Reading Wednesday

Sita Sings the Blues By Nina Paley

Dave is terrible and breaks up with Nina by email while she is in New York. She doesn't take it well and grieves. 

Sita tells Rama she is pregnant. A laundry man beats his wife and accuses her of being unfaithful--most damning he compares her to Sita. Sita incredibly pregnant is abandoned in the forst by Lakshmana. 

Nina moves to Brooklyn and dreams about Dave, She begs him to take her back, despite his shittieness. 

Brooklyn Sites: The Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn BrownStones, Solder's and Sailor's Arch, Brooklyn Borough Hall, and Coney Island

Rama learns about his sons. Sita would kill herself if she wasn't pregnant when she was abandoned. Rama asked Sita again to prove her purity. Mother Earth did and she took her back into the earth. She still loves Rama despite everything. She leaves everything behind. 

In New York, Nina reads the Ramayana and decides to make a film about it. She relates to Sita. 

The narrator, Chandra rubs Lakshmi's feet???

Reading Week 14

Free Reading

Saraswati- Stories of the Goddess of Wisdom by Sanjana Kapur

There are many different stories in this one comic book. The first one is the "Birth of Saraswati." It tells how the Goddess was born. She emerged from Brahma's meditation. Brahma then grew new heads to gaze at her like one of those 360 cameras on shark week---- not creepy at all. Her start like this set her up to be very wise.

Saraswati

In "Saraswati Becomes a River" the world is threatened by the fire of Vadavagni that could destroy everything. The fire consumes everything. The Devas were worried so they asked for help and she becomes a river to carry the fire away after Bramha told her to. She carried the fire to the ocean where it was extinguished but not in the river???

The comic book also talks about the story of King Prabhanjana. He was cursed to become a tiger. It also talks about how she was cursed by Vishvamitra. He cursed her to be filled with blood and therefore the river. Everything turns out because the sages are able to reverse it. 

Free Reading Week 12 B

Nala and Damayanti

Agni gave Nala power over fire and he used it to get to a voice hethought was Damayanti. It turned out to be Karkotaka, the king of Serpants. He bit Nala and changed him into a Dwarf. He gave him a robe so he could turn into his former self but he had to learn his lesson and redeem himself first. He journeyed to Aydohya. 

His father in law searched for them. He found his daughter at a holiday. She was incredibly sad. She returned to her children so they wouldn't be orphans. 

The Family

Damayanti found out where Nala was. She said she wanted to marry his master to get to him. Her mother and her made a plan.  

Nala worked hard to rid Kali out of his body.He became skillful at dice so Kali left when he played. Nala's wrath stoped and Kali entered a tree. But he was still a dwarf. 

Damayanti was upset that Rituparna did not come as fast as he could. Varshneya (Nala) came with him. Damayanti was sure of who he was. They confronted him and he confessed. They all rejoiced and made up. He saw his brother and got back his kingdom. They went back home escorted by a large army and with great treasures. They regained their renown and Nala performed every holy rite with devotion and munificence. 

Nala and Damayanti Mackenzie

Free Reading Notes Week 12

Nala and Damayanti

In Nishadha, Nala was great at commanding armies. He also was cultured. Next door, there was the mighty Bhima who was childless. One day a Brahman came to his court and was welcomed well and soon he was given a daughter, Damayanti and three noble sons. Nala fell in love with her. He wooed her with swans and they fell deeply in love.  They had issues visiting each other ebcause Bhima's castle was guarded by celestial beings. 

Castle or Manor

The gods made it hard for them to get married--they wanted her to marry a god. Kali really wanted to marry her. He vowed to take revenge for being rejected and a mortal being chose over him. He promised to to be the bereft of his kingdom and of his bride. 

For 12 years, Nala and Damayanti had a great life. They had a daughter Indrasena and a son Indrasen. Then one day Nala forgot to wash his feet before praying so Kali possessed him. Then he summoned his brother to play dice with him and the wicked spirit Dwapara entered the dice. He played betting away his life for months. Damaynti sent her kids to her fathers. He bet away everything that they had nothing. Kali then made him abandon his wife in the woods. 

A serpent tried to kill her but she was saved by a huntsman. He wanted to take advantage of her but she cursed him and he fell dead. She then found a holy place. They told her that she would see Nala again in splendor and his sin would be forgiven, then the holy men disappeared. She continued looking for Nala until she made it to Sunanda, another queen. She found refugee there. 

Nala and Damayanti Donald Alexander Mackenzie

Eastern Stories and Legends Part D

Eastern Stories and Legends

The Crow That Thought It Knew

The Bodhisatta became a marsh crow named Viraka the strong. There was a famine and people could not give food to the animals. The crows went to the woods. A crow became Viraka's servant because he didn't know how to fish. Eventually he became emaciated but he died trying to fish. His wife realized he was missing.

