Reading Notes : Pattanaik's Calendar Art: Part B (Narayan) by Epified TV

Epified introduces 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art by Devdutt Pattanaik as a Video Book

Hindus believe in rebirth, death is only a comma.

Hindus believe in rebirth unlike Greeks(conquer) Muslims(surrender) and Christians(save), so when Narayan(God) sleeps, the world doesn’t exist. When he wakes it is reborn.

Ocean of milk which is what everything comes from – Ocean of Possibility, Just a glob of matter waiting to be formed***so much science even though it isn’t

Narayan is on a serpent – Sesha the only thing leftover after everything is destroyed(time) ***Adi Sesha The Primal Remainder or Ananta Sesha The Endless Remainder

Story of two serpents Adi and Ananta

Narayan is an observer and when he sleeps he doesn’t observe – another way the world doesn’t exist

My world vs the world, even now when we sleep our world exists but we don’t experience it so my world doesn’t exist

Totally the chicken and the egg

Lakshmi is Narayan’s consort, she is goddess of wealth and cosmic cow – Go-Mata

When Narayan is awake he is Vishnu – protector, guardian, preserver

This tells the story of Narad and Tumburu who want to win Lakshmi(when she is an avatar on earth) as a prize, and ask Vishnu for help. He helps, but because he actually loves her for the right reasons, she always chooses him.

Creation is subjective realization.

Banyan trees are immortal along with souls

Hindu idea of God is that God is ALL things, in and outside of them, he is she, he and she are also it, animate and inanimate, all things are God. Human, subhuman, superhuman. God is formless and expressed through all forms. Everything we see is God, all we sense is God, God is within us and around us. God is all there is. We can be God too but because of our limitations, egos, science, need to understand instead of just believe.

Bhagavad Gita says that if we break free by living life, struggle with rules, moralities, and ethics that the world subscribes to with the knowledge that death is not the end. We will be reborn to try again.

Hindus have no sense of urgency or a need to be a hero because of their cyclical belief of life and death. The discovery of the observer- the one who creates the world – is the purpose of life.

Bibliography

7 Secrets Hindu Calendar Art - Chapter 2 Narayan's Secret by Epified

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Reading Notes : Pattanaik's Calendar Art: Part A (Ganesha) by Epified TV

Epified introduces 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art by Devdutt Pattanaik as a Video Book

Hinduism requires both a male and female for creation
Source:Web

I like that in Hinduism it is compared to Christianity instead of a singular idea, there are gods and goddesses that fit into a jigsaw puzzle called God.

My world versus “the world” question is food for thought. Subjective versus objective is important.

In the Hindu world, God is not a singular entity or masculine.

Shiva and Parvati (wife) are equals(Gods), their children, Ganesha and Kartikeya are lesser(gods). Shiva is the destroyer and God because if he closes his eyes the world ceases to be. Parvati embodies all emotions. Makes me think that females are depicted as emotional and males as being strength(this is in all cultures I have read about thus far).

Ganesha, Kartikeya, or any divine god worshiped alone, can then be considered a God in that place.

Brahma created Vedas by transmitting them to Rishi, Vyas, but in Hinduism man cannot exist without woman, not even the gods. The transmission itself is the Veda-Mata goddess.

Life is incomplete without 4 goals – Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha…Kama are the pleasurable pursuits.

For Hindus, it is okay to worship a man who has transformed earth into paradise. They are not just considered a saint like in Christianity, but an earthly manifestation of god.

Parrot and Lotus associated with Kama, Hindu cupid.

Bahuachara goddess of many behaviors, tolerant of hijras, those who seek gender fulfillment(Male Indian transgenders). They live outside society, castrate themselves and pray to her. Stories say she once turned a woman into a man so she could marry another woman since they had been betrothed without knowing that they were both females. Hindus believe in reincarnation so they pray to Bahuachara for their next life to be a complete man or woman.

They even have universal goddesses – Annapurna the kitchen goddess to stave off the fear of starvation which is a fear for everyone.

Parvati wanted kids, but Shiva didn’t. She breathed life into a doll of turmeric paste she washed off of herself. Shiva once cut its head off when he wouldn’t let him in the house. Shiva then replaced the head with the immortal head of the elephant of the rain god Indra’s elephant making Ganesha. Thus making a union of Shiva and Parvati and showing the struggle and balance possible between life and family. 

Bibliography

Epified introduces 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art by Devdutt Pattanaik as a Video Book

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Reading Notes Nala Damayanti - Short Stories from Mahabharata - Animated Stories for Children by Geethanjali - Cartoons for Kids

Nala Damayanti - Short Stories from Mahabharata - Animated Stories for Children by Geethanjali - Cartoons for Kids

***This story is way different. Geared towards kids, so a lot is cut out. However, the beginning is useful and I might change intro of my storybook to include the once upon a time portion about a great kingdom Hastinapur and how Yudi and Draupadi come across Vyasa. I enjoyed this a lot though. 

