Raphael's intense historically inaccurate blog

The difference between how each kind of gods and goddesses work within Indian culture. The thought that material and spiritual reality is really cool, that one would not exist without the other. The argument as to how the female god was material and not instead, spiritual was interesting. Vishnu is a god who only grows infinitely. The celebration of Vishnu through color is cool. Spiritual growth is to be able to grow without getting greedy or clingy. I feel that many nowadays need to grow spiritually. Consciousness is finite. Brahma passes fear of death to everyone, but Vishnu does not depend on material reality. He is worshiped because of this. Maya is an aspect of material reality. Maya is mental. Brahmanda is Brahma's construction of reality. Prakriti is objective material reality. Maya Bilbiography: Epified

Krishna's profecy of being the end of Kance is what I will focus on in my next story. I will relate this to Aladdin most likely where Krishna is Aladdin and jafaf will be Kance. As he attempts to kill him multiple times, but each time Krishna prevails. I also like how Krishna has a friend to fight beside similar to Abu. Kance Bibliography Author: Epified  Episode: Krishna kills Kuvalayapida

After watching the youtube series over Krishna, I realized he lived in some cases a normal childhood. Obviously there is the occasional action performed by him that only a god could do, but he got into trouble like any other kid. A good idea for my story would be to compare Krishna fighting off demons to hercules. Krishna wrestled a tornado demon, similar to hercules. That and they are both gods. Tornado Demon Krishna Youtube Series  Author: Epified

Krishna goes to Hastinapura to plea with Karna to leave Duryodhana. Karna says no and that he will only battle against Arjuna. The supreme commanders for both the armies are set. Arjuna feels weird about having to fight Drona and others. Krishna convinces him to be ready to fight. Bhishma attacks Krishna and wounds him. Arjuna sees this and is angered. Arjuna then shoots Bhishma in the back, which ends up killing him. The first of the Pandava sons dies, Arjuna's son. Arjuna avenges his sons death by playing tricks to draw out Jayadratha, the killer of his son. In order to kill Drona Krishna comes up with a plan. He calls an elephant by the name of Drona's son. They kill the elephant and say they killed Ashwatthaman. This devastates Drona to the point where he falls to his knees. At this point they cut his head off.  The battle continues with everyone dying. The entirety of the Pandava's sons are dead along with Karna. The Pandavas win and Yudhishthira become king. Everyone ...

The Pandavas are going to a swayamvara held by king Drupada for his daughter. Here they enter a contest and Arjuna wins his daughter as his bride by shooting a target. Krishna recognizes the in disguise Pandavas. But the Pandavas must share her between the five of them as they said they would share whatever they had won. This is a bit weird to me, but this is what she had wished for from her previous life. The Pandavas get part of the kingdom and go all whilst on the verge of war. They also get into conflict from sharing Draupadi. Arjuna intrudes when it was not his turn with her, he was sentenced to exile for 12 years and married a princess. Then they get bested at a game of dice. Draupadi is humiliated and none of the brothers due anything because Yudhishthira lost whilst gambling her away. They end up regaining their freedom as Duryodhana's father granted them each wishes due to his son's actions. Now they are on the brink of war and Duryodhana plans to disgrace the Pandava...

The Pandavas learn that the house is to be set on fire in order to kill them. To avoid being killed they set the fire themselves and escape the house via a tunnel. Now everyone will think they are dead and they can go into hiding. Although this is a sound plan, would it not be better to go to the king and explain the misunderstanding and the deception Duryodhana played on him. Then while in hiding Bhima kills a Rakshasa then marries its sister. This I find weird and might change up if I wrote a story over it. Why would you marry and have children with your sister's murderer? The Pandavas then disguised themselves as Brahmin, which brought suspicion when Bhima defeated a Rakshasa. The Draupadi gets five husbands due to the rules of the contest. Then the Pandavas are granted part of the kingdom. They all then attend a ceremony, where Duryodhana causes yet another conflict even when warned not to. Duryodhana then challenges Yudhishthira to a game of dice, which he ends up winning all ...

