Week Six Storytelling: Calming Waters

Draupadi, Arjuna, Bhima, Nakula, and Sahadeva stood around the body of Yudhistira.  He laid peacefully in his royal robe with his arms on the sides of his body, and palms up facing towards the skies.  They checked his breathing regularly, but had not seen him move in over a week. They called upon sage Vyasa, but his only advice was to make sure that Yudhistira was not to be disturbed until he awakes. 

“What do you think he’s dreaming of?”

“I don’t know.  He’s been sleeping for days since we fought the war.”

“Someone nudge him.”

“No! Don’t do it!”

“Why?”

“If he’s meditating and we move his body, his spirit will roam.”

“Yudhistira …wake up…”

Calm waters and breezy winds swiftly touch my skin as I talk to god Yama, about the day that I met him.  I sit with my legs crisscrossed across from Yama as he changes his form from a crane to an old man who looks as if he’s seen the whole world.  Yama has become my guide for many things.  I often call upon him asking for advice.

This place is still as serene as I remembered.  Engulfed by the darken woods that surrounds it.  The waters still look indulging with their blue and purple hues.  I reminisce about seeing my brothers in their death.  Peacefully they laid, next to each other as if they were sleeping side by side like when we were young boys.  Many people have lost their lives to these waters, but to Yama he calls it sacrifice. 

“Yudhistira , do you know why I fill my ponds with tranquil waters that make people think they are the cure to all diseases and famine?”

“You want to test people of their worthiness, and see if they are of subservient character who displays selflessness and courage. Right? ”

“No. I make them this way because it reminds me of women.”

“What?”

“You’re wife Draupadi, wouldn’t you say that she is as beautiful as this landscape? She is breath taking, upstanding, and a woman who is not just defined by her looks right..?”

“Yes of course.”

“So looks can be deceiving?”

“Yes they can, and I feel as if this is child’s play Yama.”

“How so Yudhistira ?”

“You once told me the character of the Brahmins.  I disregarded the information you foretold me after I learned that Arjuna defeated Kripa, Bhishma, and Drona while Uttara drove the chariot.  This is unusual for any of our conversations.  Our conversations are intellectual, not on the basis of women and looks.”

“Yudhistira , your story begins with water, and it will end with water.  Our past does not define us, but it molds us into the people we are today.  Ganga was seen as a woman of beauty and stature by King Santanu, and without her beliefs of curses Bhishma would not have been the only son to survive.  Draupadi ia is a woman with five husbands.  When people look at her, they misjudge her, like these waters.  These waters have replenished you soul of thirst, and have allowed you to continue to live.  Ganga is a river goddess, but her water is lifted into the heavens and brought down to earth when it rains.  She replenishes us all, including the filling of these waters.”

Yudhistira and Yama

Author’s Notes:  I enjoyed the characters Ganga, Yama, and Yudhistira the most from “The Mahabharata”.  I wanted to connect the characters together in my story, noting the tragedies that involved water in the epic.  Although, Ganga had not crossed paths with Yudhistira and Yama in the epic, I did however keep the story close to the epic.  In “The Mahabharata”, Ganga is seen in the beginning of the tale as a river goddess disguised as a woman who marries the king.  She kills seven of her sons after their birth because they are cursed to live as humans, and she wanted to end their misery. 

With the encounter of Yama, Yudhistira and his brothers were roaming the forest and are dying of thirst.  Each brother one by one encounters the water of Yama and are told not to drink the water.  Each brother disobeyed Yama and fell to their death after drinking from the pool.  When Yudhistira encounters a talking crane who is Yama in disguise, Yudhistira listens to the words of the crane acknowledging that the water is what sent his brothers to their death.  Because of his obedience and selflessness,  Yama gives Yudhistira's brother’s lives back to them. 

Bibliography: "The Mahabharata" written by R.K. Narayan (1978)

Week Six Reading Diary Continued: " The Mahabharata" R.K. Narayan

In the last part of “The Mahabharata”, Yudhistira and his brothers are joined by their faithful friends and followers.  The Panava’s would like to continue their lives the way it was before they were exiled by their cousin Duryodhana.  Duryodhana wants to continue to isolate his cousins and start a war with them.  He continues his attitude of wickedness and shows his insolent ways by refusing to acknowledge that they have successfully completed their twelve years and was able to live incognito without being noticed.  His father King Dhritarashtra, as always, wants to play a fickle role between his nephews and his sons.

