Week 8 Reading and Writing

All in all, I believe the reading and writing assignments worked well for me! With the reading assignments, it both had structure to shine a light on the pathway yet freedom to make your own tracks. Dr. Gibbs gave us the deadline and order for each of the reading assignments, but we had the ability to decide what specifically we wanted to talk about said readings. I think the Story idea is unique and refreshing because we as students are allowed to create our own stories based on the readings we read. We had the power to drastically change it or keep it as similar to the original epic story that we learned and read about. Looking back, it is kind of cool to see me progress from sticking as much to the original story to slowly but surely being brave enough to truly put my own twists on the stories and make it unique. Ahh the Project website. To be truthfully honest, I was extremely scared beginning my Portfolio because I did not know how to go about it or if I was technically doing everything correctly! However, I am glad I had written a previous story in my blog I felt confident in and good enough to post in the Portfolio so having that blog to refer to and use as a resource sure does helps. I am also glad that the pattern of the Portfolio goes like "Story-Revision-Revision" because that gives students time to really execute their best work.

This is my favorite image from a previous blog post because it is about the love story of Rama and Sita. I honestly loved reading the Ramayana because it was this romantic-action epic that pulled readers into the depths of its pages. The Ramayana is about Rama and Sita's love story and this is the picture that sort of depicts that love they had for each other though it was rocky and a bit tragic. I am a sucker for romantic stories and the Ramayana intrigued me with such an epic love story.

Looking forward, I want to do better on staying on top of assignments. I did so much better when we first read the Ramayana. Whether that was due to it being the beginning of the semester or because I was more interested in the storyline of the Ramayana, I know that I was more on top of my game then. Moving forward, I want to do a better job at this and also begin to enjoy writing the rest of my Portfolio. I have enjoyed writing it and other blog posts, but I feel like I can dive in and really put my best foot forward moving on to the future! I want to go out of my comfort zone and really test my writing abilities and see what (maybe) cool stories I can write. :)

Sita and Rama happy together. Source: Flickr.

Week 7 Story: Life in Exile

The Pandavas were wondering the depths of the forest in literal exile. Not a single brother or even their wife, Draupadi, were ready for this drastic change in lifestyle. In the beginning of their exile they were in despair; therefore, they called on and prayed for the sun god to help them in their new adversary. The sun god answered their prayer and gave the Pandavas a copper pot, which was filled to the brim with delicious food. At this blessing, the Pandava brothers, Draupadi, and Dhaumya began their life in the forest. They took the good days with the bad, but it was Draupadi who suffered the most. She wept most of the time because she could not come to terms with the life she now lives. 


As the Pandavas were living their lives in exile, Krishna came to pay them a visit. As soon as he arrived, it was Draupadi who approached him first saying, "Duryodhana tried to make me his wife as my husbands stood their in silence, not moving a muscle. Is it not the duty of a husband to protect their wife? If so, why did they not even attempt to save me from the evil Duryodhana?"Krishna attempted to console Draupadi as she cried her eyes out. He told her, "Do not cry anymore as I am here to help your husband's family so you can once again be a queen."

Krishna then went to Yudhishthira and said, "I am deeply sorry I could not help you in your battle at Hastinapura. However, I am here now, what can I do to help?" After talking to Yudhishthira, Krishna made his way back to his kingdom. As soon as Krishna left, Draupadi made a dash to Yudhishthira to complain saying, "How did our lives end up like this? We used to enjoy the luxury of soft and silky beds, chairs of ivory, and beautiful robes. And now, what do we have? We are beggars now sleeping on stiff grass mats and wearing rags as clothes. I ask of you, Yudhishthira, that we go into battle and seek and take back what is ours."

Yudhishthira being the wise man he is responded to Draupadi by saying, "Being angry and thoughts of destruction is bad and sinful. Do not think and talk this way. We have to love and forgive others." Draupadi said in return, "You might have a point, but how can I praise lords who have done us wrong? Those who have done evil are now happy, and we who are good people are now sad and in grief. I cannot give praise to the lords who have desired this inequality for us."

Yudhishthira said to Draupadi, "The gods are mysterious, but do not doubt your religion or the power of the gods."

