Extra Reading: Nine Ideal Indian Women

Nine Ideal Indian Women: Sita, Promila, and Shakuntala

by Sunity Devee

I read someone's story a few days ago about Promila and I really liked it so I wanted to read the actual story. 

Promila was a princess who was married to Indrajit, the son of Ravana. She, like most other wives in the epics, was very loyal to her husband. She never put him down or said no to anything. Even when he had to go to war with Rama and Lakshmana. He said he would come back by nightfall but he didn't and she started getting worried. She got on her horse and went out into the enemy camp to find him. Upon finding him, she got so happy but also so scared for him. She tried to stay strong but she eventually caved and cried. Indrajit goes off to pray to Agni, the fire god, but instead sees Lakshmana. He prays to him thinking he is Agni and asking to give him strength to defeat Rama and Lakshmana. Lakshmana in anger hit Indrajit and then a fight ensued. Indrajit was hit fatally by one of Lakshmana's arrows and is dying. When Promila found out, she was ready to leave the world too because she couldn't live without her husband. She took permission from her in-laws, distributed her jewelry, and said her last goodbyes. She went to the funeral pyre her husband was on and sat herself on it, and let herself be consumed in the flames. 

Promila on her black horse going into the enemy camp. Source: Nine Ideal Indian Women

Reading Notes: Nine Ideal Indian Women, Part A

Nine Ideal Indian Women

by Sunity Devee

Savitri talking to Yama about her husband. Source: Wikipedia Commons.

For Part A of this reading, I got to read about Savitri and Damayanti. 

I especially loved the story about Savitri because I finally got to understand the Hindi term "Sati Savitri" because of this story. Indian women are called sati savitris if they're considered to be a good wife. That never really made sense to me until I read this story and figured out the origin of it.

Savitri is the daughter of King Ashwapati of Abanti. Being the daughter of a king, she got the best education, good friends, and basically a happy life. She would go with her parents when they visited topobans/ashrams which are hermitages. One day when she went to stream when she saw a man coming out from the forest and it was like love at first sight. He was the son of an exiled King and had a destiny of dying soon so her father didn't want her to get married to him but Savitri still was like "no, I love him and will only marry him." So her father eventually agreed and let her marry him. And then when the day came for her husband to die, she fought with the god of death, Yama, to save him. 

Extra Reading: More Babbitt Jataka Tales

Jataka Tales

by Ellen C. Babbitt

For this extra reading, I read the Part B of the Jataka Tales. Just like last time, I had a good time reading these as well.

I really liked reading "The Ox Never Envied the Pig." Basically, the story is about these two oxen brothers who do all of the hard work on the farm and are only given straw and grass to eat while this lazy pig doesn't do anything and gets good food to eat. One of the oxen, Little Red, is grouching about having to do hard work but not getting good food in return. The older brother, Big Red, says to Little Red that he shouldn't be envious of the pig. The pig is being fattened up with the "food of death." They're going to eat the pig for the wedding feast, so be happy that you get to live a long life.

I really liked that one because I've always lived by the moral of the story. "Work hard and you'll be rewarded in some way." I'm not going to say that I don't envy people because I do, but I know my hard work will pay off one day.

Pig. Source: Max Pixel.

Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues, Part B

Sita Sings the Blues

by Nina Paley. 

Sita cries a river after Rama exiles her. Source: Wikimedia Commons. 

I finished the rest of the movie for the Part B reading for this week. In my last reading post for this, I mentioned how I think Sita is shown as this desperate and clingy wife. I was thinking about writing a story for this week about Sita being the opposite of that. This second part of the movie gave me some good examples of how I could write her as this independent, strong woman I want to portray her as. 

• One part is where she goes into the forest after she is exiled by Rama. She stays alone and is pregnant while at it. I could do a modern day twist of her being this working woman who's determined to go through this pregnancy by herself. 
• Another part is when she's forced to do a test again to prove her purity to Rama. I can write about her doing the opposite of complying and being like "Yeah, no thanks. I don't need to prove myself." and then just walking off. 

However, there were some downright funny scenes that I just might end up writing about.

