Week 14 Reading Diary: The Giant Crab and other Tales

The Giant Crab and Other Tales retold by W.H.D. Rouse

For my last week of reading, I want to finish off with...you guessed it! More children's' stories.

One of the stories I read was one I read before for a previous reading diary assignment. It tells of a crocodile wife who wants monkey's heart to eat so the husband tries to get it for her. In the first story I read, it was the son who wanted to get it for his mom. In the story, the crocodile's husband tries to trick the monkey into getting on its back to get delicious fruit on the other side of the river. After the crocodile gets the monkey on its back and the monkey realizes what is happening, he tells the crocodile that he left his heart in the tree. The crocodile falls for the trick and ends up taking the monkey back to safety! Even though I've read this story twice, it never fails to entertain me and show that the power of wit is a strong weapon indeed!

Another cute story was called the Mouse and the Farmer. In the story, the farmer always took care of the mouse and to repay his kindness, the rat brings the farmer a piece of treasure buried in his farm. From that gold, the farmer buys food and gives some to the rat. This continues day after day until the rat gets nice and fat, noticed by the farmer's cat. As the cat is about to eat the rat, the rat makes a deal that he will give the cat all the food the farmer gives him. The rat gets skinnier, noticed by the farmer, who then gives him a "glass home" to protect himself. When the cat comes by and demands food, the rat rejects him, which results in the cat eating the rat, glass and all. I laughed in the part of the story where it said cats can digest pretty much anything...just not glass. So the cat ends up dying and the rat escapes. The story ends with the rat and farmer continuing on with their friendship of generosity and kindness! Such a cute story!

The unlikely friendship (Image Source).

The last of the stories that I really enjoyed was called The Monkeys and the Gardner. A master's gardner was needing to go away for a bit but needed someone to tend to the garden. He then asks monkeys in the trees to water the plants while he was gone. They agree and end up taking the plants out from the ground, because they thought they could measure the water the plants needed according to their roots' length. The gardener comes back to see his plants drooping and scolds the monkeys, calling them fools. The master then says the gardner is the fool, leaving monkeys to take care of a garden. This story was so funny!! The last line by the master was the highlight of the story!

Week 13 Reading Diary: Jataka Tales

Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt

This week, I decided to continue with reading some children's tales. I really enjoy them because they are short and sweet while also teaching a lesson at the same time.

The first story I read was actually really entertaining! Usually it takes me a couple of stories in to really find a story I enjoyed. In the story, titled The Monkey and the Crocodile, the dumb crocodile attempts to catch and kill the monkey, to give his mother the monkey's heart she so desired. I liked the story because it was a sort of back and forth battle of wits between the two animals and of course the monkey came out victorious over the dumb crocodile.

The monkey tricks the crocodile and gets to safety (Image Source).

The next story I liked was about two merchants who made this living selling and trading tinware and brass. When the greedy merchant come across a grandmother and granddaughter who have nothing to trade but an old bowl, the merchant realizes it's actually a bowl made of gold! He tries to trick them by telling them it's worthless and leaves. When the second merchant pays them a visit, he tells the grandmother that it is made of gold. In the end, he pays her a large sum of money in exchange for the bowl and goes on his way. At the end of the story, the greedy merchant tries to go back to get the bowl from the grandmother, but learns that the other merchant had already bought it. He learned his lesson that his greed and trickery made him lose an opportunity to make a deal, and an honest one at that.

The last story I really enjoyed was about an ox who was the strongest in the land. After his owner brings him to town and boasts about his strength, he makes a bet that his ox could move a hundred carts. However, after speaking rudely to the ox and whipping it, the ox remains still. The man lost the bet and paid the dues. After he goes home, he talks with his ox who tells him that he had never been spoken to rudely or mistreated by the man. The man apologizes, realizing his mistake and vows to never talk harshly or mistreat the ox again. The ox then says that they shall go to town tomorrow and repeat the bet. The next day, the man and ox make their way into town, to the jeers of the crowd. However, this time around, the man speaks kindly and the ox shows everyone his strength, winning the bet! I loved this story because it deals with the importance of treating animals kindly!

Week 12 Reading Diary: The Tortoise and the Geese and Other Fables of Bidpai

The Tortoise and the Geese and Other Fables of Bidpai: by Maude Dutton

This week, I decided to read another collection of children's stories. I enjoyed it so much a couple weeks ago, I found another collection with stories extremely similar to the style I read before.

