This week we're reading pages 110-161. This reading begins with Bharata returning to find his father dead, then following Rama into the forest and takes his sandals back to wait for Rama's exile to end. My favorite story from this reading that I will probably use for my storytelling is the story about Kashyapa's two wives and their children. Kashyapa really wants kids so he worships the gods and they give him two seeds to feed to his wives. Vinata's seed split in two and she gave birth to two sons. Kadru's seed splits into 1000 and she gives birth to the naga race. Kadru thinks she's better than Vinata because of the number of children she has so she tricks Vinata into losing a bet and becoming her slave. When her son Garuda is born and grown and finds out about why his mother is a slave to Kadru, he asks what ransom is needed to free her. Kadru and the nagas want the elixir of life from Indra's palace so Garuda steals it from him and brings it to them. Before he gets to them he meets Narayana, who grants him immortality. As repayment for immortality, he offers to be Narayan's mount. Garuda tricks Vinata into freeing his mother forever in the end. After this, Virhada tries to abduct Sita and Surpanakha propositions Rama, tries to kill Sita, and is mutilated and flees. Rama defeats the army of 14000 that she sends after him, and Surpanakha starts Ravana's obsession with Sita by telling him all about her and Rama and begging for his help.
Image Source: Wikipedia. Vishnu on Garuda.
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