• The scene where Rama and Sita's sons are older, and they're singing praises about Rama. But in reality, they're lowkey dissing him at the same time. They sang something like "Rama set his wife ablaze, got her home, kicked her out," and then "duty first, Sita last." 
• Another part that was funny to me was after Rama asks Sita to go through a test again, she is like "If I'm truly impure, then may Mother Earth take me back into her womb." So Mother Earth comes, Sita starts to run to her, everyone else runs after Sita, and then when Sita tries to jump into "the womb", she pauses and the music does like scratch stop. I just thought that was pretty funny.

Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues, Part A

Sita Sings the Blues

by Nina Paley. 

Sita sits by a tree after she is captured by Ravana. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

For this week's reading, I decided to watch the movie Sita Sings the Blues. I wish I had watched this earlier in the semester when we had free choice of Ramayana readings. But I'm also glad I got to watch it now because this was such a fun stress reliever. At first I thought it was just going to a long video of informational stuff, but it was actually really fun and some parts were downright hilarious. 

I think my favorite thing about the whole movie are the shadow puppets! They're the narrators and they're so funny! It's like, they're narrating but also they're just casually discussing it as if they're just sitting at home and just talking. 

From the readings I had done earlier in semester, I learned that Sita was a very devoted wife. Her devotion for her husband Rama can be seen from her actions. I feel like the movie made her seem like a very clingy, desperate wife. Especially the part where Rama saves her and he starts doubting her pureness. He thought since she had been in another man's house, she was impure. Eventually Rama forgives her after she goes the fire trial. Rama is like "will you forgive me Sita?" and she goes "of course Rama, I live only for you." That part kind of irked me. 

I think for a story I would make Sita this super independent woman who shows attitude and strength, instead of just crying all day and waiting for Rama to come save her from Ravana. 

Extra Reading: Babbitt Jataka Tales

Jataka Tales 

by Ellen C. Babbitt. 1912.

For extra credit reading, I read through Part A of the Babbitt Jataka Tales. 

The one I really liked was the How the Turtle Saved His Own Life. In this one, there are little princes that had a lake in the courtyard that their dad, the king, had made for them. The king had asked some men to put fishes in it. The princes were looking at the fishes when they saw the Turtle. They had never seen one before so they were scared and though it as a demon. They ran to their father and told them there was a demon in their lake. The king ordered his men to catch the demon and bring it to him. When the turtle was brought in, the king ordered his men to kill. The men started giving out ideas on how to kill the turtle. Then one old man who was afraid of the water said to throw it into the lake where it flows by the rocks in to the river. When the turtle heard the old man, he said to the King something like "what did I do that you would even think about doing such a dreadful thing to me? The other plans were bad, but to throw me into the lake?" So when the king heard the turtle, he ordered his men to throw the turtle into the lake immediately. The turtle laughed to himself once he was in the water because he knew the king and his men didn't know how safe he actually was in the water.

Turtle swimming. Source: Wikimedia.

I really liked this one because it had good old-fashioned psychology and trickery. The Turtle was the smartest one out of all of them.

Reading Notes: Epified, Part F

Epified: Mahabharata

 Part F

Pandavas leaving for their exile. Source: Wikimedia.

Continuing from Part E, this part of videos talks about the outcome and aftermath of the dice game. The Pandavas go on their exile and they meet Krishna who wants them to fight the Kauravas. Arjuna receives Shiva's weapon and 

The disrobing of Draupadi was the beginning of their long period of hatred for Duryodhana and the Kauravas. The Kauravas had been so greedy and evil that they called the Pandavas back for another round of dice and mainly to humiliate them again. I think if I were to write a story, I would write about the Pandavas and their emotions of having lost everything and being exiled. I specifically liked the part in the video about them being exiled where they are leaving and the people of Hastinapur are trying to stop them from leaving or are following the Pandavas into their exile. I think it would be something different to write a story from the point-of-view from one of the people in their kingdom. 

Reading Notes: Epified, Part E

Epified: Mahabharata

Part E

Subhadra driving a chariot away from Dwarka with Krishna and Arjuna in it.  Source: Wikimedia.

In this part of the Epified videos, the narrator starts off by talking about Arjuna and Subhadra. The videos also mention one of the parts of the Mahabharata that I hate: the dice game and the outcome of it. 

