Growth Mindset: Taking Time Out For Myself

As the ending of the semester approaches I find myself expressing impatience and tiredness. I often find myself isolating from others and losing sleep due to me having to complete multiple projects at the same time.  I always spread myself thin during the end of every semester.  This semester I am taking nine hours of Hebrew and it is killing me; in addition to my capstone class.  I thought about calling it quits and just redoing this semester again some other time, but it is not an option.  I have been put off finishing school for so long.  I remember doing a post a few weeks back about finding balance within my life. 

I am failing terribly at this. I don’t take time out for myself to sit back and reflect.  I used to meditate and write, and I miss this so much! So I am considering on jumping on the yoga train.  Taking time out to relax is so important, and I feel the toll that it’s taking on me and my attitude especially. 

Benefits of Yoga

A few of my friends actively participate in yoga, and I'm going to try it out. This option is better in comparison to me sitting at home feeling stressed.  

Week Ten Reading Diary Continued: The Mahabharata, Peter Brook

Part D - The Art of War

The Mahabharata War Scene, Peter Brook (1989)

After nine days of battle, men end the day with their rituals. Bhishma who is injured, meets with the Kaurava brothers, Karna, and Drona in his quarters. Duryodhana tells Bhishma that he is disappointed with his performance and how it is his fault that they have not succeeded in the war.  

As the Kaurava brothers and Karna leave Bhishma’s quarters, Drona stays behind.  Bhishma tells Drona of his dream.  In his dream, a stranger kills him.  Drona laughs as Bhishma tells him, and Bhishma asks why someone would kill him.  Drona responds that only you  know the answer. 

Bhishma is left to think about how he will win the war against the Pandava’s.  He hears a sound outside of his quarters and knows that it is Amba, the princess that he turned away earlier in the epic.  Amba walks into Bhishma’s quarters and tells him that she has been following him all of these years and that her feelings of revenge have not changed.  Amba then reveals that she has a secret, she will partake in the next battle and that she has taken on a man’s image.  Her new name is Shikhandi.

This scene is not how I depicted it in my mind.  Brook was able to make the scene dramatic especially with the music that played as Amba spoke to Bhishma.  I did not gather that Bhishma was frightened from Amba’s presence, nor was he uncomfortable.  In the movie it seemed as if he knew his life was going to end.

When Kunti approaches Karna and they have the conversation about his birth, Karna cannot help but acknowledge that after all of these years Kunti has abandoned him.  The only possible reason why she would want him to side with the Pandava's is because of the power that she possesses and the thought of her losing a son.  

Bibliography: “The Mahabharata” directed by Peter Brook (1989)

                     “The Mahabharata” written by R.K. Narayan (1978)

Week Ten Reading Diary: The Mahabharata, Peter Brook

Part C - Vyasa describes the life of the Pandava brothers lives while living in secrecy and the awakening of Krishna.

As Vyasa continues to tell the story to the young boy, Krishna appears and consults with Vyasa about his future.  Vyasa assures Krishna that he can change the path of his life and that nothing is ever set in stone.  People have the ability to change and live a life that possesses great spiritual awakening and health. I begin to see the story as Narayan told it in his book.  The Pandava brothers have taken on their new roles in their lives as they live incognito in king Virata’s palace. 

The Pandava Brothers

Yudhisthria has become an expert in the game of dice, and has been able to possess self control when playing the game. Out of all of the brothers, Bhima could no longer live in disguise.  Draupadi felt that her husband’s betrayed her and their lives are not what they should be.  Kichaka, the brother-in-law of king Virata challenged Draupadi.  He wanted to call her his own, and lay with her to establish their bond.

As this scene continues differences are soon recognized.  In the Narayan's version, Draupadi is molested and asks for justice to be taken.  She wanted Kichaka to be charged.  Yudhisthria stands before Draupadi with the king, and agrees with king Virata that an investigation must take place before any action can be taken against Kichaka.  Draupadi tells Bhima, and Bhima attacks Kichaka. He kills him by squeezing him to death.

In the movie, Draupadi does not go before king Virata.  Instead, she sets a trap for Kichaka.  She tells him that she will meet with him later, and become his. When she leaves Kichaka’s room after he agrees, she tells Bhima that she is disappointed in all of her husbands. She tells Bhima that he must defend her and show that he is the best husband.  Bhima hides in Kichaka’s room underneath his covers and excites him as he pretends to be Draupadi.  Bhima then reveals his true self, and kills Kichaka in the name Draupadi.

There is much poetry that is expressed in this part of the movie in comparison to part a and b. A vast majority of it is through the character of Krishna.  Krishna’s character starts to develop into a character that questions his self, and the lives of others. 

Bibliography: "The Mahabharata" directed by Peter Brook (1989)

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