The first few of the stories were a bit sad but they did each teach a lesson! The one that I really liked was one called the Poor Man and the Flask of Oil. In the story, an old man thinks about selling the bottle and seeing what he could buy with it, how much money he'd make, how he'd spend it and so on. Before he knows it, his vision for his future is shattered as he breaks the bottle on accident while imaging a scenario of the future. Although this was a short story, it did teach a good lesson about not being too greedy and being patient to take things as they come. He as already thinking so much ahead and got too ahead of himself, resulting in the loss of his precious bottle of oil.

Another story that was interesting was called The Youth, the Hawk, and the Raven. This told of a boy who had seen a hawk feed a lazy looking raven. The boy decides that if he becomes lazy like the raven, he won't have to do any work and people would bring him food. After a couple days of no food, the boy realizes how foolish he was. He laments that he should have imitated the active Hawk instead of the lazy raven. I liked this story because it sort of teaches a lesson about who you look up to. If you admire someone with positive qualities, it will help you more in life if you plan to follow in their footsteps.

I think my favorite story of this bunch is the one titled The Tyrant who became a Just Ruler. After ruling over a people he treated terribly, he decided one day to gather them all to tell them he had changed and would, from then on, rule them justly and well. When a townsman comes to ask him why he had changed, the King retells the story of how he had seen a domino effect of events that caused the one who had done something bad, to have something negative happen to them. Karma. He therefore says that "he who doeth evil will sooner or later be overtaken by evil." Great lesson to always be kind and treat people with respect! 

The Just Ruler (Image Source).

Week 10 Reading Diary, continued: Jataka Tales

Jataka Tales: by Ellen C. Babbitt

For this next reading diary, I got to read even more of the adorable kids' stories with little lessons thrown in. Although I liked the first batch of stories a bit better, the ones in the second part were pretty good as well!

In one of the stories, called The Hawks and Their Friends, again they come to each other's rescue in times of need. The line at the bottom, stated that friends in need are friends indeed. I have heard that line many times in my life so I am glad to they incorporated that into the story. It's great for both children and adults alike to learn that lesson!

The second story I enjoyed was one that told of two traders who after one lied about selling the other's plow, ended up lying to the other about a bird stealing his son. After going to court, the judge eventually ordered both of them to return what was rightfully the other's. It was a pretty funny story but it did teach a lesson. Don't do to others what you wouldn't want done to you.

One of my favorite stories from all that I've read in both sections is called Prince Wicked and the Grateful Animals. It tells of a prince who was...wicked...just as his name says. He gets lost in a river after a storm and a poor old man saves him, along with a rat, parrot, and snake that were on the same log. After taking care of them, they each promise to have treasure set aside for him if he ever needs it. He goes back to all of them later in the story to see if they would keep their promises. They all do...except the prince who became the king after time had passed. King Wicked decided to order the poor man to be killed so no one would find out that he had saved him. In the end, wise men question the poor man and the truth is revealed. King Wicked was no more and the poor man was crowned King, returning to all the animals, getting their treasure, as well as them and taking them back with him to live in luxury and peace in his castle. It was such an interesting and beautiful story!

The last story of the bunch was such a cute one, telling of the strong friendship between an elephant and a dog. Even vastly different animals like that could be great friends.

I loved reading all these little stories and I wouldn't mind reading more of them again in the future!

The best of friends (Image Source).

Week 10 Reading Diary: Jataka Tales

Jataka Tales: by Ellen C. Babbitt

This week, instead of watching another film, I decided to go a different route. For my reading diaries this week, I wanted to look at stories that weren't related to the main epics we've read this semester so far, the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Although I loved them both, I have read them and various adaptations of them (other stories or films). Therefore, I decided to sort of revert back to the stories I first read at the beginning of the class. Children's stories!! I always enjoy those because they are simple, a bit funny/entertaining, and teach a lesson.

There were a lot of stories that I read this week but I will just point out a few of my favorites. There was a story that told of three fish, names Very Thoughtful, Thoughtful, and Thoughtless. Although it was a very short, simple story, with Thoughtful coming in to save the day. It reminded me of an older sibling who always looks after the young, lost ones. It reminds me to be thankful for my own big sister for taking care of my little sister and I so well!