One part I focused on mainly was in the very beginning of this part of videos when Arjuna brings Subhadra back to his family. Everyone happily greets her except one person, Draupadi. I mean, I don't blame her though. If my husband brought another one home I wouldn't be too happy about it either. There was a difference I noticed about this Epified version and the PDE version. In this version, Arjuna sends Subhadra as a maid to Draupadi. In the chapter, Arjuna and Subhadra of the PDE version, Subhadra herself approached Draupadi and introduced herself as Draupadi's handmaiden. 

Another part I focused on was the son, Abhimanyu. I like that in the video, Birth of Abhimanyu, it shows more of the relationship between Arjuna and Subhadra after their marriage and during her pregnancy. 

I feel like not much was mentioned about either Subhadra or Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu becomes more of a bigger part in the epic around the time the big battle begins between the Pandavas and Kauravas. I could write a story about Abhimanyu's life growing up and his relationship with his mother and father maybe. 

Reading Notes: Epified, Part D

Epified: Mahabharata

Part D

Draupadi's Swayamvar. Source: Wikimedia.

In the Part D videos of the Epified: Mahabharata series, the focus was more on Draupadi and her husbands. This was the part of the Mahabharata that I felt like things were picking up and the tension was starting to build, especially between the Pandavas and Kauravas.

I focused more of my attention on the character of Karna because I plan on writing this week's story on him. The part where Karna is mentioned is during Draupadi's Swayamvar and Karna's Humiliation. Karna feels like he is always tainted because he is a "soot-putra" or a charioteer's son. However, he still tries to win the challenge that Draupadi's dad put forward. Draupadi, however,  insults him by saying that he would never be worthy of marrying a princess because he is soot-putra. Karna returns to his seat with this fire of humiliation burning inside of him.

I have grown to show more sympathy for the character of Karna and for the character of Kunti, so I think in my story I can incorporate him being insults by Draupadi and show how he decided to be the bigger person and not fire any insults back.

Reading Notes: Epified, Part C

Epified: Mahabharata

Part C

Epified. Source: Viki.

For these next two weeks of reading, I'm going back to the Epified: Mahabharata videos to finish all of the parts. 

Part C starts off with the story of Karna and then moves on to the Pandavas. 

The video Karna's Quest. In this part, it gives a great introduction to Karna. Karna was born with the earrings and the armor and they grow with him as he grows. In the next 2 videos, it shows the stories of how Karna grows up, finds a guru to teach him and his interactions with the Pandavas. In the video, Karna becomes King, Karna and the Pandavas take part in a competition. When Karna tells the Pandavas about his lineage, he mentions how he was found in a basket floating down the river. Kunti upon hearing this faints because she realizes this is her first son. Duryodhan helps save Karna from more humiliation in this situation.

I wrote a story about Kunti having to leave her son Karna and what her thoughts would be on it. I think I can write a second part to that story, with like a big time leap into the adulthood of her kids and have her see Karna again at this competition. 

Reading Notes: Shri Krishna of Dwarka, Part B

Shri Krishna of Dwarka

from Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories by C.A. Kincaid. 

The demon Sambara. Source: Wikimedia. 

In the Part B readings for this week, I finished up the Shri Krishna of Dwarka book. These readings unlike the Part A were more about the adventures of Krishna with other people. In my opinion, I think Krishna wasn't the main character of each chapter's focus. Although, he was a big part of them. 

In Chapter 9: Adventures of Balarama and Pradyumna, the story starts off with Balarama as he is going back to Vrindavan to visit his people. Then the story shifts to Pradyumna who is Krishna and Rukmini's eldest son. When he was six days old, he was flung into the sea by the demon Sambara. Sambara had been told that Pradyumna would kill him so he went to kill Pradyumna first. And then it goes on to tell the story of his life. 

Overall, these chapters were fun to read. I found some characters that I think I could incorporate into my story while doing the readings. 

Reading Notes: Shri Krishna of Dwarka, Part A

Shri Krishna of Dwarka

from Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories by C.A. Kincaid. 

Krishna with butter. Source: WordPress.