Yudhistira thinks of a solution that would be favorable to both the Panava’s and the Kaurava’s.  He asks for his half of the kingdom back, and if not half at least be given five villages.  Each village will represent the land that his he and his four brothers will rule.  They will continue to lives their harmony and without interfering in the lives of the Kaurava’s. Krishna leaves to Hastinpura on the behalf of Yudhistira to negotiate.

Yudhistira and Krishna  

King Duryodhana is not sure how he can please Duryodhana without him being upset.  He lets Duryodhana continue his plot against his cousins without interfering.  Seeking help from his faithful friend and adviser Vidura, Dhritarashtra understands that his nephews should be treated fairly but he feels perplexed about the issue.  Duryodhana finds many to back him in the war that he will commence against his cousins.  His jealous brothers too want in on the action and are ready to become the only heirs to the throne. 

Vidura consoling Dhritarashtra

All ends tragically because one human being was not stopped and corrected of his selfish ways.  

Bibliography: "The Mahabharata" written by R.K. Narayan (1978) 

Week Six Reading Diary: The Mahabharata, R.K. Narayan

The Pandava’s have successfully completed their twelve years in exile and last year of masquerade in Virata with the help of god Yama.  Yama disguised himself as a bird who forewarned the brothers not to drink the enchanted waters of his.  By dying thirst, Yudhistira’s brother all had disobeyed Yama’s advice and fell to their deaths. One by one each brother stumbled upon the dead body of another brother but saw the water as a way to regain their strength before killing the bird that placed a curse upon the brother who drank the water from before.  It was not until Yudhistira came near the waters, and listened to the words of god Yama.  Yudhistira completed the task that Yama had set for the brothers before him.  He had to ask a series of questions.  While reading, I pictured Yudhistira fading away because of his thirst, feeling weak and breathing shallowly. 

Yama tested Yudhistira on his character, knowledge of gods, faith, and beliefs.  After granting him a drink from the pool of water, Yama told Yudhistira if he could choose one brother to live who it would be.  Yudhistira showed selflessness in his decision and chose his younger brother Nakula. Nakula was his half brother, given to his by his stepmother.  Yudhistira felt that it would be proper to resurrect a son who did not share the same bloodline as his self, in order to let their lineage continue on.  Yama felt moved by Yudhistira’s decision and granted him the life of all of his brothers.  

Yudhistira and god Yama

Bibliography: "The Mahabharata" written by R.K, Narayan  (1978)

Thoughts about Comments

I have reviewed my comments from my introduction and storytelling. Overall the feedback that I receive from my classmates is very positive. We all have made this experience into a positive one in my opinion. I have received comments that provided constructive criticism and I do like when readers give me suggestions on things that I can improve on. I want my readers to be engaged in the stories that I write and understand what I am conveying. Reading comments prepares me for the next post that I write, and makes me review my work thoroughly before posting. Sometimes, I often find myself going back to re-read my posts days later to make sure that my stories flow and make sense.


I have responded back to some of my comments that have been posted on my page. I’m trying to figure out a day or time where I can set aside to comment back to everyone. So far my replies back have not been in a respectable timely manner, but I’m working on it.

Pindia Urban Art Studio

Week Five Storytelling: Yudhistira

"Why is there blood everywhere?" Yudhistira thought.

Yudhistira ran to the river trying to rinse his bloody hands.  The more he washed them, it seemed like more blood reappeared.  He looked down to see his reflection, but only saw the moon with a red tint.  Scared that the gods were showing him a sign, he looked up to the sky and saw that the moon was still white. Yudhistira looked at his clothing and jumped inside of the river believing that it would cleanse his whole body.

Man Bathing in Buriganga River

“It won't come off!” he shouted in his mind.

Frantic and panicking while dousing his face with water, he stopped.  He heard heavy breathing and the crackling sound of leaves near him. Wiping his eyes, Yudhistira turned around looking to see if there was anyone behind him. Bringing his hands together underneath the water gently and quietly, Yudhistira collected water in his palms to cleanse his face.

“You have awakened me, Yudhistira.” It was a voice of a woman.

“Who’s there?”

“Why worry who I am when it is you who wants me to wash away you bloody hands?  Do you want to know why the blood remains on your clothing?”

