Reading Notes: Draupadi: The Fire-born Princess, Part A

I finally decided to read one of the graphic novels on reserve at the Bizzell Library. I used to read Manga so I was interested in how the epics we've been reading would be portrayed.

Firstly, I love the artwork and how each characters have their own  unique details. The Epified videos and the comic books do not do as good of a job at this. I also like that a family tree is included on the inside cover. One of the most difficult things to keep up with, especially in the Mahabharata, is how everyone is related.

This novel is essentially the stories of the Pandavas told by Draupadi, but her perspective brings new life to the tales. Particularly, the birth of Draupadi took me by surprise! I had never heard this story before, but remember the king that Drona ordered the Pandavas to bring to him as their gift? That king that grew up with Drona and later left him starving is Draupadi's father! Afterwards, he and his wife meditated and prayed until the gods sent them a son and a daughter via fire sacrifice to avenge them.

Bibliography: Draupadi: The Fire-born Princess by Sarswati Nagpal
Image: Woman and Fire, Pixabay

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's Calendar Art, Part E

I found these two videos quite interesting. I listened to them on my ride back to Norman tonight. The metaphor of Vishnu as cowherd and the Cow as earthly resources has been mentioned in a previous video, but I liked hearing it explained more in depth. Vishnu as the judge of dharma makes perfect sense to me, especially as his reincarnation of Rama.

In this form, Rama right the balance of power and nature between many characters. The story of Vishnu as Matsya, the first fish, intrigues me very much as well, but the ending puzzles me. Initially, this fish teaches man the importance of kindness, but then he teaches a lesson of showing too much kindness. There is also a future savior-like avatar of Vishnu, called Kalki which is equally fascinating. It seems that a character like this can be found in every major religion.

Bibliography: Pattanaik's Calendar Art, Part E
Image: Dasavatar (Vishnu's Avatars), Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's Calendar Art, Part D

I liked at the beginning of the first video when the narrator walks us through many stories in Shiva's life. One of my favorite things from this course is the Hindu artwork. Of these portraits, I particularly like the ones that feature a god/goddess/other character surrounded by important scenes of their stories. It is such a unique style of artwork that I haven't seen before. One of these portraits could also be easily used in the picture storytelling idea.

Perhaps my favorite quote from this video is: "Nothing is absolute. The forest transforms into a field and back into a forest again. The bride becomes a warrior, the killer becomes a mother, the tormentor becomes a guardian, the animal becomes god." This idea is explored in the second video when a few of the goddesses are discussed. Especially Durga, and the image of her that is discussed, intrigue me. I also like the idea that the demon she is standing on represents an ego that forgets the celestial beings and their role in the function of the world. Again themes of balance, transformation, and higher purpose are described through the forms of deities.

Bibliography: Pattanaik's Calendar Art, Part D
Image: Shiva's family history, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's Calendar Art, Part C

Woah, this part seemed especially deep today. There were many complex metaphysical ideals crammed into short videos. However, I did find it quite insightful into how the Hindu  religion views gender roles and the meanings of life.

I particularly like the Goddess Kali and how she balances out Shiva, the Destroyer. He remains distant from the material world, but she is determined to bring him into it. Even though she is depicted as a violent, lewd woman, she counters Shiva's destruction with resurrection and life. It really reminds me of a yin and yang approach to the metaphysical aspects of the world.

I'm really struggling to come up with an idea for a story from these videos. There are less stories and more general descriptions of the gods and goddesses, used to explain how the universe works. Perhaps I will try using the five motifs writing idea this week.

Bibliography: Pattanaik's Calendar Art, Part C
Image: Kali, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: The Second Jungle Book, Part B

The next story with Mowgli, "The Letting of the Jungle", was considerably darker than the other story or the Disney movies. He seeks revenge on the man village for persecuting and torturing a couple who took him in previously. The context of this story is a bit confusing to me, and I still don't understand if this man and woman are his biological parents or just a kind couple who took care of him when he returned to the village for a brief period. Either way, Mowgli asks Hathi and his sons to destroy the village and drive out the people who live there, thus "letting in" the jungle to grow in the village's place.

