Tech Tip: Blog Profile

Blogger Profile and Name Display

For this tech tip, I decided to take out the "About Me" section on the right hand side of my blog. I don't want my name showing up on my blog, solely due to personal preference. 

Storybook Topics: Brainstorm

1. Women Characters. This was the first topic that caught my eye because growing up, all I really remember my parents highlighting were the actions of the male characters in the epics. I would love to read more about some of the women characters in both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. If I were to do my Storybook over a women character, I would probably focus on Sita or Draupadi.
Research So Far. On the storybook topics page, I followed the links that lead me to more information on Draupadi. The Wikipedia page on Draupadi went into great detail on her early life and childhood. I read that Draupadi has about twelve names that people use to refer to her. I also read about how she married all five of the Pandavas. The Wikipedia page on Sita had a ton of information as well. I found it very interesting that Sita's birthplace is disputed. There are about six different explanations about Sita's birth. My favorite one said that Sita was actually Ravana's daughter. There was an astrology who announced that Ravana's wife's first child would destroy his lineage. The page also provided detailed images of Sita, like this one:

(Sita. Source: Wikipedia)

2. Gods and Goddesses: Hanuman. Growing up, I was always interested in the story of Hanuman. Just this past weekend, I was browsing through the Indian channels at home and I came across an entire show based on Hanuman's story. After watching a few minutes of the show, I immediately thought about learning more about him for my Storybook. Also, I know the Hanuman Chalisa, which is a devotional prayer dedicated to Hanuman. 

Research So Far. After reading the Wikipedia page on Hanuman, I became even more intrigued. The story of Hanuman's birth and the reason for his monkey-like face is very interesting. The Wikipedia page says that Hanuman was born for the sake of helping Rama (avatar of Vishnu) defeat Ravana. It started with Narada cursing Vishnu for his ape-like face and telling him that Vishnu will soon be dependent on a vanara (forest-dweller). Vishnu told Narada not to feel bad for the curse because this curse would lead to Hanuman's birth. 

3. Gods and Goddesses: Ganesha. I have always been interested in Ganesha, mostly because of his elephant head. I would want to write my Storybook over Ganesha so I can refresh my knowledge on his story. Also, not to be ignorant, but I have always loved elephants. 

Research So Far. The Wikipedia page on Ganesha had a lot of good information. I read about how Ganesha got his elephant head. One story says that Parvati wanted protection so she created Ganesha using clay.  Shiva went on to behead Ganesha when he started to get in between Shiva and Parvati. After beheading him, Shiva put an elephant head in place of his original head. Another story says that Shiva created Ganesha with his laughter, and he gave him an elephant head and chubby belly because he was too attractive. 

4. Traveling India: Ganges. I have been to India four times in my life and I have never visited the Ganges. My dad always told me that visiting and bathing in the Ganges was an experience he would never forget. I would really enjoy getting to learn more about the Ganges through my Storybook. 

Research So Far. On the Wikipedia page about the Ganges, there was a lot about the Hindu rituals that surround the river. It says that Hindus bathe in the waters to pay homage to their ancestors and the Gods. They cup the water in their hands, lift it over their heads and let it fall back into the river. Followers also take some holy water back home with them to use in rituals. 

(Ganges. Source: Wikipedia)

Week 2 Storytelling: How Rama Won Sita

How Rama Won Sita 

It was a chilly Saturday evening at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. All of the students were in their respective houses’ common rooms. The ladies of Gryffindor were all sitting together in front of the fireplace. There was a dim glow in the room from the bright orange flame that Ginny conjured up. Hermoine Granger and Lavender Brown were taking up the seats on the couch. Standing in front of the fireplace were the twin sisters, Padma and Parvati Patil. Tonight, the girls decided to tell stories of their native countries. The Patil sisters decided to talk about the Ramayana.

(Gryffindor common room. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Padma explained to her peers that the Ramayana was an epic Sanskrit poem that was written by the Hindu sage, Valmiki. The Ramayana is one of the most well-known epics of India. The Ramayana tells the story of Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, and how he goes about trying to save his wife, Sita. Sita was abducted by the evil king of Ayodhya, Ravana. At this point, Parvati cuts in and corrects Padma. “Ravana was the evil king of Lanka, Padma. You should know this by now. Mom and Dad would be so disappointed in you.” All the girls laughed at Padma’s expense. “Anyway, as I was saying, Sita was abducted. But girls, we want to tell you how cute Rama and Sita’s love story was,” Padma announced. All the girls were particularly intrigued at this point and couldn’t wait for the Patil sisters to tell them the story.

Parvati began by explaining to the girls that Sita’s father was Janaka, King of Mithila, and he set up a challenge for any guy that wanted to pursue his daughter. There was this mighty bow that was in Janaka’s possession. Many warriors and rajas tried to bend the bow, but their attempts were unsuccessful. Janaka claimed that whoever was able to bend the bow would be able to have Sita’s hand in marriage.  This feat seemed next to impossible for every guy that showed up for Sita. Janaka began to think that know one was worthy of marrying his beautiful daughter, Sita. Then, suddenly, Rama comes in. With respect, Rama asks Janaka if he may lift and bend the mighty bow. “Guys, OMG, this is the best part. Listen up!” exclaimed Padma.

(Rama breaks the mighty bow. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Parvati goes on to tell the girls the rest of the story. She excitedly tells them how Rama lifted up the bow with great ease, like lifting up a feather. With almost no force at all, Rama was able to bend the mighty bow. She made sure to tell them that before the competition started, Rama and Sita laid eyes on each other in the garden and instantly fell in love. Padma buts in and says, “Janaka was extremely impressed by Rama’s success and almost instantly accepted Rama as his Sita’s husband.”

“Aww, that was quite possible the coolest way to win someone over,” Lavender whispered. All the girls were intrigued by the story. They couldn’t wait til the Patil sisters gave another installment of the epic love story, Ramayana.  

Author's Note. I decided to write about when Rama wins Sita. I remained very close to the actual story of when Rama broke the bow. I have always loved this story of how Rama was the only raja who was able to lift and break the mighty bow of Lord Shiva. I touched on the part of the story before Rama wins over Sita through the competition. I briefly mentioned how Rama and Sita had already seen each other before the competition. But my spin on the story was to make it seem like Padma and Parvati Patil were telling the story to their friends at Hogwarts. I was browsing the random storytelling site generator and the Harry Potter style really stuck out to me. I have read and seen all the Harry Potter books and movies so it was easy for me to write a story based on the characters.  I love Harry Potter so it was fun for me to incorporate it into the Ramayana. I obviously chose an image that showed Rama breaking the bow and surprising all of the bystanders. This was the climax of the story, in my opinion. I hope anyone who reads this enjoys the mix of the Patil sisters and the Ramayana. I wanted to write a fun, light-hearted story about Rama and Sita.

Bibliography. PDE Ramayana. Part A, Section 9-10. Various authors. 

Week 2 Reading Diary: PDE Ramayana continued

PDE: Ramayana by various authors

After reading the next twenty sections of the public domain edition of the Ramayana, I became very interested in reading on. The storyline is so interesting and the writing is so rich in details. The first few sections in Part B really showed how much of a devoted younger brother Bharata is to Rama. I loved the dramatic scenes when Bharata was angry with his mother, Kaikeyi, for basically forcing him into reigning. My favorite quote was when Bharata said, "I have lost my father and my elder brother. Of what good is a kingdom unto me now?" This truly shows Bharata's devotion to his family, especially Rama. 

(Bharata sets out to find Rama. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

If I were to tell a story based on this section, Bharata Returns, I would definitely switch up the role that Kaikeyi plays in Bharata getting the throne. Instead of her being seen as evil and selfish, I could maybe describe her character in a positive light. I would make it where Bharata was not upset with his mother. 

Week 2 Reading Diary: PDE Ramayana

PDE: Ramayana by various authors

For the Week 2 Reading part A, I decided to read the first twenty sections of the public domain edition of Ramayana. As you may know, I am already quite familiar with the epic story of Rama. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this again because it took me back to when I was younger when my parents used to read the Ramayana to me. Even though I'm familiar with the stories, it was nice to be able to refresh on some of the important aspects of the Ramayana.

My two favorite sections from the PDE: Ramayana were Rama: Avatar of Vishnu and Rama Wins Sita. I remember growing up, my mom always described how Rama was born. I really enjoyed the vivid detail about how he was born like a "blue lotus bloom." This section did a good job of setting up the reason behind Rama and his brothers' births. My favorite part about Rama's birth was that he was given life in order to destroy the evil Ravana. If I were to expand on this for my storytelling, I would definitely add more descriptions about the rituals performed in order for the three wives of Dasharatha to have children. I would also focus in on one of Rama's brothers, instead of Rama himself. 

(The Birth of Dasharatha's Sons. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

When I read about how Rama was able to lift the bow and string it with such ease after so many had attempted it, I was amazed. I always loved this part of the Ramayana. The love story aspect is definitely one that I would elaborate on. If I were to write a story about this particular section, I would focus in on how Sita reacted to Rama being able to conquer such a feat. I want to change it up a bit to where Sita wasn't being given away to someone solely based on this accomplishment. I will focus on how Sita fell for Rama before any of the bow stringing competition happened. 

(Rama Breaking the Bow. Source: Wikimedia Commons)