Clara's Blog

Epified: Mahabharata Part C Karna's Quest: Karna was a boy who was found floating in a basket in a river. He went to go to find Drona to be taught to fight, but was denied because he wasn't a kshatriya. Even though he was, he didn't want to dishonor his family by telling Drona he was. He found a different guru who was willing to teach him. The Kshatriya: Karna was taught by Parashuram, he told him he wasn't a Kshatriya, but a Brahmin. He become one of the Parashuram's best students. Parashuram eventually found out Karna was a Kshatriya, and put a curse on him that the day Karna needed his skills the most, he would forget them. Karna Becomes King: A tournament was organized so the cousins could display the skills they were taught. Karna appeared during this tournament to challenge Arjuna. Karna was refused the title of victor because he wasn't invited to the tournament. The Pandavas challenged Karna to a battle to prove their strength. Karna would have to ...

Epified: Mahabharata  Part B Son of the Sun: When Kunti was a young woman, she was given a gift by the sage Durwasa. When she spoke a mantra, the Sun God appeared before her. Not only did she summon the god, but she was in his embrace. She had a son but she couldn't keep him or claim him as her son, so she placed him in a basket and placed him a river. Pandu's Curse: Pandu and his wives decide to go to the forest. Pandu made a mistake while hunting in the woods, and accidentally shot a hermit and his wife while they were intimate. The hermit placed a curse on Pandu that he will die the moment he becomes intimate with a woman. Pandu decides to not return to Hastinapur. Kunti told Pandu about the gift from the sage. Pandu tells Kunti to waste no time and give Hastinapur its future kings. Sons of Pandu: Kunti called upon Yama first, and gave her a son named Yudhishthir. Then Kunti had a son with Vayu named Bheem. The last son was from Indra and was named Arjun. Kunti refuse...

Epified: Mahabharata Part A Shantanu the Unfortunate: Shantanu fell in love with Ganga and she made him promise not to question any of her decisions. As Ganga continued to throw each of their children in the Ganges he couldn't stay silent and asked why. Ganga was supposed to birth the eight celestial spirits and free them from morality. After she told him, she took the eighth child and left Shantanu. Devavrata Returns: When Shantanu was back on the Ganges one day, he found a mighty archer. Then Ganga appeared and she told him the archer was his son, Devavrat. Shantanu brought his son back to his kingdom with him. Shantanu eventually fell in love with Satyavati, but her father didn't want them to marry since Shantanu already had a child. Devavrat left to talk to Satyavati after seeing his father's sadness. Devavrate Becomes Bhishma: Devavrat went to Satyavati's father and offered to never take the throne and never have a child of his own so his father could marry ...

Nine Ideal Indian Women by Sunity Devee Uttara Uttara was the princess and pride of the kingdom of Birat. She was taught singing and dancing by Arjun who was disguised as a woman. Uttara leaves with the Pandavas to become the wife of Abhimanyu. Uttara and Abhimanyu were very in love. She was devastated when she found out that Abhimanyu had become the general for the Pandavas. She reluctantly agreed to let him fight in the battle, and helped him get ready for battle. When she went to tell Subhadra the news, she fell to the ground lifeless. Uttara was motivated to get up when she remembered she is supposed to have Abhimanyu's son. Abhimanyu dies as he cries his wife's name. When Uttara found out about Abhimanyu's death, she fainted. Uttara begs to be able to join her husband, but the whole family encourages her to stay strong and have faith. Even after her son was born, she wanted to do a funeral pyre. Krishna tells her that she can't because she has a son who needs ...

Nine Ideal Indian Women by Sunity Devee Savitri Savitri is the only child of the king and queen of Abanti. She sees a man in the forest and falls in love with him. She met an old blind man and his wife and discovered that the man she fell in love with was their son. The old blind man they had met turned out to be an exiled king. Savitri's parents didn't approve of her marrying Satyaban. King Ashwapati discoveries that Satyaban is destined to die in a years time. When Savitri finds out, she still insists on marrying Satyaban. Once married, Savitri and Satyaban join his parents in exile, which upsets Ashwapati. Satyaban died while he was getting wood with Savitri. As Death takes Satyaban's body away, Savitri tries to convince Death to either give her husband life again or take her as well. Death tells her he cant, but he offers to grant her a wish instead, so she gets her father-in-law sight. She continues to follow Death until he grants her another wish, which is giving ...

Sita's Ramayana by Samhita Arni and Moyna Chitrakar (2011) Part D: After Ravana's death, Sita wasn't happy or filled with joy, instead she was frightened and nervous. She could hear women and Ravana's queens filled with grief, which made her feel bad that so much pain was caused by one mans unlawful desire. Sita was stunned when Hanuman brought her back to Rama, the freedom she dreamed about for so long wasn't anything like she imagined. Sita was angry when Rama didn't believe she was pure, and questioned why he even fought in the war and said she would have just killed herself. Rama explains to her he fought the war for his honor. She claims his honor had ruined many lives and brings up the men killed by deceit, the newly widowed wives, and the fatherless children. Sita says she suffered, starved, waited, and only kept herself alive so she could be with Rama. Sita also says war is merciful to men, but not to women. Women become widows, orphans, or prisoner...

Sita's Ramayana by Samhita Arni and Moyna Chitrakar (2011) Part C: Even though Sita couldn't see the war, Trijatha told her everything that happened. Even the giant Kumbhakarna believe that Ravana was in the wrong by holding Sita captive. Sita feels bad about Kumbhakarna's death since he advised Ravana otherwise and he didn't listen. Trijatha is upset that Indrajit is killed by Lakshmana without honor, saying he deserved a better and that there were no heroes in this war with the treachery and deceit used. Sita believed that the actions and results of the war was caused by Ravana's unjust imprisonment of her. Sita was brought to tears when Trijatha told her that Lakshmana almost died, she couldn't imagine a world with him. She was also amazed by Hanuman's bravery who battled enchanters and challenged the sun to save Lakshmana. Sita saw Ravana's wife, Mandodari, was overwhelmed and in a daze. Mandodari had hidden a special arrow Ravana had given her,...

Sita's Ramayana by Samhita Arni and Moyna Chitrakar (2011) Part B: Trijatha tells Sita that Rama will come and rescue her. Sita continues to tell herself everyday that Rama will come. Hanuman came to save Sita while the guards were sleeping, and tells Sita that Rama is coming to save her. Rama was upset that Lakshmana had left Sita alone in the hermitage and didn't know what happened to Sita. They searched the forest for her until they find Jatayu, who tells them what happened. Sita was upset to hear that Jatayu died trying to save her. Hanuman tells Sita that Rama and Lakshmana found her trail of jewels and followed it until they were found by him. Hanuman takes the brothers to meet Sugriva, who tell them that Ravana took Sita. Sugriva offered to give Rama his army if Rama help Sugriva defeat Valin and regain his wife Tara. When Valin was killed, Tara was devastated at the loss of her husband. Sita feels guilty that Tara was widowed and Angada, Valin's son, was father...

Sita's Ramayana by Samhita Arni and Moyna Chitrakar (2011) Part A: The book begins with Sita explaining her perspective of the Ramayana to the forest. She begins the story with their exile, saying that life was pleasant, but Rama and Lakshmana didn't enjoy the peace of the forest. She explains the reasoning behind Ravana capturing her was because of Lakshmana cutting of Surpanaka's nose. Sita asked Rama to bring her the beautiful golden deer while Lakshmana watched over her. She feared Rama was hurt and asked Lakshmana to leave her in the hermitage and check on Rama. While alone, she heard the sound of music and found a minstrel who needed food and water. She felt like the music casted a spell on her and goes to feed him, but the minstrel was Ravana. He grabbed her hair and seized her arms and put her in his chariot. Ravana came to avenge his sister, but fell in love with Sita. He offered her many luxuries while stating Rama was a bad husband for leaving Sita alone. Si...

PDE Mahabharata  by Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore The battle continues and Bhishma is killed by Arjuna's arrow, causing Drona to take over Duryodhana's armies. Drona's attempts to take Yudhishthira prisoner, while Arjuna is willing to sacrifice his life for him. Abhimanyu was surrounded and killed by Duhshasana's son. Arjuna blames Jayadratha for his son's death and avenges Abhimanyu by killing Jayadratha. Bhima's son Ghatotlacha is killed by a dart from Karna. Drona is killed by the Pandava general Dhrishtadyumna, forcing Karna to take control of Duryodhana's armies. Bhima finally kills Duhsasana and gets revenge on him for treating Draupadi so poorly. Arjuna kills Karna when Krishna brought up the death Abhimanyu. Kripa advises Duryodhana to ask for peace, but Duryodhana says he won't since he has wrong the Pandavas so much. Shalya becomes the new leader of the Kaurava army and is kill...

The Sons of Rama: Luv and Kush – The Invincible Twins (Volume 503) by Anant Pai The comic begins with the story of a launderer beating his wife and differentiating himself from Rama saying he wouldn't take a wife who was in another's house. This makes Rama conflicted, but he decides to banish Sita because his duty is to his people. Lakshmana didn't want to leave Sita but Rama demands him to. Valmiki finds Sita when she is frightened by a snake. The hermitage became Sita's safe haven and where she raises her sons. Valmiki teaches them about Rama, the Ramayana, and how to use weapons. When he tells the stories of the Ramayana he refers to Sita as Vaidehi. The boys agreed Rama was cruel to Vaidehi and wonder what happened to her. Rama wants to send Lakshmana to find Sita for his yajna, but decides to use a golden statue of her instead to avoid upsetting his people. Luv and Kush find the horse and are willing to fight. The sons defeat the army and the army returns to Rama...

PDE Mahabharata  by Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore For these reading notes I wanted to focus on one character, Draupadi, who is following the Pandava princes into exile. She is upset that Duryodhana tried to make her a slave and her husbands didn't try to protect her. Draupadi and her husbands are rejoined with Arjuna and they returned to Kamyaka. Draupadi is carried away in a chariot by Jayadratha while her husbands were gone hunting. She says that Jayadratha is worthy of death for kidnapping her, but Bhima spared his life. The goddess Durga promises the Pandavas and Draupadi that they would remain hidden during their final year of exile. When they arrive to the city of Virata, Draupadi offers the queen to be a bondwoman. The queen was drawn to Draupadi, but feared that her beauty would cause problems. Draupadi reassured the queen that she was protected by her husbands. The queen sends Draupadi to deliver wine and f...

Sita Sings the Blues  by Nina Padley After intermission, Sita is pregnant. The narrators tell a story about a man who beat his wife when she was unfaithful and negatively compared her to Sita. Lakshmana takes her to the forest and leaves her in exile. Sita sings a song about Rama being a mean man and she doesn't deserve to be treated that way. During this time, Sita wonders what she did in a previous life to deserve such a suffering current life. She meets Valmiki and gives birth to her two sons. The narrators had an interesting debate about Sita's choices and her issues. One point was Sita was so devoted to Rama that she made him come rescue from Ravana instead of going with Hanuman. If she would've gone with Hanuman, she would've saved thousands of lives. Also, they questioned her for being so devoted to someone that was so toxic to her and treated her so poorly. They concluded that Sita had an unconditional love for Rama even though he treated her poorly. Sita san...

PDE Maharabharata  by Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore Vidura saved the Pandava's and their mother by an underground passage to the woods, so they wouldn't be hurt by the fire, but many believed they died in the fire. Duryodhana and Dhritarashtra rejoiced when they heard they Kunti and her sons died. While Bhima was taking care of his family in the forest, a rakshasa named Hidimba wanted to eat them and sent his sister to bring them. Instead, the rakshasa woman falls in love with Bhima and warns him about her brother. Bhima kills Hidimba and he marries the rakshasa woman. Bhima and Hidimbi had a son Ghatotokacha, she eventually left the Pandavas with her son. Bhima returns to his family in Ekachakra where he defeats Baka, a monster that was conquering the town. Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna are born supernaturally with the purpose to defeat Drona and the Kauravas. The Pandavas went toward Panchala disguised as brahm...

PDE Mahabharata  by Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore Since this is the beginning of the Mahabharata and many characters are introduced, I decided to base my notes on the characters and how their relationships are intertwined. It's confusing to keep track of the origin of each character and their motives, so hopefully these notes will make the further readings less confusing as the story continues and characters from earlier episodes return. Characters Vyasa: author of Mahabharata, son of Satyavati and Parashara, Island-born. Ganesha: Vyasa's scribe. Satyavati: daughter of king, foster daughter of fisherman, beautiful, fishy smell but lost it by having Vyasa, marries Shantanu. King Shantanu: powerful, married to Ganga then left by her, loves Satyavati. Ganga: goddess, wife of King Shantanu, divinely beautiful, mother of Devavrata. Devavrata (Bhishma): son of Ganga and Shantanu, possesses powers of Vasus...

Sita Sings the Blues  by Nina Padley The film begins by showing many gods, the film has three narrators that take us through the Ramayana, despite their own confusion of the Ramayana. I really liked the use of the narrators in this film, their discussions brought up questions and ideas I hadn't previously thought about. Sita sang a song about being thankful for Rama. The narrators discuss that Ravana might not have been too bad, bringing up the story of him playing the lute with his intestines. Ravana is convinced to capture Sita by Surpanakha and sends Maricha to become a golden deer to distract Rama. Before Sita is taken, she sings a song about how much she loves Rama. As Sita is carried away she drops her jewelry, but the narrators wonder how she had jewelry, since she left Ayodhya with nothing. Rama and Hanuman become allies and Hanuman goes to save Sita, but she refuses to go with him. The narrators discuss why Sita would do this and if her decision to stay until Rama rescue...

Nine Ideal Women: Sita, Promila, and Shakuntala by Sunity Devee (1919) Promila's Story Characters: Indrajit - eldest and bravest son of Ravana, married to Promila, wants to avenge his brother, confident. Promila - wife of Indrajit, fair and gentle princess, goes to fight with Indrajit, optimistic, devoted wife, killed herself to be with Indrajit, brave. Ravana - kidnapped Sita, lost all his sons in war with Rama, Birbahoo - Indrajit's brother, killed by Rama. Lakshama - fought Indrajit while Indrajit was unarmed (disgraceful), killed Indrajit. Bibhisan - Indrajit's uncle, disloyal, let Lakshama into alter. This story gives a whole different perspective to the antagonist in the original Ramayana we read. In this version, Indrajit is described as an extremely loving and devoted husband and brother. His only reason for going to war was to avenge the death of his brother instead of fighting to keep Sita as a prisoner. The story also makes Lakshama seem disgraceful, ...

Nine Ideal Indian Women: Sita, Promila, and Shakuntala by Sunity Devee (1919) The story begins with the King of Vadeha, Janaka, finding Sita in the furrows while he was working as a farmer. King Ravan ordered a messenger to bury a gharrah in a deserted place, this gharrah that Sita was found in. Sita had three sisters, Urmila, Mandavi, and Srutakirty. Sita was regarded as the Princess Royal of Videha and was looked upon for good fortune. When Sita was fourteen, her father had a competition for whoever could break an ancient bow could marry Sita. King Dasaratha had four sons, Ramchandra (Rama), Bharata, Lakshmana, and Satrugna. Ramchandra and Lakshmana were in Vadeha when Rama first saw Sita and it was love at first sight. Many competitors attempted to break the bow, but they were all unsuccessful. Sita was thrilled when Rama approached the bow and prayed that he would be able to break the bow. Rama won the competition and was marrying Sita, his other 3 brothers married Sita's...

Public Domain Edition of the Ramayana by M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder.  The 4th part of the Ramayana begins with a dilemma for Rama and the army. Unlike Hanuman who can use his superpowers to jump to Lanka, Rama and the armies were unable to pass the ocean. The King of Ocean guides Rama to seek Nala to build a bridge to Lanka, this bridge was called "Rama's Bridge". Ravana's spies advised Ravana to surrender Sita and not go to war, but Ravana refused. Ravana tries to fool Sita into thinking that Rama is dead, but she eventually realizes it is only an illusion. Then the big battle begins, eventually Indrajit uses his invisibility power to injure Rama and his army. Then when they thought they had lost the battle, Garuda comes and heals them. To help them fight, the rakshasas woke Kumbharkarna, a man-eating demon. Rama was able to defeat Kumbhakarna using a flaming arrow. Indrajit then used a Brahma-weapo...

Hanuman, the monkey god, disguises himself as a beggar. Once he finds Rama and Lakshmana, he is excited they can be an ally and takes them to see Sugriva. Once there,  Sugriva tells Rama and Lakshmana the story of how Sugriva lost his wife because of his older brother, Vali. Sugriva goes with Rama to fight Vali. Vali's wife, Tara, begs Vali not to fight Sugriva, but he doesn't listen. Sugriva and Vali flight, but Rama delivers the arrow that ultimately kills Vali. Sugriva and Tara mourn Vali's death and Sugriva is made king. Sugriva promises to help Rama once the month of Kartik passes, but Rama isn't able to stay in cities, so he remains in the jungle waiting for Sugriva. Sugriva is slow to help Rama once the rainy season passes, so Rama sends Lakshmana to threaten him. Shortly after, Sugriva sends armies out to search for Sita. During their search, the armies were unable to find Sita, but they met Jatayu's brother, Sampati. Sampati informed the monkeys that Sita w...