Journal 4

Rama sympathized with Sugreva when Sugreva tells him how his brother tried to kill him. I think Rama relates tothis. Rama was given power but then was thrown into exile. Sugreva tried to give power Back to his brother. Rama probably sympathizes with this because his situation is similar. Vali took sugrevas wife forcibly. Rama simpathized with this part of the situation because his own wife was taken from him. Ravana taking Sita was one of the biggest reasons that Rama helped Sugreva. I think Vali was in the wrong. Vali did not listen to his brother when he came home. Even with the misunderstanding Vali was in the wrong when he took Sugreveas wife.

The event reminds me of the situation in Israel. Israel is one small country fighting to stay alive. Vali is like all of the Arabic countries surrounding it. Sugreva is fighting to stay Alive. In the end sugreva asks Rama for help. This is like the United States helping Israel

Journal 6

The fact that all of the weapons are used in the final battle shows that the final battle is spiritual rather than a literal battle. Rama and Ravana both use asthras which are magical weapons given to them by the gods. Rama magically has a counter for each one of Ravana's asthras. Thi9s shows that this is a battle of the wise versus the ignorant. Ravana throws weapons that are used as evil even though they don't have to be. Rama is considered the wise one in the battle. Instead of attacking Ravana he uses his weapons to just evade Ravana's attacks. By doing this, Rama makes Ravana agry. While angry Ravana makes mistakes. These mistakes cost him his life. In the end Wisdom defeated ignorance. One of Rama's weapons is even called Gnana which means wisdom.

Chapter 7 & 8

I do think women cause a lot of the difficulties in society. Sita causes all of Rama's problems in the second half of the story. Sita's wants preceeded all common sense on Rama's part. Sita makes Rama try to catch a golden deer. If it weren't for Sita, Rama would have stayed at camp and not gone chasing after a deer. If Rama had been able to protect Sita then he would not have to go on a wild goose chase across the world looking for her. Females also caused problems in the monkey kingdom. Tara practically caused the second monkey fight. Tara told Vali not to go after his brother. By saying that a fight was destined to be. By telling Vali to back down went completely against the male ego. Tara was also one of the reasons that Rama shot Vali. Rama decided that forcibly take Tara as his wife was evil. Rama had to kill al evil so he shot him with an arrow. At least in this book women cause problems for society

Ramayana 1&2

Divine being Imminent
1) pg 11 The woman I speak of was the daughter of Suketha, a yaksha, a demigod...
2) pg 11 Formerly God Vishnu himself killed Kyathi

Appearances being Illusory
1) pg 11 ...all dead and fossilizied, the serpent and elephant alike...
2) pg 12 He pulled out trees by the roots and flung them about...
3) pg 13 Thereby also inaugurating Rama's life mission to destroy evil

Ramayana Chapter 4

"You should not be offering yourself like this in matrimony" (Ramayana p 69)
Rama is speaking to Ravanas sister, Kamavalli. This statement shows something about Ramas morals and Dharma. This quote relates to the fact that he is royalty. His first two objections to marriage were that of them being in different classes. His status forces these morals. It also shows that Rama is a kind person. Rama is trying to let the demon down as easily as he can.

"Rama said simply, 'Go away before your tongue utters worse words, which may bring you more harm. Go back to your own people." (Ramayana p 73)
This quote shows that Rama is blanketly calm and kind but will be forceful while protecting those he loves. Rama lets Kamavalli go even after she threatened Sita. He does however warn her that further attempts will not be looked upon so easily. Although Rama lets the demon go he and his brother mutilate her as a deterrent to her trying it again.

That fact that I saw as most disturbing was the birth vs. death rates in this "village." Almost three times as many people are born each year than die. At this rate our world will run out of food water and land. It is a harsh reality but over population will destroy us and the planet on which we live. The rest of the animal kingdom is a link in the food chain. Man is out side this chain. We can have whatever animal we want. The problem however is that we have no predators. Predators keep over population under control. The snake eats the mouse and the eagle eats the snake. In the past man has been the only thing keeping man under control. War and desease is the only thing keeping population under control. In this time of "peace" there is no war on a large scale. It is sad that 4,316 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq but this total is nothing compared to the 418,000 that died during World War 2. Also in this time of "peace" better medicine and the ability to deliver medicine has cured many deseases and allowed the population as a whole to live longer lives. The average life span in the early 1900's was 30-40 years of age. The average life span in the modern age is 67 which gives the world 27-37 more years where three times as many are born than die. The "civilized" world is causing this problem and turning a blind eye to the consequences of their actions and its effects on our world.