School: Boston College High School
Project Title: Ashrama, Dharma, Moksha: The Ramayana as a Metanarrative for Hindu Cosmology
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Chapter 1— What stories does Viswamithra tell Rama while in the forest during his initiation?
Chapter 2— How does Rama impress King Janaka and win over Sita’s hand in marriage? What Hindu deity is part of this?
Chapter 3— Who is Kooni and what does she say to Queen Kaikeyi that affects Rama? What two things does Kaikeyi ask of Dasaratha? Why? Why is Rama not angered by his father’s request? Describe Bharata’s reaction at the end of the chapter.
Chapter 4— Who does Rama meet in the forest and what does this person try to do to him?
Chapter 5— How does Ravana respond to his sister’s story? Avenge the situation? Who is Mareecha and how does he help Ravana? How does Ravana kidnap Sita? What happens to Jatayu?
Chapter 6— Describe the story of Sugreeva. Is Rama’s attack on Vali in line with the dharma of a warrior? Why or why not?
Chapter 7— What is Rama’s state of mind at the beginning of the chapter? What excuse does Sugreeva give for not coming to the aid of Rama? What news does Sampathi give to Hanuman?
Chapter 8— What happens to Hanuman when he reaches Lanka?
Chapter 9— Briefly explain the opinions of two of Ravana’s brothers (Kumbakarna and Vibishana) during their council meeting. What did Vibishana do in a previous chapter to be called “treacherous” by Ravana?
Chapter 10— How do Sugreeva and Hanuman react to Vibishana’s request for asylum in Rama’s camp? What does Rama bestow upon Vibishana after receiving him?
Chapter 11— Describe the battle scene at Lanka.
Chapter 12— Who comes to the aid of Rama during his fight with Ravana?
Chapter 13— How does Rama respond to Sita’s return?
Chapter 14— How does the coronation end? Does it seem like an appropriate ending? Why or why not?
Epilogue— Write your own one page epilogue to conclude the Ramayana reflecting an understanding of how ashrama, dharma and moksha were integral concepts in character development. For teachers: you may choose to read an abridged version of the Uttara Kanda which explains how Sita was banished by Rama to the forest to give birth to twins and eventually was consumed by the earth as a sign of her fidelity (which many scholars place as a later addition beyond Valmiki’s intentions)
Summative assignment Write a reflection essay in the first person of one of the central characters in the Ramayana. Be sure to explain how “your” dharma was met (or not) and your relationship to one other figure in the story.
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This site was created by Patrick Tiernan at the NEH Summer Institute "Cultures and Religions of the Himalayan Region," held at the College of the Holy Cross, Summer 2006