The story begins with very basic info of Pandavas and Kauravas, starting King Pandu. Talk about Dury’s jealousy and game of dice challenge. They walk in exile and suffer hardship, state that Yudi was depressed, and a sage crosses their path. He notices sadness. Yudi tells him that he blames himself for all their suffering, and so the sage offers a story of a King who lost his kingdom to a dice game also, but overcame the loss through sheer determination.

Possible Book that animated short was based off
Source:Facebook

Nala from Nishada and Damayanti from Vidarbha(heard of Nala and decided to marry him) Her dad arranged the swayamvara, but didn’t invite the ruler of planet Saturn, Lord Shani. Shani was mad and wanted to teach him a lesson. He changed all men to look like Nala. Damayanti prayed to Shiva and closed her eyes, picking out Nala.

Shani got mad. Hindu mythology period of Saturn is 7.5 years and all humans undergo great trauma during this time. Shani was going to create this phase in Nala. Once Nala didn’t clean the back side of his feet Shani took hold there. Nala tells Damayanti that he is going to visit Pushkara in his kingdom even though he was his enemy. They played dice and Pushkara let him win all games. Then they began betting, and he still allowed him to win. They bet their kingdoms even though Nala doesn’t really want to. Pushkara wins this time. Nala and Damayanti are booted out of the kingdom to the forest.

Damayanti tied her saree to his shawl. Under Shani’s control Nala cut the material while she was sleeping and left. Nala couldn’t forget about his kingdom or wife. Shani took the form of serpent Karkotaka and bit Nala. Nala changed form. Damayanti woke up scared. She worked as a maid in another kingdom. She prayed to Lord Shiva for 7.5 years while Nala cooked in another kingdom.

Lord Shiva tells Shani that his time is up and he is to leave Nala. Shani admits that he could never get Nala to forget about his kingdom or wife or misbehave. Lord Shiva comes to Nala in a dream with instructions. In Tirunellar he got in the holy waters to be rid of the form that Shani had inflicted upon him and Damayanti brought there by Shiva found him.

They went back and regained Nala’s kingdom. All gods blessed them. Shiva explained that Nala succeeded because he never veered from the path of righteousness and his wife is an example to all women. It was due to Damayanti that he got back safely.

Return to Yudi and gang who promise to stop worrying about a little bit of trouble in life.

Bibliography

Geethanjali - Cartoons for Kids

Image Source: Geethanjali - Cartoons for Kids FaceBook Page

Reading Notes Nala and Damayanti and Other Poems by Henry Hart Milman: Books I-V

Another Damayanti Swayamvara
Source:Revolvy

Book I

Nala is described in detail as a king of greatness. A mighty(I assume strong) son, gifted with every virtue(high moral), handsome, good with taming horses(important in later story). He is given title of the head of all the kings of mortals, like the monarch(boss) of the gods. He is well-read in the Vedas which is required of the kings in India. He is the best representation of the human race.

Damayanti was the pearl of maidens. She was beautiful, brilliant, bright, and graceful. How these are interpreted in the poem I am not certain. She is not rivaled in her beauty among gods, yakshas, or mortal men.

Both being of such good virtues and beauty, were pictured as a couple and praised around the other even though they had not met. Antsy Nala tried to catch a glimpse and instead caught a hamsa who made a deal to talk with Damayanti. The hamsa tells her their children would be perfect and their union would be blessed. They were meant to be together. She asked the bird to speak the same of her to Nala, thus beginning their courtship.

Book II

Damayanti became love sick and so her father ordered her swayamvara.

A meeting was happening in the sky with Indra, Varuna, Yama, and Agni but only two were in attendance. When they found out it was because everyone was going to try to win the hand of Damyanti; they decided to try to win her hand also. As the gods descended the sky they came across Nala. They thought he was equal in looks to the god of love. They called him by name and asked him to do their bidding.

Book III

Nala promised to help before asking what. He tries to decline their request since he was also trying to win her love. The gods were not happy and transported him to her room. Those in the room recognize his beauty and Damayanti asks for his name, purpose, and how he got there. He does tell her his name, but that he is the messenger of the gods which is how he could get in to the room, divine intervention. He tells her that they desire to marry her.

Book IV

Damayanti tells him she has already fallen in love with him and there is no changing her mind even though he lists off several examples/reasons to pick a god. He also explains he cannot plead for his case because of his mission, so she finds a way to work around this without getting him in trouble. She also instructs him to tell the gods that she has already picked him as her suitor.

He gives this information to the gods and tells them that she welcomes them to the swayamvara proclaiming the judgement is left in their hands.

Book V

More descriptive section of her entering the room and finding the gods and Nala all looking the same. The dialogue she uses includes words with the Hamsa(swan), how she already pledged to love Nala, she asks the gods to show themselves.

In this the gods hear her sadness but also true resolve to find the real Nala, decide to reveal their traits thus making her able to figure out whom to choose. Nala pledges his love to her since she chose him in front of gods among other reasons.

The gods are truly happy and give Nala a total of eight gifts and returned to the heavens. It also describes how he continues to be a good person and that they had a son and daughter.  

Bibliography

Nala and Damayanti and Other Poems

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Reading Notes: The Mahabharata: Karmic Revolution Epified TV (India) Part A

Every event is karma – King Shantanu fell in love with Ganga and because of this love caused the events to happen.

I love the drawing You tube videos and wish I could make one.

AHA!!! 16 years later is when King Shantanu meets his eighth son Devavrat and had been taught war by Sage Parshuran and knowledge of shastras by Vashishthra.

He brought him to the Kingdom and they were all happy with the prince who would be king, but Dad fell in love with a woman who wouldn’t marry him because of the Prince’s claim on Kingship

Devavrat decides to take matters into his hands, not at the request of his dad or by his dad saying he was sad

Interesting that Devavrat was “the kind” and turned into “Bhishma – he of terrible oath” and that he then took off with Satyavati

*OHHHH, Dad realized that it was a bad deal that Bhishma had chosen to give up the Kingdom for his Dad’s happiness so he gave him a boon, which was that he could pick the moment of his death.

I love how Bhishma has aged in the illustrations!

He always storms off with the ladies! Noticing that half-bro VIchitraveerya is not well he gets him a wife.

Amba went to King Shalva whom she loved but he said since Bhishma took her that is who she belonged to, and the best advice would be to marry him. She went back and begged so that she didn’t end up not belonging anywhere. She got pissed and told him she would be his end since he ruined her life by taking her from her swayamvara.

****Woah! His old teacher Parshuran challenged him in a fight to the death because he wouldn’t marry Amba. 23 days went by and no winner

Vyas is introduced, a son born to Bheesm step-mom prior to her marriage to his Dad. He was a son, became man in moments and great poet named Vyas that must be kept secret but would come if he was summoned. That time was now.

The widows of Vichi were scared because Vyas was not pretty and their fears were the future.

Ambika covered her eyes because of Vyas’ looks, Vyas knew that the child would be born blind and told the Queen mother.

Since Satyavati knew this ahead of time, she instructed Ambalika not to close her eyes. She didn’t but turned pale. Vyas told the Queen mother and she said for him to visit her a second time…Um, you can’t get pregnant again if you are already pregnant. Weird.

Instead Ambalika sends in the servant girl and she accepted him no issues.

Three boys were born, Dhrit – the blind one, Pandu (weak and pale), and Vidura(smart and wise, possible avatar of Yama, but of a servant girl so no claim to throne)

***There was a rivalry that Bhisma didn’t see

Dhrit came of age and took throne, but all knew even the ministers that Pandu ran the kingdom with council from Vidura.

***Bhisma hid the fact that Dhrit was blind when he went to the King of Gandhar for the princess. Princess Gandhari of Gandhar blindfolded herself for life and married Dhrit saying she knew her husband would be blind.

Secretly her brother Shakuni, decided to avenge this injustice someday.

Queen Gandhari blinding herself for life

Bibliography:

The Mahabharata: Karmic Revolution by Epified TV(India)

Image Source:

Wikimedia

Reading Notes: Mackenzie. Nala and Damayanti Part B

***Nala having power over fire because of Agni’s gift saves the serpeant King Karkotaka who was cursed by sage Narada waiting for Nala to save him. He promised to be his friend and shrank down to fit on his finger like a ring.

Karko bit his finger!! On the 10^th step, causing him to be an ugly dwarf, but for his own good. He told him that his poison would make Kali hurt and leave him(Nala still didn’t know he was possessed). Then he told him what he needed to do and where he needed to go – to Ayodhya – as the charioteer, Vahuka. Not to be scared because no one would know him and he would be reunited with family soon.

***He also gave him a magic robe to turn himself back into his normal form – Page in the storybook

He goes to Rajah Rituparna and becomes his horse master and has friends Varshneya(his old charioteer) and Jivala, but always sings for his Damayanti.

***Jivala asked who he was singing about and he told the story as if it was a tale of some guy. Might be a page in the site.

