Famous Last Words: The End of a Great Journey

As I finish up my last few edits for my storybook and catch up on all my reading, it finally hit me that I am done with this class. I figured it would be fitting to have my last entry be "Famous Last Words." This class has become one of my most favorite classes I have ever taken. The subject material was exactly what I was hoping it would be and the structure of the class helped me create a course specifically to what I was wanting.

My understanding of the traditional epics has greatly improved and it has connected me with the side of India I had yet to learn about. Since this class began, I started catching cultural references to the Ramyana and the Mahabharata in everyday life and my other classes. I read an article about the political propaganda in India circulating which likened PM Modi to Rama and his opponent to Ravana. It was such a great feeling to see the poster and completely understand the implications.

I am so incredibly proud of my Storybook. I included a lot of features that weren't required just because I was getting so into the project and I wanted the website to be as realistic as possible. Now that it is finally complete, I can't wait to show my family my completed work, (and maybe teach them about Indian Epics on the way.) I think my favorite story was the two part story of Parvati and Shiva. The entire time I was adapting other people’s love stories and having Parvati give the advise but it was fun taking a step back and looking at her own love life and what got her to where she is today.

I am so incredibly thankful I took this class and am sad it is coming to a close. This class reminded me how much I love creative writing. I think I might start a blog all on my own to keep this creativity flowing. Goodbye Epics of India. It was a great semester.

Namaste

(Pixabay.com)

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Reading Notes: Ganesha

A great friend of mine has a sanskrit tattoo on wisdom.  He told me that it was referring to the Hindu god of Wisdom, Ganesha.  He wanted to get another tattoo of the sanskrit symbol for "Om" mixed in with the image of Ganesha and asked me to design the tattoo.  I was honored.  This is the sketch I drew up.

At the time, I only knew what he had told me about Ganesha but nothing more.  So this week, I decided to learn more about Ganesha.  After completing my story book and learning all about his mother, Parvati, I figured I should learn a little about him.

• Parvati wants to bathe in peace but none of the Ganas listen to her because they all follow Shiva first.  
• She creates a boy, Ganesha, who keeps Shiva from his own home and lashes at him when he tries to go inside anyway.
• Ganesha remains extremely loyal to his mother while facing great danger
• Ganesha goes to far and many people want to kill him
• Ganesha is finally defeated(head cut off)
• They fit the head of an elephant on the boy and return him to Parvati to appease her.  

Bibliography:
Ganesha, Amar Chitra Katha, Reading Guide.

Image:
Hindu God Traditional Line Art.  Found on Pizabay.com

Reading Notes: An Old Couple

Okay this is the strangest story I've ever read.  Titled "The Old Couple" I thought it would be a sweet story about long lasting love.  I guess it was in a sense... It was about a king who walked past a house in the village with an old couple nearly on the brink of death, making love in a "furious" way.  He then makes them go to court because he was grossed out by it.  At court the old couple mixed ashes with spices and said as long as one shall live, the desire for sex will still remain.  Then the King gave the couple gifts and they left.  I struggle to see the moral of the story.  It was very strange and I don't think I'll be able to use this one for a story.  Maybe not though, you never know!

Bibliography:
A Flowering Tree and Other Oral Tales From India, Ch 46. An Old Couple  

Image Information:
The image is from the collections of the State Library of NSW. Found on Wikipedia Commons.

Story:Parvati and Shiva Continued

My first day helping Shiva move into his new place was nothing like I had expected.  Shiva didn't look at me once.  He didn't say a word to me.  He voided being near me.  It was so strange.  He had specifically asked for my help but once I arrived, he pretended like I didn't exist.  I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt my feelings.  It's not the easiest thing to move someone's entire life from one house to the next with no appreciation for the work.

Day in and day out I worked.  I moved things, I cleaned things, I cooked for Shiva, I did everything for him.  Not even a thank you was muttered.  I was getting tired of my loneliness and lack of appreciation so I called my dear friend Rati to come visit.  I told her to bring Kama so that they could have time to be together outside of the village without her parents knowing.  Surely they would let their daughter visit and assist Shiva.  So the next day, the two of them came to help me.  Rate and I were packing boxes in the garage and Kama was off doing who knows what. When we left the garage and came into the sitting room where Shiva was sitting, staring at a framed picture of his beloved Sati, we saw Kama sitting beside him. Rati and I stayed back to listen in on their conversation.

Kama said, "Shiva, I know this must be tough.  She was a very beautiful woman.  Your love for her is outstanding."

Shiva just sat there and nodded his head sullenly.

Kama began to speak again, a little more hesitantly, "But...Shiva... have you thought about Parvati?  She is seriously one of the most gorgeous girls in the village!  How can you have her waiting on you without realizing what an amazing woman she is?  I know she's really shy, but she is one of the most loving, devoted girls I know and you would be lucky to have her in your life."

Shiva slowly lifted his head and stared at Kama. His face was so read and I instinctively backed up against the wall, terrified of the anger in his eyes.  With a loud clash, the framed picture fell to the grown, shattering into tiny pieces and Shiva's hand slapped Kama across the face with a fierceness I had never heard before.  Kama screamed out in pain and tears filled his eyes.  I jumped and Rati screamed out and ran towards Kama, blowing our cover.  Shiva and I met eyes.  I quickly looked away before I let my emotions expose me and went to escort Rati and Kama out of the house.  

I watched from the door as my friends rushed back to the village, and I knew deep down I would never see them here again.

After that moment, everything I had felt for Shiva changed.  Deep down, this action made me love him more.  I knew that he was still grieving and Kama had pushed him too far.  But I also knew that I could never share this love.  My looks, my cooking, my cleaning, none of it would make him love me.  If he were to ever love me, time was the only thing that would make it happen. So after that day, I decided to stop trying.  I was here to help Shiva, not to win his love, so I was going to purely serve him out of devotion with no alternate motives.

I rid myself of every worldly beauty.  I put my jewelry away, I wore simple clothes, I skipped meals to solely work on moving him out of his house.  I made no intention to be in the same room with him and I NEVER met eyes with him again.  I lived my life as a slave to him, trying to be invisible for his heart to heal without distraction.

