Storytelling Week 14 : The Awakening of Narayan

Hindu deities who arrive with Narayan's awakening.

Ananta and Adi Sesha were sister serpents who were the masters of time. One was known as the primal and the other as the endless. So together they were the beginning and the end but never stopping.

They would glide around the ocean of milk with Narayan as he napped in their embrace. If he was napping, the world was silent. The ocean was calm; their job was easy. They had no worries.

When Narayan awoke, however, many things would happen. He would change so that he could be with his people and creatures of the world. He would become Vishnu, protector, and guardian of the world.

He did not need the care and protection of Adi and Ananta, but they were still needed for the world. Since they were the masters of time without them, time did not exist.

Adi and Ananta never knew when Narayan would wake. They only knew that the day the sea started to churn, his eyes would open.

They did not have much to do once Narayan was awake, but they had much more entertainment.Narayan, as Vishnu, would bring many creatures into the world with his awakening.

The goddess of wealth and his consort, Lakshmi would appear first. Sometimes she would be there as the cosmic cow, Go-Mata. They much preferred to see her as Lakshmi, but both were the same soul.

Brahma would sprout from a lotus flower as if he was giving birth to Vishnu. His job was to organize the world as Narayan sees fit at that time. 

Shiva is the one who can destroy the world when he closes his eyes. His mind refreshed from the cycle of sleep and ready to try again will step forth with his family, eyes open wide.

Parvati, Shiva’s wife and goddess of love and devotion, will be brought forth along with their two sons. She will be there to spread her love across the world. 

Ganesha, with the elephant head and exceptional intellectual capacity and his six-headed brother, Kartikeya with his great physical capabilities will be able to solve anything together.

Garuda, the cosmic hawk and a natural predator of serpents is brought forth as he is the protector of Narayan in Vishnu’s form. The cosmic hawk has a heavy responsibility which Adi and Ananta respect him for doing. They do not fear this hawk.

Hanuman the monkey will be brought forth. Hanuman is also known as sankat-mochan or the trouble-shooter. He too is a protector of Vishnu in his many avatar forms in the world. When he is present Adi and Ananta know that Narayan will be safe because when troubles are created, he will help find solutions.

The dueling musicians will be there to sing their praise to Narayan’s awakening. The horse-faced Tumburu, playing his lute will entice everyone to enjoy the new world, while Narad plays his lute, envious of Tumburu’s skill. This possessiveness and envy will ignite the troubles that Hanuman will help to squelch one day.

Author’s Note:

I based this from Chapter two of “7 Secrets of Hindu Calendar Art” retold as a video book by Epified on YouTube. This chapter is about Hindu beliefs of creationism. As we have learned throughout this course, Hindus do not believe in one life. This chapter describes an image that is a symbol of their beliefs about the cycle of life. Adi and Ananta are two different names that the serpent is referred to but I decided to make them siblings since the serpent has multiple heads. I chose the same image so that you could see the characters as I described them in my story.

Bibliography:

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

Image Source

Week 7 Storytelling: Which Spice is Nice?

Cardamom: Black and Green
Spicy or Sweet?

It has been months since I have spoken with my sisters but it feels like it has been years. We used to be so close, the troublesome trio, that is what everyone called us. Trina was the youngest, followed by Trista, and I am Trixie. I am the oldest, but only by a year and my youngest sister is a year younger than that. Our parents really got to town when they decided they wanted to start having children!

We had a lot of fun growing up as little girls. Playing hide and go seek was one of our favorite games, especially when it was time for the handmaidens to wash and get us ready for bed! The palace had so many hiding spots, we could stay up past their bedtime for at least an hour. We never, ever hid separately, though. The thought of being apart was too horrifying…and now that’s what we were, apart.

Yes, we are adults but it doesn’t change the pain inside. I love my sisters dearly. When we were tweens’ we would talk about boys. When Trina was 13 she had the biggest crush on a cattle herding boy. He was a nice boy and always very respectful. Often he would bring her flowers from the field. It was all it could be though and we swore to keep it a secret. Our father would have punished her greatly if he knew she was allowing someone of such lowly status to court her.

