Storytelling for Week 6: The Mahabharata

Author's Note. For this week's storytelling, I decided I wanted to incorporate one of my favorite book series---Harry Potter! I've read the books one too many times and love them more each and every time. Since completing the Mahabharata, there is one scene that reminds me of something in one of the books. This will have a lot of spoilers about the last book in the HP series...just a warning! In the last book of the Harry Potter series [SPOILER ALERT], there is a stone, called the resurrection stone, that gave the owner the power to bring back loved ones from the dead (in a kind of half ghost, half living form). While reading the Mahabharata, there was a scene towards the end where the Pandavas get to see their lost loved ones in the Ganges River. In my story, I will write about the Harry Potter trio (Harry, Ron, and Hermione) and one of the Patil sisters, Pavarti, talking about this part of the Mahabharata. This story will take place following the [SPOILER ALERT] great Battle of Hogwarts where Harry is recalling the power of the stone that he used to see his loved ones before going to Voldemort--the big bad guy for anyone who has not read the series :). Just for some background information: the students attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are put into certain "houses"/"teams" (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin). Each "team" has a certain part of the castle where they live in, and each house's common room is a kind of living room that the students spend their time in. Any characters mentioned that are not the trio are simply other characters in the Harry Potter series. Hope you enjoy!




Gryffindor Common Room

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting in the Gryffindor common room, recalling the events of the Battle that had just occurred a few weeks ago.

The trio in the Common Room (Image Source).

Harry always felt a stab of pain any time the Battle was mentioned. He could not help but feel the agony of the loss of so many of his closest friends, those he considered his family. Those that supported him. Those that fought for him. Those that died for him. He tried to push the thought away and focus on the positive changes that were slowly happening after their world had been rid of the awful enemy.

Hermione and Ron could not help but wonder at those moments right before Harry confronted Voldemort. Ron hesitantly approached the subject.

"Say, Harry, you don't have to tell us anything about it if you don't want to...but how did it feel right before you faced Voldemort. I mean, bloody hell, I would have been scared out of my mind!"

Hermione scolded him, "Oh Ronald. Be a bit more sensitive about this will you?!"

Harry realized he had not yet told his closest friends all about the time right before he was willing to give up his life to end the Battle of Hogwarts. Ron was right. He was scared out of his mind. Which is why he had used the resurrection stone. Harry decided the time was finally right to tell them just what unfolded in the last part of the Battle between him and Voldemort.

"It's fine, Hermione. Really. I'm sorry I haven't told you both about what happened but I've just had a lot to process."

Hermione didn't want Harry to feel guilty at all.

"Oh Harry, don't apologize! We know you needed time to think everything through."

Ron nodded in agreement and Harry finally began his story.

"As I was walking in the forest toward Voldemort, I could hear him and his followers in the clearance right beyond me. I was very nervous, like you said Ron. I needed support. But there was no one around me. I took the resurrection stone out of my pocket and, in that moment, I knew what I needed to do. I turned it over in my hand three times and whispered that I was about to die. It was incredible. Just incredible. Almost immediately, ghost-like forms of my parents, Lupin, and Sirius came forth. They were almost real, but not quite solid..y'know?"

Ron and Hermione could only nod in silence as Harry continued on.

"I could talk to them, they could talk to me. They gave me the support and love and comfort that I needed to take those steps toward Voldemort. I am still a bit freaked out about just how powerful that stone was. I mean really...I got to see my loved ones even after they died. Have you ever heard of something like that?!"

One of the Patil sisters, Pavarti, was sitting on a couch near the trio and could not help but overhear what Harry had been telling Ron and Hermione. She got up and made her way toward her fellow Gryffindors. To provide him with some comfort, she wanted to tell him about an Indian epic she had read a long time ago.

"Hi Harry. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help but overhear your story about the resurrection stone. You seem a little apprehensive about the incredible power of the stone. I just wanted to let you know that it is not a crazy idea. I read this Indian epic a while back called the Mahabharata, and in the story a similar thing happened. Following a lengthy and tragic battle, the survivors are in mourning and in need of reassurance and comfort...some closure as well, understandably. A great sage called Vyasa came and told them that he would be able to relieve their suffering. He told them that they should bathe in the great Ganges River and after that, they would be able to see their lost loved ones again."

Pavarti Patil in the Common Room (Image Source).

Harry listened with rapt attention, as though his life depended on it. What happened in the forest for him was no small incident. It was not something he could just accept and forget. It was a lot to take in and rationalize. He listened closely as Pavarti continued.

"They did as they were told and bathed in the Ganges. The river water began to bubble and foam, and one after another, all the deceased relatives and comrades ascended through the water. They reunited with their loved ones, hugged, wept, and held on to each other tightly. Their grief and suffering slowly began to ebb away as they felt such joy from seeing each other once again. Once the sun began to rise, the deceased parted from their loved ones and made their way back to the water. Although they would not come back to life, this powerful reunion of the dead with the living helped ease the sorrow and grief that everyone had felt. They got the closure that they needed. From that day on, they were able to go on with their lives, thinking of their lost loved ones with happy memories."

Harry felt as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He was not crazy. The stone was not crazy. Everything that had happened was not crazy. It was a process of closure that he had to go through. Harry wondered if the story Pavarti had told was real.

"What an incredible story, Pavarti. Thank you. Really. Thank you so much. You don't know how much I needed that. But...I am curious about something. Is this a real story or just something that someone made up in their head?"

Pavarti could only smile before saying, "Of course it happened inside their head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"***


~The End~


Bibliography.
Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). Web Source: Mahabharata [PDE].
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (2007).
***A direct quote--(but spoken by Dumbledore) in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (2007).

Week 6 Reading Diary, continued: The Mahabharata [PDE]

Mahabharata: by various authors

I got to finally finish the epic today. I am sad to see it end but I loved reading all about how the story comes to a close.

The scene where Abhimanyu dies was such a sad scene! The way he died and poor Arjuna's hearing about it was absolutely heartbreaking. It says that "when it was told to Arjuna that his son was slain, the mighty warrior wept silently and lay upon the ground." This sentence was so powerful because it shows just how much the mighty warrior loved his son and how absolutely distraught he was at his son's death. He did get his revenge and killed the one who killed his son. Sadly, Ghaotkacha, Bhima's son, also loses his life in battle.

As Bhima stated before, he finally gets his revenge on Duhshana for having humiliating Draupadi all those years ago.

The battle of Arjuna and Karna was long-awaited! It was a short chapter but it was so unbelievably captivating. The intensity and suspense was so incredible throughout the fight. It was also a bit sad for me to read because, in the end, it is the two brothers fighting against each other.
even though Arjuna came out the victor, I was so sad to see that it was at his hands that his brother died. Just tragic.

It was a short little scene, but I loved that Kunti was able to reunite with her five sons and Draupadi!

I finally got to read about the battle I've been waiting most for! The battle between Duryodhana and Bhima! The way the battle was described was just great with Duryodhana being in the lake before the battle eventually commences. It says that "the warriors fought like two fierce bulls, and smote one another heavy blows, until their faces were reddened with blood. Once Duryodhana almost achieved victory, for her struck Bhima on the head so that all present thought that the Pandava hero had received his deathblow. Bhima staggered but recovered himself, and soon afterwards he struck Duryodhana a foul blow upon the knee, which smashed the bone so that he fell prostrate. Thus was the vow of Bhima fulfilled." My expectations for this battle were fulfilled as well.

Duryodhana in the lake before the real fight begins (Image Source).

The departure of all the characters was bittersweet. It describes it as them all walking "towards the rising sun, and by the long circuitous path which leads to Mount Meru, through forests and over streams and across the burning plains, never again to return."

Another great epic!!

Week 6 Reading Diary: The Mahabharata [PDE]

Mahabharata: by various authors

This week, I continued reading the Mahabharata. Last week, I stopped at the part of the epic where Duryodhana wins the match and Bhima swears revenge.

It starts out with the brothers living in the forest in a period of exile. This and the following chapters really remind me of Rama's adventures in the Ramayana! He too was exiled and had some various encounters like the Pandavas do. It is a simple little detail that I noticed but it was still nice to see the similarities between the two epics.

The Pandavas and Draupadi in exile (Image Source).

There is one scene that is not of the utmost importance but it was really very touching. It showed the care that they all showed one another in exile. The scene tells of how "they wandered in sunshine and shade; they dwelt in pleasant places, amidst abundant fruits and surrounded by flowers. They suffered also from tempests and heavy rains, when their path would be torn by streams, and Draupadi would swoon, and all the brethren would be faint and weary and in despair. Then Bhima would carry them all on his back and under his arms." How beautiful of a picture it is!!

Another scene that was brief but had such a great impact on me was the one where Yudhishthira was giving advice to Draupadi. He says that "anger is sinful; it is the cause of destruction. He that is angry cannot distinguish between right and wrong. O fair Draupadi, one should forgive every wrong. Forgiveness is holiness; it is Truth." This is truly one of my favorite little scenes in the entire epic. It is such a great piece of advice and something that we can apply in our own daily lives.

I love the part where Hanuman makes an appearance! I really liked the scenes between him and Bhima since they are half-brothers after all!

Like in the Ramayana, Draupadi faces many obstacles and challenges like Sita. I love finding more and more similarities between the epics!

One of the best scenes in the epic so far is the one where the brothers are asked riddles by a "voice" in the river and at the end, only Yudhishthira was patient and answered them all wisely.

The battle was was so nice to read about! I can't wait to finish the epic!

Tech Tip: Weather Widget

Hey ya'll!

I just added a weather widget to my blog. If you ever need to know the weather in Norman, you know where to look! Here are the directions for adding your own weather widget to your blog (and it counts as an extra credit tech tip).

~Bayan

Thoughts about Comments

The comments on my blog have been one of the best parts of this class. I get to meet so many new people who share many similarities with me. It has been an absolute blast getting to know all about my peers in this class. My introduction post comments are always so sweet and welcoming. I get compliments, comments about something sports-related, and interest in my background. All these different kinds of feedback really make me feel so welcomed! The comments on my stories have been both extremely sweet and helpful. I get encouragement from my peers to keep doing what I am doing in terms of writing style. They also leave helpful suggestions on how to possibly expand or improve my story. All the comments are very much appreciated as I think they can help me become a better writer. The comments that are most memorable to me are the ones that are either extremely supportive or have some humor in them! They are so fun to read and really make my day. I think what makes a good comment is being honest, positive, and a being a little funny. Everyone loves a good laugh!

I appreciate each and every person's comment on my blog. It keeps me in good spirits to continue writing and posting!!

I have tried to comment well on other people's posts as well. I try to be as positive and supportive as I can be. If I have a suggestion, I make sure to phrase it in a way that allows it to be taken as constructive feedback and not some insult. I need to perhaps improve on not being afraid to provide optional suggestions to people. I could present it in a way that allows someone to consider it without feeling that they are being criticized in any way. There are so many talented writers in this class so I've absolutely loved having the opportunity to see my peers' work and replying to their posts!

Storytelling for Week 5: The Mahabharata

Author's Note. For this week's storytelling, I decided I wanted to do another story where I add some kind of modern detail to a traditional Indian epic, this time using the Mahabharata [RPE version]. My goal for the story is to try to make sense of a weird situation in the epic by writing it out in another format. This week, I decided to write out a bit of an episode of The Bachelorette, starring Draupadi as the main star! This storytelling assignment will reflect the scenes in chapters 26 and 27 where Drupada held a contest for who would marry his daughter. Various men participate in the contest but of course the mighty Arjuna beats everyone and becomes the "winner", being granted the chance to marry Draupadi. However, as we all have read, things take a rather unexpected turn. Arjuna's mother, Kunti, accidentally said for her sons to share the prize, without knowing that the prize was a bride! In my story, Kunti will be the host, misreading her lines and ends up changing the course of the show. This is my take on the epic, with a little touch of a modern reality show. Hope you enjoy.

The Bachelorette: Draupadi [Live Finale]

Tonight on The Bachelorette--The men compete to win Draupadi's heart. After last week's episode with Karna's dramatic departure, who will step up and capture her attention? 

It was the last episode of the season. Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Bhima, Nakula, and Sahadeva were the only men to remain in this final week of the show. This was the first time that brothers had made it all the way to the end. Throughout the weeks of getting to know each other, Draupadi came to admire and like all the men and their personalities. They were strong. They were dependable. She felt safe when she was near them. All in all, she had quite a nice selection of men to choose a husband from.

Today, there was a game that was to be played by the contestants. It was a recreation of an old, fun sport, resembling the game of Stickball. To make the game a bit more challenging, the contestants would have to use a bow and arrow. The aim of this game was to have players attempt to shoot a gold fish on top of a tall pole. The winner would get the chance to get the final rose from Draupadi!

[Scene begins with all the men lined up. Draupadi is on the side beside the host.]

Kunti stands in front of the men, ready to give them their instruction for the day. "Hello everyone. I hope you all are well rested and ready for today. Gentlemen, you have made it very far in your quest for love. Today, we will see just how strong that love is. Next to you, you will see a tall pole with a golden fish at the very top. Your goal today is to knock that fish off using a bow and arrow. This bow and arrow will only allow the strongest of men to use it. It is a matter of quickness and strength. The first to shoot the fish off will have to share the prize...I mean..[Kunti could not read her cue card but could not pause the show to figure it out. She quickly tries to cover up her mistake]..Um. Yes. Best of luck, gentlemen!"

The men paused and assessed the situation. Bhima, Yudhishthira, Nakula, and Sahadeva thought about whether they were strong enough to use the bow. They did not want to take the chance and fail, being humiliated in front of their prospective bride.

Arjuna on the other hand was as confident as ever. Striding toward the bow and arrow, he easily picked it up and hit the golden fish before anyone could realize what was going on. The brothers were stunned. Their brother had done it. He had shot it with such ease. Draupadi could not believe it. Her admiration of Arjuna grew even more. What a strong, powerful man he was. What a wonderful husband he could be.

Kunti, regaining her composure, broke the silence. "Well done, Arjuna! You have displayed such charisma and strength. Draupadi, you may make your decision...after we come back."

Behind the scenes, the producer and her staff were debating and discussing an issue. Kunti hesitantly walks over. The head writer looks up and takes a breath before addressing his show's host. "Listen, Kunti. I know you did not mean to mess up your lines, but we cannot go back on what you said. Arjuna will have to share the prize. If Draupadi chooses to give him the final rose...well...she will need to give more than just one rose."

Kunti could not believe she had messed up the course of the show so terribly! She had not meant to say what she did. But the producer was right. She could not take it back. She hesitantly walked over to where Draupadi stood, getting her hair touched up. "Draupadi, I'm afraid I have to let you know something a bit troubling. If you decide to give a final rose tonight, you will have to give it to all the brothers. Since the show is live, we unfortunately cannot go against what I said earlier. I am deeply sorry."

Draupadi was a bit puzzled. She had not expected this turn of events at all! The more she thought about it, the more she realized there was really nothing else she could do. Her father expected her to get married to someone from the show. She made up her mind. The Bachelorette would make her choice tonight.

Kunti relayed the same information to the brothers. They were very puzzled at first, but eventually came to understand the situation.

[Back from commercial.]

"Welcome back everyone. In just a few moments, we will see what Draupadi's final decision is." Kunti heads off the stage and lets Draupadi make her choice.

Draupadi shyly walks over to the raised platform. She clears her throat before beginning. "Hello gentlemen. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know all of you. I have been able to learn about your amazing personalities, strengths, and talents. You are all wonderful and I thank you for taking care of me these last few months. I have made a decision. For the final time, I will be giving a rose today. Actually. I will be giving away five. Yudhishthira, Bhima, Nakula, Sahadeva, and Arjuna... I would be honored if you would accept these roses..."

[Fade to black.]

The Bachelorette and her husbands (Image Source).

Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). Web Source: Mahabharata PDE.

Week 5 Reading Diary, continued: The Mahabharata [PDE]

Mahabharata: by various authors

Today I read some more sections from the Mahabharata. After the pandavas escaped Prince Duryodhana's plot to kill them, they fled to the forest and came across rakashas and other dangers. This specific part of the story had me reminiscing to when Rama and Sita were exiled in the forest and came across monsters and other weird, scary creatures! Also like in the Ramayana, this story has a lot to do with brothers and their relationship with each other. I thought that was also an interesting comparison between the two epics.