Yudhistira slowly walked near the shore of the river and was stopped before he could step out.  Wondering what was tugging on the back of pants, he turned and saw the woman standing behind him.

“I’ve watched you since you were a little boy, and I often wondered when you would come back.  It has been years since you last bathed in my waters. Your brothers, your cousins…”

“Who are you?”

“Why ask me who I am, when you can tell me why you have blood on your body?”

“I know nothing of what you speak, and I ask for you to let me go.”

The woman walked away from Yudhistira and began to submerge half of her body beneath the water.  She bent her back fluidly and began to float. As she hummed a song that he once heard his mother sing, Yudhistira became enchanted by the woman’s hymns.  She was beautiful he thought.  She was mysterious in a weird and creepy way, but beautiful nonetheless.

“Who are you?”

“Answer my question first,” the woman said while floating past Yudhistira.

“I was in trouble.  My brothers and cousins have fought since we were children.  My brothers and I believed that it was innocent play until we became older.  It was always a competition between us, and then we were sentenced to exile.  My addiction to gambling was exposed in front of everyone in Hastinapura. I wanted to confront my uncle Dhritarashtra, so I sneaked away from my brothers and wife and left for Hasptinapura.  When I went into the palace, I saw who I believed to be my uncle walking in his room. When I tried to confront him, it turned out not to be him.  Duryodhana, my cousin was dressed in my uncle’s evening robe and there was blood everywhere on the marble floor.  When I questioned Duryodhana we started to tussle and I rolled in the blood.  The palace guards heard our struggles, and Duryodhana screamed as if I stabbed him and I ran off.”

“Yudhistira, Duryodhana planned the death of his father when he was a child. He will harm himself and blame you for it.  Go back into exile and serve your sentence.  You must not speak of this to anyone including your brothers.  We will meet again.”

Author's Note: This story was inspired by the epic tale, “The Mahabharata.”  In the beginning of the epic, a backstory is told involving the river goddess Ganga and King Santanu.  Ganga drowns seven of  her children, and when confronted by King Santanu, she frees their eight son, Bhishma who plays a large part in the tale.  When Bhishma is older, he takes on a vow of celibacy and helps his father's second wife find a woman to help bear children in order to take King Santanu's place on the throne.  In later years, there is a division that is seen in the family. Competitions become a way of life between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.  Throughout their childhood and adulthood, jealousy and hatred brews amongst the Kaurava brothers towards their cousins the Pandavas.

In my version of the story, I wanted to highlight the character Yudhistira who is a Pandava.  Yudhistira displays some of the qualities that the character Rama did in “The Ramayana.”  Yudhistira is confident, complex, and obedient.  Although he is a character that is many admire, his flaws are never brought to attention by those who are close to him.  Moreover in Yudhistira's case, his cousin Duryodhana uses his weakness of gambling in order to gain his kingdom and to place Yudhistira and his brothers into exile.  I wanted Yudhistira to speak up for himself and talk to his uncle who is a fickle character that wants to please son Duryodhana. Duryodhana's depravity is expressed throughout the story, and I wanted to show a side of him that seems to be true to his character.  Although he did not kill his father in the original tale, I thought it would be great to a twist. 

Bibliography: "The Mahabharata" written by R.K. Narayan (1978)

Week Five Reading Diary Continued: The Mahabharata, R.K. Narayan

In part B of the reading "The Mahabharata", I noticed the jealousy that has risen in Duryodhana, eldest son of King Dhritarashtra.  When invited to Indraprastha, the kingdom where his cousins rule, Dhritarashtra complains to his uncle Sakuni about his visit on his way home.  He admits that his cousins are well off and that they have made a beautiful kingdom out of a desert.  The kingdom is now looked at as the most fascinating and advance kingdom in comparison to Hastinapura.  His cousins, have found favor in the eyes of their residents, and are treated with much respect.  They honor the residents of the kingdom more so than those who live in Hastinapura by giving them gifts and treating them with high admiration.

