Week 14 (Extra) Reading Diary: Lacknose

For my extra reading diary post I went with the story, Lacknose.  This story comes from one of my favorite books "The Giant Crab and other Tales from old India" retold by W.H.D Rouse.

Lacunose is about a lovely farmer who had an even lovelier garden.  I really like this story because first off it deals with a garden and LOVE gardens, and reading anything about them.  His garden was filled with all kinds of flowers with all the different types of colors you could imagine.  But the reason he was named Lacknose was because he had no nose.  When I first read this I was sad for the man. He could never smell how wonderful his flowers were.  There were three boys that wanted some his flowers.  The first two boys made comments about the farmers nose growing and the farmer didn't like this and thought that they were very foolish boys. The third boy was taught manners and respect of elders by his parents, and just asked politely if he could have some flowers.  The farmer was delighted at how polite the young boy was, and he decided to give him the nicest bunch of flowers that he had in his garden.

(Photo Source) 

Week 14 Reading Diary: Sita Sings the Blues

Last week I did a video instead of reading a story for the first time.  I really liked watching the video better because I was able to understand the story a thousands times better.  This week I decided to go ahead and do another video for my reading diary.

This week I started Nina Paley's film, Sita Sings the Blues. This is a full-length animated version of the Ramayana, focusing on Sita.  This reading diary is focused on Part B.

(photo source) 

I am really enjoying all of this singing.  It is a great way to teach some people about the history of Ramayana.  It is so fascinating to see that some people have taken a lot of time to help create ways for interesting ways to learn.  These animations are just so interesting and beautiful at the same time.   I also like how it uses modern time in this film, for example San Fransisco.  Very cool that they combine the 14th century and this century.    

Week 14 Reading Diary:Sita Sings the Blues

Last week I did a video instead of reading a story for the first time.  I really liked watching the video better because I was able to understand the story a thousands times better.  This week I decided to go ahead and do another video for my reading diary.

This week I started Nina Paley's film, Sita Sings the Blues. This is a full-length animated version of the Ramayana, focusing on Sita.  This reading diary is focused on Part A.

First off I really like the animations in this video, it makes it fun!  This movie really helped me understand the story line and how people are connected.  I have read bits and piece of the stories that were discussed in part A.  It was nice to see it acted out and to put pictures to the actions I read.  Sometimes when I would read the story would be so out there strong I wasn't sure that i was understanding it.  For example when Sita is enchanted by the Golden Deer. It was cool to see that played out.

(Photo Source) 

Week 13 Reading Diary: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art (Make/up)

For this weeks reading diary I went with something a little different.  Instead of reading and trying to decode what the story was telling I went with listening to some videos.  I watched Seven Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art.  This video is split up into three parts.  I just watched Part C videos for my extra credit reading.  Both of these videos came from Devout Pattanaik.


These two videos cover Devi's Secret and Vishnu's Secret Part 1.  I learned that the story of Vishnu-Devi is that a lusty ascetic chases her, and she beheads him. He repents and worships her.  Then he who seeks to dominate the Goddess can surrender to her. In other words, the one who chases desires can also submit to destiny. It was investing the way this guy relates to the real world of today.  He talks about how wealth create power, and power can become love that dominates and turns into affections or violence that can give away pleasure.  

(Photo Source) 

Week 13 Reading Diary: Hindu Calendar Art

Still reading the Hindu Calendar Art that comes from Devdutt Pattanaik's Seven Secret Hindu Calendar Art.  Today I focused on Part B, which is chapters three and four.  Chapter 3 goes overs Ardhanari's Secret where chapter four goes over Shiva's Secret Part 1 and 2.

I learned that Narayan's awakening is a moment of celebration.  It makes the creation of the world just as out world comes into being when we awaken and become aware of our world. Angels, Visualised as flying women, shower flowers.  From an academic point of view, it is interesting to keep in mind that the notion of flying heraldic angels came to India only after exposure to European culture in the sixtieth century.

(Re Awakening of Narayan)

Week 13 Reading Diary: Hindu Calendar Art

For this weeks reading diary I went with something a little different.  Instead of reading and trying to decode what the story was telling I went with listening to some videos.  I watched Seven Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art.  This video is split up into three parts.  I just watched the first two videos that are connected with part A.  Both of these videos came from Devdutt Pattanaik.

