Indian Epics Blog

Especially after reading Narayan's Ramayana, I am even more interested in doing this topic. I still really like the 'Animal Characters' topic and using the different personalities that have popped up in our readings so far, but wanted to do more research on this one. *I also put all the potential sentences from the stories in quotation marks. Three Possible Tales of Motherhood (1) The Wives of King Dasharatha : I think Kaikeyi has more of a story in Narayan's Ramayana, but I wanted to give each one of these mothers a 'piece' of their own story. Firstly, in this version of the Ramayana, Kaikeyi is first described as very loving, without a seeming ounce of spite, but as soon as she believes Kooni's words on what King Dasharatha's crowning of Rama meant for her and her son, it is as if becomes cold and heartless. I was thinking to perhaps explore how she might have been feeling while she convinced the King to crown her son instead of Rama, and ultimately ...

Maybe we shouldn't praise giving praise... The first article I read was "The Trouble with “Amazing”: Giving Praise that Matters" by Jennifer Gonzalez. I didn't necessarily agree with everything in the article, and maybe at some points how it was worded, but I liked the takeaway message: just giving a one word vote of praise isn't substantial feedback and in fact, often produces the opposite effect. I thought her analogy of saying just "amazing!" was like "Paula Praise" was funny, but very true. Without meaningful feedback that offers the person not only an honest opinion but also ways to improve, you usually discredit your own opinion. I have experienced this with many people and seen it happen, where people are quick to say 'that was absolutely wonderful' even when everyone else knows it really wasn't. I don't think there's anything wrong with praising with 'amazing!', but only using that word is perhaps more of ...

"Thank you, greatest and honourable Rama." The words were strange against human lips, the sound of Ahalya's voice new to her after so many years. Her whole body ached in protest when she moved. After a thousand years of stone, Ahalya could again feel the soft breeze, and the sun's warmth. She could feel the dirt squish between her toes, and the blood flow through her body as if singing. And finally, she could exact the justice that was due. To live as granite until Rama happened along after a thousand years was not a punishment any person deserved. Rama had said not to let the past burden her, but he did not know that it had become her purpose. When Rama and company left, she quickly gathered a special herb from the brushes nearby. She returned to her husband, who had been waiting. Gautama opened his arms to Ahalya, and they entered the ashram as renewed husband and wife. A purified heart Rama had told Gautama, but Gautama in all his wisdom was still suspicious. Eve...

The Ramayana, Pages 53-89 Characters : King Dasaratha, Sage Vasishtha, Kausalya, Rama, Kaikeyi, Bharatha, Sumithra, Lakshamana, Sathrugna, Sita, Mareecha, the people of Adyodhya (follow Rama), Jatayu, Kamavalli/Soorpanaka, Ravana, Kara POV : Narayan translates the poet Kamban's version of  The Ramayana Setting(s) : the kingdom/country of Kosala, Adyodhya the capital, Chitrakuta (forest exile), Panchvati (forest exile) Deities and demons : Shiva (referenced), Mareecha, Manmata (mentioned several times, god of love, aka Kamdeva), Ravana, Vayu (god of wind), Yama (god of death), Kara (stepbrother of Soorpanaka) Favourite sentences/phrases : "A word given is like an arrow, it goes forward. You cannot recall it midway..." -Rama on fulfilling his father's words "While I fly, follow me in the shadow of my wings." -Jatayu "A serpent's feet are known to another serpent." -Soorpanaka to Rama Section Summaries : Chapter 3: Two Promises Revive...

The Ramayana, Pages 1-53 Characters* : King Dasaratha, Sage Vasishtha, Rishya Sringa (*gives king the bolus which allows him to have children), Kausalya (mother of Rama), Kaikeyi (mother of Bharatha), Sumithra (mother of Lakshamana and Sathrugna), Sage Viswamithra, Thataka, Ahalya, Sita, King Janaka, Kooni POV : Narayan translates the poet Kamban's version of The Ramayana Setting(s) : the kingdom/country of Kosala, Adyodhya the capital, Mithila, forest and mountainland on the trip to Mithila travelled by Viswamithra and the two brothers, Rama and Lakshamana Deities and demons⧫ : Shiva (the destroyer, his bow is the one Rama breaks), Ravana (demon), Vishnu (Rama his incarnation), Ganga (goddess of the Ganges river), Thataka (demon mother of Mareecha and Subahu, defeated by Rama and his bow), Manmata (god of love, aka Kamdeva), Indra (the thousand 'eye' god), Lakshmi (incarnated as Sita) Favourite sentences/phrases : "A seed that sprouts at the foot of its parent ...