I did this for years.  We moved into the new cabin and I remained to do the cooking and the cleaning. I slept and bathed outside and I stayed completely out of sight.  I began to enjoy the lifestyle.  I never grew bored, I always had something to do, and my actions were beneficial to the one I had grown to love.  I accepted the fact that he would never love me, but my purpose of life had changed.  My purpose was to serve, not to be loved.

(The small cabin Shiva moved into)

One day, several years into the new life at the cabin, I was working on the garden in the back yard.  I heard someone come up to me and stop behind me.  I only had an hour left of sunlight in the day and I needed to finish the garden so I did not look up to see who it was.  Then the person spoke.

"How can you work like this for no appreciation?"

I did not recognize the voice so I assumed it was a hiker passing by.  I replied, "It is work I enjoy, I do not need appreciation."

"I pass by often and see you working from the time the sun comes up until it sets in the west.  You are always alone.  The man you work for must be a bitter, evil man to treat you so poorly."

At this I grew angry.  How dare this stranger speak of Shiva in such a way.  Shiva was the most devoted man I had ever known and this stranger's ignorance made my blood boil.  I spurted, "You know nothing about the man who lives here.  How dare you say such things.  He is the purest man I know and if you cannot see that then you are not pure yourself."  I spun around and yelled, "Now leave!!"

Then I stopped.  My shovel clattered to the ground.  The man standing behind me was Shiva himself.

He chuckled to himself at my anger.  He bent down and reached for my hand to help me to my feet.
"Sweet, devoted Parvati.  I cannot believe I have treated you so poorly.  My mind was lost after Sati, but watching you day in and day out, devote your life to me with no interest of your own, has revived me.  You have brought me back from the darkness.  I love you, sweet Parvati, and I am forever indebted to you."

And that, dear friends, is how our love began.  Shiva has devoted his life to me just as I devoted mine to him.  We live as equals and we live in constant love for one another.  We have arguments and we have faults, but our commitment to one another conquers all and that is what I hope for you.

Devotedly yours,
Parvati

Author's Note:
I loved writing this story! This is a continuation of the story of Parvati and Shiva but it is when Shiva finally falls in love with her.  In the real story, Shiva disguises himself as a hermit to trick Parvati into saying something bad about Shiva.  Parvati gets angry at the hermit and still refuses to say one bad thing about Shiva.  Then he reveals his true self to her and tells her he is in love.  I thought, since Parvati has never heard Shiva's voice, she wouldn't recognize it was him if her back was turned to him.  That was how I made it into a more present day story without the mysticism of changing forms and living lives as hermits.

Bibliography:
Shiva Parvati: A Story of Divine Love, Amar Chitra Katha, Reading Guide.

Image information:

Fall Country Cabin found on Flickr.com

Reading Notes: Shiva's Secret Part 1

• Kali- primal goddess
• dances on Shiva- Shiva does not care for the world and he is indifferent toward Kali
• Kali wants Shiva to open eyes 
• they are opposites
• Shiva needs to populate with Kali so she forces him to "create life within her"
• Two images show angry Kali and content Kali
• God takes inferior position to Goddess 

(Kali dancing on Shiva, trying to get his attention.  Found on Wikipedia.)

Bibliography:

Seven Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art, Devdutt Pattanaik, Shiva's Secret Part 1

Reading Notes: Shiva's Secret Part 2

Looking at Shiva's side of the love story between him and Parvati.  It is the same story but told in a different way and with a different perspective.  There is an added element that was not in the stories I read last week.

• Parvati induced shiva to become belovolant
• Groom: was a hermit and didn't know how to behave or dress
• drunk
• covered in ash
• came with ghosts and goblins
• scared the people of Parvati's village
• Parvati asked him to accept worldly ways so he did and became a beautiful groom
• Shiva did not discriminate between the beautiful and the ugly but didn't fit in with the social set up: there is judgement and Shiva didn't have any
• His eyes were opened because of Parvati

(the religious poster that is explained through the video I watched this week.  Found on Wikipedia Commons.)

Bibliography:

Seven Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art, Devdutt Pattanaik, Shiva's Secret Part 2

Story: Parvati and Shiva: The Beginning

So you want to know more about my love life? You want to know what makes me qualified to give advice to others? You want to know why I am the goddess of devotion? Well, the answer isn’t so simple. I have been married to my love since the beginning of time. And I will be married to him until the end of time. Our love is continuous. Death has not separated us. The gods have always returned us to one another. I have gone by many names and lived many lifetimes, so in order to answer your many questions, I must choose one name and one lifetime. I will tell you the story of Shiva and our love during my current lifetime as Parvati. Today, I will share how we were ticked into meeting even though neither of us ever intended to know one another.

My story began one afternoon when I heard my parents talking about Shiva. Shiva was the town’s most eligible bachelor, but you see, he was still grieving the death of his first wife. In all honestly, I felt sorry for him. Everyone was pushing him to get over her but it was all pure selfishness. All the fathers and mothers in my little village wanted him to marry their daughters. I didn’t understand why they couldn’t just let him be and go through the grieving process without the stress of women fawning over him. I was thankful my parents didn’t embarrass me like the other parents in the village.

Poor Rati, my best friend, her parents were probably the worst in the village when it came to insisting she and Shiva marry. Rati wasn’t even attracted to Shiva. She had her eyes set on Kama, a boy we went to school with. I felt sorry for her too. We both knew that if her parents ever found out she had her eyes set on someone else, it would destroy them. We would always joke about how we hoped Shiva would marry soon just so her parents would stop trying to set them up. I was thankful that the two of us could speak candidly about our indifference to Shiva. Well, if I had to be honest, I wasn’t indifferent. I found him to be the most attractive man I had ever laid eyes on. His devotion to his wife was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I respected him too much to do anything more than admire from a far.

Anyway, now you know why it was such a big deal when I overheard my parent’s talking about Shiva. I had never heard them utter his name before so when I heard their hushed tones in our kitchen that one night, dread and hope filled my chest simultaneously.

I went to sleep pretending I heard nothing but my false ignorance was fleeting. The next morning I awoke to my parents coming into my room. My mother pulled up a chair and my father stood behind her with his hands lovingly resting on her shoulders.

