Reading Notes: The Indian Story Book Part B

Title: The Indian Story Book Part B
Author: Richard Wilson
Illustrator: Frank Pape
Year: 1914

- The king is goes out to hunt antelope. As he is about to shoot one with an arrow, two hermits step into the way. I could tell a story where the hermits step out too late and one is killed or wounded by the arrow, leading to a curse on the king.

- The king and Sakuntala get married in the forest while her foster-father is away. When he comes back, he gets her ready to go live with him in his palace. I could retell the story where he is not please that the king marries his daughter while he is not there or without asking his permission, leading to a curse on the king.

- A fawn who Sakuntala had taken care of since the death of its mother tried to prevent her from leaving, making Sakuntala rethink her decision. I could tell a story where she takes the fawn with her and perhaps one of the forest fairies. I could also tell a story where she tries to bring all the creatures of the forest that she had cared for to the palace of the king, eventually ending in him realizing that she belongs to the forest and that they can't be together...or that he would have to give up everything that he has to move to the forest and live like a hermit in order for it to work between them.

- Sakuntala goes to the palace and presents herself to the king who has no recollection of the marriage. I could tell a story where prior to this event, something happens to him that causes him to lose his memory, such a falling and hitting his head, or later being diagnosed with amnesia or another disease that affects memory.

- A fisherman finds the ring that the king gave to Sakuntala in the belly of the fish and goes to the city to sell it when he is captured by officers of the kingdom. I could tell the story of the man coming upon the ring and perhaps an adventure he had with the ring in his possession.

- The charioteer of Indra is sent to the king and asks for his help destroying giants that have been causing issues. The king does this at once, and on the way back, they stop to pay homage to a holy site. Here they come upon maidens and a young boy who the king feels much affection for, who happens to be his son. He also finds Sakuntala there. I could tell this part of the story much more in depth than what it was told. 

Dushyanta and Sakuntala

Image Author: vintage prints

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: The Indian Story Book Part A

Title: The Indian Story Book Part A
Author: Richard Wilson
Illustrator: Frank Pape
Year: 1914

- King Visvamitra is bored and wants to go to war, but due to his power, everyone wants to be his friend. I could tell a story where the king decides to go to war with some of his allies, resulting in everyone losing respect for him. I could also tell a story where he and his army travels a great distance, taking a lot of attrition, and ultimately losing the battle. Or, I could tell a story where Visvamitra, still bored and longing for battle, instead creates a sport to play against his allies to satisfy his boredom.

- The King lives like a hermit in order to win the favor of the gods. He asks for all the divine weapons in order to defeat the hermit. I could tell a story where he realizes that he could just ask the gods to give him the cow or a cow with the same power. I could also tell a story where, due to his time as a hermit, he finds happiness the way that the other hermit has and no longer seeks war.

- The king threw a dart at the hermit which the hermit swallowed. His eyes turned red and he glowed, but did nothing. I could tell a story where this dart has an effect on him like that of the Hulk or something similar.

- At the end of the story, the King devotes his life toward becoming more powerful in order to get revenge on the hermit, only to ask the gods for the power to see good in everyone. In the end, he no longer wanted revenge or the cow.

- When the King asked which holy man would travel to the forest to find the angry sage and his son, they all replied that it was a noble mission...for someone else. They all tried to get each other to do the mission. I found that part to be very humorous. 

- Even the animals are afraid of the angry hermits son because the angry hermit had cursed them simply for crossing his path. The son is completely alone.

-  At the end of the story, the hermit finds that his son has married a princess and become very wealthy. I could tell a story where this causes his anger to fade and changes his entire outlook on people.

Tempting Rishyasringa 

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Week 13 Story: Ayodhya's Disease

Yet another dark and gloomy day in this wretched city. Will the sun ever shine again? I can't believe this used to be such a great city. A terrible disease is running rampant in our city. Grief. The streets have become filled with trash. People are no longer happy to see others, much less friendly to one another. No one even seems to care anymore.

It has only been seven years since Rama was exiled. Who knows if he will ever come back. Who knows if he is even still alive. Before this, things were great. Ayodhya was the center of the country and it was poised to be the center of the world when Rama was set to take over. But that vile queen took all that away from us. I truly hate that woman. I think everyone does. Even her own son hates her for what she did! 