***King Bhima(Dama’s dad) has people looking for his daughter and son-in-law. A brahman(Sudeva) went to Chedi and found Dama because of the “dark beauty spot like to a lotus between her fair eyebrows” Per Brahma it is a sign of her beauty creating powers. The Queen asked him to clean her face and when she and her daughter saw it they wept. Weird.

Hey! It turns out Queen mother is her Aunt.Dama returns to her home town Ayodhya and her mom and dad promise to find her Nala.

***She sends a message for the Brahmans to pass along which I may include with the song that Nala sings as a back and forth kind of conclusion to their story or a don’t give up on me type of thing.

Brahman Parnada finds Vahuka and thinks it is Nala because of the story he tells. He relays this info to Dama and she knows its him so she cooks up a plan.

***Second Swarmy event is another story page

***Nala learns the dice from Rajah Rituparna and barfs up Kali, who begs Nala’s forgiveness. Nala forgives and moves on to get the Rajah to the swayamvara.

Damayanti has her handmaiden Kesini check out the “misshapen charioteer with short arms” – Story page about all the reasons Damayanti thinks Vahuka is Nala.

Dang! Just like in the Ramayana, Nala is concerned he lost her love(because of the second swayamvara announcement) and so Damayanti calls the wind, sun and moon to slay her if she was unfaithful or lying. Of course, she wasn’t. No big deal in this story though. He puts on his magic robe.

Damayanti reunited with Nala

A month later he heads back to his kingdom and beats his brother in a game of dice wagering his riches and Damayanti also, he tells him he originally won because of Kali, but that he wasn’t going to take vengeance. Instead he gives him a place to live, money, and his brotherhood. Nala is a good man.

  

Bibliography:

Nala and DamayantiPart B

Image Source:

Wikimedia

Reading Notes: Mackenzie. Nala and Damayanti Part A

PDE Version: Mackenzie. Nala and Damayanti.

4 Gods want in on action even though they were enamoured with Nala’s looks too
Indra of Heaven, Agni of Fire, Varuna of Water, and Yama of Death

Nala tells her of their wishes and to pick them so she will have a robe never sullied by dust

Damayanti picked him in a line-up of all 5 look-a-likes and so the Gods gave Nala gifts

Indra – Behold the Godhead Sacrifice, Power to walk unhindered by any obstacle wherever he wanted

Agni – Power over fire, Power over three worlds(Heaven Earth and Underworld)

Varuna – Power over water, Power to obtain fresh garlands at will

Yama – Subtle skill in preparing food, Eminence in every virtue

Demon Kali wants to marry Damayanti and is going there with Dwapara when they pass the Gods who told him if he tried to curse Nala it would backfire since he has been blessed by the Gods. So he plans to enter Nala’s body and have Dwapara enter some dice.

Kali entered Nala and challenged Nala’s bro – PushKara to a game of dice, which they wagered the kingdom, They played for months and Damayanti tried to stop it. The wagers got larger. She sent the kids off to live with her dad.

Final straw was a wager for Damayanti, Nala stood up stripped his last riches and left. Pushkara threatened kingdom if they provide for him it would be death. Damayanti followed him.

They drank only water for 3 days when he tried to catch some birds with gold wings with his last garment. They flew off with his clothing mocking him. Now their task complete since he was naked and left with nothing. Now Nala and Damayanti share her garment

Kali still inside Nala got him to leave Dama in the middle of the night

She awoke and wandered all over looking for Nala until a snake rose from the ground and coiled around her. A huntsman killed it then washed her, fed her, and asked what was up….Kinda weird that he washed her.

Damayanti in the forest after Nala leaves
Image Source:Web

She figured out his bad intentions and her anger killed him dead like lightning, then she wandered more. She kept saying how she was helpless and asking where he was because he promised to be there to protect her. There were many animals and demons alike, but her virtue protected her. A clan of holy men told her soon she would be reuinited and sin would be cleansed then they disappeared.

She came to a group of male travelers, boys, men, and sages. They thought she was crazy and were worried about their things. She told them her story and asked if they had saw Nala, which they hadn’t. She traveled on with them to Chedi to the King of Subahu.

The camp was destroyed on the way by crazed elephants and the survivors thought she was a witch and it was her fault. She ran and found Brahmans who lived, in the morning they headed toward the city. She met with the queen, set her terms of not eating scraps, nor doing menial service, or laying in bed with another man. She was set as a handmaiden of the princess Sunanda and they were happy friends. The queen set Brahmans in search of Nala.

