Journal #3

Why is Rama so inclined to sympathize with Sugreeva?  Citing several examples from the latter part of the chapter, defend Rama's and Vali's argument, using your own moral reasoning, then in another paragraph, compare the situation to modern international politics and conflicts.

I think Rama is inclined to sympathize with Sugreeva because Sugreeva's wife Tara was taken by Vali. Surgreeva and Vali had a vicious sibling argument which resulted in Vali wanting to kill Surgreeva if he ever saw him again. Vali eventually took Tara from Sugreeva to keep as his own wife. Rama can sympathize with Sugreeva because Ravana kidnapped Rama's wife, Sita. Rama is devastated, as is Sugreeva.

Pg. 104. ""You will now go forward alone and call out Vali for a fight. I will stand aside unseen and shoot my arrow into him at the right moment." Sugreeva had now full trust in Rama. He marched to the hilltop and shouted, "Oh, my brother Vali, come on, face me now in battle if you dare." -Rama, Sugreeva
I don't think Rama should be involved in this argument because it's between siblings. Also, he is trying to protect Sugreeva. Did Sugreeva really want to kill his own brother, Vali? Or did Rama pressure him into it because he feels the same way towards Ravana, as Sugreeva does to Vali?

Pg. 105. "He would not ordinarily dare to come your way but I fear now he must be having some mighty support, which encourages him to challenge you now. So be careful." -Tara talking about Sugreeva
Has Tara been brainwashed by Vali? She seems to be supporting Vali and have no compasion for Sugreeva. This is weird to me. Just because Sugreeva accidently left him in a cave and he couldn't get out, Vali stole Sugreeva's wife and made her his. This isn't common in the real world, but can happen. What would have Vali thought if he was married and Sugreeva took his wife from him?

Pg. 105. "I have my own sources of knowledge about what goes on in the world outside. I have heard of Rama as being one possessing integrity and a sense of justice; one who could never take a wrong step. How could you ever imagine that such a person would ever take sides in a quarrel between brothers?" -Vali
I don't know if it's Rama's place to be stepping in on these brothers argument. To go as far as shooting an arrow into Vali's chest seems crazy to me. I know that Sugreeva and Rama share the same feelings at the moment, but I don't think that he should be helping Sugreeva fight a battle against Vali.

Pg. 106. "I am not certain whether Sugreeva is trying to involve you in anything more than an ordinary combat between mere monkeys. I do not know if we should participate in this struggle at all. How can you trust as an ally one who has not hesitated to intrigue fatally against a brother?" -Lakshmana to Rama
I agree with Lakshmana in this statement he says because I don't think Rama should be that much involved in Sugreeva and Vali's argument.

In modern day, this topic applies to many people. Many individuals find the need to get in other people's business and try to solve their problems for them. This is not a correct way to handle situations. Also, I think in war and battle it is harder because people think the way to handle situations is to face the other party face to face without weapons or any threats and address the problem correctly. When we are in war and battle with other countries, we don't address the situation face to face, but rather we try to iliminate the other party with weapons and other threats.