Throughout this story there is a constant identity strain for Mowgli. He does not fully fit in with his jungle brothers nor is he accepted by the man village. He claims to understand man to his wolf brothers, but detests them all the same. He speaks about how his senses are more heightened than other men, but will never match the jungle creatures'. There is much disdain for the humans and envy of the jungle animals in Mowgli's dialogue and inner thoughts.

Bibliography: The Second Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, Project Gutenberg
Image: Mowgli, Wikipedia Commons

Reading Notes: The Second Jungle Book, Part A

I recently watched the newer remake of the Jungle Book, so my interest in this subject was renewed. I read the first chapter of this book, "How Fear Came". I didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised!

This first chapter centered on the law of the jungle, particularly the Peace Rock and Shere Khan's killing of man. If you've seen the movie than you know about this cool concept of the peace rock. Essentially, when the jungle is facing a devastating drought this rock is uncovered in the river bed. When this rock is visible a truce is called between all of the animals so that no one shall be killed while they drink from this river. This is to protect everyone since water is more necessary to live.

While at the Peace Rock Tha, the ruling elephant, tells a story about the creation of the jungle. I personally love that elephants are the creator of the jungles. Tigers were named to be the judges, but they brought death. Then, the apes were the tiger's replacement, but they brought shame. Lastly, man brings fear. I love how everyone has a role and this devolution of the jungle society is explained through these animals. Normally death, shame, and fear would be considered fairly abstract concepts, but these stories really simplify the matter.

I also like at the end where Mowgli inquires about the behaviors of Shere Khan. Than makes it seem that he continued killing largely from the stigma and abandonment he felt from the other animals.

Bibliography: The Second Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, Project Gutenberg
Image: The Jungle Book cover, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's Calendar Art, Part B

I like the metaphor of Narayan/ Vishnu very much. I remember this image from Sita Sings the Blues video. The perception of reality is quite interesting. Although the narrator speaks of Lakshmi with the utmost respect, Nina Paley (the creator of Sita Sings the Blues) satirizes the patriarchy present in this image. At the end the two swap places so that Vishnu is rubbing the feet of Lakshmi.

I did think it was very interesting to learn the source of the cow deity in Hinduism. The metaphor of the cow and the cowherd is also quite intriguing. However, I do still think there is an unequal representation of women and the roles that they play in Hinduism. Yet, what older religion isn't  riddled with underlying sexism?

Bibliography: Pattanaik's Calendar Art, Part B
Image: Vishnu, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's Calendar Art, Part A

This video covered so many topics dealing with the foundations of Hindu faith. I really do like the metaphysical representations of earth and heaven throughout the religious texts. Ganesha is a very interesting example of this. Although he has a human body and spirit, he has an immortal, divine head. This also represents his parents' conflicting wishes for material and spiritual attainment. I feel most people have experienced this strain in their life, and I know that I certainly have, so it's nice to see a story acknowledge this struggle.

My favorite goddess discussed in this video was Bahuchara, goddess of the hijras. I have learned about the hijras and other transsexuals in a sexual deviance course that I took last year. This topic is especially close to me because one of my best friends in high school went through their transition senior year of high school. I like the idea of having a goddess for these people to pray to because it must have been hard growing up in the hetero-normative culture during which these stories take place. However, Bahuchara's origin story leaves more to be desired. I was hoping that it would be someone wanting to swap genders out of their own will instead of their father's.

Bibliography: Pattanaik's Calendar Art, Part A
Image: Bahuchara Devi, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Krishna and Rukmini, A Love That Will Not Be Denied

This comic book was quite interesting and picked up right where the Epified videos ended. As Krishna defeats Kamsa and restores the rightful throne to Mathura. Rukmini hears about everything and arranges her own path to marry the hero.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this story is that Rikmini's parents also want her to marry Krishna. It is only her brother, Rikmi who sees him as an enemy and therefore unworthy of his sister's hand in marriage. Yet, for some reason his judgement trumps his father's. I don't really understand why this is. Is it a cultural thing that I haven't seen before? Is his father just old and weak? Or is Rukmi just corrupting and abusive?

I also found it interesting that Rukmi's punishment at the end was to shave half of his head and half of his mustache. Krishna was actually scolded for doing this because it is so shameful. It is a bit bizarre, but I suppose I have seen this concept in other cultures before. It's crazy that this is now a popular hair style in society. I wonder what life Rukmi must live after this is done to him.