Bibliography:

Nala and Damayanti Part A

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Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata Part D

Public Domain Edition: Mahabharata

Amba is brought back to be the destroyer of Bhishma as once promised to her by her vows. Now, Shikhandin in the lead and Bhishma won’t fight so Arjuna is able to wound him enough to guarantee death. He still pleads with Dury to end war, but Dury refuses.

****Drona takes over place instead of Karna?? Why, Dury has wanted Karna to take over this whole time, I do not understand.

Eww, Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu dies a gruesome death, but due to Krishna’s trickiness Arjuna found Jaya and got revenge

Awe, Bhima’s son Ghatotkacha died by Indra’s special dart given to Karna

****Psyching out Drona by killing an elephant of the same name as his son

****Bhima seriously drank Duhsasana's blood!

Woah!!! Arjuna actually beheaded Karna with his arrow after Krishna reminds him of his misgivings of not being manly

****Drona’s son throws himself into a fire to appease and worship Shiva who was protecting the Pandava camp at night but he doesn’t die because Shiva accepts this as a good sacrifice, so now Ashwatthaman can attack the Draupadi’s sons

****Again, Draupadi wants vengeance even though Krishna points out other wives and mothers lost their sons and husbands, she at least hasn’t lost her husbands. So she asks for Ash’s family jewels.

Blind Rajah Dhrit smashing clay Bhima is funny to picture

Bhishma finally passes on the summer solstice and when all visit the water, Ganga cries but Krishna tells her not to sorrow for he lived a full life and is happy in heaven. She should know this, she is a goddess.

****How did the Brahma weapon held by Ashh kill Uttara’s baby in the womb?

****Land of women warriors on Arjuna’s adventure with the horse for the Ashwemeda, Arjuna just made peace even though their Raj detained the horse…They should be offended. Story?

****Hmmm, Arjuna’s other son, Babhruvahana, kills Arjuna because he doesn’t believe he’s his son and they have to fight because of the horse thing. However, he travels to the Nagas and gets a jewel to restore his life.

****The horse sacrifice is pretty fancy and can be expanded

****The gold mongoose, Yudi’s gifts of gold and wealth were not the same of the last bits of food the Brahmin shared with the hidden Dharma. What would have been?

****Peeps in the city of Dwaraka – no drinking wine! The one night party led to death and destruction!

****Balarama – World serpent

****Krishna is cousins to the Pandavas!!! His dad and Queen Kunti are siblings – finally figured it out.

****Awe, I teared up when the hound ended up being Dharma. Just the fact that Yudi wouldn’t leave him because he was his faithful friend on the way up the mountain made me smile.

Wow! Yudi still had to endure a test, like he was in the underworld. In the end it sounded like if you atone for your sins, you can still attain heaven.

Final note: Glad this one is over. I liked the story, dislike so many different characters, and the battle was too long and boring.

Bibliography

Mahabharata Online: Public Domain Edition

Image Source

Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata Part C

Public Domain Edition: Mahabharata

Yudi was so sad about being exiled to forest crying to the Brahmin, and he sounds afraid of starving or being eaten by a wild animal. He is supposed to be a KING!!! The Brahmin tells him to call the SUN God who give him a copper pot with never ending food.

****They still don’t know that Karna is the SUN god’s kid and their half-brother. I think the sun god should tell them too bad so sad because you have been mean to my kid

Indra and Gandiva the special bow – expand the fight between him and the huntsman/Shiva

Urvashi cursed Arjuna barely knowing him just because he didn’t like her back, but he was there with his dad and after being gifted with celestial weapons and completing many austerities. “wilt for a season live unregarded among women as a dancer and musician.” WTH does that mean?

The evil giant women of Hiranyapura could be sirens

****Say What??!! Hanuman and Bhima are half-brothers? That Wind God is a busy guy. Way cool that he tells Bhima of his adventures with Rama, I didn’t know that one story knew of the other.

****Krita Yuga – a story of when there was always inherit goodness, no austerities needed to be completed. Kali Yuga, the last which has ¼ of virtue religious acts had a contrary effect – that is like the some of the Jataka tales I have read where the Bodhisattva explains what will happen if the next person performs the act

****Woah! Dury is favored by the daityas and danavas which Arjuna beat down as they were enemies of Indra his Dad.

Hmmm, Indra trading a special dart for Karna’s golden armor and invincible earrings

****Riddles?! Oh my goodness, how could he remember each one spoken in four at a time? What if he hadn’t asked for his brother’s to be restored?

****A story of the Pandavas in their disguises?

****The Dark Princess Draupadi – is called that because she must be in hiding and disguise, but the fact that she wanted to watch Prince Kichaka’s death shows that there is a sinister side. She always wants revenge. Story?

Dury did not know that Krishna was the divine being – Vishnu – do the Pandavas, Arjuna, know?

