Reading Notes: Fruitless Embassy Of Angada

I decided to focus on only one chapter for this part's reading. I found the section to be quite simple and it can be used to recreate my own story.

* I wonder why no one has ever conquered the town of Lanka. What made it so strong?

*I like how they sent three former followers into the town to spy on the people and gather information.

* For my story, I can focus on the attack on all four gates. It reminds me of a war story or even Game Of Thrones. I can use elements from the series in my story.

* In my story, I can give each monkey a specific identity or mark so that they know their 'brother in arms' during the battle.

* Imagery used in this story is amazing - they did a good job.

* It was an enjoyable story to read, although some of the language used was 'outdated'.

Rama And Monkeys. Source: Imageweb

Bibliography: Rama And The Monkeys By Geraldine Hodgson. Reading Link To Fruitless Embassy Of Angada

Reading Notes: Rama And The Monkeys

For this week's reading, I decided on Rama And The Monkeys by Geraldine Hodgson, because it is easily accessible online, it is something different and looked interesting.

* I found it fascinating that hierarchy played a role among the inhibit ants of Ayodhya and that everything is pure among them. How I wish that could be true in today's society.

* I might focus my story on the horse sacrifice. King Dasaratha can make a mistake and thus give the enemies reason to capture him or cast a spell on his son.

* I like the description of the monkeys, tearing up the roots, etc.

* I need to read this story again, in more detail and make notes for my story.

Monkeys Sitting Together. Source:Learnnc

Bibliography: Rama And The Monkeys By Geraldine Hodgson. Reading Link To Birth Of Rama And Creation Of Monkeys. 

Reading Notes: What The Moon Is

* I found this reading piece interesting, because I have never heard stories about the moon, except in Science class. I wonder why he did not want to be overheard by the spirits. Why so? I get that he did not want to reveal any secrets, but there must be more to this story.

* What is Lubras?
* The story is able to create visual images while I read it - use if imagery is great and it makes it much easier to follow.
* I wonder how the man who first saw Bunyip must have felt - I am sure my heart would probably have been beating out of my chest.

* I can recreate this story and use elements of the Tarzan movie or even The Jungle Book.
* A frog that blinded the man is quite different.
* I can incorporate the spell that is  cursed upon the girl and make the man do something to curse it.
* The names of flowers/ bushes or whatever it is, is difficult to pronounce
* The description of the eye being the moon is kind of gross, yet different.

Picture Of The Moon. Source: Wikimedia 

 

Bibliography: Australian Legends by C. W. Peck. Reading Link To What The Moon Is

Reading Notes: Devdutt Pattanaik -Part F

For the extra credit reading option, I decided to read the notes, instead of watching the video. I would highly recommend watching the video and reading the notes, as this information is a lot to absorb. The videos definitely help, so I might go back and watch the video to get a better idea of what is going on. This is the final section of the reading and I would highly recommend it to others!

* How interesting is it that neither the creator, preserver or destroyer is ranked the same.
* Brahma sounds super overprotective of his daughter and this could be turned into a really good story, if I decide to write about it.
* Even the part where Shiva uses Brhama's head as a drinking bowl, could be turned into a horror story.
* I wonder why they reference that karma "determines all things over which we have no control: our bodies, our parents, the circumstances of our life." This seems unsettling to me - as if some spirit controls one's body. I absolutely disagree with this reference.

Graha Deities. Source: Wikipedia 

 

Reading Link To Devdutt Pattanaik -Part F (Brahma)

Reading Notes: The Story Of Lady Amba

* I find it interesting that Bhishma had to find a wife for his brother to secure the succession. I wonder if this was like a rule or something? What made them think that it will definately secure the spot?

* Bidden - order / direct / enter a bid. So were they actually like bidding on them like in an auction?

* Prowess - skill / expertise in a certain field.

* Retinue - a group of advisers accompanying an important person.

