Week 6 Planning - Kamadeva

Kamadeva and Rati
wikipedia.org

Kamadeva and Rati Wikipedia Article:

 - I think it is fascinating that the God of Love's female counterpart is Rati, the goddess of love. In Ancient Greek Mythology Aphrodite is married to Haphaestus, the god of fire, and had an ongoing affair with Ares, the god of war. I think that who the deity representing love is paired with says something about the culture that these myths developed in. In my next story I may try to have Kamadeva interact with the Aphrodite and either Ares or Hepheastus along with his own mate Rati.

 - I also didn't realize that Rati is supposed to almost always be with Kamadeva. I will make sure to have him mention her more in my next diary.

- If I ever dive into Kamadeva's backstory, I will make sure to reference the legend that has Kamadeva as Brahma's son rather than Vishnu's so that it doesn't seem odd that Kamadeva only refers to Vishnu as a friend.

- The incineration of Kamadeva is a very interesting story. I think if I can find any parallel story in one of the readings, I will try to have Kamadeva commentate the story, or at least a part of it and then tell his own backstory through his commentary.


Other Articles/ Legends
 - Another article I read went more in depth with the story of Shiva incinerating Kamadeva. In this version the world was in grave peril because Shiva was mourning and refusing his duties. So Kamadeva snuck into his chamber and shot him with an arrow to make him fall in love with Pavarti (who was really the reincarnation of his dead wife). Shiva incinerates Kamadeva but the arrow hit and makes him fall in love with Pavarti. This version of events gives more weight and a more sacrificial nature to Kamadeva's death. It could also symbolize the idea that love is both powerful enough to save the world, and requires sacrifice.

Bibliography:

Various Authors, Kamadeva Wikipedia Page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamadeva
Various Authors, Rati Wikipedia Page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rati
Unknown Author, Lord Kamadeva Article. http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/articles/lord-kamadeva

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.