****So Kunti finally tells Karna he is her son. It is too late though. He thinks that Dury has befriended him, but in reality it is only because he saw that Karna is a good warrior. Something should be done with Karna’s story. Change it, expand it…?

****What?! Bhishma has to lead the Kaurava army in the fight against the Pandavas? He has to be torn over this!

Why is Ghatotkacha appearing as Hanuman? Yes it is Arjuna’s son appearing as Arjuna’s half-brother, but why?

Huh, Yuyutsu switched sides to the Pandavas.

****Arjuna wanting to give up on battle because of the upcoming destruction. Krishna urges him on because of reincarnation. Can I make this into laments terms?

Dury keeps asking Bhishma to give up his main spot to Karna, but Bhishma says he will lead the fight knowing Dury’s cause is dumb and a losing battle. This seems asinine.  

Bibliography

Mahabharata Online: Public Domain Edition

Image Source

Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata Part B

Public Domain Edition: Mahabharata

Bhisma’s half-brother Prince Vidura told the Pandava brothers of the plan, so they could escape. All worked out well, the bad captain burned but so did a mother and her 5 sons “accidentally” in the house which made it look like the Pandava brothers and Queen Kunti

***A story of Bhima and Hidimbi and their son Ghatotkacha

Japanese Paper Currency with Ghatotkacha Image on Front
Source: Coin Collector's Blog

***Bhima appears just in time to beat Baka, what if it is Queen Kunti that goes instead?

So Drupada had immaculate conception twins? A son, to conquer Drona, named Prince Dhrishtadyumna and the daughter who was said to marry a Pandava brother because many military and royalty would die because of her and the Kauravas would suffer because of her, Princess Draupadi.

The boys got in on the Swamy action as Brahmin beggars

***Karna the red-headed stepchild. He was about to shoot the fish but Draupadi denied him. However, when a Brahmin entered Draupadi didn’t intervene, all hell broke loose when Arjuna won the bride. Krishna knew who he was and said she was won in fairness. Who is Krishna?

***Dang?!!!! Five husbands?! Draupadi is now married to all five Pandavas's.

***Nalayani, bargain made to be born again virgin with each time she was with her different hubby

***Arjuna self-exiles and meets up with Naga Ulupi, daughter of King Naga – Vasuki, She gives him power of invisibility in water and they have a baby – Iravat

***Arjuna and the water nymphs good story

***Subhadra and Draupadi are besties, Draupadi has five sons, Subhadra(Krishna’s sister) has one

***Tell a bigger story of drunken Krishna and Arjuna in the forest fight

***Flames of wrath on Bhima’s forehead as he yells at Dury and his gang the threats of how he will kill them can be turned into a story. He is the son of the God of Wind so his father can quell the burn on his forehead.

Why does only Draupadi go on the expeditions with the Pandavas?

Bibliography
Mahabharata Online: Public Domain Edition
Image Source

Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata Part A

Public Domain Edition: Mahabharata
Satyavati got together with the rishi Parashura and had a baby Dwaipayana or Island-born, also called Vyasa because he arranged the Vedas

Kings, Kings, and more Kings, King Shantanu’s first wife was the Goddess Ganga – the 8 elemental Gods of Indra were cursed to be born as a human because of Vashishtha’s temper

***I like that when Ganga agrees to marry King Shan, she tells him she will do as she will or she will leave. The story of their meeting could be expanded.

Shantayu Meets Ganga
Source:http://isha.sadhguru.org

Tell a story of what happened between her and Devavrata before she returned him to King Shan

King Shan wants to marry Satyavati but because the fisherman wants him to promise the kingdom to their future son, he doesn’t marry her. Devavrata becomes Bhishma due to his promise of no kids or marriage and renouncing the throne so dad could marry fish stepmom.

King of Benares wanted his daughters to be won by a fight? Bhishma stole Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika…like the namesJ Amba already loved and had promised herself to another king, though.

***Amba killed herself by fire after Shiva promised she would be reborn as a man and be the person to end Bhishma’s life. Doing austerities gets results…story of the Gods

No babies born from fish stepmom’s son so Vyasu was brought in to do the deed, Ambika and Vyasu had a blind son Dhritarashtra. Ambalika and Vyasu had a son who was pale named Pandu. The handmaiden of Ambika and Vyasu had a son named Vidura who was actually the God of Justice – Dharma – reborn.

Bhishma raised and taught them then placed Pandu on the throne.

Pandu had two wives – Chief wife Kunti and most loved wife Madri

Kunti had previous baby – Karna – she booted down the river, he was the son of the Sun God – Surya

***Pandu killed a Brahmin and his wife as a deer while they were doing it so he was cursed to die in the same act…Really? What a non- sportsman's like way to kill an animal.