Another story that I enjoyed was one that old of a group of friends including a deer, turtle and woodpecker. They all took turns saving the other when a hunter was threatening to capture one or the other. It may seem a bit cheesy, but I love that the story told of different kinds of animals living in peace together and standing up and protecting each other. Certain other species should learn from them (ahemhumansahem).

Friendship goals (Image Source).

The last story that I really enjoyed was the one that told of four princes wanting to see the famous red-bud tree. They all come back saying they saw something different. Their dad then goes on to explain that they each went at different times of the year and that's why all their descriptions sound different. Although it was a simple enough story, it made me laugh! How fascinating that we can all have different views on things!

Can't wait to read more of these stories!

Week 9 Reading Diary, continued: Mahabharata Epified

Epified Mahabharata: by Epified Channel

For the second reading diary, I got to watch part B of the epified Mahbharata. Since my favorite parts of the epic happened while I was reading the second half of the story, I was most excited about watching the epified episodes that corresponded to those moments in the epic. These were parts I was more familiar with since all the "action" happened in the later chapters of the epic. I definitely enjoyed all the episodes I watched, but I did have my favorites. Again, the drawings in the episodes are so beautiful to watch and despite their simplicity, they had ample detail, whether it was the emotions written on a character's face of the scenery depicted. I truly enjoy this kind of storytelling because it has narration and images as well.

One of the biggest parts of the epic, in my opinion, is when the Pandavas are in danger of being stuck inside the burning palace. During the episodes, the images depicted them searching through the palace and realizing the materials used to build it were flammable. I also really enjoyed the picture that depicted the making of the tunnel for their escape. One of my favorite parts of the episode was the drawing of Bhima carrying all his family members. He looked so powerful and full of charisma!

The next part that I really enjoyed was the episode that tells of Baka and his horror. Although I already know what happens because of reading the epic previously, I was so happy that Bhima once again showed himself to be the powerful man he was. It was only one picture that depicted the fight where Bhima overwhelms Baka but I loved it nonetheless!

Bhima destroys Baka (Image Source).

The last part that was a favorite of mine (I even did a storytelling assignment over it) was the part of the epic dealing with Draupadi, the competition, and how all the Pandava brothers ended up marrying her. 

This was one of my favorite reading/watching assignments and I've learned this style of storytelling (through images and narration) works really well for me!

Week 9 Reading Diary: Epified Mahabharata

Epified Mahabharata by: Epified Channel

For this week, I chose to explore the Mahabharata through another lens: a movie!! I have to say, it was one of my favorite weekly "readings" so far this semester. I thoroughly enjoyed the various parts of the 'film.' The drawings that depicted all the scenes and characters were so simple yet so beautiful. I especially loved how they simplified everything, but made sure to cover all important parts of the epic. I already know the plot of the story from having read it before but there were some scenes that stood out to me in this movie.

I especially liked the first couple of episodes because they helped clear up a lot of who the characters were and how they were related. I liked the scene where King Shantanu and Ganga met, as the drawings really helped me understand what happened and why she left.

The other parts I really enjoyed was how the Pandavas and Kauravas. I remember while reading the epic originally, I was so unbelievably confused who were the sons of which father and who the wives were. This epified version of the Mahabharata helped make it all a lot more clear. I was able to understand it better because the two families "beginnings" were focused on separately, with the drawings depicting how the Pandavas came to be and how the Kauravas came to be.

Another favorite part from the film is where I feel the drama starts. The Pandavas returning to Hastinapura allows both famlilies to be in close proximity of each other. Competition and rivalry is inevitable and that is exactly what happens. Jealousy and negative feelings begin to develop. I am truly grateful that the film explained everything simply because there are so many scenes in the epic that confused me including why the Pandavas and Kauravas were truly "against" each other.

I really can't wait to finish the film and learn some more!

The Mahabharata through drawings (Image Source).

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!

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 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.

Week 4 Reading Diary: Sita Sings the Blues

Sita Sings the Blues by Nina Paley

This was such a fascinating take on the traditional Ramayana! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm definitely a visual learner so seeing the scenes depicted in the epic was so helpful in getting the full impact of the story. The animations were spectacular--the colors, outfits, and shapes were so intricate and very well done. The mixing of stories was also an interesting idea for this film but it worked very well as it created two different, interwoven storylines throughout the movie. There were a few parts in the movie that I really loved.

Dasharatha about to crown Rama as King while Kaikeyi says otherwise (Image Source).

I enjoy anything with humor, so the parts where there were random characters debating the setting of the Ramayana or the time it took place was such a great piece of comedy. Every couple of scenes, they would talk about the next event in the Ramayana and debate whether it made sense or not and question the characters' motives for the way they acted. It was actually very insightful and similar to the questions I had while reading the epic. Also, throughout the movie, while explaining the different scenes in the epic, they'd alter the costumes, facial expressions, and certain phrases with such exaggeration that it really made the movie hilarious but informative nonetheless. The songs by Sita were so beautiful. It added a very nice touch to the story where parts of the epic were told through lyrics! It also provided such a stark contrast to what you expect form an Indian epic, with her singing the blues. I love how it depicted their banishment to the forest as something a little more pleasant and lovey-dovey than I read in the epic. The part where Ravana kidnaps Sita was also very well done with hilarious dialogue and reactions.

Sita and Rama banished to the forest (Image Source).

Later on in the movie, it talks about Rama and Sita's reunion and how, contrary to what we expected, it was not a loving reunion. It was nice that this was discussed right after Dave and Nina's reunion where he also acts cold toward his significant other, like Rama. I also loved how the "commentators" discussed Rama's reactions because it was something that bothered me a lot while reading the epic. I can't wait to finish watching the movie!

Rama rejects Sita (Image Source).

Week 3 Reading Diary, continued: Ramayana [PDE]

Ramayana Online: by various authors

Now, in the last twenty sections of the Ramayana, I get to see how everything works out. One character that really stood out to me was Kumbhakarna who was really depicted well as a scary demon who fed on humans, deer, and rivers of wine. He would sleep for 6 months and wake for 1 day to feast before he was overtaken by sleep once more. When the rakshasas woke him up and he was told of Rama, he feasted and then immediately went to fight Rama. I loved that despite this beast's great power, Rama still came out victorious!

Another important scene was the killing of Indrajit at the hands of Lakshmana. It was a good thing that Ravana was dissuaded from killing Sita as revenge. However, that just makes him want to get revenge for his son even more. I was so worried that Ravana had indeed killed Lakshmana but he was eventually saved by a physician!

My favorite part of this section was the ultimate battle, at last: Rama vs. Ravana. Despite the fierce Ravana's attempt to thwart his enemy, the mighty Rama comes out victorious at last. GO RAMA!!

The defeat of Ravana (Wikimedia Commons).

Following the battle, I thought I would see a loving, overjoyed, impatient Rama waiting for his Sita. I did not expect the questioning of her loyalty or wrongdoing while being in Ravana's company. In the end, Sita did prove her innocence and Rama acknowledges that, only requesting she prove herself so others don't assume Rama was "moved by desire" in reclaiming her. It was an interesting scene because it was completely not what I had in mind when I pictured their reunion.

The part of the story we were all hoping for did finally happen, though. Rama being crowned King. It was a long, tiring 14 year journey of strife and battles but Rama was able to take his rightful place as ruler of Ayodhya at long last.

I was very, very surprised at the ending of this epic, with Sita's exile, her return, the Earth taking her, and Rama's eventual departure as well.

Overall, this was such a wonderful epic filled with suspense, drama, love, struggle, and victory. I enjoyed learning about all the characters and their fascinating stories! It is a great piece of work!

Week 3 Reading Diary: Ramayana [PDE]

Ramayana Online: by various authors

Today, I began reading sections 41-60 in the Ramayana. I noticed in the first section how Sugriva's story was eerily similar to Rama's! Sugriva also had been driven out of his kingdom, his wife taken, and a brother was involved in the situation (with Sugriva, his brother kicked him out of the kingdom, while with Rama, his brother was the one chosen to take over Ayodhya). I thought these were fascinating similarities between the two characters. Throughout these sections, I really loved hearing the background stories of some of the animals that are helping to find Sita. Sampati's story of how he damaged his wings when he flew to high in the sky and the story of Jambavan and his powers were very informative to read and really helped me learn more about the character's pasts.

As I read through the last half of the sections, I kept wondering about Sita. The buildup in the story of trying to look for her and failing created some suspense that really got me impatient about whether they would be successful. Hanuman finally did find her! The descriptions of the demons guarding her were so detailed and really helped paint a picture of their grotesqueness. They were described as having a "fearsome shape; they had dogs' heads and pigs' heads and the faces of horses and buffaloes; some were of great bulk and others were dwarfish; some had but one eye and others had three eyes; the ears of some hung touching the ground; others that were hairy were the most horrible to behold." I really appreciate the parts of the story that clearly depict a scene and the characters involved.