I decided to do more Krishna readings for two reasons. The first being I know different people write the same story in their own version so I wanted to see how this version would be. And secondly, I wanted to write a second part to my last Krishna story so I'm hoping I found some more adventures of Krishna that I can write and incorporate into my own story. 

In Chapter 2: The Childhood of Krishna, there is a part where Yashoda was taking care of Krishna who had just a toddler at that point. She briefly leaves Krishna to go attend to the pot of milk that was boiling over inside their house. Krishna being left alone outside was furious. He overturns he milk that she had been churning and then he crawls inside, climbs on a pot and starts to eat the butter that Yashoda had been. 

• I really liked this scene because in my last story about Krishna, I gave him the power of telekinesis. I feel like if I decide to write a part two to that story, I could have a flashback scene of this exact moment. Instead of him overturning the milk with his hands, I could have him do it with his mind but he wouldn't know that he's doing it. Same with him climbing on the pot and eating the butter. He could get the pot of butter to him instead of climbing on another pot to get to it. 

Reading Notes- Epified: Krishna, Part B

Epified: Krishna

Radha Krishna. Source: Wikimedia. 

I missed the Part B reading during the week so I'm making it up by finishing it and using it as extra credit.

I continued watching the videos for Part B and right off the bat I could tell the illustrator for these videos was someone else. The drawings were much for intense and in-depth which is great. I think that adds great detail to the story.

The one video I found very interesting was the The Savior of Dharma. This is the part of Krishna's story where he finds out who he really is from the family priest, Garg Acharya. Garg Acharya tells him that he can't marry Radha because his destiny was something else. Krishna finds out he is the savior of dharma in this world. He even finds out his birth parents are Yashoda and Nand. This made him so sad. He thought so much about his destiny and finally decided to accept it.

Another video I really liked was Krishna's Farewell. This is when Krishna and his brother Balram set out on their journey to fulfill Krishna's destiny. The people of Vindravan are initially really sad and try to convince him to stay back but he tells him that he can't stay back because he has a destiny that he cannot just ignore.

I really like that both of the videos had emotional moments in them. I've gotten really good at writing stories that have inner thoughts portrayed or a lot of dialogue so I think I could use one of these two parts as reference for a story.

Reading Notes- Epified: Krishna, Part A

Epified: Krishna

Krishna dancing on Kaliya's head. Source: Wikimedia.

For this week's Krishna/Jataka tales readings, I decided to go back to the Epified series for their Krishna videos. I decided to read up on Krishna because he is the Hindu god that my family prays to daily. My mom has always told me stories about Krishna, but I wanted to read up more on him and see that differs from what my mom has told me.

I learned quite a lot just through this Part A of the videos. Right off the bat, I learned that Krishna's mother, Devaki, would have eight children. I never knew that. Krishna's uncle, Kansa, was told that Devaki's eighth child would be the dead of him. This made him so angry that he threw Devaki and Vasudev into jail and would kill each of her newborns. Devaki's seventh child was transferred into Vasudev's first wife, Rohini's womb. Krishna was born as the eighth incarnation of Vishnu. 

Something else I liked watching was the part where Krishna's adoptive mother, Yashoda, looks into his mouth and sees the universe. This is when she realizes that her son isn't just a normal boy, but a god. 

Also, another part I really liked is when Krishna is by the lake with his friends. This lake is poisoned by a snake named Kaliya, and the poison had managed to kill his friends. Krishna challenged the snake that Kaliya had to revive everyone that had died because of the poison. Krishna started playing his flute and he started dancing on Kaliya's head. The snake got so annoyed that he withdrew back into the water and the water was cleaned from the poison. The village people started seeing Krishna as a god as well.

I think for a story it would be cool to imagine Krishna has a superhero but in modern times. Because that is basically how he was portrayed in Dreams and Music part. 

Reading Notes: Epified, Part B

Epified: Mahabharata

Epified. Source: Viki.

For the second reading of this week, I continued watching the Epified videos. I was actually more eager to watch these because these videos are when the main characters of this epic, such as Karna and the Pandavas, are all introduced. 

The Epified version definitely has some differences than the PDE version. One difference that I saw was how Karna came to be. In the PDE chapter, Kunti and Her Son, it said that secretly and in time Kunti became pregnant with Karna. In the Epified version, it made it seem like Kunti magically got Karna instantly by hugging the Sun God, Surya. 