Indraprastha

Dhritarashtra feels that his cousins went out of their way to make him feel uncomfortable throughout his visit in the City of Splendor.  He recalls them laughing at him every chance they received.  When he arrived at their great hall of marble, he was unable to distinguish what was what.  He was often confused as to whether he was walking on high polished marble floors, or in water.  He mentions the painting on the wall looking realistic to the point where he tries to grab the rose from the painting. When Dhritarashtra arrives home, he immediately tells his father King Duryodhana about the trip.   Sakuni talks to Duryodhana, and Duryodhana ignores Sakuni’s comments about his son’s jealousy.  In order to please his son, Duryidhana builds a great hall of his own in order to over shadow his nephews.

When Duryodhana’s great hall is completed, he invites his nephews to visit.  It is then when I believe that Dhritarashtra came up with the plan of enticing his cousin Yudhistira to a game of dice, resulting Yudhistira to bringing himself and his family in debt and a life of solitude.  Yudhistira, his brothers, and their wife are sentenced to live in exile for a period of thirteen years, and during this time Dhritarashtra concocts a plan to attacking his cousins so he and his brothers can take over their cousin’s land that their father granted them.

The Losing Dice Game

Bibliography: "The Mahabharata" written by R.K. Narayan (1978)

Week Five Reading Diary: The Mahabharata, R.K. Narayan

The Mahabharata is an epic take that takes place in ancient India.  In the beginning of the story we are introduced to the characters Santanu and Ganga.  Santanu is the King of Hastinapura, and one day he takes a walk by a river, and sees Ganga who is enchanting. King Santanu quickly asks Ganga for her hand in marriage, but Ganga tells him that she will only do so if certain conditions are met.  Ganga tells King Santanu the only way she will marry him, is if he promises not to question her actions.  Upon agreeing to this, Ganga and Sanantu marry and move into the palace.  Years pass and Ganga bears children, all boys.  Each time Ganga delivers a child, she takes the child to the river where her and Santanu met and she drowns them.  Over a period of time, Ganga drowned seven of their sons.  When she became pregnant again, she delivered the child and took him to the river.  Not understanding his wife’s actions, Santanu questioned Ganga.  Ganga told Santanu that she is the river goddess, and each child she bore was cursed to live a life in human form; because of this, she ended their punishment. Since Santanu questioned Ganga's actions before drowning their eight child Devarata, Devarata will live and Ganga will spend her lasting days at the river. 

King Santanu and Ganga the River Goddess

In later chapters, King Santanu marries again and promises the throne to his second wife's children.  Obeying his father's wishes, Devarata does not challenge his father nor his stepmother Satyavathi.  Devarata receives the name Bhishma due to him vowing not to marry and have any children in respect towards his father's wishes, and is then blessed by the God's for taking and upholding his vow. When Bhishma's half brother dies, his stepmother calls upon her first son Vyasa who is a poet,  to bear children that will take Santanu’s place on the throne.  When Vyasa fathers children with the princesses that Bhishma finds him, he places curses on the children based on their mother’s behaviors during their interaction.  

Bibliography: The Mahabharata written by R.K. Narayan (1978)

Week Four Storytelling: Lakshmana

He often sat alone crying in silence in the back room.  There were lit candles placed everywhere and the fragrance of myrrh filled the room.  The drapes were always shut, and the fireplace was lit. It was there in the corner of the room where you would find him. Sitting on the floor behind the chair and leaning against the wall.  In this place he was able to escape from his mother and brothers, and think about the love that he wished was his.  His mother would tell him,

“Be careful not to shame our family, and admire the things that Rama does. He is after all, the wisest and most responsible out of you and your brothers.” 

Rama was the eldest and deemed wise beyond his years. However, to Lakshmana there was nothing special about Rama.

It was not long ago when my brother Rama married a beautiful woman from a city nearby.  I often wondered what she saw in him that made him pleasing to her eyes.  Many days we would go into the garden behind our parents’ palace, and we would sing and dance around the well and play in the fields of flowers.  I would watch her hair as she would spin around, and listen to her bangles clank as her laughter filled the air.  She was free.  She would run to the stone bench where I sat, wanting me to hold her hands and swing her around in circles.  My brother would sit with his back against the rocks sharpening his arrows, telling me to entertain her. 

“Dance,” Rama would say, “Twirl her around like the angel she is.”

I would peek at her face while she squinted her eyes when we twirled around.  I would admire her beauty.  Beautiful she was indeed.  Her skin was kissed by the rays of the sun and her eyes reminded me of the honey that we would take from bees. She would laugh until she couldn’t laugh anymore, and we would always fall into the grass and gaze at the sky. She would hold my hand and ask me if I ever dreamed of dreams, and if I would ever find a love like the one she shared with Rama.

 Sita in the garden

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Sumitra yelled.

“Nothing,” Lakshmana said while wiping his eyes,

“Your wife Urmila is looking for you, and your brother is back from his journey.”

I didn’t want to go see Rama.  I had not forgiven him for what he made me do to Sita.  Many nights I would sneak away to go see Sita after Rama banished her from Ayodhya. It was she who kept us together when Rama was sentenced to exile twenty-six years ago, and inspired us to push ourselves to defeat Ravana when we were in battle.  Sita worshiped the very ground that Rama walked on, and now when he hears her name, he pretends to hear nothing at all.  I replay that day every day in my mind.  Seeing her screaming and crying while Rama dragged her out of the palace doors telling her to leave because he felt betrayed. He told me take her across the Ghaghara River where he knew she would be isolated from the world. He punished her for something she did not do.  Rama wanted her to die, and he sentenced me to take her to her death. In a field of marigolds she lay when I saw her last.  She gazed upon the stars asking the gods to bless Rama with good health and energy. Her belly was filled with children and she was too weak to move.  I fed her and then carried her inside the home that I built for her.  I wanted her to idolize me the way she did Rama, but I know she believes that her and my brother’s souls are connected.  

Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana

Author's Note: In The Ramayana written by R.K. Narayan, the character Lakshmana is portrayed as a faithful brother who possesses close ties with his eldest brother Rama.  Rama and Lakshmana’s relationship is different in comparison to their relationship with their other brothers.

Before Rama and Sita married, sage Vishwamitra asked for Rama to journey with him to kill the Rakahasas who were disturbing his fire sacrifice. When sage Vishwamitra received the approval of King Dasharatha, Rama left with sage Vishwamitra and was joined by his younger brother Lakshmana.  When the three traveled to Mithila, it was there where Rama and Sita first connected eyes.  When the two wedded, the men and Sita traveled back to Ayodhya where Rama and Lakshmana’s father ruled.  Rama and Sita’s marriage was filled with happiness and love.

In later years, King Dasharatha believed that his eldest son Rama should rule the kingdom.  When Rama’s stepmother Kaikeyi found out, she reminded King Dasharatha of the promise he made to her.  He promised Kaikeyi that he would crown their son Bharata the king of Ayodha.  She also had Rama sentenced to exile in the forest for a period of fourteen years.  Lakshmana joined his brother Rama and wife his exile.

Unlike the traditional version of the epic, in Sita Sings the Blues, Lakshmana plays a small part but the audience is able to visually see his emotions being expressed.  When Sita is abducted by Ravana, Rama and Lakshmana go to war and defeat the demon king Ravana.  When they return back to Ayodhya, the townsmen begin to question the fidelity of Sita during the time of her captivity.  Rama believes that in order for his people to take him seriously, he must send Sita to exile.  Lakshmana takes Sita away from Ayodhya.  The two travel by boat and Lakshmana drops Sita off in the middle of nowhere.  It is in this scene where the audience sees Lakshmana affected emotionally by Sita's banishment more so than Rama, who only wants to test Sita's fidelity no matter the cost. 

Bibliography: "Sita Sings the Blues" Nina Paley (2008)

                         "The Ramayana" written by R.K. Narayan (1977)

Week Four Reading Diary Continued: Sita Sings the Blues, Nina Paley

In the second half of Sita Sings the Blues, the characters Nina and Dave start to evolve more.  We see them in the first half as this loving couple that lives in San Francisco who are shown throughout the movie in glimpses.  Dave starts to distance himself from Nina after moving to India for his job.  When Dave is on a long distance call with Nina, he tells her that his job has decided to extend his contract, and Nina wonders where she stands in Dave’s life.  After visiting Dave in India, Nina sees a different side of him. He is no longer affectionate towards her, and he treats her as if she’s a random woman he met off the street.

Nina and Dave in the Airport in India

Their relationship in the movie is symbolic.  It is referenced towards Rama and Sita’s marriage.  After Rama defeats Ravana, Rama feels that Sita’s purity is unknown.  She has lived with Ravana for months, and he doubts her faithfulness since she has lived in another man’s presence.  When Sita proves to Rama that she had not betrayed Rama, he takes her back to Ayodhya where Sita then claims that she is pregnant.  The people began to speak down on Rama and he believes that he cannot properly rule as a king if his people cannot respect his decisions regarding Sita, so he banishes her. 