Trista’s first love was with a boy entering his manhood, about 14 years of age. He was training with a Sage warrior. He was handsome, with dark hair that would fall over his eyes when he practiced his archery skills. She would gaze out the window of our room down into the courtyard and he would always return the attention with a wink or kiss blown on the wind; of course only when Father wasn’t watching. While he wasn’t a cattle herder, he wasn’t of royal blood so he was not worthy of a princess. Father would not have allowed it.

I, on the other hand, hadn’t found anyone to crush on at that time. I was the oldest and felt that I should set an example. It’s not that I didn’t find any boys that were handsome, I didn’t dare look. If our father would never allow it, why even tempt me? Instead, I encouraged us to be ornery. One day we would have to be noble, obedient queens, so why not have a little fun beforehand? We would swap our parents undergarments from his to hers and hers to his or change the green cardamom with the black cardamom spice making a dish very spicy instead of sweet. We always knew not to eat that night! Father would get angry, but then he would laugh. We had joy in our home. Now I lived in a hut in the forest.

My love came around the time I was 19, just a year ago. I fell in love with King Shallow and my sisters wanted to experience the same feeling. We talked our father into holding our swayamvara, but I didn’t tell him I was secretly in love with someone already. There was no need to, my sisters and I got to choose for ourselves. I knew who I was going to pick, it was just a matter of allowing the show to go on as it must, or so I thought. The day of the event my sisters and I were elated! Then disaster struck. That old ass Bee’s Moss stole us from our ceremony, staking his claim on us for his Kingdom! Well, my father knew of Bee’s Moss so he approved of the theft of us. My sisters were excited because Bichi, Bee’s Moss’ half-brother wasn’t awful to look at and he was a King, but I was distraught.

I decided that I should tell Bee’s Moss that I was already in love with another. He understood and provided me with transportation to King Shallow’s land. That jerk said that he wouldn’t marry me because Bee’s Moss had claimed me, he dared to imply I was no longer worthy. He told me that my best solution so that I didn’t end without anywhere was to go marry Bee’s, Moss. When I asked Bee’s to marry me he told me of his “terrible oath”. I told him it didn’t matter, I needed to belong somewhere and because of him, I didn’t so it was his place to correct it. However, he was steadfast and said that he would not change his mind. My sisters pleaded also, but he would not budge. Trina and Trista begged me to marry Bichi instead, but I just couldn’t. I was offered a place in their palace, but I was utterly pissed. I decided to move on and accept that I didn’t belong anywhere.

During this time away from my sisters I have tried to find someone who will kill Bee’s for ruining my life and isolating me from my family, but no one is up to the challenge. I received word that my sisters have been trying to have a baby with Bichi but neither has been successful. They might hate me forever, but I know what I must do. I am going to secretly visit and play the old trick of swapping spices. They know I am a jokester and not to eat dinner. I know they’ll believe me when I say it’s my way of welcoming myself into the palace but in reality, it is so I can poison Bichi. Then there will be no heir to the throne. Bee’s Moss’ efforts will have been in vain and he will either be left to a Kingdom which will be conquered or to break his terrible oath and father children. If I cannot find a way to physically kill him, this will emotionally tear him apart. Either way, I win.



Author’s Note: Ok, so this one is my longest story, so I apologize to whoever reads it if you don’t like it. I had fun writing it and that’s why it is the longest, I think. I think it’s different from my previous styles although it is still in first-person. Pretty sure most of my stories are. I tried to write in third-person, but halfway through accidentally changed, so I had to change the whole thing. Anyway, this is based on Amba’s story in the Mahabharata. It has a twist at the end so hopefully, you read all the way. I decided on the twist because of watching the Epified TV version since it went into a little more detail about what Amba did to get back at Bheesm(as they named him). Also that he gets the wives because he knows the Vichitraveerya is not well, implying he needs to have a son. The epified version also goes into how much Bheesm argues about breaking his oath and I think it would be cool to continue this story from the other sisters sides when they meet Vyas.

