowly to his feet** and on this day darkness will be reminded once more of the strength of the light” Declared Rama.      Unknown to Rama, Hanuman and company were nearby searching the field for survivors. As Rama stood Hanuman called to those around “come and see, our champion has not fallen! Rama has strength in him yet!”     ...

 Rama Confronts Ravana Story source: Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). Plot: We begin in an intense battle scene. Kumbhakarna is destroyingthe apes and Hanuman.  Thankfully, ram is able to kill him with some flaming arrows. Indrajit made a sacrifice, becaem invisible, and threw down arrows until Rama and Lakshmana pretended to be dead.  Hanuman went that night to check out the battlefield and see what the damage was.  Hanuman grew to a giant to retrieve a mountain and get some healing herbs found there for the apes, Rama and Lakshmana.  The next day they began to fight again and Indrajit was killed.  Ravana was mad about the death of Indrajit because he was Ravanas son.  Ravana wanted to kill Sita as retribution but was convinced to seek revenge on the battlefield.  Ravana almost killed Lakshmana but he was healed by Hanuman. the final day of battle begun and Rama killed Ravana. Thoughts :      This was yet agai...

 The Birth of Rama Story source: Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). I chose this one because I thought it would serve me well to compare with the birth of Jesus I read last week. Pretense: Valmiki went to bathe and saw 2 birds, one was shot by a hunter so he composed a poem for the birds partner of sorrow.  Brahma heard this poem and demanded that Valmiki celebrate the story of Rama and therefore he composed the Ramayana. Plot : There were 2 kingdoms, one ruled by the father of Rama the other ruled by the father of Sita.  Unfortunately, Dasaratha (father of Rama) was unable to have a son by any of his 3 wives. So he began a horse sacrifice to intrigue the gods to provide.  After the horse was free to roam for a year it was sacrificed in a massive sacrifice to the gods.  The gods said he would have 4 sons because his festival sacrifice was so nice.  The gods go back to their dwelling to discuss the fight against Ravana the demon king....