Indian Epics Work

The ground rumbles as if it's quaking from the multitude of the army. The dust is billowing behind their footsteps with barely enough visual for the guy behind you to see the tail end of your elephant. With each giant hoof pounding into the packed dirt beneath you, your elephant speeds towards the enemy. This is it. There's no turning back. Time to face the enemy head-on. Grasp your sword and draw it quickly from your sheath. The shining metal glints in the sunshine as you wave it above your head. Show the enemy you aren't afraid to use it. War has been waged and you must see it through. You have pledged your life for the cause. You take a deep breath, remember that you may not keep that breath as the battle ensues. As you enter the throng of enemies by the side of your ally, your sword pierces through flesh. You feel their gasp as they cry out in shock as the metal bites into their neck. Hardly a second passes as their head begins to topple off of their body. It fall...

Though it was necessary for Drona to die to end the major battle, it seems unfair how it was done. Apparently, unless he knew his son was dead he would not die. Bhima figures this out and slays an elephant with the same name as his son just to say "Ashwatthaman is dead." Yudhisthira can't lie and so Drona asks him to confirm this statement. He says it's true and follows the statement with "the elephant," but I guess Drona doesn't catch those words. This is where he loses hope and Dhrishtadyumna makes a killing swing. His lovely head gets thrown around and that is the end of Drona. Story Source : Myths of Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita Death of Drona

The great battle ensues! I think this was the best part of this portion of the Mahabharata. There's a lot of description of the battlefield that I enjoyed, and I like to try to rewrite that. Also, I want to try writing an intense action-packed scene. Arjuna's son shows great bravery. Not just because he went after Bhishma's chariot after realizing he was a major component of the Kaurava's upper hand in battle. Bhishma has already promised his mother that he will not kill any of the Pandarva brothers but Arjuna if it comes down to it. Duryodhana calls Bhishma out, saying he must be partial to them and that's why they aren't getting anywhere. He then attempts to take a herd of elephants out, but Bhima's rakshasa son Ghatotkacha puts a stop to that. Saddened by the misfortune of events he tells Bhishma to let Karna take his place in battle, but Bhishma tells him he is only a fool and he will fight until the end comes, stating the end is near. St...

For my extra reading this week I started Pradyumna: Son of Krishna . Besides it looks super cool on the cover, my storybook for the semester is all about Pradyumna. Part A covers the first seven chapters: Thus far, I have met a Prince Vama. His mother is constantly trying to seduce him, though he runs off and chases her maids instead. He refuses to learn to fight or use any sort of sorcery. Vama has been mocked by two special demons of the Demon King Kaalasura consistently. His mother eventually comes to his rescue, but he will not heed to her demands to learn anything beyond how to please the ladies. Really, he's a big weakling and nothing at all like the cover of the book shows. The book then went into a few chapters of some of the past. Two babies are born to Krishna and his two wives. The babies are Shamba and Pradyumna. Narada sees a vision of doom as he goes to meet the babies. Vama also has a dream where he sees Kamadeva and his wife created. Kama shoots his creator ...

They ask me who I am. "I am a pupil of Drona," I say. The whisper amongst themselves. Until I hear them say, "Call for Drona. Call for Drona." Before Drona arrives, I make the decision that I will do whatever must be done to have some good fortune for my name. It isn't fair that I wasn't born to wealth and that eliminates my rights. Drona approaches me saying, "I have heard a word that you claim yourself to be my pupil." I nod my head. "Yes, ask of me anything and I shall deliver." Drona thinks for a second. "Chop off thy right thumb, for that is what I must have of you." I nod, and with a smile and my head held high grab for my knife. I place my hand on a tall rock nearby and quickly slice my thumb from my right hand. The blood begins to gush and quickly I rip a piece of my garment off to wrap my severed hand in. I turn to hand my prized thumb to Drona. And then it hits me. How might I have any skill left witho...

I liked the verse about after Draupadi is called for by her new master. I'm also completely appalled by the fact that Yudhishthir doesn't realize the dice are loaded and the fact that he continues playing beyond all reason. Who does that? If I were to rewrite the verse it would be told in more of a story form. Of course, I would keep the dramatic words of the Queen. I'm surprised she didn't yell at Yudhishthir, I would probably have her do that. I was also appalled by the way they drug her to Duhshashan. Ripping at her clothes and taking no account for the poor lady's wellbeing. Story Source : Mahabharata, Epic of the Bharatas by Romesh C. Dutt 1940's Hindu Vintage

I was quite shocked by what happened to Ekalavya. He wanted to be a great warrior but was told he could not because of his lineage, thus he worships and image or Drona and learns a great skill on the bow. He showcases his skill and when asked who he is he replies "I am a pupil of Drona." They send for Drona, who eventually arrives at the place. Instead of praising the kid and making him a great warrior or something he requests that he must ask of something from him. Ekalavya gladly agrees. He requests his right thumb, and then and there he chops it off and hands it to him. Of course, it messes up his great skill and he is no longer as great of a bowman. I'm shocked by the lack of "you tricked me," and think it needs that element. Though, it does give an explanation for why a culture would all pull their bowstrings with their forefingers as Ekalavya began to do after that incident. Story Source : Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie Ekala...