This section ended with Ravana's brother Vibhishana, opposing the idea of not giving Sita back to Rama and deciding to ally himself with Rama. This last scene was yet another example of a brother being exiled. I'm interested that there are this many similarities between three sets of brothers!

Vibhishana decided to help Rama (Wikimedia Commons).

Week 2 Reading Diary, continued: Ramayana [PDE]

Ramayana online: by various authors

Today, I got to read the next 20 sections of the Ramayana. The first few sections talked about the return of Bharata. I really loved how loyal he was to his brother. As soon as he heard what his mom had done, he was wholeheartedly against it. He refused to take the throne and instead went to find his brother in the forest. I really loved how strong their brotherhood was and how Bharata, having the chance of being ruler at his fingertips, refuses it and knows Rama is the leader they need. I was even more impressed by Rama keeping his promise to be exiled for 14 years. Even though his father had passed, and even though his brother wanted him to take the throne, he was going to fulfill the order of being exiled no matter what. One of my favorite quotes I've read so far has to be when Rama speaks of the importance of truth, stating that "Truth is our ancient path. Truth endures when all else passes away."

The part where Shurpanakha tries to get Rama for herself was actually a pretty funny part, having Rama jokingly suggest that his brother was single. I really did appreciated Rama's loyalty to his wife, saying he would never leave her.

One of my favorite parts has to be the heroic Rama winning over the evil Khara and protecting his beloved (and brother) as well.

Rama defeats Khara (Wikimedia Commons).

Another part, later on into the story, had me amazed by its description. The description of the deer (actually Maricha) was so rich with detail. The excerpt is seen below.

"Maricha, obedient to Ravana, assumed the form of a golden deer and ranged about the wood near Rama's hut: its horns were like twin jewels, its face was piebald, its ears like two blue lotus-flowers, its sleek sides soft as the petals of a flower, its hoofs as black as jet, its haunches slender, its lifted tail of every color of the rainbow-- a deer-form such as this he took! His back was starred with gold and silver, and he ranged about the forest lawns seeking to be seen by Sita"

To close out this diary, I want to end it with Sita and her fiery response to Ravana, saying "What madness hath prompted thee to woo the wife of so mighty a warrior? I follow Rama as a lioness follows a lion. Canst thou, a prowling jackal, hope to obtain a lioness?"

Go Sita! You go girl.

Week 2 Reading Diary: Ramayana [PDE]

Ramayana Online: by various authors


Today, I started the first 50 pages of the Ramayana (public domain edition). It was such a fascinating read. One of the most important thing that I noticed was the detailed imagery that was painted with the complex descriptions. It helped me visualize the scene in my head very easily. The use of similes was especially great. There were a few sentences in the first section that I read that described King Dasharatha's palace, stating it was "guarded by a thousand warriors fierce as flames of consuming fire and ever watchful like to mountain lions which protect their dens." One of my favorite things when reading, is having a story with plentiful detail that paint a picture. I love how there is already the introduction of an antagonist in the first few sections because it really creates a nice storyline already for the rest of the story. It makes me excited to read more. When Vishvamitra and the two sons, Rama and Lakshmana, made the journey for Vishvamitra's sacrificial rites, it describes it so beautifully. It says that they "followed Vishvamitra like glorious flames, making him bright with the reflection of their own radiance." I really loved this description so much because, again, you can picture the scene in your head so clearly.

My favorite part so far has to been Rama and Sita's meeting! My absolute favorite part was Rama saying, "I know of a surety that there comes hither a lady who I shall love beyond all things else in the world." Rama wins Sita['s heart] and his brothers find love too from Sita's family! The more I read about Rama the more amazing he's shown to be. Every after he was told he would be exiled for 14 years, he respectfully accepted his fate. What a loyal son he is to his father. I also loved how Lakshmana also followed his dear brother to the forest as well. I am a sucker for love and Rama and Sita have just completely shown themselves to be so loving and caring towards each other. When Rama tells Sita he is exiled, she doesn't skip a beat in telling him she will follow, despite the dangers and challenging of the forest.

Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana in the forest after exile (Wikimedia Commons).

The reading ended with Dasharatha dying and I'm a bit sad that Rama and his other sons were not near him when he passed.

So far, I am very intrigued and cannot wait to keep reading!