Week 14 Reading Diary Continued: more of jataka tales

Title: Jataka Tales
Author: Ellen C. Babbitt
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2013/06/reading-guide-babbitt-jataka-tales.html

For this week's reading diary, I read more of Jataka Tales by Ellen Babbit. It was fun reading all of the short stories but I do have some favorites. "The Monkey saved his Troop" is the one I liked the most because I liked the idea of how the money did not care about anything but his troops. I think all of these short stories teach you a lesson. So, for instance, in this one the idea would be to help others when they are in trouble. The second story I liked was "Beauty and Brownie" where the brownie get in trouble for not listening to his parent. On the other hand, Beauty deer, she was totally okay because she listened to his father and followed his instructions. So, here the lesson is to listen to what your parents or elderly say because they tend to be right most of the time.

Beauty and Brownie

Week 14 Reading Diary: more of jataka tales

Title: Jataka Tales
Author: Ellen C. Babbitt
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2013/06/reading-guide-babbitt-jataka-tales.html

For this week's reading daily, I read more of Jataka Tales by Ellen. C. Babbit because I enjoyed reading those short stories. From this section, I liked "The Girl Monkey and the String of Pearls" and "The three fishes" the most. In the "The Girl Monkey and the String of Pearls" I liked it how the guard figured the thief of pearls, which was the girl money. His idea was very creative and clever. Next, In "The Three Fishes," the first thing I liked was the name of each fish because those names were self-explanatory about each fish's personality, Names were thoughtful, very thoughtful and thoughtless. In the story, very thoughtful was the one who saved other two from being captured into the net by a fisherman.

Thoughtful and thoughtless plus the fisherman

Week 13 Reading Diary continued: Jataka Tales

Title: Jataka Tales
Author: Ellen C. Babbitt
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2013/06/reading-guide-babbitt-jataka-tales.html


For this week's diary post, I read Jataka tales by. I enjoyed reading all of the short stories, but for this time, the one I liked the most was "The Princes And The Water-Sprite" because it showed the bond love of three brother and while I was reading it, it reminded me of Rama and his brothers. How Rama was sent so his brother could rule over and same issue was presented in this story. The older brother was being sent to the forest but since they loved each other a lot the youngest brother did not let him go and in fact went with him.

The sun Prince went into the pond

Week 13 Reading Diary: Jataka Tales

Title: Jataka Tales
Author: Ellen C. Babbitt
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2013/06/reading-guide-babbitt-jataka-tales.html

For this week's reading diary, I read different kinds of kids type of stories. It reminded of my days when I used to read these kinds of stories with excitement. For real, I enjoyed reading all of these different stories and lessons in it. I found that helpful from kids perspective how each story had various images for illustration to present each part of the story. For instance, in the first story, it was monkey and crocodile. Here is the image of when the monkey tricks dumb crocodile by jumping over him.

Monkey and crocodile

Week 12 Reading Diary continued: Mahabharata film part D

Title: Mahabharata
Author: Peter Brook
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/06/film-brook-mahabharata.html

For this week's dairy post, I continued reading the film Mahabharata by peter. I believe watching the film was very interesting compare to just reading it. I got to visualize all of the character which made it easy to understand the story. I was nice to see all of the characters playing the role. I felt like I was more attached with the Mahabharata story by watching the film rather than simply reading. I enjoyed the Pandavas  and Kauravas fight the most because intense fight is fun watching got observing each character. Overall, it was fun watching the film based on original Mahabharata.

 Pandavas and Kauravas battle: Wikimedia

Week 11 Reading Diary continued: Mahabharata film part B

Title: Mahabharata
Author: Peter Brook
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/06/film-brook-mahabharata.html


For this week's diary reading, I watched the next part of the Mahabharata. I enjoyed watching the film because you get to visualize the character, which helps in getting to know their characters better internally and externally. The main point is that the author does not have to be really descriptive in telling the audience about their emotions. Face expression are enough for audience to understand. The part I really enjoyed was when they were having fight.

Mahabharata film

Week 11 Reading Diary: Mahabharata film part A

Title: Mahabharata
Author: Peter Brook
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/06/film-brook-mahabharata.html


For this week's dairy reading, I watched Mahabharata film by Peter Brooks. I enjoyed the film so far. Since we read Mahabharata before watching the film, the film is not that much exciting when it comes to the story itself. Now visualizing Mahabharata and the story seemed different and in fact with better understanding.I think we attach ourselves more when watching something compare to reading it. For instance, when watching the film I felt really bad for Gandhari who marries Dhritarashtra, who is blind. When reading through the Mahabharata, my feelings did not attach that much for Gandhari, but watching it seemed different. Overall, it was a nice film and I enjoyed it.

Dhritarashtra and Gandhari.

Week 10 Reading Diary, continued: Seven Secrets of Hindu Calendar Art

Title: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art
Author: Devdutt Pattanaik
Link:http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/search/label/Guide%3A%20Pattanaik.%20Calendar%20Art

Vishnu's secret part 2: Ram is a only form to worship as king. He leads the move from nature to culture. The goddess sits on his lap because she feels secure and comfortable in his arm. The money Hanuman sits at his feet. I found these facts interesting that wife sits with his husband most of the time.  The entire story of Ram is written in the Ramayana. Which we read in the beginning of the course. It was interesting the comparison between Ram and Krishna how these two are different from one another.

Brahma's secret part 1: It was an unique fact that Hindu do not worship Brahma. Brahma's daughter turned it a cow and then Brahma later turned into a bull was very interesting facts. He kept changing into the male form of his daughter's female form because he was very onto controlling her. She was a great delusion of life. Since Brahma was chasing the material worlds rather then trying to understand himself, so no one worships him one such as Brahma. The fifth head shows the ego, the part of the mind that controls the material reality. Shiva is everything Brahma is not. Shiva destroy what Brahma creates. 

Brahma and his Vahana

Week 10 Reading Diary: Seven Secrets of Hindu Calendar Art

Title: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art
Author: Devdutt Pattanaik

Link:http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/search/label/Guide%3A%20Pattanaik.%20Calendar%20Art

For this reading diary post, I am watching videos by Pattanaik titled "Seven Secrets of Hindu Calendar Art - Gods and Goddesses."

The first video is about Devi's Secret, she is desire and destiny create life. Kanyakumari, the virgin goddess and her temple is located in southern tip of India. She wanted to marry Shiva and plus their marriage was fixed and Shiva had to come from the north on one night before he could reach the gods made a rooster crow and Shiva assumed that it was a day break and his missed the hour of their marriage. So, he went back. It was sad that the bride waited and waited and the groom never came. The bride got really mad and kicked the pots and pans and wiped her makeup and for that reason the southern tip of India is so multicolored. Since she never married, she was gifted with raw power to destroy demons. If married the goddess energy is channelised to provide  for a home if not then the energy is channelised for protection.

The second video is about Vishnu Secret: Detached Engagement Brings order part 1. It was interesting how Hindus praise cows. Go Pala the care taker of the earth's cow. That is why the Vishnu is the preserver and the sustainer. Vishnu also enjoys the milk of the cow. It was interesting how in the video they did compare and constrast between Shiva and Vishnu.

(Kamadhenu:The mother of cows:Source:Wikipedia)

Week 9 Reading Diary, continued: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art

Title: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art
Author: Devdutt Pattanaik
Link:http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/search/label/Guide%3A%20Pattanaik.%20Calendar%20Art

This diary reading is for the secret of Ardhanari God.A God is stillness within, goddess is movement around. I found that fact interesting that for Hindus God is not limited to one form. It can be seen through plants, animals, minerals, human(female and male form). Another interesting fact, all animals move but the Cobra is different.

Shiva's secret video:Shiva is known as a destroyer. He is calm and controlled and his eyes half shut. It is interesting how he looks calm, but is a destroyer of desire, death and three worlds. Shiva wants to destroy Yama and wihtout Yama their is no death, no rebirth, and wheel of life.When Kama and Yama are destroyed the three world is destroyed. Shiva destroys by closing his eyes and not observing anything. By doing this he shows indifference to Yama and Kama. Shiva destruction desire of karma make him worthy of worship. Kali dances on the top of the Shiva. His positions indicates lack of effort. He does not care about he world. Kali is nude dancing, she wants him to open his eyes and observe. Shiva's first marriage was a disaster. His wife sati was a daughter of a priest. sati killed herself at the sacrifice. He loved Sati a lot and so kept himself once again in the cave after Sati's death. Sati reborn as Parvati, the princess of mountains.She prayed to Shiva and forced him to leave his cave. Shiva agreed and marry Parvati. Parvati mother wanted Parvati to reconsider her decision since Shiva had no groom sense, but Shiva learned.

Shiva and Parvati by Source: Wikipedia

Week 9 Reading Diary: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art

Title: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art
Author: Devdutt Pattanaik
Link:http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/search/label/Guide%3A%20Pattanaik.%20Calendar%20Art

Kartikeya goes around the world thrice while Ganesha was sitting with his parents playing with a rat. Ganesha went around the parents and declared himself winner. Ganesha's feeling for his parents are just great. I liked his idea of considering his parents as his world and won. The entire video of Ganesh'a secret was interesting and unique compared to the other Gods.

Narayan is a God as well. He was a sleeping god and when God sleeps the entire world is still. I found that interesting that he sleeps on the ocean of milk. In addition to that, he sleeps on a serpent named Sesha and she is still. When Narayan awakens, it time to celebrate and angles presents flowers.  On his feet is lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. She is GO-Mata(the cosmic cow) hold the whole world within her. Narayan is her cowherd. When he is awake called Gopala, the keeper of the cow. At time Vishu transforms into human to set things right. Hanuman is a trouble maker. When the world awakens the trouble also awakens. Brahma starts organizing the world when the world starts. The found the entire secret of Narayan interesting and especially his sleeping concept.

Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art

Week 7 Reading Diary: Epified Mahabharata

Title: Mahabharata: Karmic Revolution. (Epified Mahabharata)
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2016/01/overview-epified-mahabharata.html

For this week's reading diary I watched animated film Mahabharata: Karmic Revolution. I enjoyed the film because it was visual and showed the characters. The film was less detailed than the original Mahabharata. It felt like that the film was going too fast and quick. I found that interesting how Bhisma had an option when to die, which power was given by his father, Shantanu. In addition to that, I liked his character of how he was worried about who is going to rule. So, for that he kidnapped three princesses: Amba, Ambika, and  Ambalika and were brought to marry his brother. While in the process of that he got punished by Amba, whom he kidnapped not for his own good. I liked it how he was a great warrior and he fought twenty-three days against a great warrior, but no one won because both were about the same strength. 

Bhishma abducts the three princesses

Week 6 Reading Diary, continued: Mahabharatha Part D

Title: Mahabharata
Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html

I read fourth part of Public Domain Edition Mahabharata(part D) for this week's reading diary post. It was interesting how in the story a female was turned into male by Yaksha. I like it how Arjun is a great warrior and he always wins against whoever is on the opposite side. It was great that he killed evil-hearted Jayadartha in the battle. "All men were maddened with the thirst for blood, and the night was filled with horrors." Imagining this part of the mahabharata frightens me of how that battlefield would look like, for instance, blood, bodies and heads all lying on the ground. I found that interesting how the widows were sent to heaven with their husbands by Vyasa mantras. I enjoyed reading the story especially, the afterlife. There were some very interesting scences, in fact unique things going on.

Arjuna slays Jayadratha.

Week 6 Reading Diary: Mahabharatha part C

Title: Mahabharata
Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html

I read third part of Public Domain Edition Mahabharata(part C) for this weeks reading diary post. I found that interesting how at Hanuman first appearance in the story, he shared the story of Rama with Bhima. Plus, the way the author introduced Hanuman in Mahabharata that he was a heavy monkey and Bhima was unable to move him. In addition to that, the battle was very interesting. That built the excitement of who is going to win, for instance, Bhima was the hero of the fifth day, but that does not declare Bhima a winner. However, Arjun was also a great warrior and he would never let himself down. I found it interesting how Arjun sings Bhagavad-Gita just before the battle beings while looking at the opposite side of the battlefield.

Hanuman.

Week 5 Reading Diary, continued: Mahabharata part B

Title: Mahabharata
Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html

I read second part of Public Domain Edition Mahabharata(part B) for this weeks reading diary post. I found it disappointing that the evil Prince Duryodhana was not capable of defeating Pandavas, so he planned to set their house on fire. In addition to that, King Dhritarashtra believed the story that his son Duryodhana gave him and agreed to his plan. Panadavas and their mother left the house before, so Duryodhana's plan did not accomplish. I liked the character of Bhima, the way he cared for his brothers and mother while they all were in a dangerous Rakshasa forest. It was shocking how Bhima married to a Rakshasa woman, but it was good for him because he was happy with her and plus, she promised to never harm them. The story of Draupadi's previous lifetime as Nalayni was interesting, how she prayed "give me a husband" five times and got five men in reward. It was interesting that Draupadi got five husbands in her next life too as Pandavas. In addition, a woman having more than one husband is not common. It was kind of harsh on Arjuna of how he won Drapuadi as a bride on Swayamwara and then had to leave, however, he married other women on his way.

Kunti and the Pandavas escape.

Week 5 Reading Diary: Mahabharata part A

Title: Mahabharata
Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html

I read first part of Public Domain Edition Mahabharata for this weeks reading diary post.I found this epic story interesting, however, it is way different from Ramayana. One thing I noticed about this epic story was that there are a lot of issues involving babies and giving births along with sleeping with other men. As an example, Pandu was cursed by a deer that he will die while making love because Pandu shot that deer while he was making love. So, Pandu wives ended up sleeping with other men. I liked it how Madri and Kunti both wanted to die with Pandu and plus, both of them were ready to get burned with Pandu which illustrates their true love. I found Satyavati character interesting. She was born through a sperm of gandharva and then fallen in the river and swallowed by a fish. Plus, she smelled like fish, but with a magical perfume Parashara changed that fishy smell into a lovely smell. I was disappointing that Pandu and Dhritarashtra's sons relationship is not close by their hearts. There are a lot of difference between them, especially Duryodhana, who was jealous from Pandu's son named Bhima because he was good at everything.

(Pandu is cursed)

Week 4 Reading Diary, continued: Sita Sings the Blues

Author: Nina Paley
Title: Sita Sings the Blues
Year: 2008

Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2015/05/week-1-of-1-paleys-sita-sings-blues-b.html

Here continues the second part of Rama and Sita’s online animated film version of the Ramayana, which focused on struggles that Sita encounters in her life. The film by Nina Paley, Sita Sings the Blues. I found it interesting that we have two love stories going on in the film. Along with Rama and Sita, there was another couple Dave and Nina. As Rama and Sita’s relationship was standing at the edge and same was happening in Dave and Nina's life too. Both stories were parallel to each other. Another things I find interesting was that Sita was singing the blue song again while looking at Rama’s picture and missing him after she left him. Similarly, on the other side, Nina was sad and begging Dave to take her back on the phone. This is interesting how these two stories are showing same relationship where a girl is the one who cares about the love and in staying together. Compare to original Ramayana, there was not much difference when it comes to the story itself, but rather the animated film was not much detailed  and descriptive and did not talk about each and every character which were mentioned in the original Ramayana. Overall, I enjoyed watching the film, it gave me clear view of each character that was shown in the film.

Earth taking Sita film scene

Week 4 Reading Diary: Sita Sings the Blues

Author: Nina Paley
Title: Sita Sings the Blues
Year: 2008

Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2015/05/week-1-of-1-paleys-sita-sings-blues-b.html

For this reading dairy post along with variety of options, I chose to watch the film by Nina Paley, Sita Sings the Blues, it was an interesting animated epic story of Sita. It focused a lot on Sita’s character like her struggles through the life similar to the original Ramayana. But in the original Ramayana other characters were covered as well, however the animated film concentrated on Sita’s role. It was interesting how there was another love story going on about Nina and her boyfriend Dave and their cat. Then Dave had to leave for India for some work related to his job. Similar to Rama and Sita, the couple was also presented happy in the beginning spreading and having love for each other until their relation encounters distance. The basic outline of the animated film was very similar to the original Ramayana except for the fact that there was less detail and description about each moment and situation that took place in the story. The scene of Hanuman going and searching for Sita was very descriptive and showed a lot detail of Hanuman going place to place while looking for Sita in the original Ramayana. So, there were many parts I thought did not have much detail compare to the original Ramayana. One thing I noticed was that Lakshmana was not mentioned in the animated film at all compared to the original Ramayana, he was only mentioned ones when Rama ordered him to send Sita into the forest and abandon her(which was a scene from part B).

At first, Sita was afraid.

Week 3 Reading Diary, continued: Hanuman and Sita

Title: Ramayana-Hanuman-and-Sita

Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/search/label/PDE%20Ramayana

For these sections of the reading, the most interesting part I thought was when Rama questions Sita's purity and sends her to exile. However, Sita on the other hand never thought of anyone else except for Rama. Plus, she was willing to justify herself by burning into the fire, but Agni protects her from the fire. Sita giving birth to twin boys of Rama and they had similarity with Rama. I liked the character of Lakshama because he was always been a great support to Sita and he knew that Sita was pure, while her husband was being harsh and serious about that. However, I liked the ending of how Sita was taken by the Earth because Rama no longer deserves her nor her love, after insulting and for not trusting her purity. At the same time, building a golden image of Sita does show his love Sita, but however they did not get to live and die together after being so much in love. I found this image interesting when Earth was taking away Sita and along with that I was imagining Rama's condition when he would no longer be able to live with Sita. I am sure that Sita did not wanted to go with them, but she did not have any option after being betrayed by her husband, whom she loved the most. However, it was a sad ending, Rama and Sita did not get to live together. 

Image: Sita goes into the earth

Week 3 Reading Diary: Hanuman and Sita

Title: Ramayana-Hanuman-and-Sita

Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/search/label/PDE%20Ramayana

Then Hanuman considered that this must be Sita, for she was fair and spotless, like a moon overcast by clouds, and she wore such jewels as Rama had described to him. Hanuman shed tears of joy and thought of Rama and Lakshmana. Hanuman offered to carry her away, but in her modesty she refused to touch the body of any male being save Rama. She took from her hair a bright jewel which she gave to Hanuman as a token, and she said that Ravana had allowed her but two months to live if she refused to yield to him.For the loved and cherished Sita is to Rama ever dear,
And he sends his loving message, and his force is drawing near! Sita held that tender token from her loved and cherished lord, And once more herself she fancied to his loving arms restored.
But Hanuman was not satisfied with finding Sita; he dashed about the Ashoka grove and broke the trees and spoiled the pavilions, like the Wind himself. The rakshasis sent messages to Ravana for help, and he, hearing that a mighty monkey was destroying his servants, sent the powerful Jambumali, son of Prahasta, bow in hand, to slay Hanuman forthwith, and, indeed, he wounded him with a sharp arrow as he sat upon a temple roof, but Hanuman hurled a bolt at him and crushed him utterly.But the wily monkey gave no sign that the bonds were loosed, and the fierce rakshasas, crying to each other "Who is he? What does he want?" and "Kill him! Burn him! Eat him!" dragged him before Ravana.

In the image Sita was  scared of Hanuman when she first saw him. 

At first, Sita was scared of Hanuman