My mother spoke smoothly, “Parvati dear, we have something very important to talk to you about. Shiva’s friend Nandi approached your father and me yesterday. He is very worried about Shiva’s health and his time in the village has been too stressful for his grieving. Shiva is moving to a cabin in the mountains beyond the next town, but Nandi is worried he cannot help move and take care of Shiva alone. He has noticed that we are the only family in the village to let him mourn in peace and he has asked us to let you go with them to help them move. I know it is a strange request, but Nandi has grown up here, you remember playing with him in daycare when you all were younger, yes? And he is so very worried for his friend Shiva. So we discussed and we think it would be good for you to go.”

I was shocked. Deep down, I was ecstatic. I couldn’t explain my excitement. I never imagined what it would feel like to be in Shiva’s presence. I never opened my mind up to that opportunity. But now that it was here, I never wanted anything more. I felt this urge deep down like I was born to do this. I suppressed my emotions and smoothly replied, “ Yes mother. Yes father. I will do this for Shiva and Nandi. Don’t worry, I will be okay and I will serve him devotedly in his grief. For I know that is something the other women in this town do not know how to do. I will honor you both and prove our family worthy of this compliment Nandi has paid to us. Such trust in our intentions shall not be broken.”

My parents smiled warmly and my father bent down to kiss me on the forehead. It seemed like they still had more to tell me but they were hesitant to say more. I tried to ignore the unsettling feeling I got from them and I got out of bed and began to pack.

I didn’t know at the time what they were keeping from me, but soon I would find out that there were very different intentions involved in this move. Nandi wanted me to marry Shiva. Apparently, Shiva had asked about me and because I was the only name that had passed through his lips since Sati died, Nandi was sure I would be the one to bring him back his joy. My parents knew that if I suspected any sort of marriage proposal, I would have refused out of fear of being just like the other girls in the village. They were right. Had they told me the truth, I would have refused and the beautiful life I share with my dear husband Shiva would have been unknown to me. Who knows where I would be? Oh, I don’t even want to imagine it. A life without my love sounds more like death.

(Shiva mourning his wife's death.  His devotion inspired my own.)

__________________________________________

Author's Note:

One person commented on my storybook that they would love to know more about Parvati, the goddess behind my storybook site.  So this week I decided to read her love stories in order to create and "About Me" tab on her counseling website.  Parvati is the goddess of many things, but I specifically expanded on her title "Goddess of Devotion."  In her love story with Shiva, she remained incredibly devoted to the man she loved even when he showed no signs of love for her.  She was criticized for being so devoted but remained loyal and proved herself in the end.  She had all the beauty in the world and had money to go with that beauty.  She had beautiful clothes and a wealthy lifestyle, but she threw it all away to live as a hermit to prove herself worthy of Shiva.  Her beauty did not attract him, for there were many beautiful women, but her raw devotion was something not all women possessed and therefore made him fall in love with her.  

Another interesting aspect of their story is that Shiva is grieving the loss of his wife, Sati.  That is why he has turned a blind eye to women and why it took him so long to accept Parvati.  The ironic thing about this story is that Parvati is in fact Sati reincarnate.  The beauty behind this irony is that the love between Shiva and Sati/Parvati was so strong that not even death and remarriage could end their love.       

Finally, their love story is so deep that it was impossible to capture it all in one post.  I hope to create one more post to wrap up their story.

Bibliography:

Shiva Parvati: A Story of Divine Love, Amar Chitra Katha, Reading Guide.

Photo Information: 

Found on Pixabay.

Reading Notes: Tales of Shiva

• Shiva teaches Parvati of the Vedas and it lasts for years and Parvati began to lose focus.  In a spit of Anger he banishes he to be a fisherwoman because she does not have the focus.
• Instantly he regrets it because Parvati disappears 
• Parvati is reborn as a child to a fisherman
• Nandi, Shiva's servant, becomes a shark and attack the fisherman in Parvati's village and Parvati's father says that he will give his daughter to the fisherman who catches the shark
•  Shiva hears Parvatis prayer for help and becomes a fisherman and cashes the shark
• They wed and "live happily ever after"

(Shiva depicted with Parvati and children. Wikipedia Commons.)

Bibliogrpahy:
Tales of Shiva, The Mighty Lord of Kailasa, Amar Chitra Kathra, Reading Guide

Reading Notes: Shiva Parvati, A Story of Divine Love

• Starts with Death of Shiva's first wife Sati, who was embarrassed of her fathers hatred for Shiva 
• Parvati daughter of Mountain King, Himavat and Heavenly Nymph Menaka
• Parvati was Sati reborn but to a father who she could be proud of and who would be proud of her
• Prophesied to marry Shiva but father was nervous Shiva would accept because he only had love for Sati
• Himavat sends Parvati and friends to serve Shiva with is meditation rituals sure that the prophesy will come true and Shiva will fall in love with Parvati
• She loves servind Shiva even when her friends grow tired of it.  She goes above and beyond to serve him.
• The Brahma tells the worried gods, led by Indra, that the first son of Parvati and Shiva will be the War- Lord that will kill Taraka who is terrorizing them.
• Indra goes to Kama the God of Love to help Shiva fall in love with Parvati
• Kama shot Shiva with an arrow to fall in love with Parvati, but Shiva regained his emotions and grew in anger when he saw Kama- burnt Kama too ashes with his glance
• Kama's love, Rati is grief stricken and desires to die but a heavenly voice tells her that surely Shiva and Parvati will marry and Kama will come back on their wedding day
• Parvati decides that her beauty may not win Shiva's love but her penance and devotion will
• Parvati rid herself of everything, no jewels or fancy clothing, and lived in solitude and penance in the valley, in complete devotion to Shiva (Hermits watcher her devotion)
• She fasted for weeks "I will subsist on your name resting on my lips"
• Did this for years
• her beauty remained even though she was putting her body through so much 
• Hermit insults Shiva when he finds out Parvati is doing all of this for him "It takes a great soul to know a great soul"
• The hermit gets angry and blocks Parvati from leaving
• Hermit turns into Shiva
• Parvati won Shiva over! he vows to be her slave
• Parvati still makes Shiva ask her father for her hand in marriage
• Child is born and multiple claims are placed on it until Shiva and Parvati come to claim their child

(The Divine Family, Shiva, Parvati, Kartikeya and Ganesh.  Found on Wikipedia Commons.)

Bibliogrpahy:

Shiva Parvati: A Story of Divine Love, Amar Chitra Katha, Reading Guide.

Reading Notes: Nine Ideal Indian Women Part B, Uttara

• Uttara taken to marry Arjun's son, Prince Abhimanyu
• Very young when she left, still playing with dolls
• There is a battle and it kind of reminds me of the Game of Thrones with each side having their own right to the throne.
• Abhimanyu and Uttara were uninvolved in the terrible war taking place and Abhumanyu is utterly enamored with his wife
• Uttara was never sad.  She always had a smile 
• Abhimanyu wanted to help in the war
• Abhimanyu was appointed to lead as General
• when Abhim went in to tell Uttara the news she was weeping hysterically 
• Uttara fainted upon hearing the news of Abhim's new appointment 
• Uttara had a dream of Abhim dying on the battle field 
• Uttara became brave for Abhim's sake because she knew he hated to see her so sad
• Uttara's dream comes true
• She fainted upon hearing the news and her mother and law thought she had died
• Uttara wanted to die and begged to join Abhim in heaven
• she cried at Krishna's feet to join Abhim
• Krishna promised to be Uttara's son which consoled Uttara 
• Uttara wanted to join other widows in the funeral pyre but Krishna stopped her saying she must take care of her son
•  Uttara raised her son and finally followed her dream of finding Abhim in heaven and lived n earth only to raise her son and follow her duty
• Gave her life in complete sacrifice to Krishna and her son, even though all she wanted to do was die and be with her husband

What an interesting story of devotion.  She was devoted to Krishna and to her son but her desire was to her husband who had passed.  She did not want to be devoted to life, but did so anyway.

(Uttara crying for her husband when he tells her he is leaving for battle. Found on Wikipedia Commons.)

Bibliography: Nine Ideal Indian Women, Maharanee Sunity Devee, Section on Uttara.

Story: Parvati Counseling Service Transcript

(Sivitri and Satyaban walking into Parvati's office completely enamored with one another. Found on Wikipedia Commons.)

Parvati: Oh hello! I am so excited to meet you two! I read both of your New Client Forms and I am just amazed.  I don't think I have ever read such beautiful words to describe one's love.  I was surprised to see you needed my help at all.  It seems as though your love and devotion is already well developed.  But it just shows how committed you both are that even in love you seek to improve and prepare for marriage!

Sivitri: Oh Goddess Parvati thank you...

Parvati: Dear, don't worry about formalities here, you can just call me Parvati.

*Sivitri blushes*

Sivitri: Parvati, thank you for accepting us for your service.  You have no idea how much I look up to you.  Your love for Shiva felt like a fairy tail, a mere story that my father would tell me before I fell asleep to fill my mind with sweet dream.  It wasn't until I met Satyaban that I realized, your love for Shiva was real and possible, because I feel that love for him.

*Sivitri looks over at Satyaban and their souls dance between their romantic gaze* 

Satyaban: Parvati, it is an honor, truly.  We are not worthy to be in your presence.

Parvati: Oh you two are just a delight! I have been looking forward to this session all day.  Please come; take a seat.
So, I read over your forms but you were a little vague about what specifically you want counseling on before marriage.  Like I said, I don't really see any pre consisting issues through your forms and your obvious connection is contagious and feels like it's filling the room with your love's scent.

*Sivitri instantly turns pale and her eyes begin to water.  Instinctively, Satyaban wraps his arm around his fiancé.  Sivitri tries to speak but her voice cannot be found.*

Satyaban:Well, it took us quite a while to be able to get engaged.  Our love story is actually a bit unconventional.  We fell in love the moment we laid eyes on each other.  I know that is a cliche term but it is the only way we can explain our experience.  When my eyes first met the eyes of my fragrant little jasmine flower, there was a feeling inside like a magnet pulling me towards her, across the stream.  I felt my soul deep within, break through me and connect with hers somewhere between us.  I knew that no matter where life took me, we would be together.  From that moment on our souls belonged to each other.

Sivitri: But you see, at the time Satyaban was caring for his blind father who had just been let go from his job for his sudden loss of sight.  My father was worried about what kind of future that would leave me.  I must admit, I grew up in a wealthy household, having nothing to worry about or want, so my father was concerned for the shock I would face if he gave Satyaban his permission for my hand in marriage.  It was so difficult, knowing that I would be no one without Satyaban but facing the reality that my father might not let me marry him.  


Satyaban: Knowing that her father would fear this, I sent our family friend to talk to him.  He explained to Sivitri's father that my family comes from great wealth, "Old Money" so to speak.  I have an incredibly large trust fund that would not only be able to support Sivitri but many of our generations to follow.  I just do not live a wealthy lifestyle as I am completely focused on the health of my father.

Sivitri: So you see, now we are engaged and incredibly happy to start our life together.  But something has come up and truly, we believe you are the only one to help us.  This is something I am worried love cannot withstand.

Parvati: Sweet girl, what is it?

*Sivitri tears up again and Satyaban pulls her closer*

Satyaban: I...We found out...I was diagnosed with cancer yesterday. And I am not expected to make it to our first anniversary.

*Tears start slipping from Sivitri's eyes*

*Parvati slowly sits back in her seat*

Parvati: Oh, I see.  It all makes sense to me now.  Dear souls, I cannot imagine the agony this must be putting you through. Oh, and you have not even said your vows to one another.  To have so much grief before your marriage has even begun is tragic.  I apologize for the insensitivity this question might bring, but you two are still planning to wed, I assume?

Sivitri and Satyaban: Yes, absolutely!

Sivitri: A year with Saty is worth a lifetime with someone else.  I vow here, now, and for eternity that I will be with Saty or I will be with no one.

*Parvati smiles from ear to ear*

Parvati: Then it is settled.  

*Sivitri and Satyaban look at each other, confused*

Satyaban: I'm sorry?

Parvati: Your dedication and love is something I have never encountered before.  I must say, it may even be stronger than what I experienced with my dear Shiva at the beginning.  A love like yours can withstand any trial, even death.  Marry.  Enjoy every minute of this year together.  Make every minute count and if you do this, your love and union will last longer than a year.

*Satyaban and Sivitri still remained a bit confused but they knew Parvati must have been speaking in some sort of riddle or metaphor.  They thanked her and began to walk out the door: Satyaban first then Sivitri following.*

*Parvati reached out for Sivitri and held her back while Satyaban went to grab the car*

Parvati: Sivitri, I must tell you something I saw during your session.  But you must listen carefully and keep this private.  You will know the time that Satyban will pass.  You will know it as sure as you knew you loved him.  But, Satyban will not know and he must not know.  You will meet his death face to face.  The doctors will swear to you there is nothing that can be done, but you must not give up. Your love will survive.  Your love can conquer death.  But even as death arrives, you must believe that your love can conquer it. Promise me you will believe.

Sivitri: Oh I promise. My love for him will never die.

Parvati: Then he will never die.
______________________________________________
Authors Note:
I was completely moved by this story of Sivitri and Satyaban.  I read their story in the book, the Nine Ideal Indian Women, and talk about ideal.  I go through most of the story line in the transcript above and I hint at the ending.  Satyaban is fated to die in a year and through much convincing to her father, Sivitri marries him anyway because they are utterly in love.  On the day of Satyaban's death, Sivitri knows it is about to happen but Satyaban has no clue.  Sivitri stays with him after he dies until the God of Death, Yom, arrives to take his body.  She follows Yom, pleading with him until he was about to pass into the "Land of Shade".  Yom was not able to take her with him to the Land of Shade and Sivitri was able to convince him, through her love and devotion to Satyaban, to let Satyaban live.  Her love beat death and Satyaban came back to life. What a perfect story for the God of Devotion, Parvati, to assist in.  I knew I had to give this story a try.  I hope the format is well received but I might end up changing it before adding it to my storybook.  I hope everyone enjoyed the story as much as I did.

Bibliography:
Nine Ideal Indian Women, Maharanee Sunity Devee, Reading Guide, Book
   

Reading Notes: Nine Ideal Indian Women Part A, Savitri

• Savitri was not kept away and was highly educated 
• beautiful description of when she met eyes with her love. "And, as eyes gazed into eyes, across the narrow stream their souls, predestined from all eternity to complete each other, awakened" 
• boy turns out to be prince of exiled king
• father doesn't want Savitri to marry the "penniless prince"
• king asks for advice and finds that he is actually a perfect suite EXCEPT he is destined to die in one year!!
• Savitri wants to marry him anyway even though that could mean the ruin for her father, the King's, line
• "Love like hers is heaven-sent"
• A year loving Satyaban is worth a lifetime of widowhood
• Satyaban is honorable.  after the wedding, instead of living in the palace and accumulating the riches, he vows to return to his blind father in exile to support him.
• Savitri vows to accompany him
• Servitor took the character of a poor mans daughter, cooking and cleaning like she didn't grow up a princess in a palace

This is the perfect story for a premarital counseling session.  They are desperate to get married but they know the road ahead will be extremely difficult.  With death glooming in the near future, they love each other so much, Savitri loves Satyaban so much, that she is willing to marry him no matter what.  Can't wait to write this story!!

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Bibliography: Nine Ideal Indian Women, Maharanee Sunity Devee, Reading Guide, Book

(Savitri begging for her lover's life. Found on Wikipedia from the Calcutta Art Studio)

Reading Notes: Nine Ideal Indian Women Part A, Savitri

• Savitri was not kept away and was highly educated 
• beautiful description of when she met eyes with her love. "And, as eyes gazed into eyes, across the narrow stream their souls, predestined from all eternity to complete each other, awakened" 
• boy turns out to be prince of exiled king
• father doesn't want Savitri to marry the "penniless prince"
• king asks for advice and finds that he is actually a perfect suite EXCEPT he is destined to die in one year!!
• Servitor wants to marry him anyway even though that could mean the ruin for her father, the King's, line
• "Love like hers is heaven-sent"
• A year loving Satyaban is worth a lifetime of widowhood
• Satyaban is honorable.  after the wedding, instead of living in the palace and accumulating the riches, he vows to return to his blind father in exile to support him.
• Savitri vows to accompany him
• Servitor took the character of a poor mans daughter, cooking and cleaning like she didn't grow up a princess in a palace

This is the perfect story for a premarital counseling session.  They are desperate to get married but they know the road ahead will be extremely difficult.  With death glooming in the near future, they love each other so much, Savitri loves Satyaban so much, that she is willing to marry him no matter what.  Can't wait to write this story!!

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Bibliography: Nine Ideal Indian Women, Maharanee Sunity Devee, Reading Guide, Book

(Savitri begging for her lover's life. Found on Wikipedia from the Calcutta Art Studio)

Famous Last Words: Making Anything into a Love Story

I think these past few weeks have taught me that anything can be made into a love story. Maybe that's the hopeless romantic within me, but I really do think its possible. This past week I tested my theory out with the story of the cannibal sister. Yes, the title of the story was really called "The Cannibal Sister" and I made it into a story of lost love and confusion. I enjoyed looking deeper into the character's thoughts and finding that this evil monster might not really be so evil. Every villain can be a good guy, you just have to change the perspective of the story, and that's what I did with this rendition and I'm quite proud of it. I look forward to the future weeks when I can read even more stories and find the love stories buried deep within. It’s a fun challenge and I believe it brings great results. So far, I might find this to be my favorite storybook entry.

Looking back on my storybook as a whole, I am creating stories with different formats for the storybook. I really hope it flows well and makes sense so I will be looking for feedback in the future on whether the different formats is confusing or works well with the storybook. I want my storybook to really look like a real website with different portals and aspects and I also want to illustrate the different aspects of a counseling service so I hope that the different formats do that for me.

Next week I want to explore a story with a couple that is dating. I have already written advise to a married couple, I have already written a story about a single girl. Now I’m ready for a couple who is about to get married but needs advice on how to prepare for married life. I read someone’s story in our class that made me think “Wow, Parvati needs to help this couple” So now I just need to go on a hunt and remember who’s story that was!

I have enjoyed making anything and everything into a love story and I can't wait to finish the class doing so. 

(Making anything into a love story is like putting a bandaid on a broken heart.  Found on Pixabay.)

