Reading Notes: Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition Part A

There are 2 kings: Dasharatha and Janaka. 

Dasharatha ruled over Koshala and was father of Rama, who was actually Vishnu, and three other sons.

Janaka ruled over Mithila and was father of Sita who was the wife of Rama and the avatar of Vishnu's wife.

The capital of Koshala was Ayodhya

The horse sacrifice ritual was used to solidify the king’s position and was also used to "ask" for sons to carry on the kind's legacy.

After the sacrifice, the king was said to have 4 sons. One of which is Rama, who is the reincarnation of Vishnu

Rama got weapons that talked to him, which is cool

The Ganges river alludes to Ganga, whose water was said to wash the body of impurities after death

I could write an interesting love story between Rama and Sita that spans various lifetimes, similar to Suzanne Weyn's Reincarnation.

The "game" that Rama had to win to win Sita was interesting and could be a possible storyline.

I'm kind of curious as to why Sita was the avatar of Vishnu's wife. I thought only Vishnu descended.

I could also write about the situation where the king chose rama and the possible results of that decision.

A first person narrative could be written from Manthara's point of view regarding her hate for Rama.

The loss of his son was Dasharatha's karma which poses an interesting topic for a story. I could write about what he did that caused him to have to suffer this consequence.

Bibliography:

Author: Public Domain

Title: Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

Link: Ramayana

Rama break's Shiva's bow to win Sita.

Illustration by Evelyn Paul. Source: Indian Epics Images.