Week 10: The War and the End (Reading Diary B)

The ending of this epic was very intense throughout. The battle much more intense than I expected. Often times in epics like this, in the war the good guys are fighting cleanly and the bad guys are being savage and playing tricks on their opponents. However, in this one the Pandavas were tricking people and being acting crazy, perhaps just in the haze of war.

For example, when Bhima killed  Duhshasana then drank his blood. Also when Bhima killed the elephant Aswathama and Yudhistira tried to make the army think it was the man named Aswathama not an elephant. This definitely helped the Pandavas by disheartening their opponents, but it didn't seem like something epic heroes usually do.

Bhima and Duryohana. Wikimedia.

After the battle, everyone not sided with the Pandavas, had their world world crumble around them. Dwaraka's civil war and then being swallowed by the sea suprised me. I figured the Pandavas would have taken over the cities and ruled, like how Ramayana ended with everyone just at peace and Rama becoming the king. The fates of Krishna, Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti were especially dark but that made sense based on the bad karma they had gathered throughout the story.

Week 10: End of Exile and Preparing for War (Reading Diary A)

This section of reading had many different pieces to it. The first part that caught my attention the most when reading was the part by the lake during the Pandavas exile. 

I couldn't believe that all of the brothers besides Yudhishthira drink the water and ignore the warning, especially when they see their other brothers dead around them. I was ridiculous how one after another the Pandavas came across he lake, heard the warning and (in every case but Nukula) sees their dead brother(s) but still they drink the water and die. There were many more questions than I would have thought that Yama asked Yudhishthira. I thought that there would have just been a few questions but it seemed like Yudhishthira was nearly dead of thirst by the time he finished answering the questions. In the end, I was glad that Yama resurrected all the brothers, as the story wouldn't be nearly as interesting if it was just Yudhishthira and Nakula (who Yudhishthira chose to live as well). 

The sections where they prepare and go to King Virata's court was also interesting. They all worked so hard on their cover identities so they would be doing what they wanted but not be recognized and also not be technically lying. I thought it was funny how much they all wanted to technically be telling the truth even though they were trying to stay hidden for the end of their exile. I was very glad with how Bhima protected Draupadi. I was very suprised that the king and queen let Draupadi stay after the death of Kichika.

Bhima and Kichika. Wikimedia.

Week 9: Fire Escape (Storytelling)

I had been quietly watching my sons since we began our quest for this “House of Joy”. That was what the King had named our retreat home, the most ridiculous title he’s came up with to date. The way he rushed all of my sons and I out was strange, especially since he had just named my eldest son, Yudhistira, the heir to his throne.

I walked near the front of our group with Yudhistira and one of the kingdom’s advisors, Vidura. We walked in tense silence, lost in our own thoughts as the younger brothers chatted merrily behind us. Yudhistira seemed suspicious of the king's intentions as well.

Vidura walked with us until we were over halfway through our journey. All of the other elders and advisors turned back hours ago.

In hushed tones, Vidura began speaking to Yudhistira. He spoke of enemies and weapons not made of steel. Then even quieter, Vidura whispered about wood and straw, followed by jackals, earth, and stars. His words were unintelligible to me, but Yudhistira listened intently.

Before Vidura left to return to the king, Yudhistira nodded and said he understood. Well at least someone did.

After thinking about the strange encounter I had witnessed I approached my son. “Yudhistira,” I whispered, “What were you and Vidura saying? I couldn’t understand a word of it.”

Yudhistira glanced around nervously. He relaxed again when he saw our servants were paying us no mind and his brothers continued their chatting and games a safe distance behind us. “I’ll explain later. But I fear in the next couple of days it will all become clear.”

I let the topic drop as we continued on our journey.

***

It wasn’t long after when we arrived at our destination, Varanavata. The crowds cheered at the sights of their princes. I smiled as I watched Yudhistira greet some of the elders with a wide smile. He looked so grand, so official, and rightly so. Someday my son would be King.