Draupadi could not take it anymore. After her conversation with Yudhishthira, she escaped to her room. She did not leave her room for the rest of the night. It was that night that Draupadi decided to leave the forest in search for help to get her old life back. Twas the middle of the night when all the men were asleep that Draupadi escaped and made her efforts to try to find Krishna in the hopes that he could help her. 

Bibliography: Indian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie (link)

Author's Note: The Pandava family are sent into exile along with their wife, Draupadi. The exile takes place in the depths of the forest for many years to come. As soon as they were sent to exile, the Pandavas prayed to the sun god asking for help to which he gave the family a copper pot filled with food. After this blessing, the exile journey begins and it is Draupadi who suffers the most. Next thing we see is that Krishna pays the family a visit and it is Draupadi who asks him to save her from her terrible and awful current lifestyle. Krishna tells her that he will try to help and then talks to Yudhishthira next. As soon as Krishna leaves, Draupadi talks to Yudhishthira and ask him if they could go into battle to get back their kingdom and what is rightfully theirs. Yudhishthira goes against this pleading; however, in the original story Draupadi does not leave. In my version, I wanted to see Draupadi more independent and leave the readers hanging as she begins her escape from the Pandavas and treacherous exile. 

The Exile of the Pandavas. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part D

Ashwatthaman, Kripa, and Kritavarman visited a dying Duryodhana amidst the battlefield. Ashwatthaman asked Duryodhana's blessing if he could attack the Pandavas for doing this to Duryodhana. Ashwatthaman got his blessing and went to attack the Pandavas in the middle of the dark night. As Ashwatthaman, Kripa, and Kritavarman were at the outskirts of the Pandavas campsite, the great and mighty Shiva paid them a visit. Ashwatthaman tried to battle the god until he realized it was Shiva in which he then drew back and did him homage. Ashwatthaman started a fire on an altar and casted himself into the flames as a sacrifice to the mighty Shiva. When Shiva saw the humble sacrifice Ashwatthaman was making to him, he accepted the sacrifice and entered Ashwatthaman's body to fight for him against the Pandavas. At this, Ashwatthaman, with the spirit of Shiva, rushing into the Pandavas camp and battled the enemy.

When Yudhishthira found out about the raid, he grieved for his lost but was more worried about Draupadi and her reaction for it was her sons and brother that died in the battle. When Draupadi heard what happened, she wept before her husbands exclaiming, "We have lived in exile for 13 years so that your children could prosper. However, now that they are dead, can you all desire to have that powerful kingdom if you all cannot pass it down to anyone?" Krishna answered Draupadi in reply, "Why are grieving like you lost a husband on the bloody battlefield? You have no better reason or cause to cry than others."At this, Draupadi turned to Bhima and asked him to bring head of Ashwatthaman. Bhima told her that he could not because Ashwatthaman was a brahmin. Therefore, instead of the Ashwatthaman's head, Draupadi asked that her husbands steal Ashwatthaman's most precious jewel that is near and dear to his heart. Arjuna did as Draupadi asked and gave Ashwatthaman's special jewel to Draupadi.


Bibliography: "Public Domain Edition: Mahabharata" by Laura Gibbs (link - sections 69 and 70)

The Raid on the Pandavas. Source

Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part C

As the Pandavas were living in exile in the forest, Krishna came to pay them a visit. As soon as he arrived, it was Draupadi who approached him first saying, "Duryodhana tried to make me his wife as my husbands stood their in silence, not moving a muscle. Is it not the duty of a husband to protect their wife? If so, why did they not even attempt to save me from the evil Duryodhana?"Krishna attempted to console Draupadi as she cried her eyes out. He told her, "Do not cry anymore as I am here to help your husband's family so you can once again be a queen."

Krishna then went to Yudhishthira and said, "I am deeply sorry I could not help you in your battle at Hastinapura. However, I am here now, what can I do to help?" After talking to Yudhishthira, Krishna makes his way back to his kingdom. Draupadi is still crying and upset at how her life is turning out. She does not like her current lifestyle and misses her old life. Therefore she goes to Yudhishthira to complain saying, "How did our lives end up like this? We used to enjoy the luxury of soft and silky beds, chairs of ivory, and beautiful robes. And now, what do we have? We are beggars now sleeping on stiff grass mats and wearing rags as clothes. I ask of you, Yudhishthira, that we go into battle and seek and take back what is ours."

