Week 14 - Reading Notes - Francis and Thomas Jataka Tales Part A

The Little Gildmaster:

I think this is one of the few stories where the former incarnation is human and not animal. I liked seeing the necessity of relationship building to complete the task, rather than just finding money somewhere to pay the workers. 

King Makhadeva's Grey Hairs:

I will never not be confused by how long certain types of characters lifespans are in both the epics and the tales. It seems like humans should have normal life spans and then other creatures should be immortal but everything just seems very inconsistent. I’m curious whether there is an actual system to how old these characters are supposed to be or if it is all just random. 

The Feast For The Dead

If sacrificing the goat was part of a religious ordeal, why was there a punishment associated with it? And shouldn't the punishment rest on the person who ordered that goats be used in sacrifice, rather than the person forced to make the sacrifice?

The Discontented Ox:

I thought this version of the Ox and Pig story was fun because the authors created a little bit more backstory with the upcoming wedding. I didn't realize it was the same Jataka I read before until I was halfway through it. This particular story continues to be one of my favorites. I may try to somehow incorporate it into my Kamadeva story this week. 

The Peacock's Wooing:

Peacock
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peacock_feathers_close.jpg

I get that the lesson of this one was "don't be a show off" but I still don't like that bird dad told his daughter she could marry whoever she wanted and then changed his mind.Bad form bird dad. Also I don't like that the original author's underlying message appears to be "dads pick a marriage for your daughter because she will choose wrong if you let her do it herself."

Bibliography

H.T. Francis and E.J. Thomas, Jataka Tales, Part A

Week 12 - Extra Credit Reading Notes - Krishna Krishna - Part C

War against Jarasandha
wikipedia.org

Politics and Marriage
 - I really liked the scene between Krishna, Jarasandha, and Duryodhana. As someone who studies history a lot and follows modern politics closely, I enjoy that we can see what a great strategian Jarasandha can be. His subtley in making a big power play makes him very dangerous.  

The Final Duel
 - I like that Bheema doesn't forget the vow that was made after Draupadi was attacked. While i am still really weirded out by Draupadi being married to ALL of the Pandava brothers I like that at least some of them do seem to actually love her and care about her wellbeing.
 - I think it is interesting that the author notes how sad it is that there are so few witnesses to watch the fight. One thing I have noticed about most ancient ( and modern) cultures is the preminum placed on having witnesses to physical abilities or fighting abilities. 

Gandhari's Curse
 - The moral question the hunter, Jara, poses is a really interesting one. I think the core question he is asking is whether or not it is okay to do the wrong thing for the right reasons. I also thought Krishna raised a good point about a heroic death being much less of a punishment than living with your own guilt. 

Bhama, The Brave
 - It totally makes sense that a drunken fight about how committed the most heinous crimes during the war would be what set off the fall of the Yandavas. I think the fight between the men about who was most and least guilty during the war and whether the gods would pardon any of them gave a little more depth to this book than the other legends I have read. 

Krishna, The Psychologist
 - Not relevant to story writing or reading at all, but I loved that the author was like "these three losers" when talking about the guys moping around because they didn't get the girl . 


Bibliography 
Indira Parthasarathy, Krishna Krishna,  Reading Part C

Week 12 - Reading Notes - Krishna Krishna Part B

Jarasandha Provoked
  -I like that the author forced the reader visualize exactly what Jarasandha would have looked like. It made the story feel slightly more realistic and gave you a sense of the character as a whole. I also thought it was interesting that a common theme amongst these legends is the vice of arrogance. That isn't true across all ancient cultures. In that same vein I think it is really fascinating how there are subtle differences between Kamsa and jarasandha's arrogance and Krishna's confidence.

The Retreat of Jarasandha
 - I really like that both Krishna stories I have read have him settling the people of Martura in a new city rather than engaging in some sort of siege warfare or city battle. It shows that while Krishna is certainly a warrior, he is more so a visionary and a leader. He focuses on the good of his people rather than his own pride.


Destination Dwaraka

Dwaraka Temple
commons.wikimedia.org

Rukmini's Wedding
 - I agree with the author/commentator that it is really interesting that Jarasandha decided that he would not kill Krishna because Krishna had not killed him but had humiliated him instead. On own hand Jarasandha could have believed that humiliation was a worse fate than death and so wished to inflict it on Krishna. Or Jarasandha could hold a sense of honor and know that since Krishna had spared his life he must spare Krishna's.
 - It is so sad that Krishna married Rukmini rather than Rhada, his soulmate, I will probably focus my next story on the complicated relationships that Krishna is involved in and how his time as Rama probably impacted those relationships.


The End of Jarasandha
 - I could also potentially work in Krishna's musings about love and how he does not agree with the societal standards governing love. I might have Kamadeva talk about how Krishna's thoughts either came from Kamadeva or did not.


Bibliography
Krishna Krishna, Indira Parthasarathy, Reading Part B

Week 11 - Extra Reading - Krishna Kirshna Part A

Krishna Novel
iereadingguides.blogspot.com

Introduction:
  - I think the line "That he cannot but do what he does" is a really helpful for understanding why Krishna is so popular. It also removed the idea of free ill or moral culpability from his character. More this makes it harder to really root for someone but easier to forgive their mistakes.
 - I like that this author is admitting that while Krishna is a side character in most of the epics, as an extremely charismatic character they thought he deserved his own novel.

Prologue:
 - After only watching the Epified videos I think the contrast between young Krishna in those videos and the older, wiser Krishna portrayed here is really interesting. I can't imagine the Krishna from the videos saying anything about his own mortality.


Narada's Discourse:
 - I like using Jara and the Traveller to create a connection between the time that the story actually occurred and when it is being related. Knowing that Jara got the story from Krishna and gave it to the traveller now telling the reader gives his version of events some legitimacy that would have been lost if the author has just started with something along the lines of "long ago" or "once upon a time".

The Yadava Clan
 - I liked that this very quarrelsome clan is said to have descended from a very righteous prince. It makes sense that in a society with inherited power, even the best of beginnings can turn sour. 


The Magic Melody of the Flute
 - I thought it was super interesting that the author ties the story of Adam and Eve in with the story of Khrishna stealing the young women's clothing. Narratively, it serves to tie Krishna back to a time, in christian readers minds, when sin was not a thing yet.

Kamsa's Invitation
 - I really liked the twist of having Narada tell Kamsa about Krishna in order to hasten Krishna towards his destiny.
 - I feel like a lot of epics have the hero in a resting or exile time where they have little mini adventures in preparation for their real battle.






Bibliography

Parthasarathy, Indira. Krishna Krishna 

Reading Notes Week 11 - Epified Krishna Part A

Krishna
www.newscrab.com

 - I really like this method of learning the story. Having something to watch while hearing the story makes it a really fun experience




Episode 1:
 - Slightly confused as to whether the couple was Kamsa's cousins and his sister intervened to stop him from killing them or if his sister was the one getting married.
 - Kamsa definetely could have found a less cruel way to kill his cousins children than smashing them against the wall.
 - The symbolism of the eighth child being the eighth reincarnation of Vishnu is interesting. I'm curious if eight is a symbolic number like 7 or 3 in Western traditions.


Episode 2:
 - The scene where they escape because some supernatural force has cause the guard to fall asleep is slightly remniscent of a passage in the bible where an angel causes the guards to fall asleep.
 -  Vasudev strait up kidnapped a child to sacrifice to his brother/cousin? in law


Episode 3:
 - Well I am glad that the little girl turned out to be a super powerful goddess but doesn't change the fact that Vasudev was totally willing for the random little girl to die.


Episode 4:
 - Kamsa slaughtering a lot of children in a effort to stop his rival from growing up is also similar to biblical stories.
 - Putana has possibly the worst murder plan ever. Even as a baby Krishna is a more effective killer.
- Also how did the mother or father not realize that their girl had been replaced with a boy.


Episode 5:
 - I like that Krishna was a big prankster from the time that he was really little. He had all these holy men coming to see him when he was a baby and then decides to become a little punk and steal butter.


Episode 6:
 - I think the emphasis on his adopted mother's role in Krishna's life is really interesting.
 - Also I think the twist of having Yashoda see the universe when Krishna opened his mouth was really cool. I'm curious if that always happens or just sometimes.


Episode 7:
 - I like the throwaway line about Krishna's attempt to learn music being more like a attempt to remember a long unused skill.
 - I also think its interesting how chill the village people are with their potentially supernatural children.


Episode 8:
 - Krishna remains a little punk. I like that even his mom is like "why does everyone put up with him?"


Episode 9:
 - So was Krishna purposefully making Indra mad so he could show off? Or was it a coincidence?
  - I think it is interesting that so far Krishna has failed at nothing. I'm curious whether he will mess up later in the story.


Episode 10:
 - This love story is very strange but somehow very sweet.



Bibliography
Epified TV, Krishna,  Part A

Extra Credit Week 10 Reading Notes - Babbit Jataka Tales Part B

The Wise and Foolish Merchant
 - I thought it was really interesting that the wise man's original plan did not work out but he still managed to make the best of the situation. Instead of having an easier journey he will have a harder one. However, he will also make all the profit from the trip.

The Elephant Girly-face
 - First off, Girly-face is a dumb name for an elephant regardless of the "gentle and kind" justification.
 - The fact that Girly-face kills two guys and the king  is most concerned about Girly-face and not the people she killed is very interesting and slightly upsetting.

The Banyan Deer
 - I thought it was very interesting that the King not only granted the Banyan King Deer's life but the life of all of the deer. I also just want to know how, logistically, the deer were drawing lots to see who would die each day??

The Princes and the Water-Sprite
 - This seems like it either draws from the plot of the two major epics I've read and/ or influences their plots. A queen influencing her husband to put the wrong sun on the throne, combined with brother in exile is similar to the Ramayana. A water spirit messing with princes is similar to the story of the Pandeva brothers.

The King's White Elephant

Elephant
pixabay.com

 - I really liked this story, mostly because until the last sentence I was afraid that the King was going to kill the white elephant and was very relieved when that did not happen.
 - It also sent a very clear lesson about compassion and loyalty. The older elephant was shown compassion by the carpenters and repaid then with a loyalty he passed onto his son. That loyalty was rewarded by the carpenters releasing the younger elephant to go have a better life with the King.

The Ox Who Never Envied the Pig
 - This was a slightly morbid story. I did like the underlying message that hard work leads to a long life while overindulgence can be deadly.

Grannie's Blackie
 - I think it is interesting that the animals in these story's act almost like children to their owners. Blackie seems very similar to a teenage boy.

The Crab and the Crane
 - I remember this story from the first sets of Jataka's from the beginning of the year. I still really like it also the crab decapitating the crane is slightly gruesome for what I assume is a children's story.

Why the Owl Is Not Kings of the Birds
  - The crow flying around screaming he doesn't like how the Owl looks and that is why the Owl shouldn't be king doesn't even seem that far fetched given politics today.


Bibliography

• Babbitt. Jataka Tales. Reading Guide B

Reading Notes - Babitt Jakara Tales Part A

The Monkey and the Crocodile

 - I liked that in this version of the monkey/ crocodile story, the crocodile is only trying to kill the monkey to please his mother. 

 - The wisdom, rather than just the cunningness of the monkey is evident by his last statement that he will still be on the lookout for the crocodile. 

How the Turtle Saved His Own Life
  - Serves as a good illustration on the dangers of ignorance. If the princes has known that the turtle was not a demon his life never would have been in danger. 
 - The turtle probably didn't help dispel the notion that he was a demon when he started talking. 


The Merchant of Seri
  - I thought it was interesting that the greedy merchant was able to recognize the bowl as gold. Normally in folktales likes this, you have one character that does not recognize the value of something and another who does. In this story both men recognized value but one was honest in trying to gain it. 


The Turtle Who Could n't Stop Talking
 - I feel like this story was one that parents with talkative kids used to talk as a warning. The main message is to not talk when you are told not to talk. 


The Ox Who Won the Forfeit
 - I like the theme of the animals being able to communicate with humans in these stories, rather than just with other animals. 
 - The message of treating those who serve you with kindness is super prominent here. 


The Sandy Road
 - I feel like this whole story could have been avoided if they had just been intelligent and waiting till they actually reached the city to throw away their extra supplies. 



The Quarrel of the Quails
 - I liked the message that working together the quails were able to outwit the fowler but as soon as they started quarreling he won. 
 - I thought it was interesting that the fowler understood that he just needed to wait for the quail to start arguing. 


The Measure of Rice
 - I think the position of Valuer is a really interesting one. Its easy to see how something like that could get corrupted and how that corruption could cause major problems. 


The Foolish, Timid Rabbit

Wise Lion
wikipedia.org

  - I liked this story both times I read it. The idea that one person (or animal) could cause so much disruption and that one individual could also fix it is very interesting. 


Bibliography

• Babbitt. Jataka Tales. Reading Guide A

Reading Notes Narayan's Mahabharata Part C

- I liked this plot twist where the Pandavas end up rescuing Duryodhana. I think it is safe to say that the original storyteller did not need to include the Pandavas rescuing Duryodhana for them to be likable characters. I'm curious reading forward how this rescue will affect Duryodhana's attitude toward the Pandavas?

- I feel like, in any situation, if a strange mystical voice says that you need to answer a question before drinking the water or you will die... you should probably answer the questions so, ya know, you don't think. I don't understand why some authors make their central characters idiots who don't think rationally sometimes. ( I am glad the one smart brother is the one who gets to chill with the king in their 13th year of exile while all the dumb brothers have jobs)

- I enjoy that as the story has progressed each of the brothers has started to be highlighted separately a little more. For a little while, at least as I was reading, the brothers felt a little indistinctive. Now that they have a little separation in their storylines it is easily to remember who they are. I don't know if that separation was an intentional move on the authors part or not, but I do think it works well.

Krishna. AKA the unfortunate plot hole
ouocblog.blogspot.com

 - Having Krishna appear in this story does create some narrative problems for my storybook. I don't know how to get around the fact that Kamadeva was incarnated as Krishna's son when I have him commentating on the Pandavas since I have his diaries set after his reincarnation.

- It amazes me that the Pandavas saving Duryodhana appears to have had no impact on his character. He really needs to gain some perspective before going to war. Also Dhritarashtra needs to realize his offspring is insane and just back the Pandavas. AKA he needs to stop being a coward.

Bibliography

Narayan's Mahabharata,Link to Reading Guide C .

Reading Notes Narayan's Mahabharata Part B

Draupadi and her five husbands
iereadingguides.blogspot.com

 - I am consistently intrigued by the mixed messages these epics send in regards to what the role of women was expected to be in ancient indian culture. Based on the Ramayana and the very begining of the Mahabharata, I would expect a women like Draupadi having multiple husbands to raise the same concerns with purity that Sita and Ampa faced. I'm curious if the difference lies solely in whether or not the men in question agreed to the multiple partners? Or if the Ampa was a special circumstance in the Mahabharata and that belief was only really an issue in the Ramayana.

- The idea of Shakuni getting his revenge by trying to beat Yudhishthira in a game of dice could be read as a warning not to indulge in gambling. That warning would prove wise when Yudhishthira loses everything in the first game. Yudhishthira is easily a representation of an obsessive, if unskilled gambler, whose foolishness could destroy his life and the lives of everyone he loves.

 - Draupadi shows a lot of her character when Dhritarashtra offers her one wish. The fact that she wishes only for her current husband's freedom, and with a subsequent wish the freedom of her other husband clearly impacts Dhritarashtra. She not once wishes for her own freedom, even after Duryodhana attempts to humiliate her.

 - Yudhishthira is, once again, an idiot. How he didn't learn from his first mistake is beyond me. I'm also intrigued by the fact that the son was able to override his mother to re-invite Yudhishtahthira. I don't think that would have happened in the Ramayana. The only time I remember a child overriding a parent was in the interest of another parent.

- I can definetely see how this story is more comparable to a narrative like Game of Thrones than the fairytale like story of the Ramayana. I have not decided which one I like more yet.

Bibliography

Narayan's Mahabharata, Link to Reading Guide B.

Reading Notes Narayan's Mahabharata Part A

Ganga leaves
iereadingguides.blogspot.com

 - I had to laugh at the marriage condition that Shantanu's future wife gives him. Its a nice flip from the other ancient stories where the male love interest sets the conditions of the relationship. Also the picture shown above is my favorite image that I have come across for this class so far. I think Ganga's little wave is very funny for some reason.


 - Bhishma reminds me a look of Rama in the scene where he renounces his claim to the throne. Cleary the culture that these epics thrived in promoted children putting their parents above themselves. Both Rama and Bhishma are willing to throw their entire future away to honor their fathers wishes. 

- Another parallel between the Mahabharata and the Ramayana exists in the treatment of Amba. Clearly a woman's word is not given enough weigh to be considered proof of her purity. However unlike Sita, Amba begins to allow her anger to corrupt her. 

 - The story of Kunti setting her son, a very powerful being, adrift in a basket and his subsequent rescue echoes the story of Moses in exodus. I'm curious whether, at the time this story originated, Indian culture had had any interactions with Hebrew culture. 

- I think its interesting that for a society that apparently puts such a high value on female purity and fidelity, everyone seems totally okay which Kunti having children with various gods. I also think it's fascinating that Pandu clearly regards these children as his own and even asks Kunti for more. 

 - I am very intrigued by the similarities between the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The scene where Arhuna strings the bow in order to marry Draupadi is reminiscent of the scene in the Ramayana where Rama strings the bow in order to marry Sita. I'm curious whether stringing a bow to win a brides hand was a common practice in India and the stories are drawing on that tradition? Or, alternatively, if one of the narratives is merely repeating a scene from the other?

Bibliography

Narayan's Mahabharata, Link to Reading Guide A.

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana Part D

Sita Tested (Unfairly)
blogspot.com

- I think its interesting, and indicative of the author's views, that Hanuman places such emphasis on why he does not think Ravana's wife could be Sita. The idea that Sita was so perfect that she could never sleep sprawled out or snore is absurd.

 - I appreciate the cleverness of Hanuman. Letting the opposition capture you in order to either gain information or give it is a clever strategy. It is a also a fairly common literary trope.

- I again think that it is interesting that even the villains in this story seem to be highly intelligent and capable of providing wise council. I think a lot of times villains are written as one dimensional evil idiots. Giving them depth actually makes the heroes triumphs more impressive since they were not inevitable.

 - I don't particularly love the lack of stakes in the story. When Lakna is burned to the ground I feel it should have a larger impact on the story. Inside it seems only to show that the gods can destroy and rebuild very easily.

- Honestly Vibihishana is the best character in this whole story so far. He consistently gives good advice and Ravana is an idiot for not listening. (Potential story from Vibhishana's point of view would be really fun)

- Predictably, Ravana's lack of wisdom is going to come back to bite him. I was very glad that Rama chose to trust Vibihishana instead of listening to Sugriva and Jambavan. The story about his ancestor was also a nice touch of parallel storytelling similar to the experience of Sugriva.

 - I love that Sita is once again shown to be very smart. She doesn't fall for Ravana's trick with Rama's decapitated head.

 - The reading guide says "the gods were puzzled by Rama requiring Sita to prove her purity" - same, Indian Gods, same. That whole scene is just ridiculous.

Bibliography

Narayan's Ramayana, Link to Reading Guide D.

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana Part C

Jatayu, Sita, and Ravana
blogspot.com

- I thought it was really interesting that the story of Ravana abducting Sita had some similarities to Snow White. Ravana arrives at the cottage in the guise of a hermit, similar to the Evil Queen arriving as an old hag. (See if you can parallel another myth tradition in your story this week)

 - I enjoy giving Sita a lot of dialogue in this part. Up only now the story has been primarily focused on Rama and his actions and feelings. I think seeing how outspoken and bold Sita is to Ravana helps give her character more depth.

 -I think that Jatayu's conversation with Rama sheds light on a well used writing trope. A lot of times a dying character will use their last moments to share important information. However, they almost always end up dying before they are able to give the most critical piece of information, in Jatayu's case where Ravana was headed.

- I find it interesting that a common theme seems to be the nuanced differences between the heroes/otherworldly creatures and the actual gods. I have trouble distinguishing who is god and who is some other sort of supernatural creature. To the best of my understanding, gods can be reincarnated as humans or other creature but aren't always. Some heroes/powerful humans are gifted with powers that make them just as great or greater than the gods (Ravana) and there are also demons (also Ravana)?

 - I like Sita's intelligence in throwing down her jewelry. This epic has shown several times now that Sita is ever bit Rama's equal.

- The parallels between Rama and Sugriva serve to allow Rama's emotions to be explained through his sympathy for surgriva. I think in my next storytelling or project assignment I will try and give insight to my characters through a parallel story.

Bibliography

Narayan's Ramayana, Link to Reading Guide C.