Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part C

Notes: 

• The Grand Tormentor Con't. 

Here, where Ravana tricks Sita into believing he is an old man so she invites him in her tent but then reveals himself as Ravana, Sita tries to talk him out of taking her.
In a different version I could have Sita put up a fight here. Ravana is use to getting what he wants but Sita will put up a fight making one of his crowns fall and that is how Rama and Lakshmana know which direction Ravana took Sita.

• Vali

Rama and Lakshmana meet Hanuman, ruler of the monkey clan, they become friends.
I think I might like to make their first encounter a little more exciting. Maybe they get into a fight at first and then realize they are fighting friends not foes. Rama and Lakshmana are also introduced to Sugreeva.

Hanuman shows Rama and Sita in his heart by Wikimedia

• Sugreeva's Story

Rama and Sugreeva have a connection because they have similar stories to one another. Sugreeva and Hanuman want to test Rama's abilities they believe he possesses though so he shoots his arrow through 7 trees. Maybe in another version instead of arrow he does something else to prove himself. Maybe a sword or he does it without asking.

I could elaborate on Sugreeva's brother, Vali. Where was he all those years trying to kill Mayavi in the underworld?

• Dundubi's Story

Sugreeva presents Rama with Jewelry that must have been Sita's as Ravana swept her over their territory so to lay a track. Sugreeva promise to help Rama find Sita.

Sugreeva calls out Vali for a fight so Rama can get a good shot and kill him. Maybe instead of calling out a fight they plan a sneak attack and the fight assumes or the wives do not warn Vali so he is surprised by the attack.

Rama shoots Vali with an arrow and kill Vali. Vali is surprised it was Rama who had done the deed.
In another version I instead of an arrow maybe Vali dies a different way by Rama or maybe Sugreeva is the one that kills him in the fight.

• When the Rains Cease

Sugreeva is crowned Kind and Rama give him advice.
Here I could elaborate on the story of Sugreeva as King and what he did in his first 4 months.
I could go into a more in depth story of how Rama is being tortured by the rainy season and how he does not know where Sita is or how she is doing.

Sugreeva did not keep his promise to Rama about gathering his army.

I would like to do a story about Sugreeva's first few months as King so the readers get a back story about what he has been doing.

Finally, an army was put together and Hunuman and Angada went south looking for Sita but they found themselves stuck in a cave not able to get out. Hunuman is able to use his powers to escape the cave but they have taken too long.
Now they discuss what comes next and in the mention of Jatayu and creature appears it is his brother.
I could elaborate on a story about how Jatayu and his brother Sympathy became separated.

Bibliography:  The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic by R.K. Narayan. 1972.