The Judas Tree

Brahmadatta, the King of Benares, had four sons. The sent for the charioteer to see a judas tree. He showed them one at a time and the tree was in different stages. They were confused why it was all different and their dad told them to be more specific with their questions.

A Judas Tree

River-Fish and the Monkey

The Bodisatta wasborn in the family of a landed proprietor. He became a wealthy man. He took up some of his dad's business after his dad passed away. He was generous but his brother was greedy. He was trying to trick his brother out of money, but the spirits were on his brother's side. A fisherman gave him a fish with the parcel of money so he got it back.

The Dreamer in the Wood

Buddha lived alone in the woods. He ate wild fruits, flowers, and leaves. A divine being Sakka asked him to be free of malice, hatred, and greed. He understood why and made the tree bear fruit perenially and if he stayed there he was without disease.

The Rice Measure

Btahmadatta was king in Benares and the Bodisat was his valuer. He got a peasant to value things for him. A horse dealer bribed the valuer to see if he was corrupt. It ashamed the king and he drove out the fool.

The Poisonous Trees

Bodhisatta was born a merchant. He was trading with 500 wagons. He came to a town that had a poisonous what-fruit tree outside of it. Some people ate it but the Bodhisatta saved them.

Mango

 

The Well-Trained Elephant

The Bodhisatta was born a white elephant. He got so much praise that the king got jealous. The king challenged him. The king tried to get him killed. He made him work really hard. He divided his kingdom in three portions. 

The Wise Physician 

Kisagotami had a fairy tale life. But her son died. She went to Buddha for answers and he could help him. He sent her to get some ingredients. He taught her that the living are few and the dead are many. Our system is not permanent. 

Eastern Stories and Legends

Notes Week 11 Eastern Stories and Legends Part C

Eastern Stories and Legends

The Hawk and the Osprey

Two hawks lived on a lake by a lion and an Osprey and a Tortoise. The hawks were going to get married and she asked if he had any friends. She was worried that they didn't have any support. She pointed out they had great neighbors. He went out and made friends.

She had two sons and they were threatened by hunters. The osprey helped by putting out their fire. When he got tired, the tortoise he put mud on the flame then dragged them into the water. Then the lion came to scare them away. 

Grandmother's Golden Dish

The Bodisat was a dealer in tin and brass. He went round selling his wears. A wealthy family became poor. Only a girl and her grandmother were left and they served others for hire. They had a pot of gold but it was so dirty they didn't know it was gold. They tried to trade it for a pit and the Bodisat revealed its true worth. He gave them $1,000 and everything he had.

An EXPENSIVE Gold Dish

The Elephant That Spared Life

The Bodisat was born a nobleman's son, Prince Magha. His parents got him married. He was a good guy. He was very giving and always kept the Commandments. When the King charged robbers without inquiry he reminded it was important to do so.  They were not trampled by Elephants in response.

How the Antelope Was Caught

The King of Benares had a gardener named Sanjaya. An antelope liked to hang in the garden. He and the king tried to catch him with honey and led him into the palace. He showed the antelope the danger of greed and let him go back.

The Banyan Deer

The Bodisat came to life as a deer. He was pretty. The king of the area loved meat. The people wanted to catch them so they didn't have to hunt anymore. The king promised the king of the Deer his life and he changed places with a young mother. The king gave everyone their lives because he loved the selflessness. The Pupil Who Taught His Teacher

Buddha was born into a Brahim family and was known as a Dhamapala or law keeper. HE was sent to study with a famed teacher became a chief pupil. The eldest son died but the Dramapala did not cry. Instead he was concerned. The teacher went on a journey. It was not the custom for children in his family line to die. The Brahmin made him feel better. 

A Deer

The  Man Who Told a Lie

Four divine beings came to Earth. The Gods started talking to a false priest.  The fourth God realized he was lying and he was crushed by the spikes of his wreaths because he lied. He made a confession and begged for mercy but no one could pry it from his head. He prayed and the Gods showed up and took it off.

Eastern Stories and Legends

Eastern Stories and Legends Part B

The Bull That Demanded Fair Treatment

The Bodisat came to life as a bull, and a Brahmin treated him like his son. He was treated so well that he thought no other ox could drag the weight he could. There was a bet made with a squire and a hundred carts were filled to see who was stronger. The bull won and the Brahmin won 2000.

The Bull That Proved His Gratitude

When the Bodisat was still a bull, his owners stopped at an old woman's house and they gave him to her. He became friends with the village children. The Bodisat was grazing and a village cattle owner wanted to buy him but could not find the owner so he tried to take him. The children stopped him. 

Cows

The Horse That Held Out to the End

Buddha came to life as a small thoroughbred horse and was made the King's Destrier. He was treated well. A knight wanted him for a fight. When they were taking of his mail he passed away. He was buried with great honors. 

The Monkey That Saved the Herd

Buddha was reborn as the King of the monkeys, all 80,000 monkeys. He warned the monkeys about poisoned trees and haunted lakes. They came to a haunted lake and got around the haunt by using straws. 

The Mallard That Asked for Too Much

Buddha was born a Brahmin and was married to a bride and they had three daughters. After his death he was born a Golden mallard. He was determined to give his golden feathers to his family so they could live comfortably. One by one they would take one and became wealthy. The mother was scared that they could not trust him and they should pluck him clean. The daughters refused. In greed the mother plucked them against his wish and then they became cranes feathers, worthless. 

The Merchant Who Overcame All Obstacles

Buddha was born in a merchant's family and he grew up and began trafficking with five hundred carts. He arrived at a desert 20 leagues across. The sand was very fine and hot. They had to travel at night.  After one night they ended up at the same encampment they were earlier. But they found a stream and made an oasis. They sold they fares there. 

The Elephant That Was Honored in Old Age

Buddha was a Prime Minister that served the King. There was a great Elephant who served as a messenger. SHe earned many great ornaments until she grew old and they were taken away. One night she was not yoked to the cart and it made the King mad. She plead her case that she was not an Oxen and hearing that the King restored her to her former place of honor. 

The Faithful Friend

The Bodisat became the Brahma-datta's minsister. At that time a dog would do to the state elephant's stable and eat the rice that fell. The animals became friends. A peasant bought the dog one day, the the elephant became depressed. The bodisat knew why and the King was very thankful. 

Elephant

Eastern Stories and Legends

Eastern Stories and Legends

The Hare That Ran Away

Buddha was born again as a lion and was helping his fellow animals. He had to help Hare who was always scared something dreadful was going to happen to her. She thought this so much she believed it after hearing a heavy fruit fall behind her. She ran into old brother hare who started following her. The tiger, then the camel, the camel, the buffalo, and the deer followed suit, until they ran into buddha the lion. The lion made the hare show him where the Earth was falling in and calmed the situation. 

The Spirit That Lived in a Tree

Buddha was re-born as a Tree-Spirit. The king there wanted to live in a palace only supported by only one column so he could be the chiefest of all kings. In kings park, there was a great tree that was worshiped and he wanted it cut down. Many people protested this action. The spirit who lived in the tree was determined to protect his children. He made a plea to the king to cut him down gently so his children that grow at his feet would not be killed. The king was moved by this sacrifice so he did not cut him down. 

Baobab Tree

The Hare that Was Not Afraid to Die

Buddha was born a hare and lived in a wood, He lived with three friends, Monkey, Jackal, and Otter. The hare taught them many wise concepts: moral law should be observed, alms should be given to the poor, and holy days should be kept. Jackal stole fish from the fishermen and stole from the the lizard. He thought he was virtuous because of this.  The monkey ate mangoes before the due season. They were going to give it the Brahmin and he got together with the Monkey, Jackal, Otter, and the Hare to solve the area.

The Parrot That Fed His Parents

Buddha was reborn in the shape of a parrot and excelled all other parrots. His dad was the leader of the flock but he wanted him to take over. Each day he lead his flock to Himalaya Hill to eat rice. There was a man who tried to drive away the parrots but he couldn't stop them. He was scared that there was not any crops left so his master wanted him to catch the bird. He talked with the Brahmin to clear up the situation. 

The Man Who Worked To Give Alms

Buddha was born a merchant named Vissaya who loved giving alms. He gave 600,00 men what the needed. He was so giving Sakka, the King of the Gods, grew suspisious that he would dethrone them and make himself Sakka. So Sakka began giving like crazy until they had nothing so they began mowing the grass for them. Then they started talkin, Sakka realized that he did not want his position.

The King Who Saw the Truth

The Wisdom child who would become Buddha was born a King. He was a virtuous man and wanted to do anything and everything for his people. Sakka wanted to test his resolve and see if his words were vain. The king was going to give his eyes to a blind Brahmin. Because he was so giving, he was given eyes that see perfect and absolute truth. 

Eyes

Shedlock. Eastern Stories and Legends

Reading Notes Week Nine

Duryodhana comes to visit and mock but he ends up needing their help to escape the gandharvas. Another prince tries to kidnap Drupada. Then they have to try not to fight the cattle. 

They fight Duryodhana. Arjuna is scared but everyone persuades him to. Bhishma leads Duryodhana's army. He is super old. The battle goes back and forth until Bhishma dies.Bhishma refused to fight a trans man Shakhandin. So he put his guard down and everyone shot him down with arrows. He didn't dies immediately and begged for peace afterwards.

The leader that goes after him, Drona, is killed too. Drona's son and an elephant have the same name. This causes a lot of confusion, and leads to Druapadi killing Drona because his dad died. Karni leads the army after him.

An Indian Asian Elephant

Druapadi put Karni in charge because he believed unlike the others he had no secret love for the Padvavas. Karna and Arjuna face off and it leads to many draws until Arjuna wins, killing his half brother. He didn't know that though.

Ashwathman, the kid with the same name as the Elephant, killed all the sons of the Pandavas while they were dueling Drupada. He told Drupada right before he died. 

Reading Notes, Week 9

Reading Mahabharata 2

Bibliography 

Wilson The Five Tall Sons of Pandu

Pandu had five sons: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, and Nakula and Sahadeva (the twins). His brother became king after Pandu died and he had 100 sons. Damn. Drona trained them. Karna challenged Arjuna and matches him exactly in skill. 

Yudishthira was named heir apparent instead of Duryodhana. He tried to trap the other fam in a burning house, but they escaped disguised as hermits. Arjuna won Drupada in an archery contest, but she marries Yudishthira because he is the oldest. He then becomes a king of his own kingdom. 

Yudishthira plays dice against Prince Shakuni, his uncle. He loses everything and Draupadi, and everyone goes to the forest in exile for 12 years. 

Chariot

Mahabharata Part C

Mahabharata Part C

Pandavas were exiled in the forest for a 12 years and hung out with sages. Krishna comes and hangs out and told them what Draupadi said about her situation. She questions god she is so angry. Arjuna goes off on his own to to acquire weapons to face Duryodhana.

     Arjuna's dad Indra brought him to celestial cities for five years. He hung out with Urvashi a apsara who was beautiful and exploded the Himalayas. While he was gone his brothers  were were at Kamyaka. They met back together in the himalayas.
     Hanuman is still here and is the half brother of Bhima. Bhima stumbled upon him in the forest and he recounted the stories of Rama.

Duryodhana was humiliated in front of the Pandavas again. He tried to fight with the celestial spirits and his courtiers and royals ladies were taken prisoners. Karna fled but promised to kill Arjuna. When he was born he was born he was clad in armor and they were a tour of invincibility. So Indra, works to protect Arjuna. They had to take the tokens of invincibility from him by trading them for an invincible dart.

Draupadi face great danger in the forest and was taken by Jayadratha, Rajah of Sindhu. Bhima spared his life but cut of his hair and made him a slave.

The final year of their exile was spent in hiding. They went to the court of King Virata and entered his service. Draupadi was almost raped but none of her husbands could help because they were hiding. Bhima defended her in secret.

Duryodhana and his allies attack King Virata and steal his cattle so the Pandavas come to his defense. When he found out about Arjuna fight he offered his daughter. This fight made war almost inevitable. Arjuna married off his son and made the alliance greater. Krishna goes on Arjuna's side, but he kept trying to be a peace maker at the battle of Kurukshetra.

Karna still does not know the Pandavas are his brothers. Krishna reveals the secret to him and tells him to go to them in peace. He went to their mother and talked to her.

All got to together to fight. He also do Yuyutsu to join him. So many people joined him. Krishna talks Arjuna to fight becuase he did not want to fight his relatives. Abbimanyu, Arjuna's son, went after Bhishma's prowess. On the eighth day, Ghatokacha slayed Durodhana's son.

The Battle

 

Bibliogrpahy

Public Domain Edition Mahabharata Part C

Mahabharata Part B

Mahabharata

Vidura was never considered eligible for king because his mom was a handmaiden, but he was a member Dhritarasthra's court. However, he was loyal to the Pandavas. He kept them from burning alive in Duryodhana's plot. The Pandavas moved back into the wilderness and faced dangers there like a monster. The monster's sister like Bhima and wanted to marry him and decided to rescue him from the monster, but Bhima could not leave his family. Bhima fought her brother and slayed him, then married Hidimbi. They had a son. 

The rest of the family left and was taken in by another who pestered by a cruel chief named Baka who required high taxes. The queen wished Bhima was there and then he appeared. He defeated the chief with a tree. The family came out of hiding to win the fair bride in Panchala, Draupadi. 

Drupada hoped Arjuna would marry his daughter, so he made a great bow because of the great Pandava archer. Many men tried, and Karna was able to pull back the bow. Arjuna did it still disguised as a brahmin but Drupada recognized him. Their mother accidentally promised all her sons to Draupadi, so all five became her husband. She had a son with each of them. Her father used them to secure his kingdom.

Life with 5 husbands is hard and Arjuna messed up and went on a exile in the jungle for 12 years. He met Ulupi, the daughter of Vasuki, king of Nagas, and spent time with her. They had a son named Iravat. Vasuki had gifted that he would never be overcome with any animal of the water. So when he was bit by the crocodile that was actually a nymph he won. The crocs coulc not be nymphs unless he dragged them to shore. 

Arjuna marries Chitra, the daughter of the King of Manipur and they have a son. The king was scared to have his daughter marry him because he wanted the royal succession to live on, so the son stays in Manipur. He also married Krishna's sister by stealing her, Subhadra, who was going to marry his cousin Duroydhana. She had one son with him, Abhimanyu. 

Arjuna and his BFF Krishna defeated the demon Maya. He built a palace for them and made their cousin even more jealous. Their uncle Durodhana could not find his way around it well. As the Pandavas became so powerful their wife's dad decided to declare himself supreme ruler. He invited his enemies to his palace to tell them and when they objected they slayed them. 

Parcheesi can cause a gambling addiction. He invited Yudhishthira to play against Duryodhana. He lost everything, even his wife, which was illegal. She was not a fan of the circumstances for she did not do anything wrong and was being punished. Bhima swears terrible oaths and tries to get revenge. There is a second match but it went just as bad. 

Parcheesi: It is only $29.95

Bibliography 

Mahabharata Online Public Domain Edition

The Mahabharata: Part A

The Mahabharata Public Domain Part A

The Mahabharata was written by Vyasa. It contained everything a man should know of the earth and of heaven. Brahama told him that Ganesha would be his scribe, but he couldn't stop moving his pen.

      There was a king called Uparichara, King of Chedi, who was incredibly devoted to asceticism. They sent Indra to bribe him with a care because they were threatened on his devotion. One day he was fly and his semen fell into a river, and ten months later, two children, a boy and a girl, were caught in a fish. The king took the boy, but left the girl to the fisherman. She was beautiful but smelled like fish. One day the rishi Parashara persuaded to yield his embraces that if she did she would lose her smell, but she had to remain a virgin. She had a baby called Vyasa. 

King Bharata was the sire of King Hastin who built Hastinapura. King Shantanu, the grandson of King Bharata, had a beautiful wife, the goddess Ganga of the Ganges river. She killed 7 babies, and this ruined the father. He broke their wedding vow, and she took the last baby. When she finally returned she left a power youth named Devavrata. 

Satyavati, Vyasa's mother, becomes the love interest of King Shantanu. Her father refused to consent to her marrying him until he promised that her son would be inherit his throne, but he could not do that because of his son and left. Devavrata then denounced his claim to the throne became Brishma  then so the Satyavati and the king were married. They had two sons Vichitravirya and Chitrangada. when Shantanu dies, he does not become king. 

Bhishma became responsible for finding his brothers. He went after the daughters of the king of Benares- Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika. He was the best archer so he was able to seize all the maidens so one of the girls might marry his brother. Amba was rejected by Bhishma, and she took refuge in a hermitage. She prayed for so long his destruction, Shiva, told her to slay him and asked for a new body.  Despite two wives, the genealogy did not carry on and no children were produced. Vyasa then became married the women and had children with them and a handmaiden. The son with no defect was named Vidura and was the incarnation of Dharma. Pandu (the pale one) was eventually put on the throne. 

King Pandu married two wives: Kunti and Madri. Kunti had a son out of wedlock with Surya, the God of the Sun. She sent it down the river in shame and it was adopted by Radha and Adhiratha who could not have children. Pandu went hunting and accidentally killed a sage in disguise. He took vows of celibacy and hid in solitary because had been cursed to die in his wives arms. He died in Madri's arms and she was buried with him. His sons were the Pandava brothers, the five princes. 

His blind brother took the throne for him until the princes came to age. His wife became the mother to a hundred sons, the Kauravas, the eldest Duryodhana. Duryodhana was to be an evil man. Kunti brought her sons from the mountains to Hastinapura where they would live with the Kauravas. Duryodhana hates his cousin and he attempts to kill Bhima, the second oldest Pandavas. Bhima goes to the Underworld king Nagas and becomes supernaturally strong but kept it a secret form his cousins. 

Drona was a teacher to the cousins. He was friends with King Drupada but they grew to hate each other. Pandavas are better students and this causes more tensions. The oldest P Yudhishthira was a spear man and scholar. Arjuna was the best warrior and they were the most jealous of him. Bhil wanted to be one of Drona's scholar. He was aboriginal. 

Now that the boys have completed their education they will compete in a tournament. In a mock fight Duryodhana takes it deadly serious and Arjuna is the best. When Arjuna wins, Karna, appears and neither knows they are brothers. Karnu joined the side of Duryodhana. Karnu got help from the sun and people doubted Arjuna. Since the boys are done, they had to pay, and he demanded that the boys bring revenge against King Drupada.  The cousins could not agree when to attack and the Kaurvas were defeated. The Pandavas rushed against them and overcame them. Drona took half of the kingdom because the Kaurvas failed. Duryodhana was jealous of their successes.  He planned to set fire to the palace. 

Mahabharata

Bibliography

Mahabharata Online: Public Domain Edition

Nine Ideal Women: Part B

Promila

Indrajit was married to a beautiful girl named Promila who loved him dearly. Indrajit's brother, Birbahoo, was killed by Rama. His old nurse was sent from his parents to tell him. He had to go to the capitol and avenge his family, but promise to return that evening. When he did not return that evening, she decided to set out. Everyone tried to stop her because the enemies camp was along the way. She dressed as a knight and headed toward Lanka. She was stopped by Hanuman, but she used her brain to freely pass. 

The next day. Indrajit planned to fight Rama. That night they prayed to their family god Agni. Indrajit went without weapons because he went to pray. Lakshimana crept in to kill him because he was scared of his brother facing him. Indrajit defended himself with the altar ornaments then tried to run to get his sword but his uncle was holding the door. His uncle was on Lakshimana's side however. 

After Indrajit died, Promila asked permission to go with him, She could not live without him. Their souls raised together to god. 

Promila riding to Lanka

Sakuntala

When the sage, Menka,  broke his vow of celibacy he abandoned his daughter to the Sakuntala Bird. Kanva and Goutami found her and raised her naming her after the bird. She was incredibly beautiful. 

She and her sisters were talking one day when they were approached by the great Maharajah Dushmanta. He was enchanted with Sakuntala and wanted her to be his queen. He waited many days for her father to come home. He could not wait any longer because his kingdom needed him so Goutami consented for him and they married. He gave her a ring and told her that he would send for her. 

Many months passed and she was expecting. Her parents wanted to send her so their child would be born at his estate, But she begged to keep waiting. She was scared to go to an unknown kingdom. So she went with her "uncles" and her aunt. 

When they got there, the king acted like he never married Sakuntala.  She went to give him the ring, but it was gone. They left the city and went to the forest. 

Two fishermen tried to return a ring that they had actually stolen from Sakuntala to the king and his memory was restored. He spent four years looking for her, vowing not to rule without her. Until one day he passed two ladies and a little boy. He found a boy playing with a tiger cub. He led her to his mother. Where he finally found Sakuntala. They returned to the palace until their son could rule, then lived a simple life.

Bibliography 

Nine Ideal Indian Women, By Maharanee Sunity Devee 

Nine Ideal Indian Women:Part A

Sita

The King-Farmer named Janaka was childless. One day he came upon a gold pitcher in the ground with a baby girl inside. Everyone rejoiced and welcomed the baby girl. She was incredibly beautiful. A year later, King Janaka's wife gave birth to a daughter and his sister-in-law gave birth to twins. 

Many people wanted to marry Sita. The great Brahamin Parashurama left a bow and told him to grant her hand to who ever breaks it, if someone did before he returned. Prince Rama showed up at about 16 years old. He and Sita fell immediately in love, and he was able to break the bow. A Sun-Prince for a Moon-Princess! Janaka and Mithila were very sad about losing their princess. They would miss her greatly. 

As they were leaving, Parashurama was returning and met the the marriage procession. He wanted to fight Rama for marrying Sita and breaking his bow. Parashurama challenged him to string him another bow, and Rama did it easily, defeating Parashurama without a fight. 

Keykaya, one of Dasaratha's favorite wife, was found in a disorderly fashion. She told the king a terrible statement, that she wanted Rama to be banished and he son Bharata to be crowned. Rama had to go because it was his duty, and Sita and Rama's brother went with him. 

While they were exiled, the pair were in in the woods, away from civilization. A woman, Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana, approached Rama and tried to seduce him. He told her he was already married and to try Lakshmana, he cut off her nose. Maricha pretended to be Rama, dying, but Lakshmana did not leave until he drew protective lines on the ground. An old Yogi approached Sita, who was actually Ravan Sita. The yogi was extremely starving, so Sita gathered him some fruit and pulled her out of the lines by her outstretched arm. Ravan then took Sita on his chariot to Lanka, where he begged her to marry him, but she refused.

Sita asks Rama to get the Golden Deer

Sita while in captivity became friends with Sarama, the wife of Bibbisan, and told her of the plans of the her rescue mission. Sita listened to the entire battle between Rama and Ravana. Rama refused to look at her, and he wanted to know if she was still true to him. He doubted her fidelity, but she passed a test by fire (Agni). 

Rama and Sita returned after 14 years, and Bharata welcomed them. Everyone but Queen KeyKeya welcomed them and Rama forgave her and thanked her for the lessons he learned. 

Rama decided to desert Sita but couldn't do it himself and made his brother do it. She was taken in by the sage  Valmiki and gave birth to Lava and Kusha. The boys were not told who their father was growing up. When her sons defeated their uncle and confronted their father and learned of their royal blood, Rama asked for Sita to returned. Sita did not want any reconciliation and returned to her mother, Mother Earth, because she could give no other proof of her chaste than fire. 

Bibliography 

Nine Ideal Indian Women, By Maharanee Sunity Devee 

Ramayana: D

Ramayana D

Rama and the army of monkeys and bears had to get across the water to Lanka. So Rama prayed to the God of the Ocean and he sent him to Mala, the son of Vishwakarman, the divine artisan. He built him a bridge to construct bridges, "Rama's Bridge," so the armies could cross.

Ravana had great powers of illusion and he was using them to cause Sita despair. He pretended to be a monkey who came with news that Rama had been slained, but Sita knew it was a trick.

Rama's army advances and attacks Lanka. Indrajit, the son of Ravana, used his magic and became invisible. But Garuda saved the day with his mighty power. But, Ravana's best warrior is his brother Kumbhakarna, but he was asleep and had an enormous appetite. He then defeated Hanuman and seized Sugriva. He and Indrajit made an almost unbeatable team. Hanuman carried the Medicine Hill back Lanka to help. Indrajit used his magic to make it appear Sita has been slain, but Vibhishana tells Rama what is happening and makes him aware of a place where he can ambush Indrajit. Lakshmana then slays Indrajit. Ravana tries to enact his revenge on Lashmana for killing his son,  but he did not suceed because Hanuman returned. 

The Gods planned for Rama to defeat Ravana, so Indra set his chariot and charioteer, Matali, to help Rama. Agastya gave Rama words of advice, and Rama fought the demons Ravana made. Then using the Brahma-weapon, Rama defeated Ravana. 

Mandodari, Ravana's chief wife, morns his passing. Then Vibhishana conducts lights Ravan's funeral. Rama then ebgins to search for Sita. Sita demands to test her honor because she lived in another man's house. She calls upon the fire-god, Agni, to test her fidelity to Rama by fire. The fire proved Sita true and Rama finally believed her purity. 

Rama and Sita fly back to Ayodhya in the chariot that belonged to Ravana. Their exile has ended and they return just in time so Bharata did commit suicide. After 14 years of exile, Rama is crowned king. 

The sorrows of Sita had not ended and Rama sends Sita into exile because he doubted her fidelity. She soon in her exile gave birth to two sons, Lava and Kusha. Valmiki, the sage, taught them of their father, but never told them of their connection. Rama realizes the connection and confront fronts Sita. She told him that she never thought of anyone but him and returned to Heaven. 

After Rama's brother Lakshmana left, Rama decided it was time for him to return as Vishnu. He tied up his lose ends, and returned to the the heavens in his own form with his brothers.

Rama

Bibliography

Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

Storybook research

So I decided to look further into Nala Damayanti. It is related to the Hindu story of Nal and Damayanti, so I looked further into it. It is very close to Nala Damayanti.They both contain themes of love, deceit, and war. Nal and Damayanti were destined to struggle as a couple. While Nal was a great ruler and a high intellect, their kingdom was attacked by four planets and destroyed their wealth. They fought for happiness and their kingdom.

Their story is also related to Odysseus and Penelope's relationship. It is a subsection of Homer's Odyssey. Penelope waited 20 years for her husband's return, despite 108 possible suitors. She is a symbol of fidelity because of this long Chasity.

These two stories relate to Nala Damayanti. I wonder how their love despite the circumstances would interact with a family of lesser circumstances. I like how it has been redone and influenced other stories I am familiar with so I could place it in another region of the world. Also, King Nala lost everything in a gambling match. I could use this failure and transform it into a more modern turn and talk about their struggles they overcome. Addiction is a struggle millions struggle with and this story captures it.

Nala Damayanti

Topic Research:

The Avatars of Vishnu

So Rama, who I have been reading about is a avatar of Vishnu, so that is interesting. Then there are also other avatars. Vishnu descends to restore cosmic order. I looked to see the first 10 avatars, Dashavatara. It is interesting to me that Rama is the 7th. Also, the different forms he takes are interesting. His first avatar is a fish, and the second is a tortoise. I love how other animals can save the world and the focus is not only on humans, but on every living thing. This balance would interesting to write about with how there are so many endangered animals today. I could rewrite the story of an avatar in modern times with modern themes.

Vishnu and his Avatars

Women of the Ramayana

There are many women with many degrees of involvement in the Ramayana, from Sita to her sister in- law Urmila, and even women in the monkey world. Their involvement is vital to the story, and sometimes they do the pivotal acts. I am very interest in Sita's story since i have read so much about her thus far. She is a very powerful woman, and I wonder how her story would be like if she had more focus as an individual, not a wife. She has a very sad story because she was sent away for becoming pregnant. Her purity was question, despite holding true to Rama many times. I would like to explore this more. 

Sage and Gurus

The sages and Gurus are interesting. They are very influential to any story they are in because the power they hold. They are more than teachers, they mold everyone they interact with into better people, unlike the "gurus" of modern life. Vishvamitra is a very interesting one. His interactions in Ramayana are wise, and he allows him to succeed.  There are so many stories I could write about a sage, specifically Vsihvamitra. He is not only involved in Ramayana, but other epics as well. I like the idea of him guiding and avatar, but I want to know more about other sages first.

Week 3 Story: Monarch Butterflies

The Monarch Butterflies and the Caterpillar

Every year monarch butterflies fly south to Mexico to escape the cold. Hundreds of thousands of orange butterflies fly together. It is an event people come and watch every year. Two of them wanted to bring one of their friends, the caterpillar, along because he could not fly yet. They were scared he would not survive the winter because he could not fly away.

They called to the caterpillar asking him to come along. They devised a plan that the caterpillar could hold onto a leaf as the butterflies carried them to Mexico. So they asked, "Hello Caterpillar, do you want to come back to us to Mexico? It is beautiful and warm there. You will definitely survive the winter there."

"How can you bring me along,? I cannot fly" the caterpillar asked.

The butterflies replied, "You will hold onto a leaf we will carry all the way there, but you cannot let go to wave to the children who wave to butterflies."

So when it was time to leave, the butterflies started to carry the caterpillar to Mexico. The journey was long, so the caterpillar had to hold on for a long time. Eventually, they passed a group of tourists who were watching the butterflies make their travels to Mexico. A young girl decided to wave at the butterflies, and the caterpillar saw, got excited, and let go and waved back. He then fell off the leaf down to the ground.

The butterflies flew on sad because their friend could just not wave.

Monarch Butterfly

Author's Note

The story, The Turtle Who Couldn't Stop Talking, is a very sad story. The original story is about a two geese who befriended a turtle and wanted to bring him home, but turtles cant fly. So to get around this, the turtle had to close his mouth around a stick while the geese carried him. But, the turtle opened his mouth to talk, so he fell. I changed the story to different animals and a different event. It made the story more happy, while retaining the moral of the story. 

Bibliography:

The Turtle Who Couldn't Stop Talking Jataka Tales, Ellen C. Babbit 1912

Ramanaya Part B

Ramanaya

Rama's brother, Bharata, was away from home when his brother was exiled and his brother died. He was supposed to be King, but vowed to not take the throne and to look for his brother, so he could return. However, first he had to tend to his dad's funeral. Then, he went into the forest and found his brother, begging him to return. He even offered to switch places for the 14 years and gave him sandals that were symbols of royal authority.  

While Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana met many sages when they were in the forest. Sita shared the story of her birth to the wife of the sage Atri, Anasuya. Her dad found her when her was ploughing, on the ground. The next time they meet a sage, Agastya, he receives weapons from him. 

Sita was abducted by the demon, Viradha. He cannot be wounded by a sharp weapon so it is hard to kill him. Rama and Lakshmana battled him to save Sita. Rama and Viradha's story had been connected since Viradha was cursed.

A rakshasa woman, Shurpanakha, and the sister of Ravana wanted to seduce Rama. She tried to persuade Rama to leave Sita, but Rama suggested she pursue Lakshmana because he was single. She then went to Lakshmana, but he jested with her. However, she did not like being rejected, and attacked Sita. Lakshmana protect Sita and cut off Shurpanakha's nose and ears.  She went home and told her brother about what happened. This interaction led to another fight between Khara and Rama. Khara wanted to fight for his sister and avenge his brother's death. Rama won when he drew his bow and shot a blazing arrow. Shurpanakha then went to her other brother, Ravana, the King of Lanka. 

He sought help to take on Rama by asking Maricha's help. They enchant Sita with by Maricha disguising himself as a golden deer. She asks Rama to get the deer for her. Rama shot the deer, killing it, but realized it was Maricha after he called out in an imitation of his voice. Lakshmana and Sita heard the imitation of Rama and thought he might have been slain. Ravana changed his shape to a sage of the forest to get close to Sita. Lakshmana had left the hermitage they were staying at. He changed into the shape of a demon and stole Sita. The bird Jatayu tried desperately to stop Ravana from taking Sita. She dropped her jewelry as a path for Rama to find her. However, Brahma was happy because he foresaw Ravana's death. Ravana brought Sita back with him to Lanka. He tried to seduce her because he wanted her as a wife, but she refused. 

Lakshmana found Rama and they rushed back to their hut, but returned to find Sita was gone. They learned from Jatayu that they had headed south. Rama and Lakshmana head towards Lanka and meet another rakshasa, Kabandha. He bade them burn his body so he could leave his rakshasa form. He promised information regarding Sita. He told them where she was and that Ravana held her. On their way there, they found a hermitage and a woman named Shabari who was waiting for their arrival. It was part of her destiny that he was coming and she asked him to perform her funeral rites. 

The Shri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Bibliography

Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition