Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabharata Part C

Bibliography: R.K. Narayan, The Mahabharata, Reading Guide C

• I found it interesting that Krishna made the preparations for war while attending a wedding! It does not seem like the right place or time.  It would be almost funny to write this passage from the eyes of the bride.  Having just been a bridesmaid in a wedding, I know how the bride gets leading up to her wedding day, no matter how well tempered their character may be.  I might write a story on how frustrated the bride is that Krishna is stealing the show by preparing for war.  

( Indian wedding scene.  Not Shown: Krishna stealing all the attention.  Found on Wikipedia.)

• Wow! The story about Yama's test and killing 4 of the 5 brothers only to bring them back to life... That shocked me.  There is so much that could be done with this story.  What if the brothers stayed dead and only Yudhishthira is left to fight the future battles?  What if instead of blessing the 4 brothers with being unrecognizable he cursed them to always be thirsty?  I'm excited to play around with different ideas for this part of the story.

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Story: Aswathama the Elephant

           

(Aswathama the Elephant. Found on Pixabay.)

The forest is loud. Too loud. There had been something going on for days causing such a clamor that my head has yet to stop pounding. There must be something going on with the humans. If it ever gets loud in the forest, it’s usually them. I don’t understand why they have to come disturb our peace whenever there’s an issue. They truly don’t have any regard for us animals; it’s astonishing. I could kill them with one blow, yet they think they are the kings of the land, the ultimate predator. Wielding a bow does not make you a predator. Just has weighing a ton does not make me a predator. I could be mightier, I could be stronger, I could kill them all… but see, I don’t really like confrontation, and so I never put myself in the position to get involved. I try to live my own, humble life, and let them live theirs, as obnoxious as their lifestyle may be.

Anyway, this headache seriously won’t go away. The clashing of metal on metal is truly more irritating to the senses than one would think. And us elephants are a little more prone to sound irritation. You know, big ears and all. So I left early this morning in hopes to find a new stream to get some fresh water. The lake I’ve been going to lately is getting a little boring. The water tastes too stale and I keep running into the girl I like. She’s been going to my lake for a while now but every time I get the nerve to approach her, the sound of fighting men come crashing through the trees and she gets scared and runs off. Today I’m too grumpy to be talked to anyway so I might as well avoid my lake altogether.

I clumsily clunked my way through the leaves and tall trees. I heard the trickle of a creek up the way and decided to follow the soothing sound. I was so determined to find that fresh water, I chose to ignore the whispers I heard behind me. I thought I kept hearing my name, “Aswathama, Aswathama, Aswatham.” How did they know my name? This headache must have been making me crazy, there’s no other way a human tongue would know to speak an elephants name. I guess I should have paid them more attention, but the creek sounded so beautiful, and just listening to it soothed my pain. Then all of a sudden, a human jumped out in front of me. I slid back trying to not squash him with my large front legs. Poor guy. That would be a terrible way to go: death by elephant foot. Oh phew! I didn’t step on him! Wow, I’m glad I was able to stop all the way. Living my life knowing that I killed an innocent human with my front legs…I would never be able to forgive myself. But wait, what is he holding? Wait no, stop, what are you doing? All went black and I faintly heard “Tell them we killed Aswathama.”
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Bibliography: R.K. Narayan, The Mahabharate, Reading Guide D

Author's Note: While Reading the story of Drona's death, I instantly though about the poor elephant sacrificed just to kill Drona.  Yudhistira cared more about preserving his own virtue in not telling a lie, that he killed an innocent animal.  No death was needed, it was a lie either way.   They only killed the elephant to assuage their own guilt in lying. I decided to take the opportunity and tell the elephant's side of the story. I figured it would be something unique and give a new perspective to the story.

Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabharata Part D

Bibliography:
R.K. Narayan, The Mahabharata, Reading Guide D

The killing of Ashwatthaman the elephant.  This story has a lot of different elements to elaborate on which I enjoyed.  The first thing I thought of while reading was giving the innocent Ashwatthaman elephant a voice.  His only crime was being assigned the same name as Drona's son.  I think it would be a fun new take on the story.

(Ashwatthaman the Elephant. Found on Pixabay.)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabharata Part B

Ch.6
The story of the new assembly hall built by the architect Maya fascinated me.  I really connected with  Duryodhana and his feeling of humiliation in the hall.  I was annoyed with Sakuni's  nonchalant attitude and how they completely dismissed Duryodhana's concerns and vulnerability.  I would like to expand on this story, maybe make the scene in the assembly hall really come to life to give Duryodhana's embarrassment more validity.

(Duryodhana being teased.  Found on Wikipedia.)

Bibliography: R.K. Narayan, Mahabharata, Reading Guide 

Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabharata Part A

Bibliography:
R.K. Narayan, The Mahabharata, Reading Guide

Ch. 1 The Eighth Baby

This story of continuing the Kuru family line is dense.  Each woman and each man has their own personal story on their efforts to produce heirs and it lends itself to multiple ways to expand or revise this story.  As I was reading, it reminded me of the many efforts of European Kings and Queens to further on their family line.  It would be interesting to change the setting to European courts rather than this ancient Indian epic story and see how the setting changes the feeling of these personal stories of the Kuru family

(Ganga taking the children into the river to drown. Wikipedia.)

I have the most connection to the original story of Ganga and the 8 children.  It's unrealistic that the husband would be so in love with her and scared of her leaving to let her kill 7 of his heirs.  I would be interested in how this story would change if it were more realistic.