Sita Banished 

The three narrators of the story (the shadow puppets) began to debate about this.  On one hand Sita is showing her devotion to Rama.  She continues to pray and channel her energy and good thoughts towards him, while she is in exile.  It is argued that Sita is displaying unconditional love, and because of this she’s considered to be dumbfounded.  Moreover, we see Nina who receives an email from Dave, ending their relationship.  Nina later calls Dave and asks for him to take her back.

At the end of the movie, Rama resurfaces back into Sita’s life only in hopes of taking his sons back to the city with him.  Once again Sita must prove her faithfulness to Rama and because of this; she calls on Mother Earth and lives her last days in the heavens; whereas Nina finds comfort in being alone after taking control of her life and happiness.

Nina 

These women displayed throughout their relationships their admiration and content with their partners, and in the end are left alone because of either insecurity or lack of interest.  They took a hold of their destiny to find themselves happy alone without the pressure of finding approval through their men’s eyes.    

 Bibliography: "Sita Sings the Blues" Nina Paley (2008)

                        "The Ramayana" written by R.K. Narayan (1977) 

Week Four Reading Diary: Sita Sings the Blues, Nina Paley

            Nina Paley’s rendition of The Ramayana is astonishing.  Sita Sings the Blues is a comedic satire in a sense, but is very much enjoyable.  The introduction to the movie is pleasant, and I love how she introduced the main characters in the beginning by showing their actions and interactions with each other without the use of words.  Paley used various images of each character, which I thought was interesting because after reading Narayan’s version of The Ramayana and researching images for each assignment, I was able to identify the characters easily without question. I did notice that Lakshamana did not play a role in the story as he did in Narayan’s version of the epic, and Paley’s version was very much straight to the point.  Paley did not give a lot of background information on the epic, but she gave enough for the audience to understand what was happening.

            Aside from Rama and Sita, we have three characters that are narrating the story.  These characters play an important role by recalling what time period the epic took place and details that may have happened between the characters by using gap-filling. What I like most about these characters is that they brought up things that I questioned when I was reading The Ramayana.    

 The Narrators in Sita Sings the Blues 

            Ravana is seen as a foul and demented character, but not once did he force himself on Sita. Sita was held in captivity for months at a time, and each time that he visited her, he would only remind her that it would be him and her in the end.  I will point out that he used his female guards to torment her, but not once did he ever touch her.  Ravana was philosophical and he showed piety when he prayed, which are details that the narrators pointed out that readers often look over.

  

Sita and Ravana

 Bibliography: "Sita Sings the Blues" Nina Paley (2008)

                        "The Ramayana" written by R.K. Narayan (1977)

Storybook Styles

For the past two week I have been researching the history of the infamous Taj Mahal.  I wanted to write a storybook that included all of the topics that I was interested in: karma, love, death, and the geography in India.  Find one topic that I could devote to was much harder than I thought.  I found a few websites that introduced the legends of the Taj Mahal, and a few other historical sites in India.  The Taj Mahal has an appealing history.  The construction of the monument began in 1632 and later opened its doors in 1648. According to a few sources that I have found, the architect who built the monument is “unknown” and he experienced a tragic loss.  Few have reported that his wife died during child birth while he was constructing the monument, while other say that the emperor during that time period had his wife killed because he was in love with her.  I also looked into other historical places in India; such as, the Meeknakshi Amman Temple, Kumbhalgarh, Mahabodi Temple, and the Church of the Sacred Heart in New Dehli.  Each of these destinations is associated with a religion of some sort, and has stories behind their makings.  I am still looking into other geographical sites in India that provide more than one story/legend.

Possible Styles:

If these walls could talk: Usually in stories we have characters, namely people who tell stories.  I thought about doing something a little different.  Since the places that I have researched are historical, I thought it would be a bit unusual and cool to have the walls of the monuments to tell the stories. 

People who were involved in constructing the monuments: Much of the information that I have looked up, involved an untold story/myth/legend about the monument that was being built.  So I would have a character, or characters who were involved constructing the monument, to tell the “truth” behind the making.

