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 5: Storytelling || Bharata and Shatrughna

Bharata and Shatrughna rode elephants from Ayodhya to the village of Nandigrama alongside the King’s elephant as it adorned Rama’s sandals on his head for the short journey. With the frustration of 1000 suns, the brothers barely spoke during their expedition because of the recent loss of their father and exile of their brother who they desired to be their King. Shatrughna finally broke the silence when he asked his brother to explain how Rama looked when he visited him.

Bharata on his journey to find Rama

“From a far I could see him before I approached him. His hair was very dirty-- beard untrimmed, and his skin was patchy with mud. He was dressed in black deerskin. I do not know how to fashion such garments. I am lucky I was not banished for 14 years, for I would have had a difficult experience.”

Satrughna was pleased with the appearance of his oldest brother Rama. Knowing of Rama’s intelligence and numerous skills in hunting and battle, Satrughna was not worried for Rama’s life, but he was curious about his brothers conversation regarding the throne. Satrughna asked, “Brother, will you explain why you placed Rama’s sandals on father’s elephant? What is the future of our Kingdom?”

“After speaking with Rama, it became clear that he had no intentions of forsaking our father’s word. With the understanding that our people would have to wait 14 years for a proper ruler, and knowing that our ruler would live in the forest with no luxuries for those 14 years, I decided I do not deserve to rest in Ayodhya without Rama. I have brought the throne and I will place Rama’s sandals upon it and I will only rule in trust for our true King.”

“Do you not fear that leaving Ayodhya will cause riots?”

“No, our people are strong. Just as Rama is strong.”

“Do you not fear that resting in another village will force our people to find refuge elsewhere?”

“No, our people are intelligent. Just as Rama is intelligent.”

“Do you have any fears?”

“Only for Rama. There is one thing I have not told you yet.”

“Okay… tell me!”

“If Rama does not return on the first day after 14 years, I will have no reason to continue my life and I have vowed to walk into a fire and let the flames bring death upon me.”

“That is a little extreme, brother.”

“Rama is a little extreme.”

Author's note: I decided to write what I imagined a conversation would be like between Bharata and Shatrughna as if they were sort of like my own brothers. I thought this kind of lightened up their conversation, while also making it a bit more relatable and easier to imagine.

Works cited:

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

Week 4: Storytelling || Diary Entries of Dasaratha and his wives

Dasaratha’s Diary Entry the day before the sacrifice was given:

I long dearly for a son. If the gods would have it, I would sacrifice myself for the sake of the continuance of my legacy. I fear that when I die, which is approaching faster and faster as I write, I will have no one to carry on my Kingdom of Ayodhya. This world will fall to ruin with a ruler who is not educated on the importance of always paying your debts. Who will I leave this Kingdom to?

His wives entries after they became pregnant:

Kausalya:

My love, the King of the greatest of the worlds, the most loyal and honorable man to ever exist, gave me, ME, of all of his wives, the honor of having the first bite of the sacrificial rice! I can already feel the greatness growing within me. I have compared the kicks of my child with the kicks of Sumitra and Kaikeyi’s and mine is so much stronger! I just know that he will be the strongest being to ever exist. With this also comes pressure though.. What if he is deformed or a GIRL! Oh, I mustn't think those negative thoughts!

Sumitra:

My King has given me the greatest gift one could ever receive. I am having two sons! I have heard of identical sons but I desperately hope that they are different. I want to give Dasaratha all that he desires and I would not want to disappoint him with a replicate! I sing songs each night to them, one at a time. I am so pressured by the subject of having Dasaratha’s first born son! Will he favor one of his sons over the others? What if he does not like my children? What if they foresake him? Will he name me as a traitor as well? What if I lose my home because of these children? I love them more and more as Time goes on, but what if he does not!?

           Kaikeyi:

           Although I love my King with the energy of all of the stars in the sky, why would he only feed me one-eighth of the sacrificial rice? Does he believe me to be barren? Is it because I am the youngest that he did not want me to carry his first born son? Was his desire to only supply Kausalya with the most rice in hopes to create the strongest child in her? Why does my Dasaratha favor the others? Are we not all the same? I fear that my King will not love the child inside of me. I fear that he will not be great enough for my King. 

The birth of Dasarathas sons

Dasaratha’s Diary Entry after having his sons:

          At last I have an heir to the throne! Rama is my first born son from my most lovely Kausalya. I knew that feeding her the most rice would produce the strongest son and first born! His eyes are bright green and carry with them the brightest future. I can tell by his stature that he will be the tallest of my sons. There are no words for how much peace I carry in this moment as I watch him rest. Lakshmana, born from Sumitra, is so funny in how he will not rest unless he knows that Rama is with him. Although they did not share a womb, they know they are brothers and will forever be together. Sumitra also gave me Satrughna, who like Lakshmana, will not be at peace unless he is by the side of his brother Bharata. I know all of my sons will be great because they are born of greatness. I have no fear that they will betray me or their mothers, for they know they are all from the same mother. 

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

Author's note: I chose to write diary entries from Dasaratha and each of his wives as they prepared for the births of their sons and one from Dasaratha after he met each of his sons. I wanted to emphasize the relationship between Dasaratha and each of his wives, as well as the wives opinions of each other. I chose to write over this topic because as I read I envision a certain distaste between wives and I wanted to bring that out through this story. 

Week 3: Storytelling || Jatayu and Sampathi

For 35 days Aruna and Maina, two demi-gods in the form of vultures, have been incubating two of their eggs. On the 36th day the first egg hatched and they named their son Sampathi. While Aruna fed and cared for his new chick, Maina waited anxiously atop the second egg for the arrival of her other child. The sun rose on the 40th day with such strength that the heat caused the second egg to hatch. Overjoyed with the arrival of their second son, who they named Jatayu, a life-long friend for their firstborn, Sampathi, the parents began the 10 week undertaking of raising their chicks to be independent of them.

With the arrival of Fall came the departure of the Aruna and Maina. The two brothers were still very young, able to fly and feed themselves but lacking a true understanding of their world and its mechanisms. Having been rid of their parents for a few days, they began to miss them. Sampathi devised a game that would entertain him and his brother, while also allowing them to become stronger fliers and more precise hunters. They pretended as though they were searching for their parents, soaring a great distance above their land and launching downward like lightening toward their prey, which until feeding began they imagined was one of their parents.

Sampathi

Jatayu

Both of the brothers were competitive, which inspired them to invent rules and challenge each other to new heights.

A day that brought colossal, restless clouds and a brilliant, glowing sun seeded the desire to resume their endless game. Commencing with more energy than expected, the brothers began a steep ascent toward the sun, using the clouds as an asylum from the sun gods threatening rays. Heavenward they escalated with intentions to glance at the resting place of the gods when Sampathi sternly said to Jatayu, “My brother, will the sun god find animosity to those who encroach upon his domain? We should abandon our flight and return to lower grounds, removing ourselves from the haste of the sun god.”

“You are my older brother, you are more knowledgeable of this world and I will follow you to the ends of it,” Jatayu said blithely as he agilely changed direction and flew parallel to the earth between the clouds. With Sampathi above him, and the clouds surrounding both of them, they were safe.

Oblivious of their altitude, the clouds began to shift around the brothers, exposing them to the presence of the sun god who was irritated with their incessant flight throughout his realm. He shifted the full extent of his strength toward the brothers with intention to incinerate both, but only succeeded in damaging one.

The 6-foot wingspan of his older brother protected the slightly smaller Jatayu from the catastrophic frustration of the sun god. Sampathi’s burned body plummeted toward the earth, leaving a trail of ashes behind him. Before Jatayu could change direction to follow his brothers deformed figure as he fell through the sky, a very dense rain storm approached, washing away all possible trails to the landing place of his big brother.

It is said that Sampathi rests atop a mountain, no longer resembling a vulture, but now a pile of bones and flesh awaiting a savior or the company of his beloved brother. Jatayu continued the game, forever in search of his dear brother.

Author’s note: I chose to tell the story in a similar fashion as Narayan narrates The Ramayana. I really enjoy this writing style and I find it intriguing. My main goal for this story was to instill a sense of longing in the reader and to leave them with the unsettling emotion of both brothers in search of each other in the end, rather than their parents.

Works Cited:

Narayan, R. K. (1972) The Ramayana.

Turkey Vulture. Website: Wikipedia.

Jatayu. Website: Wikipedia.

Week 2: Storytelling || Dasaratha, the innocent boy, and the blind parents

The day was calm when Vishikh embraced the opportunity to fill his families weekly water pitcher. Being the solitary caretaker of his blind parents, Vishikh found himself in a constant state of companionship with the desire for a solitary moment. Filling the pitchers became Vishikh’s weekly chance to rest and meditate in the midst of his exhausting life of giving and never being given back to. As he approached the river he spoke softly, with the clarity of 1000 sun rays, and said, “Om sarveshaam swastir bhavatu. Sarveshaam shantir bhavatu. Sarveshaam poornam bhavatu. Sarveshaam mangalam bhavatu. Sarve bhavantu sukhinah. Sarve santu niraamayaah. Sarve bhadraani pashyantu. Maakaschit duhkha bhaag bhavet" (1). This is a shanti mantra Vishikh meditates on each week at the river with intentions of imparting fortune, peace, fullness, prosperity, happiness, health, and no sorrow to all people.

After his tenth repetition of the shanti mantra, he decided the time had come to fill the water pitchers and return home to tend to his disabled parents. The first two canisters were filled and he began replenishing the third when he was suddenly struck by an arrow through his abdomen. He shouted in agonizing pain, laying on the ground next to two full pitchers, and watched as the third navigated down the river after being released from his grip, when a frightened stranger rapidly approached him.

“You are no elephant. What have I done? What is your name, dear son? What can I do to help you?”

“I am Vishikh, the son of two blind parents. I am their sole caretaker and they will not survive without my aid. Please, inform them of my death. Our home is under the only visible northern star of the day. If you can, take my body with you on your journey.”

Vishikh took his last breath before the man who shot him could respond to his dying wish.

King Dasaratha was still unnerved by his misfortune in killing an innocent boy, but he composed himself and set forth on his journey to Vishikh’s home. He carried the boy and the two water pitchers for many miles until he reached the home of the eyeless, childless parents.

Dasaratha and the blind parents

 
“Who is there? That does not sound like the footsteps of my son, Vishikh. What have you come for?” said Vishikh’s father.

“I am King Dasaratha. When the sun was with me I hunted in the forest. I thought I heard the noise of an elephant drinking water from the river, but it was your son filling your water pitchers. I tragically shot your son and he is lifeless in my arms. All of your wishes will be granted if you can forgive my catastrophic mistake.”

“Forgive you? How will we live? Curse you! You too will lose a son and know the pain in our hearts. You will never be forgiven for your life-taking shot. You will die as we will.”

Once the father’s curse concluded, he and his wife collapsed to the ground. Dasaratha was terrified but felt obliged to bury their bodies and properly send them to the afterlife. Upon the cessation of the private ceremony, Dasaratha began the journey home, never to speak of the murder of an innocent boy, deaths of his parents, or the curse of the broken.

Author's note: I used a story telling style very similar to Narayan because I find it to be easy to follow, yet intriguing. My goal for the story was to convey the interaction between Dasaratha and the boy he killed, and ultimately the severe reaction of his parents and their deaths.

Works Cited: 

(1) "The Divine Life Society, Rishikesh" by Sri Swami Shivananda. Website: Shanti Mantras.

(2) Narayan, R. K. (1972) The Ramayana.

Week 1, Storytelling, The Wolf and the Lion

Residing at the University of Oklahoma, a council of students were appointed to uphold the standard for academic integrity. These students have the authority to examine and penalize other students academic misconduct in accordance with university policy. In an eloquent room coated in mahogany, a particular case was brought to the council regarding a student who plagiarized on his final research paper. Upon submitting his final paper, the professor instantly recognized and made note of the conspicuously unformatted, copied sections within each paragraph. One week later, the student was informed via email of his required attendance at his hearing for academic misconduct. Ignorant of what constitutes plagiarism and oblivious to the repercussions, he shouted in anger, “I didn’t do anything wrong! I wrote that paper. What the heck is this about?!”

Following the evaluation of the paper through various plagiarism sites, the professor and council agreed that the paper would receive a grade of zero. After being informed of this sanction, the enraged student in question attempted to argue his case by announcing to the council, "That's my work! My property! I worked hard to research, copy and paste that information. I added my own input on parts! How dare you give me a zero!" While the exasperated student paused to catch his breath and calm his heartbeat, the head of the council replied, "Oh, its your property? Did a magical fairy come and implant those words into your head? Did you write each sentence and choose each word? No. You stole those ideas from another person and you will be held responsible." Before the student could breathe another word, the council adjudicated a semester suspension and a mandatory Do You Understand Integrity course upon his return to campus.

After his semester suspension, the student returned to campus with an improved understanding of plagiarism and a new-found cognizance that nothing is accomplished unless it is accomplished with your own talents and abilities. Although he did not pass the course and had to re-take it, he recognized his fault and later admitted to being thankful for the critical mediation.

Ron Burgundy from Anchorman, 7 Meme Lessons

Authors Note: Aesops fable, The Wolf and the Lion, is a story of a wolf who had plans to eat a lamb until a lion stole the lamb from his mouth. The hungry, shaken, defeated wolf ran a distance away from the lion and then turned around to inform the lion of his frustration for stealing his meal. The pretentious lion told the wolf that the meal was never his to begin with. The moral of the story is "What is evil won, is evil lost" (Aesops for Children). I adapted this parable to reflect the phenomenon of plagiarism that has plagued the University of Oklahoma's campus and many other college campuses across our country. I visited the idea of the wolf representing a student without education on the definition of plagiarism and the lion as the distinguished council of students whose role is to teach the student a lesson for his benefit. 

Works Cited: “The Wolf and the Lion” illustrated by Milo Winter, from Aesop for Children (1919). Web Source: Aesops for Children.