Kitten Image I've talked about my best friend once before. Did I mention she loved cats? She did. The last one she had was named Luna, and she is an interesting character. Sometimes she would eat her food like a normal cat, but most of the time she insisted on throwing food across the floor with her paw, running after it, catching it, and then eating it. I hate writing about her in the past tense. I caught myself today reaching for my phone to text her about the latest shenanigans at work that she would have laughed at. The fact that I can never tell her another thing, everything that I didn't say or show her is a lost opportunity. The longer that time goes on the more I realize just how much of my life was shaped and told through her being there. There were so many times in the past that I would let her tell an embarrassing story about me because of how much better she told it. That is gone. Now those highlight moments are memories that only I remember. My brai...

I've been doing the whole type everything into Microsoft Word and then copy and paste it into whatever I'm doing. I get more and more tired of doing that as the weeks go by and I wish I would have known Word Counter was an option. I've been taking online classes since my senior year in high school and I feel like it would've helped a lot with my billion discussion boards. I think this will be very useful, and I'm excited to see how it will help me with the rest of this class.

On the day that Laksmana was defeated and in a great slumber, his dear brother Rama cried for help. A sage happened to be nearby and assessed the situation. “All that you need is an herb by the name of Vishalya Kilrani.” Rama inquired about the great herb and was informed that it can only be found on the great Mount Gandhamana. “But I must warn you, the herb must be collected by sunset or Laksmana will die,” the sage said. “Who?” Rama inquired. “Can make it there that fast?” It was Hanuman who stepped up. Hanuman the great supermonkey. His strength was unmatched by all men. “Go,” Rama said. Hanuman made it to the top of the great Mount Gandhamana, but his search proved impossible. During Hanuman’s search, Ravana had realized that Hanuman is great in strength, but he could still be defeated. Ravana called for the great Sun. “You must make the sunset, I have heard from my spy that they have until sunset.” “But…” the Sun stammered. “I cannot do that.” “You will ...

Story Source : Pradyumna: Son of Krishna Pradyumna and Rati This comic book highlighted the rebirth of Kama, the god of love. He was reborn as Pradyumna, the son of Krishna and Rukmini. He was destined to kill Shambara, who learns of this and kidnaps the baby. Somehow throwing this god into the ocean was supposed to kill him? The baby is swallowed by a fish and in the meantime, his wife, Rati, attempts to enter a pyre of fire. She is stopped by the sage Narada, who tells her she should disguise herself as a maid and work for Shambara. She goes and does this and before long a huge fish is brought to the kitchen. At everyone's astonishment, the fish is sliced open to find a living breathing baby, none other than baby Pradyumna. He is raised by Rati and the maids until he's old enough to be told his destiny. Rati teaches him spells and off he goes to defeat Shambara. Successful, the two run off to Krishna and Rukmini's palace. Narada and Krishna appear and reveal...

Airavatesvara Temple Story Source : Heroes of Hampi The second comic book I read provided an interesting read of the Ramayana but also a backstory of a city. Hanuman was also a crucial part of this story, and this relates to the image. He asked for an idol image to worship and then built a temple around it. The two brothers head out to conquer and an old sage stops them to tell them a story about why they should make their fortified city at that particular place. He tells them the story of Shiva and Sati. Sati's father is very unhappy about the marriage and essentially cuts out his daughter from his life, to put it in modern terms. She shows up to a Great Yagna he was holding and Daksha is angry. Sati expresses her wish for a better father in another life and he bursts her into flames.  Vishnu breaks off a strand of hair and creates Veerabhandra, a god of fury and anger. He ends up beheading Daksha.  Sita is reborn to Brahma as the river...

Lord Hanuman Story Source : Hanuman to the Rescue I chose to read comic books for my reading this week. I really enjoyed them! The first one was about Hanuman and the story about him rescuing Lakshmana from death. It was focused on his perspective and all the problems he faced.  Hanuman went out looking for an herb called Vishalya Karani, he is the only with the ability to get to Mount Gandhamana quick enough. That being before the sunsets. He doesn't actually find the herb and ends up bringing the entire mountain to Rama and they obtain the herb and then send Hanuman to replace the mountain. Ravana sends problem after problem to no avail. Hanuman has zero problems defeating everything in his way. Hanuman's super strength was really cool, though I feel like he didn't have many conflicts face him. Well, he did, but they did nothing to stop him. He's a lot like Superman in my mind. During his adventure, Hanuman held the sun captive under his arm. I woul...