When arrived at the Joy House, his smile instantly disappeared. The home was spacious, plenty of room for my five sons and myself. There was an unusual smell but I didn’t think much about it. The architect of the home, Purochana, showed us around and helped us get settled.

I couldn’t focus on anything but Yudhistira’s dark expression as he inspected the house and watched Purochana suspiciously. As soon as the architect was gone, Yudhistira pulled me aside.

“I thought I was just paranoid,” he said, “but I fear I’m not. Mother, we are in danger here.” Yudhistira then began to tell me about the message from Vidura and what he noticed in the Joy House.

Short version: the king was scared and wanted my sons and I out of the picture. Yudhistira had been warned by Vidura that the king planned for Purochana to set fire to the Joy House one night while we were sleeping. The walls of the home were filled with straw and oil which would easily go up in flames.

I had worried about the king’s intentions but never had I thought he would try to have me and his nephews killed. Yudhistira obviously saw the panic in my face as he quickly continued. “We have a plan,” he whispered. “A man is going to come and build a tunnel for us to escape in. It will make it appear as though the king succeeded but we will be free. But we must not let Purochana know. We have to act as though nothing is wrong.”

I nodded and Yudhistira left me to give the information to his brothers. It would take all of us to keep the plan secret. And keeping it secret was the only way we would survive this trip.

***

For more than a week after, a man snuck into the Joy House. In the room furthest from Purochana’s he dug a hole and a tunnel from there. That would be our escape route when the time came. As the date approached, Yudhistira became more and more anxious as he tried to figure out how to keep Purochana from discovering our planned escape.

Yudhistira’s solution was we act sooner and dramatically. He instructed me to throw a huge dinner feast for as many people as we could fit into the Joy House. My sons kept Purochana drinking, hoping he would be oblivious enough not wake until we were gone tonight.

After everyone went home and Purochana was asleep, we made our way down to steep steps into the tunnel. I was behind my three youngest boys. Above me I heard the urgent whispering of Yudhistira and the second oldest, Bhima. 

Bhima had a torch in his hand and Yudhistira was watching him and pointing around the house. I had frozen on the stairs. Within a minute, the smoke was nauseating and the fire crackled all around. Yudhistira and Bhima both came rushing down the stairs, sealing the hole above us.

“Mother,” Bhima said, “you should have kept going.” They hurried me down the tunnel where the younger boys were waiting.

“There’s a boat,” Yudhistira said, “at the end. Vidura arranged it. It will take us somewhere safe.” We continued making our way down the tunnel, the smell of smoke clinging to the three of us even as we left the blazing fire behind.

Pandavas Escape the Fire. Wikimedia

Author's Note: For this week's storytelling assignment, I wrote about the Pandavas and their mother when they were sent away and their uncle, the King Dhritarashtra, sends them away under the guise of having them enjoy a festival but really tries to have them quietly killed. The King's plan was to house the brothers and their mother in a home made of straw and oil and then have someone set a fire in the dead of night. The boys found out about the plot and with the help an adviser, Vidura, they escaped and temporarily faked their own deaths.

I wrote my story in Kunthi's perspective, who was the mother of the Pandavas. I kept most of the story the same but added some details particularly because of Kunthi's perspective as she watches her sons deal with the threat and find a way to escape.

Story Source: Narayan, R. K. (1978). The Mahabharata.

Week 5: Maricha's Choice (Storytelling)

I sat quietly on a rock in the middle of the forest. I meditated like this every day now…every day since I fought Rama all those years ago. 

One of the first heroic acts that Rama accomplished was fighting my family. He killed my mother and brother. I barely escaped with my life. After that encounter, I decided that a life of destroying the earth and tormenting of the sages was just not worth the cost. I now live alone in the forest. It was a much more peaceful life than most rakshasas had.

The morning was perfect for meditation. Sunlight filtered through the tree leaves. A stream near by trickled and splashed. I breathed slowly, taking in the tranquility of my surroundings.Birds sang around me and I was overcome by peace.

But the feeling was soon shattered when the birds all went silent and the chill of a shadow loomed above me.

I opened my eyes to discover what had changed my serene environment. A chariot had just landed nearby and my nephew was climbing out of it.

Ravana  walked towards the rock where I sat. I didn't move but watched as he slowly approached. “Uncle,” he said, as he looked over me, “are you doing alright?” I’m sure I looked strange to him, wearing all black deerskin and sitting calmly in the forest. He hadn't visited often since I chose my life of peace.

“Ravana, just tell me what you want,” I said, and began taking deep breaths. I could feel myself getting anxious under the king’s scrutiny.

“A girl,” he answered. “Sita. I think you've heard of her…” I didn’t answer. “She’s the wife of-”

“I know who she is married to! Don’t say his name around me!” I yelled. Then I shut my eyes and focused on calming my heart-rate again. However, Ravana grew impatient.

“Fine," he snapped. "You-know-who has slain armies of our people. He and his brother disfigured my sister. And I want Sita.”

“He let me live once,” I said. “He could have killed me but he let me run. And now I live a life of peace, Ravana. I can’t help you. What you want is foolish. If you keep going, it will be the end of all of us. You’ll lose everything for the sake of one girl who will never accept you.”

My nephew scoffed at me. “I won’t lose. You do realize who you’re talking to, right? I've defeated gods. One man won’t stand in the way of what I want. I’ll steal Sita away and he won’t even know what happened.”

“You sound like a fool. It won’t work. You will die along with everyone else who stands with you. And that won’t include me. I’m not stupid enough to go against him again. If that's all you came here to ask you should just leave me.”

I watched my nephew as a cruel smile spread across his face. “I was afraid you’d say that, Uncle Maricha. I tried to give you a chance and you just wouldn't take it. But you will help me.”

“No,” I said, growing more anxious by the minute. “I’m at peace, Ravana. Leave me be. If I helped you, I’d be dead within a day.”

“If you don’t, you’ll be dead sooner,” he said coldly. “You help me, or I kill you. You will have a chance to escape Rama again if you help but you will die for sure if you refuse. Which will you have? Shall I end you now?”

I watched my cruel, violent nephew analyze my every twitch while I considered his offer. Despite what he said, I knew either way I’d be dead before the sun set this evening. But I suppose I’d rather be killed by Rama, a good, heroic man, than my villainous nephew.

“Fine,” I said slowly, “tell me what to do.” Ravana smiled and I followed him into his chariot as he began talking about the beauty of a golden deer. 

Events at Panchavati Forest. Wikimedia

Author's Note: I chose this story because of I loved all of Maricha's background and life story. Maricha is probably my favorite rakshasa to learn about because of his change from evil and destructive to a calm and secluded lifestyle until Ravana forces him into service. Of all the villains Rama faces in his quests, I feel like Maricha is one of the most innocent even though he helps Ravana kidnap Sita. Of course, Rama doesn't know this because he is unaware of Ravana's threat to Maricha.

After Rama killed Maricha's mother, Tataka, and brother, Subahu, Maricha ran away and swore he would stop his violent tendencies and devote himself to peace and calmness. This part of the original story caught my attention because it seems like most characters in Maricha's situation vow for vengeance and become more evil. However, Maricha tries to make a better life for himself. For years Maricha succeeds until his nephew, Ravana, the King of the rakshasas, comes to Maricha with an ultimatum.

For my story, I kept the beginning and the end the same. I added some information about Maricha's peaceful lifestyle. I also didn't keep any of the dialogue between Ravana and Maricha the same, particularly because they talk for a while. I tried kept the overall feel and message that each character portrayed true to the original. The biggest change was putting the story into Maricha's point of view. 

I thought this made for an good but tragic story because after all his work to change his life, this scene undoes everything he's worked for and effectively signs his death warrant no matter what he chooses. 

Bibliography: Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way. 

Week 9: Mahabharata Dice Games and Exile (Reading Diary B)

I thought this section was interesting as it focused so much on the dice games played between Yudhishthira and Duryodhana.

It was crazy how much Yudhishthira was willing to bid on the game. To lose everything you own, everything your brothers own, your (and your brothers) wife, as well as your own freedom was kind of ridiculous. I thought how Duhshasana and Duryodhana treated Draupadi was horrible and terrifying but I liked that because of her prayers, she immediately was wearing a new Sari after hers was ripped away.

Draupadi Disrobed. Wikimedia.

Another interesting part was when Vikarna examined whether Draupadi was actually won in the game since Yudhishthira lost himself first. I have never seen or read anything like this section about kings gambling and how they won and what they won. But this section was extremely important in this part of the story as it helped decide whether Draupadi was a slave. 

I thought it was crazy how even after everything was given back to the brothers, Yudhishthira goes back a second time, leading to the brother's extended exile. It seems like most of the epic stories from India start with an exile.

Week 9: The beginning of Mahabharata (Reading Diary A)

The beginning of this epic took me along time to read as I tried to keep up with who was who. There was so much detail of lineages that it was a bit harder to follow than the beginning of Ramayana. However, once the stories really started, I thought the tale was intriguing and fun to read.

My first favorite part was the was how the Yudhishira and his brothers escaped and caught Purochana in the fire that was planned for them.I couldn't imagine realizing the man who you trust and who is like your father, who has made you his heir, is trying to kill you. That would be so terrifying and I thought how Yudhishira handled it was perfect. The planning ahead to get the tunnel out of the house would have taken a lot of quiet work and secrecy, particularly to keep it from Purochana who was living in the same home. If they would have been caught, I wonder what would have happened. Would Purochana just have killed them or would the king have found another way to quietly dispose of the brothers?

Pandavas Escape the Fire. Wikimedia

Another thing I found intersting in this story was the Pandavas relationships to Rakshasas. While Bhima does fight and kill many, I thought that it was interesting he had a child with Hidimba. While it says she appeared to him in the form of a beautiful woman, did he know she was a rakshasa? In Ramayana, Rama seemed to sense that Soorpanaka wasn't who she appeared to be and refused her adivances. I would think it would be unusual for a hero who kills rakshasas to have a child with one. Although it seems to work out well for him as Bhima has a son to help him when he needs it.

Week 8: Writing Review

One of the things that I like most about this class and Laura's Mythology and Folklore class is the feedback everyone gets on their writing. As a professional writing major, this class is great to help me continue to develop my writing skills. The feedback on the stories I write for this class helps me know what I am doing well and what I need to focus on improving for future stories.

I enjoy reading other people's writings as well as we do in the blog communications each week. For me, reading other people's stories is great to help me see what I can improve in my own. I think the best feedback on stories includes something that the reader likes, and something that the writer can improve, whether grammar, setting, characterization, etc. I try to leave comments that include both of those things when I read other people's stories and those are the types of comments that I find most helpful from others.

Illustration by Warwick Goble in Folk-Tales of Bengal by the Rev. Lal Behari Day

Week 8: Reading Review

I have really enjoyed the readings for this class. I like reading the epics and seeing longer stories all play out together, but I also enjoyed the week when I chose to do Un-textbook reading. That was a nice break and there were very different stories in that unit than I we read in the required epics. While I have always read a lot for fun, I haven't read many classical epics, such as we read in this class, except for a couple from ancient Greece.

For the reading diaries, I mainly talk about stories (for the Un-textbook readings) or sections (of the epics readings) that I particularly liked or found interesting. Because of this, my reading diaries and storytelling posts often overlap. It's very rare that I write a storytelling post that I didn't mention in the reading diary because I have usually thought about those stories (or sections of stories) a little more.

For me the reading diaries are useful to be able to look back on to remember details from previous weeks readings, but they are also useful to think more about aspects of the stories of that week. That is very helpful to me when doing the storytelling assignments.

The main suggestion I have for readings in this class is to read the reading guide for the epics at the same time you are reading the epics themselves. I think I understand the stories much better when I read both together and it's much easier to follow along with the characters and plot. I would also suggest taking advantage of the Un-textbook options when they come up, because you can get some very interesting and different stories than you read in the required epics.

(Bharata and Rama)