I am really glad that I decided to watch this video.  First off, it was nice to hear how some of these name are actually pronounced.  I have been reading these stories of these people all semester and have been just butchering their names.  The second good thing to starting this video is that I am able to get a better grasp on how everything and everyone ties together.  The man illustrating put the words in a certain way that it was easy for me to understand.  The more I understood of these stories, the more I liked them.  Also with a lot of the things he was saying I was able to tie into real life situations, which I liked doing.

(Photo Source) 

Week 12 Reading Diary: Inayat. Twenty Jataka Tales

Week 12 Reading Diary The Twenty Jataka Tales by Noor Inayat

(Photo Info) 

Reading Part A

The Monkey-Bridge
-"Sun-rays undisturbed" I like this description.  Of course a troop of monkeys were the ones eating the fruit off the tree, as they should be. I don;t like how the king just wanted to kill the monkey's.. why couldn't he just share? It was sad to see that the chief monkey's loved ones passed away, but awesome how the king felt for him and helped him.

The Guilty Dogs
-I really didn't like how the king wanted to kill all of the dogs. I love dogs and this upset me.

The Tortoise and the Geese
-This is a very common known story. I have run into it over and over again in different weeks.

The Fairy and the Hare
-What a cute little story about good friends and their adventure with a fairy.

The Golden Feathers
-This is another story I have read multiply times though out the semester.  I do really enjoy it because it teaches an important lesson. The mother should have not taken advantage of the golden feathers that were being handed to her.  We need to learn to appreciate and accept that we have enough.

The Young Parrot
-The parrots live in a silk cotton tree, I think that this is cool because I would have never put the two together.  I love a good story that ends happier ever after.

The Empty Lake
-I like how the fish had golden backs. This story reminded me of the story of Noah in the Bible.  God said he would never flood the earth again.  Just like the king was promised that the lake would never go empty again.

The Swans Kingdom
-How fun that there are different lakes with different colors.. very creative.  This story just keeps getting more and more creative.. drops of honey into the lake!

The Masters's Test
-Well right away I don't like the story because the king believes that because they deserve the money more than others then they can just take it.  That's what's wrong with the world theses days people think they are just in-titled to something or think they are above the law.  

Week 11 Reading Diary: Jataka Continued

Week 11 reading Diary: The Giant Crab and Other Tales from Old India

Reading Part B:

Birds of a Feather
-I like the name of the horse: Chestnut.  I also like the other name Strongjaw. The names were the most interesting par of this story.

Spend a Pound to Win a Penny
-The monkey shouldn't have stolen the peas, but I think that the men throwing stones was to far.  I like how peas were the choice of food for the horses.  The monkey shouldn't have been so greedy about one pea he should have just let it fall and moved on with all the others peas he had.

The Cunning Crane and the Crab
-This is funny because sometimes in the summer the water can get extremely low in the lakes and ponds.  Of course the crane offers to help the fish stay in water, in his mouth!

Union is Strength
-The quails were never to get away from the fowler. Lets be real their feathers wouldn't be able to help them out as much as they would need to get out of the net.

Silence is Golden
-The poor cub wasn't able to roar as loud as he wanted, but it makes sense because he is only a baby.
 
The Quail and the Falcon
- Interesting that the falcon couldn't get the quail on his own grounds.  In fact when the falcon tried he ended up dies out of shock of not being able to reach him.

The Bold Beggar
-It was strange how if you liked the king you could see him eat his dinner without charge. Who would want to do that?! I like how no one else got a meal like that man., shows what courage could do for you.

The Lion and the Boar
-All of these stories deal with different types of animals that have to confront each other.  It is interesting to see which animals are being created to work together and who eats who.  Its funny to relate it to the real world.

The Goblin City
-A city of all she-goblins.. I bet that gets intense with some crazy arguments and fights.  I love how the she-goblins brought clothes and food to the sailers that had come upon their city.

Lacknose
-What a sad life to be a gardener that had no nose to smell all the wonderful flowers planted.  (No I understand the title better, and it's a pretty good pun!)

