Indian Epics Topics Brainstorm

1. Possible topic: Love stories - Orpheus and Eurydice
This topic seemed very interesting to me. I enjoy reading love story and this one was pretty good. I think its interesting how it associated the Greek Gods in the context. Also, I would like to learn more about the Greek mythology. Although its not Indian epic, I like the storyline.

Research so far: For this project, I will get to know more about Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus was a legendary musician in Greek mythology. Orpheus was known for his charming personality. I think its interesting that Eurydice was daughter of Apollo, who was God of music. According to some findings, they said that Orpheus was son of Apollo to. Although Orpheus and Eurydice is not from Indian background, I think it will be interesting doing a storybook about them

2. Possible Topic: Kaikeyi
The character of Kaikeyi was interesting to me. She also appeared in our reading and she stood out to me. Through the reading, I know that she became evil to keep what she had. She feared that she would loose everything once Rama gained the throne. Doing a research over the women Kaikeyi give me a better idea of where she is from and how she became so evil at the end.

Research so far: I know that there were three total Queens who were married to Kind Dasaratha. Interestingly enough, all three queens each had sons. Kaikeyi had a son name Bharatha. Because Rama was  going to claim the throne, Kaikeyi became scared that she was gonna loose her spot and state. I can search for her background and what kind of family she was from. I can also do some research over her parents and sibling. Maybe using her character, I can write an edited version of the storybook.

3.Possible topic: Ganesha -images
 The image of Ganesha seemed interesting to me. I've seen many photos of elephant with a lot of arms and always wondered the story behind it. It also seems like Ganesha appears quiet often in Indian epics. I want to know more about the different images. I know that elephants are highly respected in the Indian culture and I think Ganesha has to do with the fact that they are respected.

Research so far :After doing some research, I found out that Ganesha is one of the Gods in Hindu. He is known as God of wisdom, knowledge, and new beginning. I also found out that he is a big part of Indian art. He is in many paintings and sculptures. I would like to explore all sorts of arts which has Ganesha.

Ganesha

4.Possible topic: Vishnu - images
The image of Vishnu seemed pretty familiar too. I love the blue skin tone and the lotus flowers which appears often in his paintings. I think having many arms signify something because I see it often in many images of Indian God. Looking through many images, I think he is God of water because there are many images that are underwater.  By learning more about Vishnu, I will have a better idea of one of the Indian Gods. Because many Gods appear in Indian epics, I think it will be nice to know more about them

Research so far: There are many pictures and sculptures of Vishnu. After doing some research, I found out that Vishnu has some influence on Buddhism too. I think this is interesting because there is a cultural mash up in Hinduism and Buddhism. On Wikipedia, it mentions that it has five forms and have thousands of different names.

 Image source : Vishnu

Week 2 Reading Diary B

• While reading the part B, I thought it was interesting how the women who appeared in the stories are evil. 
• The episode of Rama's exile was my favorite. I think it is amazing how he was loved by everybody. Everybody was telling him to not leave and hated the evil women.
• When Lakshmana was so eager to kill the women, Rama calmed him down.
• On page 51, Rama quotes "Sometimes a river runs dry, and then it cannot be said to be the fault of the river - it's dry because the heavens are dry. so also, our father's change of mind, or the apparent hardheartedness of Kaikeyi,... some higher powers have decreed them." These words sounded like wise word. Because sometimes in life, we have to take the road that we do not want to, but I believe there is a higher God who leads my life.Also, if something was destined, no one can stop it. There are many times when I blame myself for a lot of things that happen in my life, but not I believe that somethings are not under my control.

Bharatha and Rama

Bharata and Rama; note also the sandals on the throne; by Raja Ravi Varma

• I found that Rama's sandal was a random object to represent his throne. When Bharatha came to see Rama, Rama insisted Baharatha to rule the land for fourteen year. Bharatha promised Rama that he will not rule the world for more than fourteen years. I thought it was very unique for Bharatha to take his sandal as a symbolic object for Rama.

The second part of the book seemed pretty dramatic, but I really enjoyed reading the stories. 

Week 2 Reading Diary A

• " A seed that sprouts at the foot of its parent tree remains stunted until it is transplanted. Every human being, when the time comes, has to depart and seek his fulfillment in his own way." (PG. 9)
• I like this quote because I think it is so true. I believe that when people reach a certain age,they have to move out of their parent's shadow and become independent. I have never left my parent's house because my parents wanted me to stay with them, but I believe I need to leave and become more independent.

Image Source: Vishnu Wikipedia (Bali)

• I enjoyed the scene where Mahabali offered the three strides of land to Vishnu. The whole scene was very unusual. The first step measured out the entire Earth, the second step was the heavens, and the last step was very unexpected. "Vishnu raised his foot, placed it on Mahabali's head, and pressed him down to the netherworld which he disposed the tormentor of the worlds." I found this scene very dramatic and interesting. (pg.15)
• The ceremony of "Horse Sacrifice" seemed very interesting to me. I believe that the horse ceremony described the culture of India a little better. It says" anyone attempts to hold up the horse, it is taken as a challenge and causes a war." when I read this, I knew that the horse sacrifice ritual was very serious.(pg.17) 
• I wondered if the appearance of Ahalya was significant. She appeared from a stone that was half buried and was transformed into a beautiful women.Also, the story of Ahalya and Indra reminded me of the story of King David and Bathsheba from the Bible. Indra and King David both loved the women so much for their beauty that they lie to the women's husband to make love with the women. (pg.20)