Reading Notes: The Ramayana by R.K. Narayan Part B

Notes:

• Two Promises Revived (continued) 

Rama's exile is too much for the King to handle and he dies. On Bharatha's way home I could do a spin off story, maybe he notices something off... he is the only one not aware of the news anyway.

Maybe do a plot twist when Bharatha returns, maybe he did plan Rama;s exile but made it look like his mother, Kaikeyi did planned the whole scheme.

• King Dasaratha's Funeral 

Maybe create a spin off story at he funeral. Go into more detail about the lighting of the Pyre. A fight amongst the brothers.

• Searching for Rama

When Bharatha finds Rama in the forest it can be under different conditions. Maybe the town does not follow or their conversation takes a turn for the worse.
Bharatha agrees to rule for 14 years while Rama is in exile but he does not like the idea. Maybe instead of Bharatha not wanting to rule he likes the idea.
Rama gives Bharatha his sandals as a symbol but maybe in my story he gives him something else as a symbol for him to rule on behalf on.

• Encounters in Exile

Lakshmana builds a beautiful house out of earth but they had to move on. Maybe create a story about Lakshmana's house building and how Rama did not even know his brother could build like that.

Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita meet Jatayu a Great Eagle. Jittery is now their protector. Maybe in my story he is a different animal.

Rama then encounters Ravana's sister, Soorpanaka (this is why he was reincarnated to begin with, to kill Ravana) and she is extremely beautiful but maybe in my story she can change forms to be appealing to whoever is looking at her. Or maybe she convinces Rama to marry her but it takes his wife to break her spell and Lakshmana mutilating her.
This angers Soorpanaka's brothers and they try to fight Rama. After two battles Rama and Lakshmana defeat them and kills Sorrpanaka and Ravana's brother. Maybe in my story I can elaborate on the battles.

• The Grand Tormentor

Maybe elaborate on the story of how the Gods became slaves to Ravana.
Ravana lusts for Sita but maybe in the story I can create another reason for Ravana wanting to seize her, maybe to bring Rama to him because he knows Rama will save Sita no matter what.

Ravana is now tormented by love and wants Sita, maybe go into a little more detail about this and his demand for changing seasons and weather.
Raven must have Sita so he convinces Mareecha to draw Rama and Lakshmana away, maybe Mareecha takes a different form than a golden deer maybe a golden bird or something or maybe instead of drawing Rama and Lakshmana away, Sita is drawn away.

Ravana approaches Sita: Painting from Wikimedia Commons

Bibliography: The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic by R.K.        Narayan