Yudhishthira responded to Draupadi by saying, "Being angry and thoughts of destruction is bad and sinful. Do not think and talk this way. We have to love and forgive others." Draupadi said in return, "You might have a point, but how can I praise lords who have done us wrong? Those who have done evil are now happy, and we who are good people are now sad and in grief. I cannot give praise to the lords who have desired this inequality for us."

Yudhishthira said to Draupadi, "The gods are mysterious, but do not doubt your religion or the power of the gods."

Bhima then came up to Yudhishthira and Draupadi and said, "I agree with Draupadi. We must take down our enemies and take back what is rightfully ours."

Yudhishthira said in reply, "Even though we are suffering, I do want to fight for what is ours. However, I have given my word that we remain in exile. Therefore, my word is my word and we cannot escape."


Bibliography: "Public Domain Editions" Mahabharata by Laura Gibbs (link)

Krishna visits Draupadi. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Week 6 Story: The Escape Room

This story has been published on my Portfolio website. Feel free to check it out (link)!

Gabby and her friends were headed to The Escape OKC for a fun Friday night adventure! Gabby had never been to The Escape OKC but her friends have and told her that she would have a blast. Gabby and her friends arrived just in time for their scheduled time. Gabby and her friends along with another random group of people all had the 8 PM reservation and would experience the escape game together.

One of the workers, a man named Alex, appeared and introduced himself to the group. Alex cleared his throat and said, "Good evening everyone and welcome to The Escape OKC!" Gaby and her friends cheered and applauded Alex with excitement. After Alex went over the rules and expectations, he said, "Now, I am going to tell you guys a story that describes your scenario and you all will have an hour and a half to escape."

Alex cleared his throat again and began, "Once upon a time there was a prince named Yudhishthira who had an archenemy named Prince Duryodhana. Prince Duryodhana came up with a devious plan to get rid of Prince Yudhishthira and his family; however, Prince Vidura, who was the uncle of Yudhishthira heard of the evil plan and warned Yudhishthira and his family. When Yudhishthira arrived at the palace at Varanavata with his family, he noticed a couple of red flags that solidified and confirmed the bad inkling his uncle told him about. Yudhishthira noticed that the palace was made of wood that could easily burn, and that all the gorgeous and expensive furniture were covered in oil as to start a fire. When he noticed these red flags, he gathered his family and told them what Vidura said to him and the red flags he witnessed throughout the palace. As Yudhishthira was conversing with his family, a skillful miner showed up before them. The miner told the Pandavas that Prince Vidura sent him to help them escape by digging an underground passage. The underground passage started from the floor of the palace until it reached the green grass of the forest. The miner worked diligently and was careful not to let the evil captain, Purochana, find out about the underground passage. After many long days and nights, the miner finally finished his masterpiece. The Pandavas successfully escaped during the still night. However, Prince Bhima wanted to go back and get his revenge on Purochana which Prince Yudhishthira agreed to. Prince Bhima set Purochana's house on fire but quickly found himself in the midst of the fire as well. Can he escape? Does he escape? It is up to you guys to finish the story."

Gabby was fascinated by the story that Alex told and got extremely excited for the escape room now. Gabby and her friends were cruising through the challenges, but became puzzled at the very last challenge in which they had to escape a burning house. The other group caught up to them at this point, but Gabby really wanted to win. Therefore, she tricked the other group to cover up for them so that Gabby and her friends can successfully win and escape the fire, just like what the Pandavas did.