Bharata isn't a bad guy. He's a great guy in fact. He does his best, but he certainly isn't Rama. This would have never happened had Rama been given the throne that he deserved. That evil woman. Naturally, she hasn't shown her face in public in years. Not that that she anything good wold happen if she did anyway. Hopefully we never have to see her again.

If I had the money, I would just move to Mithila City. It was very beautiful when we went for the wedding. It wasn't as great as our city was, but it was very nice. I still remember the wedding like it was yesterday. Such a joyous occasion. I miss that feeling. We should have moved when Rama was first sent away. Now we barely even have money for food, much less enough to move so far away. We should have seen this coming. Everything else went to hell without Rama, why wouldn't the economy? 

It was bad enough that he had to leave, but Lakshmana and Sita too?! And King Dasharatha?! They could have at least held this place together until Rama came home. Home....this place isn't home anymore. It's more of a prison. Even if Rama ever did come back, he probably wouldn't recognize this place. And if he did, why would he want to live here? No one wants to live here now. Thanks to that despicable queen.

Trolls - Clint Eastwood video at Youtube

Author's Note: In the original story, it is said that Ayodhya had become stricken with grief. My story is the thoughts of a citizen reflecting on what was and what now is, and who is believed to be responsible.

Bibliography. The Indian Story Book: Rama's Quest by Richard Wilson. Illustrated by Frank Pape. Web Source.

Reading Notes: Rama's Quest Part B

Title: The Indian Story Book: Rama's Quest Part B
Author: Richard Wilson
Illustrator: Frank Pape
Year: 1914

- Sita's overseers have compassion for Sita after Ravana tells her that Rama is dead and tell her the truth in order to comfort her. I could tell a story more in depth about this exchange. I could also tell a story that takes place long after the battle about Sita having her favorite overseer as a good friend and Maiden.

- In the story, night falls during the battle for Lanka, but the stars refuse to shine on a scene so terrible and strange...I could tell a story of a conversation between a few stars and the moon about the events that are taking place.

- Ravana's brother is described as a "jolly giant." I could tell a story about him being woken to fight Rama's army, but instead making friends with everyone.

- Ravana hits Lakshmana with a spear, prompting Hanuman to go to the Himalayas to get a magic, medical plant. I could tell a story about Hanuman's journey.

- Rama's charioteer tells Rama to aim for Ravana's heart as "it is the heart, not the head, that is the seat of evil." I find this to be a very interesting quote.

Sita Tested by Fire

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Rama's Quest Part A

Title: The Indian Story Book: Rama's Quest Part A
Author: Richard Wilson
Illustrator: Frank Pape
Year: 1914

- Rama and Lakshmana are merely humans in this epic, not gods reincarnated. They face a shape-shifting ogress in their first battle, and manage to succeed. I could give a detailed account of this battle.

- It is said that the brothers were successful in battle because they exercised constantly, among other things. I could tell a story about one of their exercise sessions.

- I think it is interesting that Rama's companion is referred to as a "magician." The first thing I think of is him just being there for entertainment. I could tell a story about Rama and Lakshmana defeating a bunch of evil beings, while the magician just does simple card tricks, or pulls rabbits out of a hat. Something completely absurd, that makes Rama happy, but also shows his childishness/innocence. 

- At the beginning of the epic, Ayodhya is described as almost a perfect city with nothing wrong. One Rama is sent into exile, the city is filled with grief. I could tell a story painting the picture of how much the city had fallen due to Rama's exile. I could tell it from the point of view of a peasant, either talking to another peasant, or maybe his/her observations on their journey to the marketplace or something similar.

- After Ravana carries off Sita, Rama is angry with Lakshmana. Lakshmana remind Rama that when Sita called him a coward, he had to protect his dignity, which somehow made Rama feel better. When Sugriva gave Rama the golden circlet, he found it difficult to preserve his dignity. I feel that I could tell a story where this much pride and dignity is harmful, and not helpful, although you think they would have realized that when it led to Sita being captured. Maybe I could tell a story of the conversation between Rama and Lakshmana where they both come to the realization that so much pride can be hurtful.