Tour guide: This character or characters would be a tour guide walking the readers through a “visual” tour of the historical places. 

Pilgrimage: Character who are and are not native to India will learn about the monuments they visit while they seek religious piety and  can tell their experiences to their family and friends.  

Kumbhalgarh

Sources:

http://www.tajmahal.org.uk/ "Taj Mahal"

Walk Through India "12 most visited places in India"

Atlas Obscura "The Great Wall of India"

Week Three Storytelling: The Uncertainty of Rama

Rama had not regretted saving Sita from Ravana, but he felt that their souls disconnected. For centuries, their souls always found each other no matter the circumstances.  In their past life, Rama and Sita were children playing in the rivers behind their homes.  Sita loved the water and would jump from high cliffs even when she was told not to. It was not until Rama died from sacrificing his life for Sita, who was drowning.  Vishnu watched Rama's act of bravery and selflessness from the heavens, and knew Rama was to be reincarnated into something greater.  

Rama as a child

When the festivities had commenced in Kishkinda after the battle, Sampathi met Rama in secrecy on the palace balcony.  Not understanding why Rama showed a lack of interest in his defeat against Ravana, Sampathi began to share his story.

“I heard what you told Hanuman.  I see you have grown your feathers, but love does not grow like feathers. It is not a seed that can be planted, nor is it a river that can be refilled by the rain from the sky.” said Rama.

“You interrupt me Rama.  You are eager to speak, but not wise to listen.  I did not tell Hanuman the whole story, please sit in the chair.”

Rama unsure of his feelings for Sita

Rama sat contently and wondered what kind of love had Sampathi experienced that was comparable to his and Sita’s.  After his encounter with Vali and Sugreeva, surely love that was shared between animals was different from humans.

“I remember her sitting on the mountains of Himavan. I flew down from the clouds in admiration of her beauty, and to the cries that sound like those of doves.  Her lips were the color of plums, and her hair was as black as coal, but shimmered in the sun as if diamonds were in it. She told me her name was Parvati, and she felt unloved.  I sat on the cliff near her only in concern. I thought she would jump to her death because of the things she told me, but the longer we talked the calmer she became.

Pavarti "Goddess of Love"

It became a ritual of ours to meet without anyone knowing.  We would share our thoughts, dreams, and the past memories of our reincarnated lives.  Our connection was deeper than anything I had known.  One day I told her to meet me when the sun shined the brightest, and the sounds of the animals from the forest was the loudest.  I wanted her to meet Jatayu.  I spoke of her much to my brother, and he wanted to meet the unknown woman.

While in flight, I spoke of her beauty and I flew in circles around Jatayu.  The more I reminisced about her beauty, the higher I flew.  I felt a jolt and then opened my eyes.  I could smell my flesh and see that my feathers were seared.  Jatayu took off in flight and guided Parvati to our home while she carried me.  For months Pavarti stayed to nurse me back to my health even when I told her to go. My appearance had changed, and she did not care.  When I was well enough to fly, I only did so at night. I felt ashamed and pushed her away.

I never spoke to her again after the day she left. Sometimes I fly near our spot and when she appears, I soar high so she does not recognize me. In my heart I know she knows it is me watching over her.”

“Sampathi, your words I understand.  I fought for our love, and she too in her captivity. I questioned  her allegiance towards me when I faced her after the battle, and for that she walked through fire.”

Author's Note: In the ending of "The Ramayana", I noticed that Rama soon feels different about Sita.  He questions her virtue because of the amount of time she spent in captivity with Ravana and tells her  to walk away from their marriage. Sita cries out not understanding why Rama has continued to fight for her freedom and in the end rejects her.  It is then when Sita asks Lakshamana to set fire to an area, and she proceeds to walk in it. Sita proves her purity to Rama, and is then lifted out of the fire by Agni, the god of fire.  It takes Sita to risk her life to show Rama her value.  I wanted to put emphasis on the matter of devotion in friendships/relationships.  Throughout the book, characters are tested on their faith and loyalty primarily towards Rama.  There are people who do admit defeat because their devotion towards someone is continuously question even when it should not be. I wanted to show the consequence of that action through Sampathi.  