Bibliography: Krishna and Rukmini, A Love That Will Not Be Denied Vol. 516
Image: Skrillex, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: The Parijata Tree and Other Tales of Krishna

This is one of the amazing comic books from Bizzell. I jumped forward a lot in Krishna's life to when he has many wives.

The first story centers around Satya Bhama, Krishna's second wife I think. I like that she plays an active role in helping Krishna during battle, but this story leaves me feeling unsure if her actions were just. She feels that she doesn't receive the recognition she deserves so she picks a fight with Indra, destroying his celestial army, to make her point. It is nice to see such a strong woman in the Indian epics, but this particular exhibition of power seemed a little petty.

The second story is about a beautiful woman named Lakshmana, which I think is hilarious. She holds a swayamvara to secure Krishna as her husband and become his third wife. Krishna has so many brides it's a little shocking to me, but I guess that it was culturally normal for that time and place. In the third story, you see how they all get along with one another and work together when Krishna is in danger of being stolen away by a sage.

Bibliography: The Parijata Tree and Other Tales of Krishna Vol. 767
Image: Lord Krishna's Marvelous Leelas by Abhi Sharma, Flickr

Reading Notes: Epified Krishna, Part B

I absolutely love the stories of Krishna, and they just keep getting better! My favorite from this part would have to be when Krishna rides the violent bull, Hastin. As the video says he teaches the villagers the importance of kindness. While his brother was talking about killing the bull with a punch, Krishna showed the mean bull love over the span of a month to gain its trust. This story stood out to me because I was raised around all types of animals and know that fear often looks the same as aggression. The story touched my heart and is one that many people in our society could learn from.

The elephant, Kuvalayapida sent to attack Krishna also stood out to me for the same reasons. Here is this animal that is known to be aggressive and is forced to be a tool in massive warfare. It's no wonder that he doesn't let any human come near him! I would like to write a story in which Krishna shows this elephant kindness as well.

I do find it extremely sad that he isn't allowed to marry Radha. I can only imagine the heartache these two felt in the time between being denied marriage and Krishna actually leaving the village to fulfill his destiny.

Bibliography: Epified Krishna Videos, Part B
Image: Decorated Indian Elephant, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Epified Krishna, Part A

These videos are so great. I was interested in watching some of the others, but they were too long. I didn't have time to watch a playlist with thirty minute episodes tonight. Maybe in the coming weeks I will have more time because the Hindu calendar videos particularly look good.

Krishna's childhood is so neat and remind me a lot of the Disney Hercules story in which this demigod is sent to live in a small village with human parents. As the parents and the villagers realize that Krishna is not a normal boy, they come to respect and rely on him. This is much better than the rejection Hercules faces, but I wonder how this praise doesn't get to Krishna's head. He still seems so humble and wise in the Mahabharata even though he was the favorite child and a troublemaker growing up.

The beginning of Krishna's story is very dark. I couldn't imagine how his poor mother and father felt, being trapped in that prison cell for so long and watching each of your children be beaten to death by your own family. I truly hope King Kamsa gets what's coming to him soon.

Bibliography: Epified Krishna Videos, Part A
Image: Hercules strangling a snake sent to kill him in his cradle, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Harischandra, The King who Chose Rags Over Riches

This is an interesting story of trials and temptations. Harischandra, the king of Ayodhya, loses everything after he interrupts Sage Vishwamitra in the forest. He is forced to give the sage his kingdom as well as a dakshina (a concept I still don't completely understand) which causes him to sell his wife, son, and himself as slaves. Later, his son dies and he even denies his own wife the right to cremate their son without payment.

Well, it turns out this is all a test of Indra and the gods so everything is given back to Hirschandra. This is a very harsh test of devotion, but it's testing the man's devotion to his promises than any spiritual or moral values which I think is interesting. It appears that this story claims it is not only right, but expected to sell your wife and child if it means paying back your debts.

There have been similar stories that we have common across in the assigned readings with this themes as well. Each time I compare them to the testing of poor Job in the bible.

Bibliography: Harischandra, The King who Chose Rags Over Riches (Vol 577)
Image: Harischandra, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Ganga, The Divine Beauty

This is another comic book on reserve at Bizzell. The title is misleading because this is less about Ganga than it is about returning the Sagara sons to heaven. The current reading guide is also quite confusing.