Bibliography:

The Mahabharata: Karmic Revolution by Epified TV(India)

Image Source

Week 5 Storytelling: Bhishma's Bad Dream

Shantanu stopping Goddess Ganga from drowning Devavrata
Source: Wikimedia

I awoke drenched in sweat. It was that dream again. That beautiful woman, long dark hair, with fair and flawless skin. She was the one I knew as "mother." She took me walking down the riverbank. My heart was filled with joy at the touch of my mother’s hands. A breeze was lightly blowing the smell of the fresh air towards my face. The sun reflected off the ripples in the water sparkling so much that I couldn’t see how close we were to the river itself.

My mother had been bouncing me up and down so that I could feel like I was flying like the great Garuda while we stood on the banks. Children love the feeling as if they are flying through the air and I did too. Soon my mother lifted me up so quickly that when I was at the apex I was out of her arms; she no longer had her hands on mine or her arms around my small body! I was suspended in mid-air, but I was no longer on the banks and the once sparkling river had now turned to dark tumultuous churning waves waiting to swallow me whole!

Then I wake up…my reoccurring nightmare. My mother was going to drop me into the water of the Ganges river and let me drown. My father told me that she disappeared with me, but returned when I was trained and ready to serve with him in the Kingdom. Unfortunately, I do not have memories of my mother other than that day at the river.

Maybe that is why becoming “Bhishma” and taking that “terrible oath” wasn’t really that difficult of a choice for me. When my father, King Shantanu, wanted to marry Satyavati the fisherman would only give his blessing if their future sons could rule the kingdom. Without any second guessing in my mind, I vowed to NEVER accept the throne, get married, or have children.

I wasn’t thinking about my nightmare; I don’t even think I started having that dream until recently. However, I still knew of the story. I was only here as a baby, my life almost ended. Then one day I returned as a young man. So, maybe I feared to love a woman who runs off when times get tough or when she doesn’t get her way. Yet it might have also been the simple worry of picking a wife who might try to drown our future child.

Either way, it does not matter now, for I am Bhishma. I am dedicated to this cause. I did this for my sire, and his happiness, at least that is what I say. I live my life for others and although I did not marry or have children and do not hold the title of Rajah; I do help the Pandavas and Kauravas rule. I have done my best to teach them how to be warriors, leaders, and to follow the Gods, but they are still young, headstrong, and asinine. May the Gods watch over us all as I am afraid they will tear each other apart one day.

Author's Note: We all know that our parents do things that can really affect us throughout our lives, whether intentional or unintentional. Since Bhisma's existence is not explored very much in the beginning of the PDE version I thought it would be cool to introduce a little story from him. He never directly places any blame, because a good child understands that parents make the choices they do with the best of intentions most of the time. However, it doesn't change the fact that it still kind of messed his thinking up a little bit.

Bibliography:

Mahabharata Online: Public Domain Edition

Image Source

Week 4 Storytelling (Based on Part D) PDE Ramayana: Sita's Untouchable

Image from "Sita Sings the Blues"(2008 DVD)

Excuse me?!!! Rama, what did you just say? What is this honor you speak of that says you split from your beloved wife because she was held captive from you? I know that you have got to be kidding right now! That doesn’t even make sense. If I had stayed in the Kingdom while you were in exile, would you have renounced me when you returned since we had been ‘away’ from each other for so long?

Why in the world do you speak to me like this in front of this audience? Why have Hanuman parade me here the way you did instead of telling me something like this in private? You are being rude, mean, and quite embarrassing. How dare you question whether or not I have been faithful to you! I have done nothing of the sort. Maybe you’ve been with women previously that have been unfaithful, but that is your own insecurity, not a trust issue you should be taking out on me.

When Ravana carried me away, he did not have my permission. I did not call his name. To think you were worried I enjoyed his lustful gazes and sitting on his lap is absolutely ridiculous. Did you even look at the Demon Ravana you laid to waste? He was a monstrosity, instilling disgust and fright. Must you think I have no standards?

