Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part H

So, I finished today with my last reading post of the semester. I decided to go over the next section. I was really pleased with the overall reading of this version of the Ramayana. This has been one of my favorite class readings of all time. It was definitely my favorite for this class and this semester. I hope to finish reading these stories at some point in time.

• The details of the battle are awesome
• I love how it gives an insight into the battle plans that are being made
• The dialogue of Arjuna is actually the coolest part
• He spots out different enemies on the battlefield and provides a description of them
• I like how Karna was introduced as the one who always wants to fight
• The amount of detail for each enemies descriptions are the coolest part
• It talks about how Karna is blazing like fire
• It also gives details on their appearance like his rope for binding elephants
• Arjuna blacked out the sky with his arrows
• He sent thousands in a volley to bring about confusion
• Arjuna fights with such anger and passion
• He becomes enraged and chases down enemies in his way
• Arjuna kills Karna's brother and engages him in battle
• He is actually injured by Karna's rage
• Karna actually retreats as he loses his edge in the battle
• He becomes too injured to continue and flees
• There is constant fighting throughout the story
• More and more people are killed and injured
• Duryodhana and Arjuna's encounter end the story
  Arjuna is too powerful in battle and injures him
• He is struck with an arrow and attempts to flee from the battle
• Arjuna constantly mocks him while he is trying to escape

(A statue made in the image of Arjuna. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Bibliography: Ramayana: India's Immortal Tale of Adventure, Love, and Wisdom by Krishna Dharma. Source: Vedabase.

Tech Tip: Browser Bookmarks

I recently used the bookmarking tool available on the browser. This has been one of the best tools that I have used recently. I have been able to compile a list of frequently visited websites and have them at the ready. I find this really useful when I am working on a project or need to visit websites multiple times. I think everyone should be using bookmarks!

Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part G

I went ahead and did another reading section. This time I did this as a bonus reading. I took notes over the story that I liked.

• The appearance of the sun god was really cool
• I like how this takes place in a dream state
• The conversation that takes place is of note
• He warns of the coming events and engages in a respectful dialogue
• The importance of the earrings and armor cannot be overstated
• These were the lifeblood that would keep him alive on the battlefield
• The focus on fame is important
• This is viewed as more important than life
• However, Surya emphasizes how this is a foolish way of thinking
• I would like to emphasize how important this exchange is
• I think the dialogue in these stories are truly incredible
• They highlight and foreshadow so many different events
• I would like to be able to apply this to my own wrting
• It is very powerful and engages the reader
• It also adds depth to the characters and the story
• It helps develop the characters very well
• It also highlights the true nature of each character

(A photo of a library. Source: Flickr)

Bibliography: Ramayana: India's Immortal Tale of Adventure, Love, and Wisdom by Krishna Dharma. Source: Vedabase.

Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part F

I continued with the free reading this week. I am nearing the end of this version of the Ramayana. I took notes over the story I liked.

• The Pandavas eagerly awaited for Arjuna to return
• He comes in from the sky in glorious fashion
• He floats down on a chariot manned by thousands of horses
• He tells his comrades of his travels
• He talks of his new weapons and how he is now master of them
• I also liked how he talks of his training and what he had to endure
• I think the inclusion of his narration is really cool
• It adds another level to the story
• It is cool to see a recount of the events through Arjuna's persepective
• The details of the attack are awesome
• He describes his counter attack and how he fired volleys of arrows in return
• This is in reference to his battle with demons as he cut off their arms
• I also noticed the reaction of his comrades
• They think so highly of Arjuna 
• He has accomplished incredible feats on the field of battle
• He now rivals their most respected mentor
• The ending of the story added an interesting twist
• The weapons could not be summoned for mere entertainment
• They must only be used in battle
• The consequence is the destruction of the three worlds

(A photo of Rama and Sita. Source: Flickr)

Bibliography: Ramayana: India's Immortal Tale of Adventure, Love, and Wisdom by Krishna Dharma. Source: Vedabase.

Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part E

I continued on with the reading of the modernized Ramayana this week. This has been one of the best reads that I have had in a long while. As always, I took notes over the story that I liked the most.

• The story of Arjuna leaving for the Himalayas is really cool
• Yudhi told him of the mantras that were needed for him to leave
• It is interesting to see Arjuna begin his quest to wield the weapons of the gods
• It was saddening to see the departure of the brothers
• The description used in this section is second to none
• The amount of detail that goes into describing the mood and what the characters are experiencing is amazing
• I have long wanted to capture this sort of writing style
• I was impressed with the descriptions of Arjuna and the armor he was wearing
• I found the practice of fasting to be interesting
• The progressive levels of fasting seemed to connect his mind, body and spirit even more
• He ate fruit every few weeks
• As a result his body began to glow and he was pure and connected with himself
• The battle scene that takes place between Arjuna and Siva is intense
• No matter what Arjuna did he could not harm the hunter
• He was confused by this and he unleashed every attack imaginable
• Nothing was working and did not phase the hunter
• The ending is cool as Siva reveals his true self to Arjuna
• His weapons are given to Arjuna to carry out his will

(An inside look at the Stockholm Public Library. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Bibliography: Ramayana: India's Immortal Tale of Adventure, Love, and Wisdom by Krishna Dharma. Source: Vedabase.

Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part D

So, today I went ahead and read part D as extra credit since I missed the reading assignment the other day. I took notes over what I liked from the stories.

• Rama and his humbleness are on full display here
• He does not use his status as a way to make him better than others
• He truly treats others with respect and as if they are equals with him
• This can be seen when he is talking to rsis
• He wants to make sure that he and his companions are acting in a way that is respectable to all
• The demon Khara is introduced here
• I really liked the descriptions given to the demons
• You can really get a sense for how vile and evil they are
• I found it interesting the antics the demons would engage in
• They pretty much did everything to provoke the humans
• It is amazing to see the way random people greet Rama
• They hold the upmost respect for him
• All they want to do it serve him and do what they can to help the kingdom
• Rama changes completely when he encounters demons
• When Sita was captured he became enraged and desired nothing more than to slay the demon
• The whole encounter here is awesome
• Rama frees the demon from his cursed state 
• I would like to write about this for a future story

(A photo inside a really cool library. Source: Flickr)

Bibliography: Ramayana: India's Immortal Tale of Adventure, Love, and Wisdom by Krishna Dharma. Source: Vedabase.

Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part C

For this week, I continued with the reading of the Ramayana. I have really enjoyed these stories, and I wanted to continue with more reading for this week. I think Rama is by far the coolest hero I have read about in this class. I took notes over what I liked.

• It still amazes me how understanding Rama is of the situation
• He shows great wisdom and grace as he tells the people of his kingdom to not worry
• He also maintains strong support for his brother in his place
• It is hard to understand why he is so kind
• He was banished from his kingdom for no reason
• The mind of his step mother/aunt was posioned
• It seems he knew of this the whole time
• He does not falter even when his father is grief stricken
• Laksman is a brother that everyone wishes they had
• He is so loyal and caring for his brother Rama
• He ventures into exile with him
• He constantly stays awake to ensure his safety
• The people also did not falter and could not be convinced to leave Rama
• The people so no meaning to their life as their dear Rama had left them
• They did not understand why he had to live out his exile in the forest
• Many people suggested death as they saw no purpose without Rama
• That just shows how much the people adored him as their leader
• The author manages to capture the emotions of the moment very well
• The people and Laksman are angered by the situation
• I really appreciate how well the emotions of the story are portrayed
• This is something that I wish to do in my writing

(A library containing shelves of books. Source: Pixabay)

Bibliography: Ramayana: India's Immortal Tale of Adventure, Love, and Wisdom by Krishna Dharma. Source: Vedabase.