Story: Kaalee Vidhave

Dear Parvati,

I am emailing you today because I am really in need of some counseling. I feel as though I am perpetually single. I wish I could say it was because of my looks or my inability to flirt, but it is much more tragic. You see, I have had many "almost- relationships". I find a man, we start to talk, I like him, he likes me, and just as we decide to take that step and begin a relationship, the man turns up dead. My heart cannot take this loss much more. I feel as though I must be falling in love with the wrong type of men. Could I only be attracted to men with shady pasts or who are involved in criminal activity? I do not have any other way to wrap my mind around it. Well, I'm sure we can talk more about this in my first session. In the meantime, I filled out the New Client Form you requested. I hope we can schedule an appointment soon. Thank you for your generosity and giving me the opportunity to receive your kind guidance.

Yours truly,

Kaalee Vidhava


Attachment.doc
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New Client Form

1.What are you looking for in a lifelong partner?

I am looking for someone who will make me feel accepted and loved, unconditionally loved.

I am haunted by the memory of my favorite brother abandoning me at a young age before our parents passed away. He told our parents I was evil and then he left and I never saw him again. I had no idea where his hatred came from. It was like a switch went off one night in his mind and all of a sudden he was horrified of me. The love in his eyes was replaced by terror.

Shortly after, my parents died and I was left utterly alone. Add that to the fact that everyone I've ever loved has died, and you get the perfect disaster. I'm constantly looking for someone to be there for me but every time I possibly find that love and acceptance, I'm abandoned.

What am I looking for in a lifelong partner? Just someone who will have a life to live.

2.What makes you feel most loved?

I feel most loved when someone is spending quality time with me and is making the effort to be around me.

Although my parents never believed my brother when he told them I was demented it didn't stop the other people in our town from making rumors. Unfortunately, A LOT of people enjoy rumors and believe them. So ever since my crazy brother made that accusation, I've been the piranha of the town. No one ever really wants to get to know me. So when a man decides to ignore the rumors and spend time with me, it means the world to me. He could buy me the nicest jewelry in the world or kiss me more patiently than the kisses in the movies but I still wouldn't feel as loved as I do when I am just with someone and they want to be with me.

3.What do you wish you could change about yourself?

I would change the fact that I am supposedly attracted to the wrong kind of guy. As I mentioned earlier, I'm worried I just have a thing for "the bad boys". It's like I'm inexplicably attracted to mobsters and drug dealers. That has to be the only explanation for why I keep finding them dead.

I guess one other thing I wish I could change about myself is my constant nightmares. I know it doesn't seem like that has to do with my relationship journey but when every night you have dreams of you murdering the people you love, it really affects your mood when you're awake. We can go into my dreams more in the session because I don't really want to share them in an email, but lets just say, I somehow am always able to predict when the man I am talking to will turn up dead. Well, I'll just go out and say it, I trust you. You're a goddess after all. Anyway, I...well... I always kill them in my dreams the night before they turn up dead. I know! I know that sounds suspicious but I swear, it's just a bad coincidence: a coincidence that haunts me every time I open my eyes and something I desperately wish I could change. 

4.Have you ever been in love? If so, tell me your story.

Yes. Many, many times. I have too many stories to tell. For me, being in love is more dangerous than for others. I have recently decided to give up on love, but in one last attempt to find a life long partner, I have come to you. Before I give up on love completely, I have decide to turn to you for one final chance. Please help me. I am tired of being labelled the Black Widow and I am ready to find a lasting love. 

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Author's Note:I read the story of the Cannibal Sister and was drawn to the sister's story. The sister at night, starting from birth, would turn into a demon and kill the people of her town. No one ever suspected her because she was just a baby, but one night her brother saw he transition and he knew the truth. He tried to warn everyone but no one believed him so he escaped. While he was gone, his sister continued to kill until she was the only one left in the town. I thought about how interesting it would be if she had no clue she was the one doing the killing. She would have to endure losing everyone she knows and loves without having any clue as to why they were dying. That's how I had the idea to change her into a sort of "black widow" character. She unknowingly kills every man she's ever loved but still has no idea why she is single and why everyone is dying. 

To tie this black widow theme together, I named the girl Kaalee Vidhava which I believe means black widow in Hindi. I was not able to confirm that anywhere but Google Translate so forgive me if you know Hindi and the name is way far off. (If you know Hindi and can confirm that does is in fact mean "black widow," that would be greatly appreciated!)

Bibliography: A Flowering Tree And Other Oral Tales from India, Cannibal Sister, by A. K. Ramanujan Edited with a preface by Stuart Blackburn and Alan Dundes. Link to story online here.

Image Information:Image used with poem "Liar" by Rain Arashi, found on DeviantArt.


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Reading Notes: A Flowering Tree And Other Oral Tales from India

7. Cannibal Sister
I was hoping to read a story this week that I could rewrite for my storybook.  This is certainly not a love story but I might be able to play around with the idea of switching things up to fit in with Parvati's Counseling Service. 

Baby sister turns demon at night and no one knows its her.  Her brother finds out and tries to warn everyone but no one believes him.  He runs off, gets married in a different town.  Returns to hometown and everyone is gone. Except for his demon sister in the form of a woman.  He escapes but she finds him hiding in a tree.  His wife in the other town lets his lion and bear go and the animals find the man and save him from the demon.

Maybe elaborate more on the cannibal sister. Does she know she turns into a demon?  Does she do it on purpose or does it take over her against her will?

(The Cannibal Sister, Found on Pixabay.  Taken by Tanya Little Sept 23, 2010) 

Bibliography:
A Flowering Tree And Other Oral Tales from India: Cannibal Sister, by A. K. Ramanujan, Edited with a preface by Stuart Blackburn and Alan Dundes. Link to story.

Reading Notes: Nala Damayanti The Steadfast Lovers

• Damayanti is extremely devoted to Nala.  Leaves kids behind to be with husband
• Why would Nala leave her?  He surely intends to come back right?
• Why does Nala not use the magic cloak to tell Damayanti of his plan to win back the kingdom? Why does he have to let her believe he left her?
• Damayanti refuses to go with strange man.  Reminds me of Rama and Sita.  Damayanti must have been worried that if she went with the stranger, Nala would assume she was impure and would leave her
• The Riddle: "A King ran away.  In dust the jewel lay.  Why he ran away, the jewel could not say." Nala's answer: "Can a King without a crown, keep a jewel for his own?" 
• Damayanti is Nala's Jewel and he didn't feel worthy of her since he lost his crown and all they had
• Devotion pays off!