I have always shown you my devotion and your importance to me. When you were exiled I begged to go with you for I could not bear to be away from you. I traveled with you in the jungle as far as you would allow me until that fateful day when the evil Ravana stole me away.

You do not know what it has been like for me. You have been fighting a war out there, while I have been living in Lanka, the land of the Rakshasas. They have threatened me with my own death. They have shown me your own death. I have been worried sick for your safety this entire time and when I finally get to see your handsome face, the accusatory look in your eyes burns a hole through my heart and you stab me with your words.

If you were so worried about this, you shouldn’t have gone to all the trouble. You could’ve avoided putting your friend's lives in danger and even saved those of whom you lost. Why would they want to help rescue your wife if you were just going to question her loyalty anyway?  

I am thankful for Sugriva, Vibhishana, and Lakshmana who helped conquer Ravana, and to Bharata for ruling while you’ve been exiled; but to think that I must live with one of them instead is absurd, for I love you. Instead I would rather burn alive to prove that I am right. You will see that Agni will show you I am free of sin, and stayed true to you in body and soul.

Please dear Laks, build a fire for I must prove my worth.

Bibliography:

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana.

Image Bibliography:

Sita Sings the Blues Review and Story

Author's Note:

This is a retelling of Sita’s conversation after Rama first renounces her in front of the Kingdom of Lanka. Originally I was going to go with more of the reaction I had in my head when reading the verses, but decided my snarky attitude would not be very becoming of the purpose of the Ramayana. My Sita is not such a pushover, but still virtuous in my opinion. 

Also, the Image Bibliography link is to a blogging Hindi movie enthusiast. I was able to get the image I wanted but also read a cool review of the DVD. Follow the link if you have time. 

Week 3 Storytelling(Based on Part A&B) PDE Ramayana: Jabali and Rama Extended Cut

Hey, Ram, Jab said. Don’t you know that there isn’t a Hereafter, no Lala Land, Great Heaven above? Listen to your brother Brah. He doesn’t want to rule the land.

I get that your dad is dead and he kicked you to the curb for 14 years, but what’s it matter now? Especially since Brah told you that it was because that ugly Man-thera was still holding a grudge against you for snubbing her one time when you were young. Obviously she isn’t good with kids, but she brought out Queen Kai’s true ugliness too.

Don’t you see that Dash’s decree was only because he felt he owed it to Queen Kai, but it bothered him so much that he died of a broken heart afterwards. That means he didn’t want to do what she asked of him, it is strictly because of the silly favors so many people in our land call “boons.” They give them away never thinking of the repercussions they can cause. Even those close to the Monarch are lying down right now with broken hearts, working on ten days long. I fear that there will be no court for any of the Raghu family to return to if you do not step up and life your life in the here and now!

Hey Ram, said Brah. Let me trade you places. The sight of you will change the Kingdom and they will rejoice in your early return.

Jab said, See Ram, Laks left with you, Sita went too, now Bram wants to trade places so everyone can go back to the place they belong. We all know that Dash didn’t want to exile you, but did so because of the wiles of a woman whom he thought truly loved him. Sita and your brothers truly love you, that is something that is to be cherished and would be a good example for the Kingdom to see, how real love works. Please, please, leave these silly notions of fulfilling Dash’s wishes and live your life. He will not be around to see that you completed what he never wanted to ask of you.

Oh Jab, you poor man, said Ram. I thank you for trying to give me logic, but to me it is false. I believe in Lala Land and so do my family members so even though they would like for me to return they understand why I choose to stay exiled and dressed in bark. It is beginning to get comfy and is quite insulating anyway. I ask that you please try to believe in Lala Land again so that you will meet me there someday, but please do not speak these words to others as it is not what the Gods would want people believing. Lala Land exists because we believe.

Now Brah, I love you brother. Laks is with me and my beautiful Sita will not leave my side. I need you to fulfill your duty until my return and protect our father’s Kingdom. Just keep believing.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Labeled Jabali Upanishad - but this is how I see
his face after being turned down by Rama 

Bibliography:

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana.