* Reading this story, it immediately reminds me of African traditions where the princesses are clothed in expensive, beautiful clothing, etc and the men have to fight for their lady. I can use this element to create a story. I can base my characters in another continent and keep the same plot. This might be a fun story to write.

Lady Amba. Source: Wikipedia

Bibliography; Myths About The Hindus And Buddhists by Sister Nivedita. Reading Link To The Story Of Lady Amba. 

Reading Notes: How The Princes Learned To Shoot

How The Princess Learned To Shoot:

* Bhishma - Archer & warrior. His name means 'fearsome'.
* Vexation - state of being annoyed or frustrated.
*  This story reminds me of the princess and the frog. I might be able to incorporate elements of that story to recreate my own. This story gives me a lot of room to play with and create something interesting.
* I wonder why the boys wanted the Brahman to prove his word?
* I can use the grass and turn it into another weapon form.
* My story can also be transformed and the Brahman can be a young boy living in the forest and he will be recruited as the mighty and fearsome teacher. I will be changing gender roles - making the princes into princesses.

I am excited about the story that I will be writing and have a lot of inspiration.

A Picture Of a Princes Learning To Shoot. Source: Publicdomainpictures

Bibliography; Myths About The Hindus And Buddhists by Sister Nivedita. Reading link to How The Princes Learned To Shoot.

Reading Notes: Devdutt Pattanaik -Part E

For this week's extra credit reading option, I decided to focus on Devdutt Pattanaik -Vishnu. I kind of feel out of touch with the story, because it has been a week since I have read the previous chapter, so I will have to refresh my memory again.

Animal sacrifices are practiced all over the world and is exemplified in the bible as well. I found it interesting that Hindus believe that their gods above have a magical cow. It is amazing how we often take things for granted and don't think about the importance of certain things. It gave me a different perspective when they describe the cow running away when mistreated. Yes, we really do mistreat earth and all the abundant natural resources given to us, but how else are we suppose to survive? I think I am looking too deep into this and the fact that it's explainable is kind of frustrating.  Demand and supply is and always will be an issue! I might try to incorporate a few of the story's ideas into my own story. I enjoyed reading this section.

Picture Of The Earth Cow. Source: Wikipedia

Reading Link to Devdutt Pattanaik -Part E (Vishnu)

Reading Notes: Mahabharata PDE Part B

Bhima and Baka,reminds me of a very dramatic scene. I would love to write this in a rhyme form and choose a special weapon for Bhima to kill Baka. I like that the story has a happy ending and that Bhima was once again the hero in the story due to his powers and care / love for his family.

Bhima Slaying Off The Ansura. Source: Wikipedia 

Bibliography: Reading link to Bhima and Baka PDE Mahabharata version by various authors

Reading Notes: Mahabharata PDE Part A

The Contest

For this week's reading, I decided to stick to the PDE version, because it can easily be accessed online and I enjoy how it is written. I focused mainly on The Contest story and found it interesting and fun to read. The fact that the first story is in a rhyme form, makes it different. This story brings forth images of a battlefield. I have not really put much thought into how I can make this story my own, but I would like to keep it a rhyme, if possible.

Photo Of Bhima. Source: Wikipedia

Reading Notes: Devdutt Pattanaik -Part D

Shiva and Devi

 I enjoy reading the extra stories and this week, Shiva's secret continues, while they also focus on Devi's secret. Shiva continues to be portrayed as a mean character in the story where he beheads his father-in-law. I mean, who does that!? I is also interesting to note that he changes roles and becomes the householder. I clicked on the wikipedia link for the Sri Yantra and discovered that it is all about a balancing act.

The most fascinating part that I have read thus far is when they talk about the multicoloured sea and sand caused by Kanyakumari's make-up. I would have never thought of making such a comparison. This will make a very interesting story! The section of Devi's secret focuses alot on females, mothers and their role in society. I also enjoyed reading this and is not failiar at all with Devi's history.

