Discussion Dates:
TUE 25 FEB 2003: Chapters 1-2 (pages 3-34)
THU 27 FEB 2003: Chapters 3-5 (pages 35-95)
TUE 4 MAR 2003: Chapters 6-9 (pages 97-140)
THU 6 MAR 2003: Chapters 10-14 (pages 141-167)
 

1. Rama is the incarnation of which Hindu god?

2. List the “five-fold evils.”

3. What is Rama’s life mission?

4. What type of person is considered to be worse than selfish?

5. List Rama’s five mothers (their names and relationships to Rama).

6. In what shape do Sita’s sins incarnate themselves?

7. What human desire parallels a camel’s thirst for the bitter margosa leaves?

8. Rama tells Kawsalya that his exile yields three blessings.  List them.

9. Whom does Rama blame for his misfortunes?

10. According to Bharatha, what would happen if Rama committed a wrong act?

11. Why does Ravana decide to kidnap Sita rather than fight Rama?

12. Why motivates Rama to foolishly search for the golden deer?

13. What can Ravana not do with Sita (or any other woman)?

14. Who unsuccessfully attacks Ravana?

15. In what great feat did Vali participate?  What was his reward?

16. How does Hanuman “know” that Rama is a godly incarnation?

17. What criticism does Vali tell Rama after Rama shoots his with his arrow?

18. According to Vali, what is the difference between animals and people?

19. What has detained Sugreeva from rendezvousing with Rama after the rainy season?

20. What descriptions does Rama impart to Hanuman so he may identify her?

21. By what means can a man tell a woman’s true virtue?

22. What is the mood of Ravana’s Council before his battle with Rama?

23. What do Ravana’s counselors instruct him not to fear?

24. What prediction does Vibishana relate to Ravana?

25. Vibishana turns traitor against Ravana; why should Rama trust him?

26. Who builds the bridge extending to the island of Lanka?

27. Why does Rama allow Ravana to retrieve fresh weapons during their battle?

28. Whom does Ravana blame as the cause of his misery?

29. Why does Rama believe that the chariot sent by Indra might be a trap?

30. How does Rama counterattack Ravana’s shower of arrows?

31. Why does Rama wait for Ravana to recover from his multiple decapitations?

32. What worries Rama the most after examining the wounds of the dead Ravana?

33. Why does Sita jump into the fire?

34. How glorified is Rama by the end of the epic?  What has he gained?