I vaguely remember this story from another reading, but it's nice to have more details. Basically, Sage Agastya drinks the entire ocean so that the devas can defeat evil asuras who were terrorizing people. To refill the ocean and rivers, King Sagara and his descendants must call upon the goddess Ganga. Sagara has 60,000 sons from one wife and one grandson from his other wife. When a sacrificial horse is stolen, the 60,000 sons go in search of it, but they disrespect Sage Kapila and are all burned. When the one grandson, Amsuman comes upon the ashes, he is told that he must pay penances to the gods in order to bring Ganga to earth and send his uncles' souls to heaven. It takes a long time and multiple descendants, but finally Bhagiratha is able to refill the ocean while sending Sagara's sons to heaven.

The elephants that hold up the earth are an interesting detail in this story that are very creative. I like when animals are used to explain natural occurrences like this.

I am also very interested in adding Ganga to my storybook although I'll need to do more research. From this comic, I can tell that she is a strong, independent woman who is seemingly untamed. Although she has many "fathers" she doesn't seem to have a husband (other than King Shantanu whom she leaves).

Bibliography: Ganga: The Divine Beauty (Vol 515)
Image: Shiva stops Ganga who is falling from the sky, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Epified Mahabharata Video, Part B

Pandu's curse is so funny to me although it is darker in this video than the last reading. I do like how this version allows him to be with his sons for a time though. I never fully understood how all of the Pandavas were born from gods until this video explained Kunti's magical mantra.

I also never knew about Gundhari's one hundred sons. I think this is a very interesting and dark story. It's really sad that such ominous sons were born to such a lovely couple. I wonder what happened to the rest of their children though. Were they all killed in battle?

Ekalavya's story also makes more sense after hearing it from this perspective. Drona had more reason than just pride in taking the archer's thumb: he was trying to protect Arjuna's confidence and reputation. Still, I am not very happy with Drona's choice and I think this incident shows his negative character, making the feud with his brother more controversial.

I could relate many of these stories to Game of Thrones in which people do many bad deeds in order to maintain their children's throne. Prince Joffrey is as rotten as Duryodhana while their caretakers go to great lengths to protect them. Drona's act of violence reminds me of multiple instances of mutilation in order to cut down powerful characters.

Bibliography: Epified Mahabharata Videos Part B, Web Source
Image: Joffrey Baratheon Game of Thrones by Chris, Flickr

Reading Notes: Epify Mahabharata Video, Part A

I really like these videos. They reminded me of a lot of the cool stories before the Pandavas came along.

I particularly forgot about King Shantanu and his sons with the goddess of the Ganges. I can only imagine what the citizens of Hastinapur were thinking of their queen throughout this time. If they knew, I'm sure there were vicious rumors of insanity and evil manipulation of the king.

There were also new aspects to the stories that the public domain didn't include like Amba going in search of a sage to fight for her. It is crazy to think that Bhishma could be locked in battle for twenty- three days!

Speaking of Bhishma, I'm thinking about giving his story a twist so that I can somehow include him on my dating website. He just seems like such an admirable character. It's a shame that he dies the way he does without ever knowing romantic love.

I do really enjoy the love story of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra. I think it's so romantic that she not only knew she would marry a blind man, but devoted herself fully to  him despite her father and brother's disapproval. I think they would make a lovely testimonial story for my project.

Bibliography: Epified Mahabharata Videos Part A, Web Source
Image: Ghandari explains to Dhritarashtra, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Public Domain Mahabharata, Section D

This section held many different epic battles. I was disappointed to see Karna waste his celestial dart on someone who wasn't Arjuna. Their fight was interesting though and brought up many moral conflicts within the Mahabharata. A main theme of this text seems to be honor vs morality since these often are not the same thing.

There is so much death and mourning, and Duyrodhana remains a stubborn coward until his end. I do like that a couple of the Kaurava warriors die with dignity though. The Pandavas resort to tricks to kill Drona, but at least his soul ascends before his body is slayed. Bhishma's death is also unique, and it's heartwarming that people from both sides came to speak with him before he died. But why did they leave him lying on the battlefield for so long if they knew he wouldn't die for months?