Pandu’s sons the PANDAVA Brothers– Kunti mothered: Yudishthira from Dharma(G of Justice), Bhima from Vayu(G of Wind), and Arjuna from Indra(G of Heaven)

Madri mothered: Nakula and Sahadeva from Ashwin Twins(Sons of Sun God, Surya), but Madri dies because of curse

***Blind Half brother -Dhritarashtra took throne and married Gandhari – they had 100 sons!!!the KAURAVAS What about 101 Dalmations story?

Duryodhana oldest son cried like a donkey when born and King Dhrit was told he should cast him off or he would ruin kingdom, but king didn’t listen

***Dury hates Bhima, one time he poisons him, ties him up, and tosses him into the river Ganges. Bhima sinks below and fights off Nagas because their poisonous bite fixed the poison in him already. He meets the King of the Nagas, Vasuki who takes him to Naga chief - Aryaka and relative of Bhima. They gave him strength instead because the King of Nagas granted Naga Chief a boon.

***Drona a Brahmin and longtime friend of Drupada is asked to train the cousins, on his way he goes to Drupada who says he is not worthy of being his friend anymore.

Drona trains all the kids of the Kingdom as long as they promise to fight his enemy Drupada

***Arjuna is best student as expected since he is son of Indra

Karna arrives and bested Arjuna but Kunti didn’t intervene, Dury says Karna is King and no longer worries about Arjuna

The plan is set because the oldest son, not King Pandu’s, is named as successor. So Dury talks King Pandu into the burning house killing.

Bibliography
Mahabharata Online: Public Domain Edition
Image Source

Reading Notes: Ramayana PDE Version Parts C & D

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana

Vali = Bad elder monkey brother

Hanuman = Sugriva’s advisor, messenger, companion

Sugriva = Monkey King who Rama needs help

Sugriva shared same probs as Rama, cast away into exile and separated from his wife

The story of why Vila was mad at Sugriva and stole his wife was understandable, for him to cover the mouth of the cave with a mountain seems overzealous. However, Vila should have believed his brother if he loved him.

Tara wanted Vila to say sorry because she feared that Rama would win and she was right, poor Vila, he should have listened but he was too proud.

One verse of Vali and Sugriva’s fight describes them as like the sun and moon or like eagles in their fight, it would be cool to tell a story of discord between the sun and moon.

Rama only helped when Sugriva showed he needed it.

I didn’t realize that Rama’s exile was from any city, not just Ayodyha.

Sampati – Jatayu’s brother, gifted with sight directed them all in the direction of Lanka

All the monkeys were talking about how far they could jump, but not far enough until Hanuman who was the son of the wind-god. Hanuman can change size.

When Hanuman is searching the city for Sita and finds Mandodari he thinks she must be Sita, making Mandodari very intriguing…What else can I find out?

Might be cool to describe the she-demons guarding Sita more in depth

Trickster Hanuman

Graha = Hindu diety

Vibhishana is Ravana’s younger brother who allies with Rama because Ravana kicked him out thinking he didn’t honor him since he was advising against fighting Rama

Part D

Rama gets pissed and is told by God of Ocean to ask Nala to help build a bridge- really surprised that the story allowed Rama to act questionable

I had to look up why Rama would find out how he knew Garuda-Because he is Vishnu’s mount.

Why could beautiful women awake Ravana’s brother before his time?

Hanuman is awesome and carried a whole mountain top his story needs to be elaborated, or a poem of all his wow-ness put together in one.

Laks almost died and Rama was going to follow after, his lament would be good to put into normal words

Again, Hanuman saved the day with the medicine herbs Laks is alive!

Indra intercepted with help, because of the boon, only ape or man can kill Ravana

If the God’s are always going to intervene and go for the good, why ever grant boons?

Say what??? Rama cannot have Sita now because she was held captive by Ravana for so long? And to be offered instead to the brother’s, a monkey chief, or the now Demon King(even though he is honorable)? A woman scorned is a story to tell.

What if Rama had returned one day after his 14-year promise to Bharat?

Sita gets exiled because the kingdom doesn't believe she was pure. Again a woman scorned...Then when she comes back after Rama realizes she had twins the Earth swallows her to keep her in Heaven. 

Not much told about his sons...maybe expand a story about them.

When Rama decides his time on Earth is done, he tells Hanuman that he is to live forever as long as his story is being retold.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Bibliography:

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana.

Wikimedia - Sita Fire Test

Reading Notes: PDE Version Ramayana Part B

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana

I am so surprised that all the brothers never express jealousy of Rama, it is just accepted that he is the best and meant for the throne. Laks exiled with him, Bharata wanted to give up the throne or at least exile with him…but where is Shatrughna?