I absolutely loved how an ill-fated meeting turned sweet! When Bhima kills the monster, instead of also getting rid of its sister, Hidimbi, he instead accepts her plea to become his wife! It's a different kind of love story and something I did not expect at all.

I absolutely love the part where Bhima fights a chief, Baka, in the town of Ekachakra. His mom had barely uttered how she wishes he was there to fight the chief when Bhima shows up and says he will go right away. The scene depicted was so awesome! The description of the fight scene was told really well. It states that enraged at the sight of Bhima, "Baka tore down the bough of a tree and, rushing at Bhima, aimed with it a fearful blow at the Prince's head. Bhima skillfully caught the branch in his left hand, and with his right gripped Baka around the waist. Baka, with the force of his own blow, fell forwards with Bhima above him. Bhima placed his knee on Baka's back and said to him, "It is time that the forest was rid of a pest like thee." This really painted a superhero-like character out of Bhima!

Bhima the hero fights Baka (Image Source).

There was once part where Drupada sets a sort of contest for who will marry his daughter. For a target, he "constructed a strange and curious device: a high pole was erected, and it was surmounted by a golden fish, which was poised above a swiftly-revolving wheel." This was a random part of the story but it struck me because it is something I saw in a native american game where there was a fish on top of a long pole and that was the target to get points. I thought that was so interesting!!

One part that was completely unexpected was where Arjuna won the contest and got to be the husband of Draupadi. But because him mother had accidentally said the brothers should share the prize (without knowing the prize was a wife!!), the brothers all ended up marrying her. How different it is to the usual multiple wives to one husband!!

Draupadi and her husbands (Image Source).

Toward the end of the reading, after some gambling, Draupadi is forced to Duhshasana. Bhima again is shown to be the "heroic" character, getting angry and vowing revenge. I'm really liking his character so far.

Week 5 Reading Diary: The Mahabharata [PDE]

Mahabharata: by various authors

We started a new epic this week and I had high expectations. So far into the epic and I'm liking it a lot. One of my favorite characters is Ganga. She not only seems very powerful, she is pretty smart too. I love the part when Shantanu sees her in her human form and is mesmerized, asking her to be his wife. Her response is the best thing ever. She says, "she must needs at once part from him if he spoke harshly to her at any time or attempted to thwart her in doing as she willed." I'm a bit sad they "broke up" but I do love the picture used in the chapter that shows them with their son, Devavrata.

Ganga, Shantanu, and Devavrata (Image Source).

Shantanu does get some points back, though. When he meets Satyavati and wants to marry her, he asks her father's permission and he says he'll only allow it if he makes Satyavati's son heir to the throne. Shantanu "could not consent to disinherit Devavrata, son of Ganga, and went away with a heavy heart."

Although, there was not a lot of story content between Pandu and Madri, I really like them for some reason. I really would have liked more interactions and scenes between them because it said she was his favorite wife.

In the chapters after, there is a skills tournament between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Karna, son of Surya and Kunti,  makes an appearance. I really liked how he was described in the chapter. He was said to be "comely as a shining god, clad in golden armor and wearing celestial earrings, and in his right hand carried a great many-colored bow. He paused in the center of the plain and surveyed the people with pride." They descriptions really helped me picture him as charismatic and powerful. I can't wait to read more of the story!

Week 4: Famous Last Words

This was one of the longest, most-exhausting weeks I've had in a while. I was extremely stressed and overwhelmed with a lot of things. Thank God, everything is easing up and I can finally begin to relax.

Take it easy (Image Source).

The reading option for this week was very enjoyable. I actually chose a non-reading option, opting to watch the animated movie instead. It was just great! The scenes and characters were portrayed so uniquely and so well! I enjoyed every bit of it. I especially appreciated their use of humor throughout. The shadow puppets that narrated the entire film were one of my favorite aspects of this movie. They would debate certain facts of the epic or discuss characters and their decisions. Although humorous, it was very insightful!