Ch.4
I am fascinated by the story of Nalayani and the sage Moudgalya in the section "The Lives of Draupadi".  Their life seems great, full of love, and she is loved by the sage as if she were loved by 5 men.  She loves the arrangement but the sage grows tired of it and leaves. This is very relatable to any relationship and it would be fun to write this in a present day setting.  The imagery in this is fascinating.  I am still trying to figure out how to change the story but Im excited to work with their story

Feedback Focus

I enjoyed practicing with these different methods.  I think all three can really be used together in different ways to help with whatever you are trying to accomplish.

The most effective focus technique for me was the "Copy and Delete" option.  I’m shocked at how helpful it was.  It didn't take too much effort but really helped me zoom into the story and recall detailed information.  I will definitely be using this technique, not inly in this class but my others as well.

I also found that reading aloud helped me to focus as well.  Hearing my own voice say what I was reading in my head helped to dial me in.  I have used this technique before and it has proven to be very helpful.  Sometimes I will have a reading assignment that I do not find interesting and I find my thoughts wandering so much that I do not know what I read in the last page.  Reading aloud helps to stop the wandering thoughts.  

Finally, the timer technique was interesting.  I don't think it was as helpful for me as the others but maybe paired with the others I will find it more useful.  I was surprised at how much I could accomplish in the 10 minutes of allotted time.  It definitely helped put things into perspective.  Its easy to have a reading assignment take 25 minutes when in reality it would only take 10 if I maintained focus.  It is a good motivation tool.

(Inspirational quote, found on Flickr.)

Image Note: I chose this image because it summarized how I feel about the importance of focusing on the readings.  A lot of times we focus on just getting the reading assignment done but my zeroing in on the material and truly focusing on what we are reading, we will enjoy the assignment more than if we just read it to get it over with.

 

Story: Sealing His Fate Continued

         Rama quickly wiped the tear from the corner of his eye and hardened his face, sealing his lips in a line.  How could he give her up?  He cursed Agni for tricking him at such a young and innocent age, but then he stopped and cursed himself for ever letting himself be fooled, no matter how young he was.

         Sati stopped and sunk to his feet.  "Oh Rama, I missed you so.  I love you and I will praise you forever for rescuing me.  Thank you, love.  We can now start our lives together again.  Oh Rama thank you!"

         Rama stepped back, removing himself from her grasp.  "Sita.  I... I cannot be with you.  I'm sorry.  Please go from here.  Your trials are not over.  I realize now that you are my first and only true love.  But I've made a mistake.  You must leave.”  Rama tried to warn her.  He wanted to save her from her death, not knowing how Agni would take her.  But then Sita did something no one was expecting.

         "You think I am impure? Rama I have wasted away my time here, saving myself for you.  I have done nothing to dishonor you.  I have only prayed for your return and longed for your love.  What must I do to prove my devotion?"

         Rama was shocked.  He was not trying to second-guess her purity.  He knew she loved him and was devoted to him.  That’s how he knew she was his true love and why he must leave her.  Him admitting that she was the one meant Agni would sure come and take her away!

         Then Sita began to call to the gods, "Oh gods! Please have mercy on me! Let me be with the one I love.  Prove me to be pure and righteous.  Agni, oh god of fire.  Purify me before my love so that he may accept me."

         "Noooo!" Rama yelled.  Not Agni.  Sita called for her death without even knowing!  "Sita, please no! Not..." but before Rama could finish, flames grew high between them; they soared to the heavens.  Sita slowly walked forward.  Rama saw Agni's face in the flames, smiling with mouth wide open, hungry for Sita.  In that moment, Rama wished he were never victorious.  Dying himself would have been better than watching his love die in front of him.

         Slowly Sita walked forward.  One foot ahead of the other.  She closed her eyes and spread her arms wide, giving herself to the fire. "Purify me, Agni, for you are the most high.  You will prove my honesty and show the world I am true."

         Agni stopped and listened to the girl.  She was worshipping her, praising her for her might.  Agni was shocked.  Of all the gods, Sita called upon her to prove her worth.  Agni was honored.  How could she kill one of her beloved and faithful followers.  Agni was taken by Sita's innocent charm and child-like devotion and chose to let her live.

         Sita walked.  One foot in the flame; the other foot in the flame.  Her body became enveloped.  She kept walking.  Flames consumed her but she did not burn.  She kept walking.  Rama stood, eyes wide open, in awe of the woman he loved.  She was strong, fearless, and walking through flames untouched.

         Sita crossed the fire and stood unharmed in front of Rama.  The fire behind her diminished, leaving behind clear smoke.  Rama saw Agni's face, approving of the lovers.  Agni nodded to Rama and mouthed, "You are free."

         Rama cried out and clasped on to Sita. They wept in each other’s arms.  "Oh Sita, my love.  I will cherish you always. Thank you my love, for you are honorable and true.  You are my life now.  The gods approve of our union and I will honor it for the rest of my life.  We are free."

(Rama and Sita embrace. Found on WikipediaCommons.)

Author's Note:

I couldn't leave last weeks story without concluding it so I chose to continue the story about Rama's deal with the devil and make it so Sita and Rama could be together.  I wanted the story to be more filled with love than the original.  The original was too cold.  That's just the hopeless romantic in me.

Bibliography:

Ramayana, Naryan