Week 11: Reading Diary B

I really like this version a lot more. I didn't make a post yesterday but I read both readings. It just seems like Buck presents the story in greater detail in both the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. I liked the way he descriptively defined how Duryodhana caused "all creatures to be slain and wastes the Earth"... It was not explained that way in Narayans version and I think this way makes it more clear. The fire trap scene was really alarming for me. I was really happy that Yudhisthrita was warned and able to escape in time. Draupadi married the five Pandava brothers, as expected. It's all the same plot line but is told in a stronger overall tone with more detail. I like Bucks version more so far.

Week 10: Reading Diary A

I can't say I was surprised when I read that the followers chose to stay with the Pandavas and live with them in poverty... after their leader had lost all of their homes while gambling? Sounds like they're making really great decisions.

Dhritarashtra sure does care a lot about his son.. a little too much. And Draupadi is so grumpy.. Rightfully so, but I can't decide if I enjoy or am annoyed by how unrealistic the punishments and other wild actions have been in the Mahabharata.

I did not really understand why Bhima, Nakula, and Sahadeva were so non-complacent. Don't you know what book you're in?!

I noticed the number 13 popped up multiple times throughout this reading and the last two.. I wonder what the significance is...

Oh I also made note of the quote "who is that friend you could count as God given?" "a wife"-pg 91--could definitely use in my storybook!

Week 9: Famous last words

This week has been a tough transition back into real life after spending the weekend in Dallas for OUTX. I had so much fun in Dallas and we stayed at the Fairmont hotel, which was really nice. I was so overwhelmed and terrified when I read of the murders by a student who attended OU. I do not understand how a person could murder anyone, let alone their entire family. The fact that he went to OUTX afterward added even more of a scary aspect to the whole situation because a murderer was walking among us in Dallas all weekend! Obviously, we do not know the entire story but I think that he will definitely end up in jail. I mean, he left his cell phone at Headington while he was committing the murders so he could not be tracked and he had two tweets automatically sent out while he was killing his family… that is just too much for my brain to wrap around. I’ve gotta move on to another subject.

This week was really jam packed with homecoming events but it was fun. I walked in the parade before the football game on Saturday morning, which was really exciting and the first time I was in a parade! I even got to hold the banner. It was pretty fun.

Personal photo: Second from the left! I had so much fun holding the banner at the hoco parade!

I have a busy week coming up, with lots of studying a microeconomics tutoring sessions. I have three exams next week: biology, micro, and organic chemistry. It is not going to be fun. I have been studying the last week but I feel like it’s not helping. This material is really tough. I wish I could have done all of the assignments for this class before the semester started getting more difficult. This class is just so time consuming!

Week 9: Reading Diary B

More with the complicated names and locations... I am just happy that Pandu's sons are exploring the land. I do not like how prominent lying and deceit is in this book compared to the Ramayana. The ethics and morals of every character seem to be off. Bhima is the only one so far.

Duhshasana and Duryodhana suck. I love how the gods protect Draupadi when the two brothers attempt to force her to undress.

I'm sorry, but what kind of a name is Kunti?

Week 9: Reading Diary A

Wow, this story has many more characters than the Ramayana; the names are more difficult to spell, as well. Keeping up with the story was difficult because I kept on confusing the names of characters. The spelling of most of the names was pretty similar too!

I hope that all of the separate plots will come together soon. It seems like nothing is really connected right now.

I was pretty pissed when Shantanu's first wife was drowning all of their babies. What a psycho. But then I just felt bad for the 8th baby that was forced to live its human incarnation out instead of re-joining heaven with it's brothers and sisters.

When Bhishma renounced his throne and his ability to have children for the sake of his father's happiness I felt bad for him. I wondered if he was honestly okay with losing all of that or if he was upset.

Week 8: Reading Diary || a reflection

I have come to enjoy the reading diary posts as the semester has proceeded. They are a simple and effective way of recounting the story and keeping track of your thoughts throughout. Initially, I thought that the required word count was 400, so all of my early posts are on the longer side. I did not realize until a couple of weeks ago that other students were only writing brief posts. Longer posts are definitely more effective, especially since Dr. Gibbs does not want us to only mention the plot. I hope to continue to post longer reading diaries because they are more helpful for me in understanding the plot line and the underlying events.

My main strategies while reading have been to take detailed notes in my book: starring important moments and briefly describing them, highlighting new places and people, and when I am confused about why a situation is playing out a certain way, I write notes to myself and list reasons for why something might be happening. Taking detailed notes makes writing the reading diaries and storytelling post much easier. My reading diaries are usually only a small part of the notes that I took. I would definitely recommend that strategie to any future student in this course.

I wanted to mention that the detailed notes in my books throughout the readings were why I chose to focus on the love between couples as my storybook theme. As I was trying to decide what would be a good topic to cover, I decided to scan through my notes to see what or who I took the most notes about. I discovered my interests lead to love and relationships because I had taken so many notes on Rama and Sita. I think any future student would really appreciate knowing this information before the readings begin because choosing a theme is difficult.

Week 7: Storytelling || Rama and Sita return

“AH, Rama, you have finally returned to us!!!” screamed the crowd that welcomed and awaited Rama as he approached the throne. He saw his sandals that his brother, Bharata, claimed from him 14 long years ago. It seemed like an eternity ago.

Rama approached his brother Bharata who was so overwhelmed with joy that he could hardly speak complete sentences. He said, “Rama, Rama, Rama, you are our one and only true king! Come, sit, let me place your sandals on your feet once again.” Rama sits on the steps next to the throne. Still, he has spoken no words. Bharata begins to tie the sandals back onto Rama’s calloused, dirty feet but, noticing how filthy they were, requests that he be able to wash them. Rama nods and Bharata proceeds to wash them and then tie the sandals onto his clean feet.

“We must plan the coronation!!” shouts Bharata, so loud that everyone in the village would hear.

Meanwhile, Sugriva and Hanuman decide that Rama would just absolutely love to have water from every river in the world, so Sugriva delegates this mission to Hanuman. Hanuman begins his expedition to each and every river, collecting one drop from each. This only took one day with the aid of the Time gods. Hanuman becomes very excited to see how appreciative Rama will be of his gift.

When Rama and Sita were on their adventure of 14 years, they realized that it was only polite to bring back gifts for their friends upon their return. Shortly before they began their journey back to where they started, they made a few stops and bartered with the little cash they had with them to gain some presents for the buddies.

Sita gave a pearl necklace to Hanuman, one that she paid for with three bags of salt. Rama honored Sugriva with many presents, including one that he collected while in battle with Ravana: one of his heads. Rama was kind of messed up like that after the battle.

Rama and Sita, still in love and as beautiful as ever, approached the throne together and sat on it as one hundred of their closest followers bowed down at them and begged to be able to kiss their feet. Rama looked at Sita, eyes full of love and joy, Sita responded with a knowing nod of all of their troubles and their adventurse, they kissed each other in front of the entire assembly--- the first time a public display of affection had ensued!! But then Rama said to Sita, “We need to talk”....

Coronation, Source: Wikipedia

Author’s note: I decided to replay the return of Rama and Sita in a light hearted fashion, almost making fun of the extreme actions taken upon their arrival. I thought it was pretty funny and I hope you did too!

Works Cited:

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

Week 7: Reading Diary B || the last reading

I really liked all of the symbolism throughout the end of this story. My favorite aspect of this last reading was how everything started to come full circle. As with Rama’s sandals that Bharata had placed on the throne to hold Rama’s spot in hopes for his return. The way Buck narrated it was much more satisfying than the way Narayan did.

As with Narayan’s version, I still do not understand why Rama banishes Sita. Throughout both stories all we read of is the strong love shared between them and it seems as though its unbreakable. Maybe Rama just did not want to start out his dynasty as king with the idea of having a wife who has betrayed his honor by possibly banging other guys (Ravana).

Anyways, Rama bans Sita, and she tried to kill herself and Rama just does not budge? It just confuses me how he could love her so much throughout everything, I mean, risks his life and the lives of others just to retrieve her from Ravanas capture, but now he does not want her anymore? Seems a little over the top to me.

Then Kala and Rama have a meeting where anyone who was not invited and attempts to intrude upon them must die? A bit extreme, but okay Rama. Do the people who intruded and then had to die know of the consequences of intrusion? Was there a sign on the door or anything?

So then Hanuman shows how loyal he is by opening his chest and showing that Rama’s name is inscribed on his bones….. And then they all go to heaven……