(Photo Source: From the book) 

The King's Lesson
-I like the kings name "Godfrey" It would be a good day to have no quarrels hanging around.

Week 11 Reading Diary: Jataka Stories

Week 11 Reading Diary The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from old India 

The Giant Crab
-At first I was like why wouldn't the elephants just crush the crab?! I mean they are big enough to easily take care of the problem.  I now see that they were waiting the crab to use his claws so that they knew where he was.  I also like how there is an wife and husband elephant, because in real life elephants love each other so much that they are willing to die for one another.

The Hypocritical Cat
-I liked how the cat said his name was Holy and that he was facing the sun because he was worshiping it. when really it was all a plan to eat the mice.  I like how they overcame the cat and lived in peace and happiness. I'm sure we all have cats to overcome that would lead us to peace and happiness

The Crocodile and the Monkey
-The monkey should have never trusted the crocodile.  But I like how he out smarted the crocodile and was able to eat the free food the earth had given him.  Mrs. Crocodile should just settle for something other than someones life to find food.

The Wise Parrot ant the Foolish Parrot
-The names of the parrots are so fun! Beaky and Tweaky! What a harsh punishment, to be plucked. This was a cute story with birds and I usually hate birds.

The Dishonest Friend
-Thats strange that a rat was able to eat a plough.  This has turned into a sad story where a boy has now been taken! Thankfully the plough and the boy were turned back safe.

The Mouse and the Farmer
-I like how the farmer and the mouse worked together, the mouse brought him something he gave him something in return. Gross! I can't believe the farmer wanted to eat the mouse.. That would be disgusting.

The Talkative Tortoise
-This sounds like the type of turtle for me! I talk way to much sometimes so we would get along nicely. That was harsh that the fish basically said they would rather die than keep hearing him talk, makes me sad for the turtle. Very sad ending that the turtle died, just because others didn't want to hear him talk.

The Monkey and the Gardener
-Interesting turn around because you always hear that monkeys are smart but these Monkeys weren't able to pull though and be wise.

The Goblin and the Sneeze
-I like how they mentioned that is how the goblin got their names

The Goblin in the Pool
-The goblins don't want anyone messing with there water, and this is why when the monkey who was told not to go down there went he disappeared.

The Foolish Farmer and the King
-A happy ending where a King shows a good nice side by giving the farmer tons of Oxen

The Pious Wolf
-Sad that the wolf was willing to eat a kid.  Good thing it was just the fairy and she was able to trick the wolf and then he didn't get anything.

Reading Diary Week 10: Jataka Tales

Reading Diary Week 10 Extra Credit: Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt

How The Monkey Saved His Troops
The Hawks and Their Friends
The Brave Little Bowman
The Foolhatdy Wolf
The stolen Plow
The Lion in Bad Company
The Wise  Goat and the Wolf
The Prince Wicked and the Grateful Animals
Beauty and the Brownie
The Elephant and the Dog

Week 10 Reading Diary: Jataka Tales

Week 10 Reading diary post from Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt

(The Monkeys and the String of Pearls)  

The Girl Monkey and the Sting of Pearls
-I don't blame the monkey, pearls are awesome.  But the monkey should have known not to take something that didn't belong to her.

The Three Fishes

-I love the idea of the names of the fishes, It would have been more interesting to see that Very-Thoughtful fish was to give his life while helping the other two fish to teach them a lesson about being very-thoughtful.

The Tricky Wolf and the Rats 

-Can’t be tricky forever… I liked how the Rats were able to overcome the Wolf’s tricks. 

The Woodpecker, Turtle, and Deer 
-What a great story about three different types of characters (friends) being able to help each other out in different ways. 

The Golden Goose
-The mother should have not taken advantage of the goose.  This is what happens to people that have kind hearts sometimes, just get walked all over. 

The Stupid Monkeys 
- In all fairness to the monkeys I think that the king should have known that they wouldn't be able to do it the right way.  And plus they were just trying to figure out which tree needed more water.

The Cunning Wolf
-I'm glad that the wolf was able to see the trick the man was trying to play.