Storybook:  A Hero's Adventures There may be a reason why Thor is pictured here... Thor's Fight With the Giants

I told him I wanted that deer. I told him I wanted that deer. That’s all I can think about as I kick myself amidst my terror. At the same time, I feel like laughing, but then I realize the Rakshasa King’s claws are digging into my sides. I’m restrained. Don’t move,  I think. If I move the claws will dig deeper. This is all my fault,  I think. I can feel the tears begin to stream down my cheeks. Rama and I would still be together if I wouldn’t have been so stupid . Already, I feel the separation. Lakshmana even told you it was a trick. My mind can only think of just how stupid I was. I sent my husband after a far too beautiful deer to possibly exist, and then I sent his brother after him because I wouldn’t listen to his correct reasoning. I was so stupid, will Rama take me back? He’s the only man I could ever be with. I look down, my eyes overflowing with my tears. The trees look wet and bubbly, as if they’re encased in the ocean, but it’s my tears c...

Story Source : Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie This is the part where the people start questioning her faithfulness. I was absolutely appalled by this. The fact that Rama didn't stand up for his bride and tell his people that she had already been tried, but instead he just went right ahead and exiled her. I understand that he was listening to his people, and that's great and addressing the issue was necessary, but exile was unnecessary. If I were to rewrite this, I would give Rama a backbone and have him stand up for his bride. He is the King after all at this point and they will listen to him. I did like Valmiki and would still want him to be a character, but I'm not sure yet how to incorporate him. Sita in Exile

Source Story : Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita In this part of the story, Ravana attempts to woo Sita once again. At this point, she's been in captivity for a little while, but she still hasn't given in to Ravana's attempts. The weird thing to me is that Ravana shows up to get her attention with his faithful wives behind him There must be at least one of these wives who don't like that fact that Sita is getting all of this attention. That would be what I would add to the story. Women are always jealous and envious when another woman is getting attention from their partner. I would use either Sita's perspective or this jealous wife's perspective. Ravana and Sita

I wanted to use this last word option this week to remind myself now and later what I’ve been through and that I’m still okay. Last week I found out that my best friend of eleven years took her life. I was a week ahead in this class until I got the news. I’m thankful that I’ve been able to keep going, but goodness that was hard. I think I want to just talk about some memories and who she was a person. Every day I think of something new that I want to talk to her about. I mean we talked about so much over eleven years and that’s who I want to go to. I want to talk to her about my job, about the customers I deal with, my co-workers. She worked there first and it’s crazy that I can never gripe about everything with her again. She loved green beans. Really, I think she lived off of those. Once we were watching a show together and we passed a bowl of green beans back and forth. That was our snack. She showed me the video games Orochi and Animal Crossing. Not that I play video games v...

Ever since I discovered that bookmarking was an option during my second year of college I have been using it like crazy. It helps with huge class assignments that require lots of research. It helps with keeping track of the class pages I use the most. It makes accessing my email and Canvas so much easier. It makes life a whole lot easier.

What Kinds of Messages Help Kids Grow - Deborah Farmer Kris Some of the points made in this article I thought were really important. The wording of feedback, whether it be praise or criticism, is extremely crucial. I know that someone has tried to tell me something but because of the words they used, it came off differently.  Why Do So Many Managers Avoid Giving Feedback? - Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman I may have found this interesting because I work in retail and this is a part of my life. I absolutely think it's important to give positive feedback. When my manager acknowledges that she appreciates something or that she thinks I've done a good job it makes it worth it.  Last semester I took Fiction Writing and we did a massive workshop for the latter part of the semester. It was really something hearing all the good and the bad things about your writing, but also giving feedback makes you realize how important it really is.  Feedback

Pradyumna: Son of Krishna These two books actually look really interesting! I don't how well I am at writing intense action scenes, but I have to start somewhere. After I read some of it, I think I'd like to put a spin on his personality. I wonder if I can apply a new comedic Thor attitude on top of his active heroism. I think that would be fantastic, fun, and entertaining. Kamadeva I included this because this was the original idea. I may find this part of the story, before his reincarnation, I may find this aspect more interesting. Also, I don't know where to start but a story focused on the "in-between" of Kamadeva and Pradyumna. Even if it's a weird twist on Pradyumna's birth story or something. Krishna and Pradyumna