Bibliography: The Indian Heroes by C. A. Kincaid (link)

Author's Note: In the original story, Prince Vidura correctly guessed the evil plans of Prince Duryodhana; therefore, Vidura told Yudhishthira, his nephew, about said plans through code that only he would understand. Yudhishthira's inclination that his family was in danger was confirmed when they stepped foot in the palace at Varanavata. Yudhishthira gathered his family together and told them the words that Vidura had told him. At that moment, Prince Vidura sent to the rescue of Yudhishthira and his family a skillful miner that successfully tricked the guards and made his way into the palace. The miner told Yudhishthira that Vidura had sent him to help the family and that he would dig an underground passage that would lead safely to the forest. The miner worked diligently and finished just in time. The Pandavas safely escaped the confines of the palace but Prince Bhima went back to get revenge on the wicked Purochana, who was the captain who was going to burn them alive. Bhima set Purochana's guardhouse on fire and Purochana perished with it. Unfortunately, the palace caught on fire as well in which a poor family was staying with the Pandavas. The poor family died in the fire which accidentally, sadly, and cleverly made for a great coverup for the Pandavas that Prince Duryodhana rejoiced in the "death" of the family.

The Escape of the Pandavas. Source: Wikimedia Commons. 

Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part B

A great party awaited Krishna when he visited the Pandavas that the women, especially Draupadi and Subhadra, became extremely intoxicated. As the picnic was coming to a close, Krishna and Arjuna was visited by a brahmin. The brahmin was Agni, the god of fire, who asked of the two heroes for food. Agni did not want regular ordinary food but the food he so craved and desired was the Khandava forest. Agni attempted in the past to consume the forest, but Indra had always defeated him and put out his fire with rain. Agni begged Krishna and Arjuna to help him because he had gotten terribly weak and pale from only drinking ghee for the past 12 years. The heroes agreed to help Agni in exchange for celestial weapons. Agni got Krishna and Arjuna the celestial weapons they desired and soon after the battle began. The great Indra poured down torrents of rain but it was no match for Arjuna's arrows that eventually Indra was defeated and Agni got to consume the forest. During the battle, animals were dying left and right but six creatures did manage to escape, one being Maya, who was the son of a rishi.

Maya was utterly grateful to Arjuna for sparing his life that in return, he promised to build a beautiful and grand palace for the Pandavas. Maya was an architect and had an abundant source of gold and gems stored safely in the Himalaya mountains. Maya worked hard and diligently on the palace for the Pandavas that in just 14 months, a majestic palace stood tall, adorned with beautiful gems that people that it was on fire. There had not been a palace like this in all the land that Maya wanted to protect it so he brought eight thousand rakshasas to guard the impressive and gleaming palace.



Bibliography: "Public Domain Editions" Mahabharata by Laura Gibbs (link)

Burning of the Khandava Forest. Source: Wikipedia

Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part A

The author of this epic was Vyasa who had the god Ganesha write out the story. The Mahabharata begins with story of Vyasa's own birth. Vyasa was born to King Uparichara and a female fish, true to the fact that King Uparichara's semen fell into a river as he was flying in his crystal car through the sky. Ten months later, the female fish gave birth to two children - one boy and one girl. Once the children were born, the king took the male child to raise him and left the little girl to be raised by the fisherman. The girl, Satyavati, grew up to become a beautiful woman that reeked of fish. One day, a rishi made a deal with Satyavati that he could get rid of her awful smell in return that she has his child but still remain a virgin. The deal was made and she gave birth to a son and finally got rid of her fishy smell.

The next story was about a king named Shantanu and the goddess Ganga. Before ever meeting Shantanu, Ganga made a promise to eight Vasus that she would become their human mother so that they could return to their celestial state. In return, the eight Vasus promised that an eighth part of their power would belong to her son. The Vasus and Ganga made the pact, and that is when Ganga met Shantanu. Shantanu fell in love with the undeniable beauty of Ganga and asked her to be his wife. She agreed to be his wife on one condition: if he were to ever speak harshly to her she could immediately depart from him. Shantanu agreed to Ganga's condition and did not utter a word when she cast down to the river their seven babies. When Ganga gave birth to the eighth child and was about to cast him down the river as well, Shantanu could not take it anymore and lashed out at Ganga. At this, their marriage vow was broken and Ganga left Shantanu with the baby in her arms. Before long, Ganga returned to Shantanu to give him the son. Shantanu's heart was moved by the boy and he took him into his kingdom. Shantanu named the child Devavrata and never was Ganga seen again.


Bibliography: Public Domain Editions Mahabharata by Laura Gibbs (link)

Ganga presents her son, Devavrata, to his father Shantanu. Source: Wikimedia Commons