The Penny-Wise Monkey
-"To get more, I there away what I had" very powerful lesson to learn.

The Red-Bud Tree
-This was a fun a way for the brothers to learn about the four different seasons.

The Woodpecker and the Lion
-I mean the lion was right, he did chose to not eat the woodpecker, but he should have been more thankful.

The Otters and the Wolf
-This was smart of the wolf to get the fish from the otters. 

Reading Diary: Mahabharata Part D

Mahabharata: Public Domain Edition Part D

1.Bhishma Falls
-I like how they described Bhishma,, like a lordly elephant and like fire which burns up a dry and withering forest.

2. Drona in Command

-Arjuna is cool to vow to defend his brother even at the sake of his own death.

3. Abhimanyu and Jayadratha

-Arjuna of course doesn't die, but he does get bad news that his son had died.  Kishna and Arjuna seek revenge.

4. Ghatotkacha

-now Bhima losses his san by the mighty warrior Ghatotkacha

5. Death of Drona

- I always liked Drona, I thought it was pretty cool that he laid down his own weapons and sat in the chariot fixing his mind on itself.

(Death of Drona) 

6. Bhima and Dushasana

- Bhima meets his long desired evil hearted son. As they are fighting Dushasana fals on his back and hurts himself.

7. Arjuna and Karna

-I can believe that Arjuna shot Karna when he heard his sons’ name being called.

8.Duryodhaha in the Lake

-Now that Karna is dead, Duryodhana is still alive and he will use supernatural powers to take refuge.

9. The Night Raid

-Ashwatthaman seeks vengeance for the death of Drona. When Duryodhan died in the joy of vengeance his bosom and he died a happy death… I wouldn’t call it a happy death.

10. Ashwatthaman Cursed

-Arjuna of course helped Ashwattaman, and returned with him and the jewel.

11.  Mourning

-Everyone is in mourning of the hundred of sons that have died.  They are always so brutal with there killings.  They want to crush the head of Bhima.

12. The Pandavas and Bhishma

-I thought it was cool that Bhishma had the gift of choosing the way of his own death.

13. Parikshit

-It is confusing that a “dead chilf” could be born… what does that even mean? I thought it was sweet that Krishna told Uttara will be her little son asking if that would confort her.

14. King Yudhishthira’s Horse

-Very srange that the Goddess of Parvati cursed a horse, and that it was bale to turn into any animals. 

15. Horse Sacrifice

-I like how they would only sacrifice if the animal was pure. 

16. The Mongoose

-Interesting twist when a mongoose tells a story.

17. The Forest and its Ghosts

-Seriously anything can happen in these stories. Now Vyasa is conjuring up the ghosts of the dead warriors.

18. Death of Krishna

-I hate that Krishna dies he was one of my favorite characters. Also his death of course was presaged by terrible omens.

19. The Pandavas Depart

-Whoa did not expect that the Pandavas and Drauapdi would end their time on this earth and leave the kingdom in the hands of Parikshit, which is Arjuna’s grandson.

20.  The Afterlife

-I like how this ended with afterlife.  And how afterlife sounds almost inviting with gentle words. 

Reading Diary: Mahabharata part C

Mahabharata: Public Domain Edition Part C

1. Life in the Forest

-I don't know what it is about being sent to exile, but just like Rama the Pandavas will now enter exile. 

2. Krishna’s Visit

-Krishna pays a visit to the Pandavas in exile.

3. Arjuna and Shiva

-Arjuna the adventurous person he is, goes to find weapons for the Pandavas because they will need them.  So that is pretty cool!

4. Arjuna and Indra

-I would want to live in Swarga, because the town seems like it could be a happy place. It’s bright, and flowers are always blooming there with sweet music always playing. 

5. The Himalayas

-The Pandava brothers in exile go on an adventure to the Himalayas.

6. Bhima and Hanuman

-Why are Monkeys always the animals that come around.  I think that it’s cool that it's the same monkey from Rama’s adventures.

7. Duryodhana and the Gandharvas

-Karna is serious about slaying Arjuna he even said that he wouldn't eat meant or wash is feet.

8. Karna and Indra

-Karna is so cool to be born with a clad in golden armor earrings, so I wouldn't want someone to that from me.  But he gets a dart in exchange, a very powerful dart.

