Week 6: Reading Diary B

Yet again the ability of characters to hurl curses at will comes into play again. I wonder who is capable of these curses and who isn't, and why they aren't used more frequently if it is so easy to do. It doesn't seem absurd that Rama has issued a curse, but it is strange that he hasn't done it more often. Furthermore, when he finally decides to use his cursing abilities, he curses the ocean. The curse isn't directly effective, but succeeds in getting the water god's attention. The universe seems to be on Rama's side, as every available creature that isn't inherently evil helps him construct a bridge to Lanka.

Vibhishana is a brave soul to go against Ravana. I'm surprised that Ravana didn't kill him right on the spot when Vibhishana asked him to let Sita go. Vibhishana is both smart and dumb at the same time. On one hand he seems to realize that Rama cannot be stopped, while on the other hand he goes to Ravana and directly opposes him.

Ravana's cronies seem terribly incompetent. First he sends Shuka to spy on Rama's coalition, who is caught and released. Then he sends Sardula and Sarana to spy on Rama, who both fail their mission. Lightning tongue and Thunder tooth do their jobs of impersonating Rama's bow and dismembered head well enough to fool Sita, but this ends up being irrelevant because Prahasta gives up the secret that Rama is actually coming to Lanka. If I was Ravana I would have a stricter recruiting process.

I found it strange that Kumbhakarna has enough of a moral code to tell Ravana it is morally wrong to have stolen Sita from Rama. Kumbhakarna is Ravana's brother, and these are supposed to be the most evil demons on the face of the Earth. Perhaps he just fears Rama and is trying to avoid facing him, but I am disappointed by the moral compass of Kumbhakarna.

I have to admit that I didn't think Rama would ever be defeated in battle. I could have believed his allies being killed, but Rama too? Of course Rama can't die for good, the only question is how will he be revived? I thought it was pretty cool that the medicine was heated because Hanuman was flying so fast, and evaporated into the air as a result. This is a very effective way to deliver medicine to everyone quickly.