Journal Entry 2

Two examples of the concept of immanence in The Ramayana chapters 1-2 are:

1) When Rama is brought before the bow of Shiva on page 18 and asked to string it. The bow is extremely huge, heavy, and long and no mortal should even be able to lift the thing let alone string it. Clearly the Gods are interfering to make sure that Rama accomplishes this task. "What they missed, because they had shut their eyes, was to note how swiftly Rama picked up the bow, tugged the string taunt, and brought the tips together. They were startled when they heard a deafening report, caused by the cracking of the bow at its arch, which could not stand the pressure of Rama's grip." (Narayan, 18)

2) Another example of immanence being displayed in The Ramayana is in chapter one on page 16 when Rama is given the task of protecting Viswamithra from the demons. When Rama shoots his bow the arrows become an umbrella that protects everyone from harm. This is also clearly the intervention of the Gods because the arrows could not become an umbrella any other way. "He shot at them, while Rama sent up his arrows and created an umbrella to shield the sacrificial fire from being defiled by the asuras' blood." (Narayan, 16)


Three examples of appearances being illusory in The Ramayana are:

1) In the story of Mahabali that Viswamithra tells to Rama, Vishnu takes on an illusory appearance and deceives Mahabali into thinking that he is a tiny man and so Mahabali let's him take any land that is the width of three times the size of his foot. This back fires on Mahabali when Vishnu takes his true form and is larger then the world.

2) In the story of Ganga, Ganga appears before Bhagiratha in the form of a little girl to save him from the fate that would have crushed the earth if she had descended in her true form.

3) Ahalya also takes on an illusory appearance. She is cursed to the form of a slab of stone by her husband for being unfaithful but when Rama brushes past her she regains her true form and is allowed to return to her husband.