- Rama saying "That's child's play" makes me laugh.

Building the Bridge to Lanka

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Week 12 Story: Bedlam

Duryodhana took another drink from his mug. "I don't care what happened last season, we are going to win this year!" Duryodhana was once again arguing with his cousin, Arjuna, before the big game. This was a yearly occurrence that dated back to 1904.

"Duryodhana," Arjuna started, "what on earth makes you think you will win this season? Have you learned nothing over the last decade....better yet, have you learned nothing over the last century?!"

Arjuna did have a point. Duryodhana's Cowboys had only won two out of the last ten meetings between the two teams and boasted only eighteen total wins in the history of the series. Arjuna's Sooners had won eighty-six. There were also seven ties.

"I'll tell you why we will win; our quarterback, Karna, is going to lead us to victory. He's just as good as your quarterback, probably better. Drona, our running back, is going to run all over your defense behind our amazing offensive line. We have the best receivers in football and there's no way the Sooners will be able to slow them down. This is our year!"

While Duryodhana's Cowboys did have a good quarterback, and good running back, and arguably the best receivers in football, and Arjuna's Sooners had been mediocre at best defensively, the Sooners' offense was the best in the nation.

"I don't disagree that your Cowboys will score a lot of points, Duryodhana, it's just that the Sooners will score more." Arjuna calmly replied.

"That's absurd! There's no way Coach Bheeshma will allow that to happen. Your team will be lucky to even cross the goal line. I wouldn't be surprised if Krishna forfeits at the half."

Although Coach Krishna hadn't been with the Sooners long, he was one of the most respected and best coaches in football. He was a household name and was well respected by all of his peers.

"I think you may have had a bit too much to drink, Duryodhana. It is pointless to argue with you. Every year you tell me how great your team is and how badly your team is going to win, and every year your team is humiliated. This year will be no different. I guess we will just have to wait until Saturday."

62-52

Image Creator: Jeremy Harris

Bibliography.The Bhagavad Gita translated by Ramanand Prasad.
In the original story, Sanjaya is relaying to King Dhritarashtra what he overheard Duryodhana telling Drona before the battle. Duryodhana tells Drona that there are many warriors on his side that are equal to Arjuna and that Bheeshma (I spelled the names that same as in the original story), his army commander, was invincible. He believes that the Pandavas' army would be easily defeated. In my story, I replaced the war with a yearly football game where one team always talks their side up, assuming they will win before coming back to reality after the game.

Reading Notes: The Bhagavad Gita Part B

Title: The Bhagavad Gita Part B
Translator: Ramanand Prasad
Year: 1988

- Krishna is telling Arjuna that he is the reincarnation of Vishnu, stating that he is the origin of all. I feel like this would be similar to one of the disciples talking with Jesus, although in this case, Krishna is trying to convince Arjuna to go to war with his family. I feel like this story could be retold where it is some other religious figure, perhaps Jesus, speaking to someone about who they are. 

- Krishna tells Arjuna to fight and enjoy the kingdom he is about to inherit as all the warriors on the other side have already been destroyed by Krishna. Arjuna is merely an instrument. 

- Krishna tells Arjuna that he is the only one to see him in his four-armed form. I could write a story about Arjuna, years later, explaining to his grandchildren what it was that he saw and how he was able to see it.

- Krishna refers to his body as "the mini universe."

- I believe that in the version of the Mahabharata that I read, this conversation between Arjuna and Krishna was taking place during the middle of the war. I could retell this story with these two talking on the middle of the battle field as warriors fight all around them, but in slow motion, and even coming to a standstill when Krishna changes form.

- Krishna names off hypocrisy, arrogance, pride, anger, harshness, and ignorance as someone born with demonic qualities. These qualities describe Duryodhana completely. I could retell this story where instead of Krishna telling Arjuna how great he (Arjuna) is, he could be talking to Duryodhana, telling him how awful he is with Duryodhana vowing to change his ways in the end.

- The entire conversation between Krishna and Arjuna is being told by Sanjaya to King Dhritarashtra. I could retell this story where it's being told to all of the Kauravas, changing their minds about wanting to go to war with the Pandavas.

Four-Armed Krishna

Image Author: Ramanarayanadatta astri

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons