The Ramayana Essay

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The Ramayana, an Indian epic, recounts the god Vishnu’s incarnate life as Rama. Rama was a son of the Emperor of the Kosala country named Dasaratha, and was chosen by Sage Viswamithra to go on a journey with him. During his journey Rama met Sugreeva, the brother of the ruler of a giant monkey race in Kiskinda named Vali. Sugreeva and Vali had a falling out, and to spare his life Sugreeva was confined to a mountain where his brother could not step foot because of a curse. Rama feels a sympathetic connection toward Sugreeva and was instantly willing to aid him in killing Vali, regardless of the fact that anyone who faced Vali lost half of their power to Vali. Rama devised a plan to lure Vali to Sugreeva for a fight to kill Vali so that Sugreeva could then take the throne and aid in finding Rama’s stolen wife Sita. Rama instructs Sugreeva as follows: “You will now go forward alone and call out Vali for a fight. I will stand aside unseen and shoot my arrow into him at the right moment” (Narayan, 1977). It can be understood why Rama would shoot his arrow at Vali from a hidden position because of Rama’s promise to Sugreeva and the understanding of Rama’s victim. In addition, the loss of power Rama would’ve experienced had he been seen by Vali and how even in today’s world and society actions such as Rama’s exist also aids in the understanding of why Rama shot Vali from a hidden position. The justice of Rama’s method may be questionable since he took Vali’s life hidden from him with no knowledge on Vali’s part that Rama was even present. It can be seen that Rama blindsided him, yet this can be justified. Rama made a promise to Sugreeva and Rama had to do whatever it took to keep his promise. Rama’s brother Lakshmana put it very well: Rama had made a vow to support your brother Sugreeva when he came seeking refuge. This was a prior promise and had to be
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