Author's Note:

I like to shorten and change the character names. This is a retelling of Rama and Jabali's encounter when Bharata goes into the forest to request that Rama return. Jabali was a type of priest advisor to Dasharatha who shows that he does not have the same faith as most characters do in the story. I decided to turn it into a layman's term extended version.
 

Week 1 Story - Too Much Sleep or Too Much of Anything

Nature requires five,

Custom gives seven!

Laziness takes nine,

And wickedness eleven. 

(Hours of Sleep)

(traditional nursery rhyme)

Image from Flickr user Army Medicine

Terri was having trouble finding ways to sleep. She decided to try counting imaginary white fluffy sheep. Why couldn’t she find dreamland?  Lying in bed, it was nowhere in sight and not close at hand.

Eight hours of rest according to the experts, but she couldn’t even get one. She had just returned to school, so was she overwhelmed because the class had begun? The assignments hadn’t been given yet, so that wouldn’t be a reason to fret.

She tossed and turned, flipped and flopped, but eventually was aggravated and stopped. Meandering through the bedroom she went, hoping this wasn’t going to be a reoccurring event.

Thinking about tomorrow, she realized that’s what it was. They had been estranged for a while, Terri was just excited. No reason to worry, Terri had made her amends. Tomorrow would be great, that she was sure!

Experts were wrong, her body needed less rest, only three and a half hours to be exact. Instead, she started to bake cookies but began crying when she could not find the vanilla extract.

Now frustrated and embarrassed with tears on her face, Terri had a temper tantrum and threw the baking crap all over the place! She took a glass from the cupboard, reached in her fridge, and poured a glass of chardonnay; then sat on the couch to relax her stress and worries away.

She picked up the remote, turned on the T.V., and watched some Netflix so that her mind would become numb and sleep would ensue. Several shows later, a second bottle of wine had been consumed, she looked at the time on her watch but to her dismay, she had been awake much longer than she had assumed.

Now five in the morning, she could sleep two hours or stay awake all day and go to bed early that night. She had done it before, it was nothing new, but something was nagging at the back of her mind and it made her chest feel tight, she really felt like there was an important item to-do.

She decided to skip the two hours, she didn’t need it! Up off the couch she arose and started getting ready. Wow, she was lightheaded, kind of unsteady.

Chin up she told herself, you are strong. What is the big deal anyway, there is nothing wrong?

That nagging feeling still in her mind, made her head hurt. She laid on her bed in just her t-shirt. She thought to herself, this headache needs to go away, I must have drunk too much wine. It’s only six in the morning, I will close my eyes for just a second, but then I will be fine.

A second turned into an hour, an hour turned into several, she didn’t hear the phone calls. The doorbell rang at five p.m. and she finally awoke from her drunken stupor. Excited again, she ran to the door but was not understanding why it was a State Trooper. 

He explained very grimly that her daughter’s cab was hit by a drunk driver on the way from the airport to Terri’s house. Terri’s daughter did not live. He apologized for her loss, told her the hospital information of where her daughter was taken and left Terri alone with no other words to give.

This would forever be in Terri’s mind, that nagging feeling she had. Was the tightness in her chest a premonition of the wickedness that would occur? Was this karma for the drinking or the amends that she thought she had made? Was it always in the big plan of whoever runs this universe, or is everything just a big chance meeting of events? She would never know, but she would have to decide how to make it through each day for the rest of her life. 

Author's Note:
This is based off of a nursery rhyme describing number of hours of sleep and what they believe happens if you sleep that number of hours. I believe that a lot of people need more sleep than what they actually get. So, I wrote a story of a person who usually sleeps less than a number mentioned in the rhyme and tried to go totally without, but in the end sleeps the wicked number of hours, 11. I tried to keep this as a semi-rhyming story also, but certain places are not so easy to discern. Yes, it is supposed to turn dark, just as some old children's rhymes do. 

Bibliography:
Inspired by the nursery rhyme, "Hours of Sleep" in The Nursery Rhyme Book edited by Andrew Lang.

Image Information:
Obtained from Flick stream https://www.flickr.com/photos/armymedicine/14108637993