For the storytelling assignment, I decided to go with the "letters home" style. I really enjoyed trying to write letters from the perspective of Sita and her sister. I was able to explain thoughts and feelings that they might have been experiencing during different events in the epic. It was fun to write and something I'd love to try again (maybe with different characters).

As for my other classes, all revolving around health and exercise science, there are pretty much no similarities between them and this class. I like it, though. This class gives me freedom to let my creative juices flow throughout the week.

Overall, I'm really enjoying this class so much. I thought it would be way too much work for me to do online and on my own time but it's worked out so well! I love that this class is focused on our creativity and trying our best. So often we get judged/graded based on certain guidelines or how the teachers "thinks" we should have done an assignment. I really, really love the focus of growth and improvement in this class. I also love the support from my classmates. They are so supportive and sweet on every storytelling assignment I've done. I love the atmosphere of encouragement we have in this course. Every one gets to be creative. No one gets judged. It's awesome! It's only week 4, so I'm definitely excited for what the future weeks hold in terms of our storybook project coming together!

~Bayonce

Tech Tip: Embedded YouTube

I just posted a video at the bottom of my introduction! It's one of my favorite funny sports videos ever. They come out with a new one every year after the end of each NFL season. Hope you all enjoy!

~Bayan

Storytelling for Week 4: Letters Home

Author's Note. I really loved Sita's character in the Ramayana. In the animated film, we were able to see more of her reactions throughout the story, through songs and dialogue. She has gone through a lot (getting married, getting exiled...twice, etc.) so I feel she might have liked to have an outlet to vent her feelings. I wanted to write this week's story in the form of letters to home. I chose this style because it is a great way for readers to take a look at how Sita might have been feeling throughout her life in various situations, both good and bad. I decided that Sita would write to her sister, Urmila (wife of Lakshmana), who both have gone through difficult times. In this way, readers will be able to see how both sisters coped with everything throughout the Ramayana. I will begin the letters in the time period where they have gotten married to Dasharatha's sons, Rama and Lakshmana, followed by the period of Sita and Rama's exile, to when Sita gets exiled by Rama. I left out the part of Sita's kidnapping because I didn't think she would be allowed to write letters to people during her captivity. I chose this image because it helps portray Sita's emotions through tough times (and the violin is a nice little touch as well). I hope you all enjoy my story!

Sita in tough times (Image Source).

After the sisters get married.

After Rama and Sita's exile.

After Sita is exiled by Rama.

Sita Sings the Blues by Nina Paley (2008). Web Source: Animated Film.

Week 4 Reading Diary, continued: Sita Sings the Blues

Sita Sings the Blues by Nina Paley

I finished the animated movie of the Ramayana and I absolutely loved it! It was such a neat idea to incorporate the traditional epic with a modern story and narration/commentary to go along with it. I really, really loved seeing the story from a new angle. I did have a few favorite parts in the second half of the movie.

Once again, the correlation between the epic and the story of Dave and Nina was such a new, cool take on this traditional story. For example, the part where Nina and Dave broke up after getting back together is very similar to how Rama and Sita's relationship turned out in the Ramayana. Rama banished Sita from Ayodhya which is just like Dave basically "banishing" Nina from coming back to India. Again, I did appreciate the bit of comedy that the movie included in this scene. While reading the Ramayana, this was one of the parts that really upset me. Once again, Sita is doubted and Rama lets peer pressure get the best of him. I'm thankful that the movie made it funny because if there's one scene that needed comic relief, it's this one!

Sita is kicked out of Ayodhya...literally (Image Source).

I also really liked how the movie portrayed the part where Sita, pregnant, was banished. Her song that she sang really depicted her hopelessness and desperation. Thankfully, with the help of Valmiki, she goes on with her life. She has two boys, who end up learning the stories of their father. I absolutely loved the part in the movie where they were singing the story they learned. The Ramayana within the Ramayana, so to speak. One of my favorite commentaries was where they debated Sita's devotion to Rama. It was a very interesting take on the situation. They acknowledged that she loved Rama but questioned whether she should like someone that doesn't treat her right.

I loved the part about Sita returning to mother Earth! The animation was absolutely spectacular for that scene. For the end of the movie, Nina curls up with a book. Of course, it's none other than the Ramayana.