I was also touched when Vysa reunited everyone, dead and alive, at the Ganges river for one night. I imagine a mystical watery world where everyone feasted, laughed, and sang the whole night.

The story with the mongoose also intrigued me and made me smile. I always loved the fable with Rikki Tikki Tavi, and I have owned ferrets as pets so any story including a weasel or other related animal is so entertaining to me. This mongoose tale is also interesting because it is seemingly random and unwarranted.

Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata, Web Source
Image: Yellow Mongoose, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Public Domain Mahabharata, Section C

This war just seems like the most childish thing ever. No one but Duryodhana wants it, and he only wants to slay the Pandavas out of petty jealousy. I am shocked that he is so prideful that he even ignores the direct warnings from Vishnu himself. Bhima and Karna probably has the worst end of this situation because both of them are compelled by honor to fight on the front lines despite their disillusion to the cause.

Karna's situation reminds me very much of a character from Game of Thrones, Theon Greyjoy. As a boy, his father waged a war against the Stark family and when his father lost, the Starks took young Theon captive. However, they raised him like a fellow son, never causing him harm. When he grew older and the Starks were engaged in a different war, he returned to his own kingdom to ask for aid in their cause only to find everyone, especially his father, rejecting him. The father forced him to make a choice: fight against the Starks(who have been kind to him) in this war or be completely disowned by his family(who treat him like garbage).

Earlier in the story it was nice to see Urvashi try to curse Arjuna with celibacy although I wish he had disliked it more. I also enjoyed reading The scene in which Dharma asks riddles at the river is also enjoyable. It's sad to see Draupadi victimized again, but in a way satisfying to see her get her gruesome revenge.

The Hindu caste system is also something that is very interesting to me, especially since it persisted in Indian culture for so long. I liked reading about history and the vedas from this perspective. I also loved that all this information came from one of my favorite characters, Hanuman!

Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata, Web Source
Image: Theon Greyjoy by Chris, Flickr

Reading Notes: Public Domain Mahabharata, Section B

The amount of forgotten wives in this section is a tad repulsive to me. First, you have Bhima who is pretty much forced to take a beautiful wife, Hidimba, even though she is in the form of a goddess and is praising him. Then, as far as I know, he just leaves her and their son one day to help his mom and never comes back. What's up with that???

Then there's Arjuna just collecting girls for an entire year and only returns with one of them, the only one who actually forced to marry him. This kidnapping happens with Bhishma too, and I find it very alarming. When Krishnu actually goads Arjuna by saying how honorable it is to steal a bride, I'm shocked. The whole idea comes off as hypocritical. Why is it okay for you to steal someone else's bride, but considered evil when they steal yours?

This cruelty is especially seen between Draupadi and Duhshasana. I can't wait until the Pavanas get their revenge. The story of Draupadi is also very interesting though, and I begin to wonder if her five husbands are truly a gift or a curse.

Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata, Web Source
Image: Draupadi, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Public Domain Mahabharata, Section A

I really enjoy the story of Shantyavati, the mother of Vyasa. It seems a funny fable that has a happy ending, something I'm starting to realize is unusual for the Mahabharata. I like that Kunti also has a son in the same fashion, and could only imagine if they ever had a conversation about their experiences. Kunti's story does seem eerily similar to the biblical story of Moses except that Karna is born in royalty yet sent to live away while Moses was sent to live with royalty to escape his death from being born into poverty.

The story of Pandu's death curse is very amusing and tragic, although it does give Dhritatashtra a chance to take the throne. The shunning of Dhritatasthra really peeves me for personal reasons. My grandpa was blind so growing up I was always taught that blind people could still accomplish anything that someone else could. Frankly, I'm glad that Pandu dies so Dhritatashtra could prove himself a worthy king... until he lets that punk Duryodhana corrupt him. I think a story about a great blind warrior led by the gods would be quite interesting.

The story of Ekalavya is more disturbing to me because it reminds me of the harsh caste system that India lived with for so long (even into the 19th century!). Drona treats him so cruelly at the end, but this story seems to serve as more of an explanation for a certain region's bow technique than anything else.

Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata, Web Source
Image: Ekalavya's Guru Dakshina, Wikimedia Commons