9. Jayadratha and Draupadi

-Draupadi is going to see that life is going to get hard in the forest.

10. Riddles at the Lake

-Why would people keep drinking from the pond if people keep falling dead? 

11. The Court of King Virata

- Since this si the final year of exile the Pandavas must spen it in hiding. 

12. Bhima and Kichaka

-My heart hurts for Draupadi as Prince Kichaka tries to rape her.

13. The Cattle Raid

- I think it is funny that they only stole the Kings cattle. 

(Cattle Raid)

14. Preparations for War

-Yay! That the Pandavas brother are out of exile. 

15. Krishna and His Army

-I think it is sweet that Arjuna is glad to just have Krshna by his side. 

16.Krishna’s Mission

-I really like Krishna, because she doesn’t want war, but only peace and love.

17. Krishna and Karna

-I still find it interesting that even though Karna is actually one of the Pandavas brothers, and he has been fighting them!

19. Bhagaved-Gita

-The ‘Lord’s Song”

20. The Battle Begins

-Duryodhana warns Duryodhana of the dom that awaits them.

Week 7 Reading Diary: Mahabharata

Reading Diary from Public Domain Edition: Mahabharata, Reading part B.

(Picture Source)

1. The house of Fire

-Vidura is the brother of Pandu and Shritarashtra, and in fact he is smarter than both of them. Unfortunately for Vidura his mother was a servant so he was never eligible to be king. He is a member of Shritarasthra’s court, but his locality lays with the sons of Pandu. 

2. Bhima and Hidimba

-Since the Pandava brothers lived in the wilderness with their mother Kunto before she brought them to live in Hastinpura, living in the wilderness again wont be so bad to them.  They do face many more dangers while living in hiding.

3. Bhima and Hidimbi

-This is strange but an intreasting twist that the love affair between Bhima and the rakshasi Hidimbi is a happy one!

4. Bhima and Baka

-Bhima fights and wins a battle against the rakshasa Hidimba, and now sets out to battle with an asura: Baka.  It’s cool that Bhima’s preferred weapon is mace, but that he is comfortable using a tree truck as well. 

5. Birth of Draupadi

- Pandavas are still living in hiding until news of Draupadi’s swayamwra brings them out of hiding. 

6. Draupadi’s Swayamwra

-So much swayamwaras going on

7.Wife of the Five Pandavas

- What lucky women Draupadi is to have all five Pandavas become her husbands. This is also very unusual.

8. The story of Nalayani

- Karma always comes around, and for having five husbands karma is bound to find you. 

9. Indraprastha

-Yudhishthira becomes a king in his own right, building a great royal stronghold at Indraprastha on the river Yamuna.

10. Arjuna and Uluop

-I don't blame Arjuna for breaking the rules of their living arrangements, but I don’t agree that he should be sent to exile for that.

11. Arjuna and the Apsaras

-Arjuna’s exile reminds me of a fairy. 

12. Arjuna and Chitra

-They marry and have a son, and he stays in Manipur and becomes king.

13. Arhuna and Subhadra

-Arjuna is cruching on Krishna, and ends up marrying Subhadra, who is Krshna’s sister.

14. The Burning of the Forest

-Famous adventure that Arjuna and Krishna have together.

15. Maya’s Palace

-Always ove when promises are kept, and Mayasura keeps hers and builds an amazing palace for the Pandavas.

16. The Pandavas Victorious

-Yudhishthira is now going to declare himself a supreme monarch by performing a Rahasuya sacrifice.  You've got to be pretty brave to do this. 

17.  Gambling Match

-I use to play the game Parcheesi when I was a child! Always a great game to play with dice to kill time in the summer.

18. Draupadi Lost

-it always ends with your fate, and Draupadi;s fate is on important and she protest eloquently and loufly about the events that take place in the gambling hall.

19. Draupadi in the Assembly Hall

- Bhima makes some pretty terrible oaths, and not the epic will be driven by the cycle of revenge.

20.  The Second Match

- Swashti- ancent symbol of good luck in India, which later was misappropriated by the Nazie, very interesting to me.