Bibliography: "The Raymana" written by R.K. Narayan (1972)

Week Three Reading Diary Continued: The Ramayana, R.K. Narayan

The story comes to an end in the epic novel "The Ramayana" I see this story in a completely different light.  It is not what I expected, but I enjoyed reading it from the very beginning to the very end.  I saw Rama go through immense trials trying to defeat Ravana, and those on Ravana's side.  With the constant reminder of Sita on his mind he shows that while in battle, his everlasting love for Sita remains unchanged.

Rama and Sugreeva finally meet after Lakshamana travels to Kishkinda and confronts Sugreeva on the behalf of his brother.  Feeling guilty, Sugreeva acknowledges his negligence towards Rama and apologizes for his foolish behavior.  He soon tells Lakshamana that it is not that he “completely forgot” about Rama, nor the severity of the situation, but his allies have not given him word as to whether or not they will be able to help.

After offering Lakshamana a bath and a place to lay his head, Lakshamana reminds Sugreeva that his brother Rama is still in the forest waiting.  Rama is unable to experience such luxury, and he too will not experience it either.  What must take place is a meeting between him and Rama explaining the circumstances of the situation.

Sugreeva (and I too), admire Lakshamana’s loyalty to his brother and agrees to go to the forest where Rama is residing. After Sugreeva apologizes for his actions, and mentions that the rainy season had lasted longer than what was expected.  He would not give up on his mission, nor betray his trust.  Soon, the soldiers of Kishkanda are sent out to look for Sita.  Much time passes by, but then Hanuman and the soldiers receive information as to where Sita is being held in captivity.  When Hanuman travels to Lanka in hopes of finding Sita, he lands a visit with Ravana.

This part of the story stood out the most to me because of the actions Hanuman had taken after his meeting with Ravana.  His tail was lit on fire, and while leaving Ravana’s haven, Hanuman set everything on fire while he was leaving the city.  The description of the cities appearance and smell is to familiar to me, and surely I thought that Ravana would have disregarded his advisement to not kill Hanuman because he was a messenger.  

Hanuman setting Lanka on fire

Bibliography: "The Ramayana" written by R.K. Narayan

Week Three Reading Diary: The Ramayana, R.K. Narayan

Beginning the second half of "The Ramayana", I find the characters Rama and Lakshamana evolving into human beings who possess strong will, determination, and overall display a brotherly love that is seen and expressed by the characters they encounter throughout the chapters, and to the reader of the story.

After the abduction of Sita, we are shown a Rama who remains strong and determined to find the love of his life.  He makes it his mission to save his wife even if means him dying in the process.  Journeying through the forest, both Rama and Lakshamana meet Hanuman and Sugreeva. Gaining a relationship built on trust later turning into a friendship, Rama decides to help Sugreeva defeat his brother Vali in winning back his place as king. When Sugreeva summons Vali  to fight, his brother is stopped by his wife (formally Sugreeva's wife) in their cave.  Vali's wife tells him  not to fight because death will be his fate. Vali questions his wife's faith in him and states, "you have the elegance of a peacock and the voice of a nightingale...[but] have you forgotten that whoever confronts me gives me half of his strength" (pg 97)
 
When Vali leaves his cave and confronts his brother, it is Rama who pierces his heart with an arrow killing him.  Vali questions Rama's actions and asks why he interferes with family affairs when he has problems of his own that he should be concerned with.  Due to the death of Vali, Rama, Lakshamana, Hanuman, and Sugreeva become allies devoting themselves to finding Sita.

Vali and Sugreeva Fighting

 As months pass, Rama becomes vulnerable and depressed believing that his allies have betrayed his trust. The rainy season begins in the forest and a pact is made to find Sita when the season ends. Rama and Lakshmana continue to reside in the forest while Hanuman and Sugreeva leave them to live in Kishkinda, where they will remain in a palace.  The rainy season takes a toll on Rama, and the disappearance of the beauty that was once seen outside in the forest becomes a desolate dark place.

Rama and Lakshamana

Becoming impatient, Rama becomes furious and tells his brother Lakshamana to leave and go to Kishkinda and question the intentions of their allies.  Reaching his destination,  Lakshamana is soon stopped by the female monkeys at the gates of the palace .  Wanting to know his intentions, he is questioned and becomes overcome with emotion thinking of his very own mother.  He is then told that his allies have searched for help with finding Sita but have not had any luck.



Bibliography: "The Ramayana" written by R.K. Narayan