Vyasa and Ganesha  Author: John Macfie -Chedi dropped his semen into a river -a fish got pregnant and had two kids, Satyavati and Yamuna King Shantanu and Ganga  Author: Donald Mackenzie -Shantanu married Ganga -Ganga tossed their children in the Ganges so there celestial spirits could be free -Shantanu gets mad -Ganag leaves him -brings him noble son, Devavrata King Shantanu and Satyavati -Shantanu wanted Satyavati, fish girl -Her father wanted her son to be heir to the throne -Shantanu said no because it was for Devavrata Devavrata's Vow -He said he would not be king, marry, or have kids -This was so his father could marry Satyavati Bhishma at the Swayamvara -Bhishma needed to find his brother a wife -He is a great archer Amba -Amba is not to be married and is sad -Gains the power to destroy Bhishma Dhritarashtra and Pandu -The two sons of Ambika and Ambalika -father was Vyasa -D was blind and Pandu was pale Kunti and her Son -Kunti gave bir...

Sita Sings the Blues  Author: Nina Paley Sita went back home with Rama. Even though she went through a trial by fire for Rama, the people did not see this therefore they were unconvinced of her purity. Due to this, they questioned Rama's pride, how he could take back a woman who was with another other than himself. After this Rama booted Sita out the door into banishment. I enjoyed how the narration portrayed the cruelty that Rama showed Sita upon her return. That he literally kicked her out. I also enjoyed how the narrators went into how Sita must have her own internal problems, for always staying loyal to a man that started to treat her so poorly. Not that she was physically abused in any way, but it could be seen from a certain perspective as a domestic abuse case were the victim keeps coming back to her abuser. Even after she had his children she proved herself once more to this man, although this time she return to mother earth. Rama Seeing Sita's Purity for the Last ...

Sita Sings the Blues  Author: Nina Paley This story was a retelling of the Ramayana through a video. I enjoyed the use of the three narrators arguing with each other and coming to conclusions as to what happened. This helped keep my attention throughout the entirety of the story, although I did not enjoy the addition of a separate story that showed the tale between a modern couple, who's relationship was similar to that of Sita and Rama. Sita and Rama I did find it interesting how this adaption of the Ramayana decided to take out Lakshmana from the group that went out into exile. I did the same when creating a story based off of the Ramayana stories, as I thought Lakshmana was an unessential character to the story. Although the music portions of the story were cool, I thought it took away from the plot of the story. For someone who has has not read the Ramayana before this leaves out some of the story.

The Bridge  Author: Donald A. Mackenzie -Rama asked ocean god for help -he didn't answer so Rama shot celestial weapons at the ocean until they responded -said they could not help due to ancient law, but to ask Nala, the vanar chief, for help -Nala built a great bridge for Rama Rama Attacks  Author: Sister Nivedita -Rama sieges Lanka -Everyone tells Ravana to surrender Sita, but he is to stubborn -He tries to trick Sita with a false Rama head and bow -they disappear when Ravana is called to battle Indrajit -son of Ravana -Beat down Rama and lakshmana -the monkeys were terrified of the rakshasa'a fighting method -Then Garuda came with a magical herb to revive Rama and his brother -they began to again seize the gates of Lanka Kumbhakarna  Author: Donald A. Mackenzie -The greatest of demons, who once defeated Indra, put to sleep for 6 months and awoke for 1 day eat -He devoured many monkeys, beat Hanuman and seized Sugriva -Rama shot his head off with a...

Sugriva and Hanuman  Author: Geraldine Hodgson -Hanuman took the form of a begger to approach the brothers -asks them what they are doing in the lake country -they respond after he reveals himself to be the messenger of Surgiva -they want to be placed under his protection -Sugriva needs their help as well Sugriva's Story -Sugriva was told by brother Vila to guard a hole while he chased something in it -After one year and seeing blood come out and not hearing his brother he thought he was dead -Sugriva then blocked the hole as to not let the creature out -vila was alive and got out and exciled Sugriva and took away his wife for not believing his story -Rama tells Sugriva to challenge Vila in battle Sugriva and Vali  Author: Romesh Dutt -Sugriva challenges Vali -Tara Vali's wife warns him that Rama might be allied with him -Sugriva does not care and accepts the battle Vali's Death -Vali wreck Sugriva -Rama steps in and shoots Vila killing him King Sugri...

Author: Donald A. Mackenzie Bharata Returns -Bharata learns of all that has taken place -he says he will not take the throne and will bring back Rama to do so -He is mad at his evil mother Dasharatha's Funeral -Bharata performs the funeral -Everyone is super sad Rama and Bharata -Bharata and one of Dasharatha's counsel try to convince Rama to return -Rama does not return, even after Bharat offer to take his place -Rama must honor his fathers commands The Sandals -Rama was given golden sandals from Bharata -These sandals were used as a symbol of the royal authority -Bharata went outside the city in bark to conduct the affairs of the city -all while holding the royal umbrella over Rama's sandals Author: Romesh Dutt Anasuya -Sita went inside Atri, ancient sage's hermitage -Met and told her story to his wife, Anasuya -Anasuya felt for Sita -Anasuya decked her out with jewels and robes Author: Donald A. Mackenzie Viradha -he's a man-eating r...

Author: Donald A. Mackenzie King Dasharatha -Ruled Ayodhya, a beautiful prosperous city -had palace guarded like a stronghold -but had no sons is was sad Dasharatha's sons -Dasharatha sacrificed a horse and the god promised him 4 sons Rama Avatar of Vishnu -Ravana was taking over everything -Vishnu dividing himself into 4 sons of Dasharatha -one of these sons was Rama, the most beautiful Vishvamitra -Vishvamitra was a rishi -his sacrifices were being disturbed by Ravana -Dasharatha welcome Vishvamitra and promised any gift he could give -he needed Rama to help overcome the devils polluting his sacrifice -with sorrow Dasharatha sent Rama with his brother Lakshmana to help Thataka -On their journey the three ran into Thataka, a rakshasa -They killed her and were rewarded with celestial weapons -later once they reached the sages dwelling, they tried to perform a sacrifice -during this Thataka's son and company tried to defile the sacrifice -using his cele...

Ganesha's Secret : Devdutt Pattanaik Shiva and Family -Shiva: A mountain mendicant -Parvati: Shiva's wife, a mountain princess -Ganesha: Shiva's child, head of an elephant -Kartikeya: Shiva's child, holds a spear (not shown above) -gods and goddesses are individual pieces to God -Myth: idea churned in my world -Mythology: stories symbols and rituals that communicate a myth -The pictures are not meant to make sense to non-hindus -Gods are greater than gods, per the capitol "g" -Divinity is formless: however, we require forms to comprehend it -Brahma: first being who sang the Veda and transmitted it through sages, Rishis -Veda is a set of hymns, non-human origin -Vyas: compiler of Vedas -Saraswati: mother of Vedas, a part of Brahma -four bhead of Brahma: four expressions of Veda Four goals of life, each a head of Brahma -Dharma: Righteous conduct -Artha: economic activity -Kama: pleasurable pursuits -Moksha: Spiritual practices -Kha...

Bodhisatta The Foolish, Timid Rabbit : Ellen C. Babbitt -Rabbit has existential crisis about world ending -monkey drops coconut causing the rabbit to freak out -rabbit causes all the animal to run with him out of fear -Lion, king, stopped them with a roar and asked what the matter was -found out the rabbit was the only one who saw the world ending -went to the tree the rabbit was at and realizes the rabbit is dumb Moral: Don't take one person's word as fact. Be questioning. The Turtle and the King : Ellen C. Babbitt -King made lake for his sons in courtyard -King put fishes in lake, with an accidental turtle -Princes freak out, never seen a turtle and think it is a demon -the king order the turtle dead, knowing it is harmless -turtle tricks them into killing him by throwing him into a lake that flows into a river and rocks -turtle is now safe Moral: Be clever in your existence. The Turtle and the Geese : Ellen C. Babbitt -turtle becomes friend with geese...

Jatakas Buddha's Teachings The Hawk and the Osprey This reading presented a great take away, which is the value of true friendship is worth a great deal, although I did find it funny that the tortoise was able to pull all the men into the water. The Pious Wolf I very much enjoyed this story. I have always valued my integrity. It is what we have been taught since childhood, "act as though someone is always watching you", in this case the author placed it into an incredible analogy to show the importance of keeping your word. The Grateful Beasts and the Ungrateful Prince Another story giving an important lesson. One that many need to take to heart with all the hate floating around. Being kind and giving, although can sometimes appear a burden, in the end it will always be better than being hateful. The Golden Goose This story has a sad truth to it, that one person can be the representation of an entire group. This has been seen in current events from ever...

For the reading options over the epic of Ramayana, although I would prefer the novel like reading over readings from various authors the online availability of the second reading  is what is most important to me as I do most of my work via computer. The separate links to each chapter of the epic is also useful for keeping my place, instead of checking out a book from the library and having to remember my place. I also prefer picture books, Where the Wild Things Are For the Week 5 options, the film is an hour twenty minutes, which would mean that it would take less time to complete, on average, than the readings, but it also means my hyper active brain has to pay attention for that long. The second option of the readings would be my go to as it lays the readings out into part A and part B reading on single pages. For weeks 6 and 7 the second option is the most viable for how I work for the same reason as week 3 and 4. For Week 9 the options I would choose are for th...