Another thing that I was slightly confused about was in the Ekalavya chapter, where Drona demands a reward from Ekalavya because Drona is his teacher. I thought it was weird that Drona would ask for  his right thumb. In the Epified version though, it all made more sense. It is called "guru dakshina." This means that the student repays the teacher/guru in some way. In the PDE version, there isn't more to the story about Ekalavya except that he went back to the arrow shooting contest. However, in the Epified version, the story is more expanded and you can see Drona's emotions and how he felt about making Ekalavya sever his thumb. 

Overall, I'm enjoying watching these videos because it gives more insight into emotions and perspectives of all the characters than the other readings. 

Reading Notes: Epified, Part A

Epified: Mahabharata

Epified Source: Viki.

For this week's Mahabharata reading, I decided to watch the videos option instead of doing more reading. I watched the videos for the Part A portion. I really liked watching the videos because the illustrations were being drawn right as the narrator was speaking. This made it very easy to follow. Plus, I am a visual person so I was able to understand the story much more easily this way.

In the PDE version of the Mahabharata, it's also pretty easy to follow but there was definitely somethings that I couldn't fully grasp. Such as, the differences between the sons of Vyasa. They're characteristics are briefly mentioned when they are first introduced. In the Epified version, they are all characterized and drawn distinctly so the reader/watcher can easily tell the difference.

I think for anyone who is also a visual learner like me, they should try watching these videos. They are short and straight to the point. They use simple language as well so it's easy to understand.

Reading Notes: Karna and Indra, Part C

Karna and Indra

from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita.

Indra giving the dart, Vasava, to Karna. Source: Wikipedia.

• Plot: Indra saw that Karna wore natural armor and earrings and became anxious for Arjuna's protection. He knew one of the two, Karna and Arjuna, were going to defeat the other. He goes to Karna disguised as a brahmin, and tries to coerce him into giving up his natural armor and earrings. Karna denies to give it to him and repeatedly says that the armor and earrings are a part of him. Eventually, he says to the brahmin "give me something in exchange for my earrings and armor." Indra says "I will give you anything except the thunderbolt." Karna then asks for an invincible dart in exchange. Indra agrees and gives him Vasasa, a dart. He explains to Karna that it will hit just one powerful foe. Indra leaves, content that he got the armor and earrings. He spreads the news about what he did, however no one knew about the arrow of death that was given to Karna.
• This story reminds me of the Disney movie Hercules. Towards the end of the movie, Zeus tries to convince Hercules to stay on Olympus with him and Hera and be a god. Hercules decides to keep his life on Earth and remain as he is. I can maybe write a story of this movie plot and mix it up a little with this story of Indra and Karna.
• Indra reminds me of Zeus.
• Karna reminds of Hercules.
• When Indra tries to convince Karna to give him the armor and earrings just like Zeus tries to convince Hercules to stay. 
• Hercules doesn't give in to the offer but Karna does in exchange for something so maybe I can add in my own twist to this.

Readings Notes: Arjuna and Karna, Part D

Arjuna and Karna

from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie.

Arjuna beheads Karna. Source: Wikipedia.

• Plot: Arjuna and Karna are facing each other in battle. They are throwing arrows each other while Krishna and Shalya guide the chariots. The arrows they were hitting each other with were deadly. At one point, Arjuna's bowstring severed after being struck. He tells Karna to stop because the rules of battle state that you can't attack a disabled foe. Karna however doesn't listen and proceeds to shower arrows on Arjuna. When Arjuna had restrung his bow in his rage, he shot many arrows at Karna. A wheel on Karna's chariot sank into the ground and Shalya couldn't control the horses to go forward. Karna calls out to Arjuna to stop and not fight because he can't attack a helpless enemy. Krishna interjects and tells Karna how hypocritical it was of him to say that when Karna attacked Arjuna when he was helpless and how Karna and his soldiers had murdered Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu. When Arjuna heard his son's name, he was filled with rage and he shot his arrow straight at Karna, severing his head. In the end, a brother had fallen by a brother's hand.
• Strong points: 
• The figurative language when describing when the arrows were shot
• "The arrows of Arjuna fell upon Karna like to summer rain."
• "Karna's arrows were like stinging snakes and they drank blood."
• The figurative language when describing Arjuna's rage.
• "Rose up like a stricken and angry tiger held at bay"
• I think for a story based on this chapter, I could extend the ending and show it from Karna's point of view up till the point where he is beheaded.
• I can maybe have something like his soul leaving the body and him looking down at his severed head and body, and show the emotions he's going through.