Dash’s broken heart death makes everyone important to his court so sad they lay down for 10 days, talk about overdramatic.

A japa is a mantra, and is done at Dash’s funeral, how about a rap?

I like that Jabali tells Rama to live in the here and now, don’t waste your opportunities and to come back and rule. However, telling Rama there is no Hereafter was not helpful and Rama refused saying the Gods would look down upon him. What if Rama agreed to go back and decided to believe there is no Hereafter? I think that is a bigger story at a later point, once I know his complete story.

Anasuya and Atri interaction with Rama and Sita could be longer and more detailed.

I think it is odd that Brahma grants demons favors or special requests also depending on their devotions.

Rama gets more fancy weapons, maybe turn a later story into more of their use or what happens when Laks tries to use them.

Rama has encountered several Rakshakas that just end up that way due to a curse, spell, or penance. 

He is usually able to give several characters their release to the Holy land.

Characters he has released in some way: Tumburu(Demon Viradha), Kabandha(Demon due to a spell), Shabari(normal person waiting for his arrival as  a promise to the saints)

I really think more of a back story of Jatayu the Vulture King might be interesting.

Image Source : Jatayu Nature Park website
Concept of Bird sculpture at park when completed 

Bibliography:

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana.

Jatayu Nature Park Website

Reading Notes: PDE Version Ramayana, Part A

This set of notes looks a lot like I am taking them to prepare myself for a test, but it is the way that I think. I have to logically assign out certain "facts" before I can get creative.

Basics to help me understand:

Hindustan = 2 kingdoms.

Kingdom 1 = Koshala whose King was Dasharatha(dad of Rama), Kingdom 2=Mithula - Ruled by Janaka(dad of Sita)

Capital city=Ayodyha full of rich and happy people…What if I flip this city, make it poor or ugly and everyone sad?

Kaushalya mom of Rama, Kaikeyi of mom of Bharata, and Sumitra mom of the twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

Chief baby mama=Kaushalya killed the horse upon the altar

Ashwapati- lord of horses, dad of Kaikeyi who is owner of Manthera

Brahmin – Vashishtha told Dasharatha that his son, Rama had marks of Vishnu

Lanka=island where Ravana(boss of all rakshasas) lives

Yama=God of Death (slave of Ravana)

Agni(Sun) Vayu(Moon) also subjects to Ravana

Story understandings:

Maharajah Dasharatha was sad because he couldn’t knock up any of his three wives(Kaushalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra.) with a boy, so they performed a horse sacrifice which is common in literature.

Those in attendance: Gandharvas, the celestial saints, the Siddhas, and seven Deva-rishis.

Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Indra (and his Maruts)

Total plot twist! Vishnu is going to be reborn as one of Dasharatha’s sons

Vishnu clued the other gods into who could hurt the Demon King(apes and men) and said that he would be reborn as Dasharatha’s sons

Maricha and Subahu were always causing probs at ceremonies - Vishvamitra, originally a kshatriya, asked Dash for help by sending Rama to intervene

Rama and Lakshmana went to the jungle to kill Thataka, but since she was a female there were hesitant. After maiming her by cutting off her arms, nose, and ears, Rama killed her while she was invisible.

Rama was given fancy talking weapons the next morning by the Vishvamitra. – A good place to be a butthurt and jealous brother.

While chilling with the brahmins at Vish’s house Subahu and Marichi showed up to ruin another offering. Rama thought of his fancy weapons and boom, they appeared casting Maricha to sea and consuming Subahu with fire. Then he killed all the other demons.

Rama and Sita meet in the King’s garden and is love at first sight…but for Rama, it is love at first sound due to her bracelet around her ankle.

ImageSource – http://nikitagoestoschool.blogspot.com

A side(God-like) test is to string Vishnu’s bow when it works, Parashurama knows that it is Rama avatar of Vishnu

All 4 brothers were wed into the Janaka family

Manthera talked Queen Kai into jealousy and to use her previous favors owed from Dash

Queen Kai is compared to an Apsara or a female spirit of the cloud and waters – beautiful

Dandaka – a jungle of importance. I will use in a story setting.

Wow!! Rama’s wife Sita, and even his brother who was always a sidekick went into exile so they could stay close to Rama.

Dash accidentally killed a hermit’s son due to carelessness when hunting. He was told that he would once lose his beloved son and Dash on his deathbed now believes that Rama’s exile is his payback/penance for his mistake as a young man.

The parents of the dead son threw themselves in the fire no longer willing to live. Dash dies of heartbreak just like Carrie Fisher’s mother.

Bibliography:

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana.