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Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Section A

Thataka - Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

This story was very interesting, and it featured the mythic weapons that I am interested in doing my storybook on. I think that the story could be expanded upon greatly to create a more intense atmosphere. I'd like to extend both fights, the one with Thataka herself, but especially the one against rakshasas led by Maricha and Sabahu. The first fight against Thataka is already set up well for a fascinating contest, with Rama and Lakshmana dismembering her but not killing her, only for her to transform and continue the fight as an invisible sorcerer. I want to expand on this sorcery element, and make her use it in more of a fantasy style than just throwing rocks. I'll have her casting fireballs and chain lightning, things like that. 

As for the weapons granted as gifts for the completion of the task, I want to have their nature as weapons to be very vague. No mention will be made to these spirits being those of weapons, rather they are simply celestial spirits that will aide Rama and Lakshmana when they are needed. When the fight begins against the band of rakshasas, Rama and his brother will attempt to fight them off on their own, killing the minor demons, but are soon overwhelmed by Maricha and Sabahu. Remembering the spirits, they call for aide, and pillars of light will appear before the brothers, granting them each a mythic weapon. Rama will take one of the weapons, and Lakshmana the other, and I will create unique designs for each of them, rather than the vague descriptions of simply what they do. Each brother will slay one of the demons, and victory will be theirs. 

Rama and Lakshmana Face Maricha and Sabahu (Source: wikimedia)

I like this story, because it shows off the epic nature of the weapons that are featured in Indian mythology. Even these unnamed weapons, wielding once by Rama hold enough power to destroy a rakshasa in a single blow. Such power is awesome, and will be interesting to work with in my storybook that I will be crafting. One thing I didn't like about the original story that I want to change is making it seem like Rama did all the work in the second fight. I would make Lakshmana carry more weight, fighting equally with his brother, for a more cooperative story.
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