Reading Notes: Birth of Draupadi, Part B

Birth of Draupadi 

from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie

• Plot: King Drupada lost half of his kingdom to Drona, and he hoped he would have children who would avenge him. He found brahmins who would help him with this desire of his. The brahmins had a sacrificial rite and from the fire were born a son and a daughter. The son, Dhrishtadyumna, was born first wearing full armor like he was ready for war. The daughter, Draupadi, was to be the "chief of all women." Kunti had heard of the news and desired to set out with her sons towards Panchala. Along the way, they heard that Draupadi was destined to be a Pandava queen. The brothers and Kunti set out on their journey and soon came across people going the same way. They heard that all the princes of the land were heading to the swayamvara of Draupadi. The brahmins praised Draupadi's beauty and urged the brothers to go to the festival with them. They persuaded them with talks of food and gifts. The Pandavas set out towards Panchala, each holding in their hearts the desire to win Draupadi over. 
• Strong points:
• The whole scene where Draupadi and her brother are born out of the fire. I could easily imagine what they looked like because of the great imagery in the words. 
• Some ideas I could get out of this chapter for my story:
• In the end of chapter, it is mentioned how the brothers each held a desire in their heart to win over Draupadi. I think I could expand that by writing like a inner monologue for all of the brothers.

Reading Notes: Kunti and Her Son & The Sons of Pandu, Part A

I particularly enjoyed reading these chapters because these are the stories I grew up hearing from my mom. She knows the Mahabharata by heart basically so she would always tell me bits and snips, and there used to be a show called the Mahabharat on Indian TV once that I would watch with her.

Kunti and Her Son

from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie 

• Plot: Starts off with talking about King Pandu and his two wives: Kunti and Madri. Kunti's brother Vasudeva, was the father of Krishna. Kunti one day had a vision of the god of the un, Surya. She ends up becoming the mother of his son, Karna. She was ashamed of this so she wrapped him up and floated him off down the river in a basket. She prayed that he be protected by all. The basket drifts down to the rivers one by one. First to the River Aswa, then to Yamuna, to Ganges, and then finally to Anga. At Anga there was a woman named Radha who found Karna and was overjoyed because she herself couldn't bear a son. 
• I particularly liked this chapter because it introduces so many pivotal characters in the Mahabharata. 
• Strong points about this chapter:
• It was mainly focused on the females of this chapter, and the motherly love could be shown through their words of despair.
• For my story, I could maybe expand of the part of the chapter where Kunti leaves Karna, and Anga finds him.

The Pandavas. Source: India Times. 

The Sons of Pandu

from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie

• Plot: The five sons of Pandu are introduced. Kunti is the mother of Yudhishthira, Arjuna, and Bhima. Madri is the mother of Nakula and Sahadeva. They are known as the Pandavas. They are all believed to be the sons of actual gods and not Pandu. One day King Pandu dies by merely touching Madri like some brahmin had told him. The wives, Kunti and Madri, argued about who should be burned with him and go with her husband to death. The Pandavas having heard their dispute decided that it should be Madri because she was King Pandu's favorite wife. Therefore, she was laid on the pyre next to her husband and passed away. 
• I like this chapter because it introduces the Pandavas who are the main characters in the Mahabharata. It's going to be a little funny for me reading the rest of this because I've seen the show and I can still remember the actors' faces so I will be imagining them in my head. 
• Strong points in this chapter:
• I like that all of the it tells who's the father, the god, of each individual son. I'm sure the description of what the god is known for also is going to play a big part in how each son's personality turns out.
• For some reason I thought of the game show when I read the paragraphs about the introduction of the sons, so maybe I can incorporate that into a story somehow.