Man Carrying a Corpse. Source: Wikipedia

 Bibliography: Link To Reading Guide By Devdutt Pattanaik

Reading Notes: PDE Mahahbharata Part B

The House Of Fire

Part B of this week's reading is becoming more involved / intricate and the character names are also getting more difficult to pronounce. I only read two stories for part B and found it very interesting. The House Of Fire story has so much detail, that I think it will be almost impossible to change it and make it sound better. If I really had to change it, I can possibly write that it was all just a bad dream. Overall, it was a sad story, but luckily had a happy ending.

Bhima and Hidimba

This story reminded me of the Disney movie Snow White, where the mean queen sent the huntsman to kill Snow White, but he could not do it. This is also a love at first sight story. I could write a poem for this and use some of the elements from the original version.

Bhima Talking To a Human-form Rakshasa. Source: Dadazi

Reading Notes: PDE Mahahbharata Part A

Vyasa & Ganesha

Vyasa- author of Maha.

Vedas- large body of knowledge, texts

Brahma- creator god

Ganesha - remover of obstacles / elephant-heaed god / scribe

Vaishampayana - traditional narrator of Maha

Janamejaya - kuru king (vedic  of Indo-Aryan tribal union)

Arjuna - considered the finest archer & peerless warrior / protagonist of Maha

Hastinapura - town

Pandu brothers - 5 sons of Pandu (kingdom of Hastinapur. Also Vyasa's grandsons

Chedi - Indian kingdom

Indra - king of gods. god of thunder, rain, rivers, Heaven

car - AKA ratha. Spoked-wheel charriot

Satyavati - queen of Shantanu 

rishi Parashara - author of many ancient texts. father of Vyasa]Yamuna - longest & 2nd largest tributary river of the Ganga in N India

What an interesting, insightful, yet weird story to use for an introduction. I enjoyed reading it and Ganesha was by far my most favorite character. For this story, I had to write down and look up each name, in order to comprehend the story better and make it flow easier, as so many characters can be quite confusing. I wonder what would have happened if Ganesha's pen did in fact stop writing? What would have happened?

I can change the story where:

*The pen did stop writing, because the ink ran up.

*Vyasa planted magic beans to grow a beanstalk in order to get to the giants and ask them for their assistance in writing the story

*Vyasa had to find someone before midnight to write the story, otherwise something awful will happen

I am inspired to write my story and look forward to the outcome thereof!

Ganesha Writing Vyasa's Story. Source: Wikimedia

Bibliography: Reading Link To PDE Mahahbharata Part A

Reading Notes: Devdutt Pattanaik -Part C

Shiva's Secret: Withdrawal Leads to Destruction:

I found it super interesting when the article mentioned that Hindus do not believe that God is limited to one form. God is seen as both male and female – conceptualizing God as both genders which is called androgynous, while Christians see God as a male. It is also interesting to note that the male version is represented as spiritual whereas the female version is materialistic. What was the reasoning behind this? I’m not quite sure how I will change the story, so I will have to put some more thought into this

(Seven Secrets Of Shiva. Source: ytimg)
Bibliography: Link To Reading Guide By Devdutt Pattanaik

Reading Notes: Myths of Hindus and Buddhists, Ramayana Part B

Hanuman Burns Lanka:

I enjoy this week’s reading much more, because the stories are shorter. On the other hand, not having reading note links / guides is a downfall and some of the wording is very dated and dialogue style writing is very prominent. The reading content is the same as the PDE version, but having short stories such as these helps me as a reader. 

This was an interesting story and Hanuman sure is an interesting character. I wonder what went through Sita's mind when she heard of his burning tail.

I will take this story and use some of its words to write a poem. I also like how they talk about "perceiving that the fire still burnt, but that his tail was icy-cold" (p.73).

(Hanuman Flying Away With A Burning Tail. Source:Wikimedia)

Bibliography: Reading Link To Myths of Hindus and Buddhists: Ramayana By Sister Nivedita