As the Story Will Tell Itself: To Become the Mouth Which Holds the Universe

The story of the mango and the race between Ganesha and Kartrikeya: I am surprised at what Ganesha did and said. It was more endearing and wholesome than I expected, especially after reading more cruel things in other stories. It is interesting that he comments on the subject of mythology, this case Hindu, as being beyond rationality and something to approach with an open mind. I know that even in the early days before being in this class, I always thought it was strange the way the Hindu deities were depicted, but the polytheism and interconnection of  everything was fascinating. Now in this class, I look at all of these things like "wow!" I like the idea of multiple incomplete beings encompassing different aspects of life and the universe. Sometimes I look at monotheistic religions and think it is unreasonable to stow so many qualities, virtuous or not, into one being. If you have a being that is so vast, a typical mortal will easily lose sight of this being. Where al...

Young Prince Uttara walked haughtily around the palace. "By the gods, I am bored," he sighed. "I wish to be out fighting in campaigns! But alas, there are none for me to take part!" The prince moped. "If I could go out right now, I would tear through our enemies with the fury of a hundred tigers! I would level them with the strength of a thousand elephants! I would-" he continued to rant and brag about himself. King Virata, Uttara's father, overheard all of this. He knew that his son seemed to be capable of the feats about which he kept bragging. The king decided to test his son of his capabilities. "Uttara, my son," Virata called, "come before me! I have a mission for you." The prince started at his fathers voice, but he obeyed. "One of the neighboring kingdoms is causing trouble for us. I wish to send you out to go and deal with them. Take Himmat as your charioteer." Uttara tried to give a reason as to why he could no...

Dhritarashtra is a weak leader. If everyone has been saying since the beginning to get rid of Duryodhana, then he should have. This whole war could have been avoided if he had just done so. Consider a story taking place in the past when Duryodhana was born. Take a route where he is left to die of exposure and either leave it at that or have him survive and cause this was out of revenge for leaving him. Is it really fear from which the Pandavas are speaking? U think it is more of a decent thing to try to avoid this war. Where the conflict really is between the Pandavas and Kauravas, there is no need to drag millions of others to their deaths. What if one of the pleas for peace works? What if the war was only fought five versus one hundred one? "Many of you will die, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make." -Lord Farquad Why is Krishna aware of his divinity whereas Rama was not? Is this a difference in circumstance? Duryodhana is described as a snake with ey...

Duryodhana sets up a camp near Kamyaka, but a full-on battle was started with some nearby gandharvas. This results in Duryodhana's capture and the Pandavas coming to rescue him. Expand upon the dialogue and whatever else that starts the scuffle. Add detail to the part where the Pandavas save Duryodhana (how, when, etc.). What happened to the deer? They went to hunt it down, got thirsty, and were distracted by the whole encounter with Yama, but is the rest of the hunt going to be glossed over? Add more detail to the hunt like another mishap. Poor Draupadi... The women in these epics tend to suffer such unfortunate fates. But when you consider the times, women were viewed as nothing. Write about Draupadi's and Bhima's plan and execution of Kichaka and his army.  To watch "lynx eyed": what an interesting metaphor. Lynxes have pretty eyes. Livestock are valuable, and cattle are highly revered. It is understandable why the Kauravas would try to steal...