(Nala leaving Damayanti while she sleeps, found on Wikipedia Commons.)

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Bibliogrpahy:
Nala Damayanti, The steadfast Lovers, by Anant Pai, Kindle Edition

Week 8 Review: Sai Baba

After reading today's class announcements, found here, the portion that interested me the most was the excerpt about Sai Baba of Shardi. It just so happens that I am writing this on October 15, the anniversary of his death.  Sai Baba was honored by both Hindus and Muslims which really stood out to me.  

I am currently taking a class called State and Society in Pakistan and have learned a lot about relations between Pakistan and India.  through tragic history of the two countries, there is a subsequent hated that is being instilled in the nations between Indians and Pakistanis but also Hindus and Muslims.  Children in Pakistan are being taught to hate Hindus and to hate Indians and that they are ancient enemies.  That is why Sai Baba is so fascinating to be.  He is a saint worshiped by these clashing religions in a sense.  Sai Baba gives me hope that this hatred can cease one day and the Muslims and hindus of the region can appreciate their similarities rather than glorifying their differences. 

(Image of Sai Baba found on Wikipedia Commons.)

Famous Last Words: Surviving Midterms and A Broken Leg

Well this week was hectic.  I was dreading this week starting last Sunday because it is the imfaous midterms week.  I had several papers and assignments all due on the same days and I knew I was going to be in over my head.  The unfortunate thing is, my assignments became the least of my worries starting promptly at 5:30pm Monday evening.

Many of you have seen my intro with my sweet puppy Thor so you'll have an image to go with this story.  Monday night, Thor was hyper, playing around in my room. I was trying to get him to calm down, as we were on our way to visit my good friend Heather, but it was proving difficult.  I reached out to grab all 2 pounds of the little guy, but he scurried from my reach and slipped.  he must have landed on his legs wrong because he started screaming.  He hadn't hit anything or fallen a great distance so I was completely shocked.  I figured his bag leg was just knocked out of place.  I rushed him to the Emergency Vet to find out that he had broken his back leg in several different places.  That is when this week became hectic.

My poor baby was in incredible pain but had to wait for surgery on Tuesday.  The break was so bad that he had to be seen by a specialist in OKC.  I was overwhelmed and out of money.  My papers were incomplete, my credit card filled to the max with expenses and my dog was whimpering in pain all night.  I cried on the phone to my mom that night because I had no idea what else to do. Welcome to adulthood.  She surprised me the next day by flying out to see me.  My dad already had to work in OKC this week so she came up with him.

Thor went off for surgery Tuesday and Wednesday and I was able to take him home Wednesday evening.  Thanks to the support of my mom I was able to get my work done while she watched the dog and the little boy is on a quick road to recovery.  This whole experience sure gave me inside into how tragic it can be when your pet is hurt.  A broken leg doesn't seem serious but when you experience taking care of a dog with a broken leg, you realize what that means for the owner: a LOT of extra work.

(Little Thor with his blue camo cast, and me, extremely tired but happy to have him back. Personal photo)

Tech Tip: Creating Parvati's Pinterest

This week I decided to add a new outlet for my Storybook: Pinterest.  No business nowadays is complete without its influence in social media so to make things a bit more realistic, I decided to create a Pinterest account for Parvati.  I have used pinterest before for personal use with boards for hair style ideas, halloween costume ideas, dog training tips, and recipes, but I decided for this tech tip I would create a completely new account for Parvati.  I have used her voice in the descriptions of the pins and I have also pinned my storybook/ Parvati's Counseling Service Website to her board. Feel free to check it out here.

Week 8 Growth Mindset

Here are the following areas in which my growth mindset has improved throughout the course or that I have worked on throughout the course.

Doing the minimum — Pushing yourself to go farther

There are some days I only do the bare minimum but then when I have the time availability, I will push myself to go further. For example, on week 6 we were supposed to edit our intro for our storybook.  I edited it but also spent about 2 hours adding new fun features to my intro that were not part of the assignment like a new client form.  

Looking for praise and other rewards — Finding motivation inside yourself

I think it is necessary to find motivation within yourself but if it is not met with praise from others, it is hard to find that motivation.  between the two, its better to motivate yourself first, but I also think it's inevitable to need a little praise from others to keep that motivation going. 

Staying in the comfort zone — Being willing to try new things

It's easy to stay in the comfort zone but the stories that I have been willing to try new things with have turned out to be my favorite and turned out to be the most rewarding to write. 

Focusing on grades — Focusing on learning

It's almost impossible to not focus on grades.  This is the first class where I have completely forgotten about grades and thoroughly dived into focusing on the learning.  That is due to the way this course is graded.  It allows me to focus on the learning.  Unfortunately, my other classes are not as helpful in this area and I feel forced to focus on the grades more than the material at times.

Thinking you are "not good" at something — Being confident you can improve

It's easy to write a paper you are proud of and then letting that pride inhibit your ability to improve.  Through this course I have found the ability to share this pride with desire to improve.  The feedback I have received on my storybook has made my introduction even better and I was already extremely happy with it.  It's okay to improve something you already love.

Wanting only positive feedback — Being open to any and all feedback

I used to be terrified of feedback as I mentioned in one of my blog posts, but with maturity comes acceptance of helpful criticism.  No amount of maturity will help you accept rude feedback.  So as long as the person giving the criticism is helpful about it, it is easy to be open to and see new ways to improve. 

'

(Productivity meme. Found on flickr.com)

Week 8 Reflections

Looking back, I am proud of all the stories I have created. I have always loved creative writing but I have not had the opportunity to write in such a way since high school so I have thoroughly enjoyed the layout of this class. It has allowed me to explore my two favorite subjects, Indian culture and creative writing. I look forward to the assignments for this class each week and I am nothing but proud of what I have accomplished thus far.

Reading

The reading notes have been helpful for me t organize my thoughts and jot down when an aspect of a story really hits me. I choose the stories to retell based on the feelings I get when I read the original. I don't choose the stories that would just be easy to retell. The reading notes assignment helps me remember the feelings I get when I sit down to write the story.

Writing

So far, my favorite story that I have written is Ekalavya Finding His Voice. It is my longest story and I think the most powerful. I love how I adapted the story to be ever more emotional and how I made subtle changes to make the setting in the present day. My other favorite story was that of Aswathama the Elephant.  I enjoyed giving this animal a voice.

(Aswathama the Elephant. Found on Pixabay.)

I chose to do a storybook for this class because after exploring the storybooks of other students in the past, I knew I would enjoy the creativity and cohesiveness of a storybook. I was right! Throughout the course I have been drawn to the classic love stories in the epics so being able to focus on those has been a blast. I’m currently playing around with the idea of using different styles in my storybook. With my storybook being a counseling service website, I’m trying to figure out if I want to do all of the stories in a "Dear Abby" letter style or have a mix of letters and maybe transcripts from counseling sessions.

Connection

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's stories! There are some amazing writers in this class, which makes it so much more enjoyable! The creativity and skill is outstanding and I look forward every week to everyone’s new take on old stories.

Story: Ekalavya Finding His Voice

Oh. My. Gosh. There he is. I cannot believe it. He is right in front of me. I never thought this would happen! My idol. My role model. Was there ever a day I didn't look up to him? I honestly can't remember. Oh my gosh. I’m hyperventilating. Ekalavya breathe. Calm down. This is the moment you've been waiting for. Breathe.

As you can tell, I tend to get too worked up about things. You see, I kind of live a lonely life, so when anything remotely interesting happens, I get more excited than usual. The thing about this particular incident though, is that it’s not just a remotely interesting thing. This was the most important day of my life.

Let me rewind for you. I was abandoned as a child. The woman who gave birth to me, whom I refuse to call my mother, left me in front of a fire station. The biggest trauma of this day was I wasn't a newborn baby, I was already a year and a half old: old enough to walk, old enough to know something wasn't right. The constant sirens scared me and I was paralyzed with fear. It wasn't until the sun was setting that someone noticed me in the grass beside the station. But the damage was already done. I was too scared to speak and it wouldn't be until I heard Drona that I would find my voice again.

I was 10 years old when I heard him. I was sitting in my foster family’s living room looking at the collection of CDs when the binding for Drona’s CD caught my eye. It was red and orange and his name had an arrow shooting through the “D”. I read the name of the album in my head, “Arrows through my heart”. 

(Ekalavya's family's CD rack)

I took the CD to my room, closed the door, and carefully placed it in my CD player. His voice was like velvet. He was singing a song to a beautiful girl. He was in love with her but she didn’t love him back and the abandonment and rejection was like arrows through his heart. I started to cry as his comforting voice filled the empty spaces of my room.

I listened to that album over and over again. Every day I woke up and played it. Every night I played it to go to sleep. Drona calmed me and listening to his music gave me a feeling I had never felt before: joy.

One night, during a terrible storm, I shot awake from the thunder crashing outside. I scurried to my CD player and turned the volume up to drown out the noise of the rain. I huddled under the covers a looked up to the ceiling. Cautiously, I opened my mouth. Almost embarrassed, I started to press the words out of my lips. I began singing along with Drona. I had never before uttered a word from those 10-year-old lips. Hearing my own voice scared me and I slammed my mouth shut. But then it opened again, and the words to the song floated off my tongue. I couldn’t stop the words from coming. I didn’t want to. I was singing with my Drona and our voices together shut out the thunder and rain.

The next morning at the breakfast table, I asked my foster mom if she would please pass the orange juice. Her fork hit the plate and she looked at me, eyes as wide as can be and mouth nearly hitting the floor. My foster dad lowered the paper from his face and turned to me. I looked back at them sweetly and my foster mom began to cry. I didn’t really understand what the big fuss was about; I just wanted some orange juice. But deep down, I know they were shocked to hear my voice. I know they have always wanted me to talk, I just really didn’t know how. Until Drona. He gave me my voice.

From that night on, I sang. I think I sang more than I actually spoke. But I was using my voice, the voice I had never heard before. I loved my voice. It made me happy. The vibration feeling that happened deep down every time my ears heard my words excited me and gave me energy. All of my joy, all of my excitement, all of my being was thanks to Drona and his arrows. I vowed that if I ever met him one day, I would do anything and everything he asked as a thank you for giving me life and purpose.

That day had finally come. Drona is standing feet in front of me. My mind is racing. My heart is pounding. I can’t contain myself. “Hi, uh Drona?”

He turned away from the boy he seemed to be consoling. The boy looked about my age, roughly 18, and I think I saw a tear in his eye. I hope he he’s okay. I hate using my voice to interrupt important conversations. “Yes son. What is it?”

“I just wanted to thank you. You have absolutely changed my life. You gave me my voice and it is only because of you that I can speak today. I have devoted my life to learning from you and your songs, not only in how to sing, but the lessons the words of your songs carry. If there is anything I can do for you, I swear to you I will do it, as a token of my appreciation.”

Drona turned to the boy, who I could now tell was crying but they were definitely tears of anger. The boy slightly nodded his head and then Drona looked back at me. With a fixed face he said to me, “I want you to never sing again.”

_____________________

Photo Information:

Stacks of compact disks found on Wikipedia

Bibliography: 

The Mahabharata: Karmic Revolution by Epified TV (India), Episodes 17.

Authors Note:

I was completely moved by Ekalavya's story when watching the Mahabharata episodes.  His complete devotion was only met with rejection and it broke my heart for the character.  I decided to bring his story to the present day and make it even more emotional.  I chose to make Ekalavya a child who was selectively mute.  I once taught a young girl who was also selectively mute as a result of being abandoned as a child and her story has stayed with me ever since.  I wrote Ekalavya's story with her in mind.  He was able to find his voice and one day I hope she is able to find hers.  Also, I chose to end the story where I did because I thought it was more powerful than going back and reviewing Ekalavya's reaction to the rejection.  It leaves the reader with more thoughts and less words, mirroring  Ekalavya's first 10 years of his life.