Sunday, November 4, 2018

EC Reading Notes: Vaishimo Devi


Script: Aruna Balakrishna
Illustrations: Durgesh Velhal

Vashnavi
  1. She is a goddess created to defeat asuras
  2. she was created by Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati
  3. after she defeated the demons her 3 moms told her she needed to go to earth to help people
  4. Vishnu gifted her to Ratnakar (a devout worshipper)
  5. she was named Trikuta
  6. she meets Rama while he was looking for Seeta
  7. he renames her Vaishnavi
  8. when he returns, he will give her a boon if she recognizes him
  9. she doesn't so she goes to the hills to meditate
  10. as her popularity grows Gorak Nath sends Bhairon Nath to investigate
  11. he becomes obsessed with her
  12. he pursues her further into the mountains
  13. finally she gets so mad that transforms into Kali
  14. Kali decapitates Bhairon
  15. he asks her to forgive him
  16. she does and says there will be a temple dedicated to him on the spot where he died
  17. she transforms back into Vaishnavi
  18. she goes to a cave and becomes a statue that has a three headed likeness of her moms

Readin Notes: Ramayan 3392 AD Reloaded Part B

General Viv-Shan (Game Spot)

Ramayan 3392 AD Reloaded Part B
Created By:  Deepak Chopra and Shekhar Kapur
Written By: Shamik Dasgupta
Art By: Jeevan King

About the Graphic Novel
This is a not a retelling of the original Ramayana.  This is a re-imagination of the Ramayana.  This story takes place in the 3392 AD.  Thousands years before the start of Rama's adventure there was a nuclear war.  This war was fought by seven mega countries.  After the nuclear fallout the world changed.  There are only two continents.  Aryavarta to the north is home to the last remaining humans.  It is also home to sentient clans of apes, bears, and birds.  They evolved after the nuclear winter.  Nark is the second continent that is home to demons and ruled by Ravan.  The city of Lanka is the capital.

The Heroes Adventures Conclude
  • Beneath  the city of Panchavati
    • Vishwamitra (Vish) takes them to the lab where Ravan was created
    • Vish wants to take Seeta to the Counil of Elders so she can learn to control her powers
    • Rama disagrees claiming he is her protector
    • Rama tells Seeta he doesn't want her to go because he loves her
    • Lakshman and Seeta fight
    • she runs off and gets captured
    • the brothers follow but the also get captured
    • Dushan buys Seeta for a concubine
    • Surp'naka buys Rama and Lakshman to fight in the gladiator tournament
    • Dwand Yuddh is the name of the tournament
  • Dwand Yuddh
    • War-Ghoul fight
      • like a boss Rama decapitates a 3 headed Pisaach War-Ghoul in 1 strike
      • then sits down and lets Lakshman finish the rest
    • Kabandha fight
      • it is a formless abomination made from a platoon of Kshatriyas that were experimented on
      • together the brothers defeat it
      • Lakshman is injured in the process he has a broken arm and dislocated shoulder
    • General Viv-shan fight
      • he defeated Rama and Lakshman 3 years ago at Janasthan
      • during there fight Viv-shan tells Rama that Ravan made him a slave since he spared the lives of the brothers and Janasthan's citizens
      • Rama is posed to deliever a death strike, but he refuses to kill Viv-shan
      • a battle royale between the asura siblings and there minions start on the field
    • Seeta, the wild card
      • she attacks and escapes with the help of Vish
      • they both watch the brothers entire fight
      • he convinces her to release her power to stop the battle royale
      • a massive tree/vine thing sprouts and stops the battle
      • she losses control and it destroys the city
      • Vish reveals himself as Ravan saying he wanted her to cleans Panchavati because it foul due to the fact that he was created there
      • Rama injures Ravan with an arrow
      • Ravan kidnaps Seeta and teleport to Lanka
    • The next installment (there isn't 1)
      • a few days later
      • Rama, Lakshman, and Viv-shan return to Thar wasteland
      • they join the ape civil war as mercenaries
      • Rama promises to build the worlds largest army to attack Nark, kill Ravan, and free Seeta

Reading Notes: Ramayan 3392 AD Reloaded Part A


Ramayan 3392 AD Reloaded Part A
Created By:  Deepak Chopra and Shekhar Kapur
Written By: Shamik Dasgupta
Art By: Jeevan King

About the Graphic Novel
This is a not a retelling of the original Ramayana.  This is a re-imagination of the Ramayana.  This story takes place in the 3392 AD.  Thousands years before the start of Rama's adventure there was a nuclear war.  This war was fought by seven mega countries.  After the nuclear fallout the world changed.  There are only two continents.  Aryavarta to the north is home to the last remaining humans.  It is also home to sentient clans of apes, bears, and birds.  They evolved after the nuclear winter.  Nark is the second continent that is home to demons and ruled by Ravan.  The city of Lanka is the capital.

The Hero's Adventures Continue
  • Wasteland of Thar
    • Shabri and Her Children
      • Rama is gravely injured
      • Seeta heals him with the power of her tears
      • they are attacked by a clan of rats, lead by Shabri
      • they plan to eat the three heroes
      • Seeta uses her powers to grow a massive tree
      • the rat clan let them go because the fruit from the tree will feed them for all time
      • Shabri calls Seeta goddess, and asks her to stay
      • all three refuse 
    • Prince Angad and the Exiled Ape Clan
      • the apes attack the 3 heroes Mad Max Fury Road style
      • Rama saves Angad from is vehicle that was on fire (which Rama caused with his bow and arrow)
      • Angad is so cool when he lights a smoke with Lakshman's lance while Lakshman is threatening to kill him
      • Angad is the roll of Mr. Exposition
        • tells them about civil war among the apes
        • tells them about the rulers of Panchvati
  • Panchvati 
    • about the city
      • home to asuras, exhiles, criminals, and slaves
      • ruled by 3 asura siblings 
        • Dushan (brother)
        • Khara (brother)
        • Surp'naka (sister)
      • they keep the masses under control by gladiator games
    • the adventure
      • the heroes caught in a bar fight because of Seeta
      • they run and get cornered in an alley
      • Vishwamitra (Vish) appears and defeats there pursuers
      • they escape into underground tunnels
      • Vish explains that Ravan did kill him, but beings from another dimension sent him back

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Week 11 Story: Redemption

Kali (Pinterest)

Redemption

Ashwatthama continued to wonder the desolate wasteland.  His thoughts always return to past events that occurred over a millennium ago.  The unforgivable actions he committed against the people he loved replay in his mind.  At last he releases a gut-wrenching scream to the heavens, “I was not always like this.  Once I was good and kind.  The war twisted me, I did not act like I normally would.”

A bright orb of light appeared before Ashwatthama.  Out of stepped a great tiger with the mighty Durga astride it.  With an imperious glance at Ashwatthama, the great goddess stated, “I to have fought in countless wars over the ages.  However, not once in the heat of battle have I ever done anything that I am ashamed of later.  Ashwatthama, son of Drona, be honest with me.  Were you truly a good person before the war?”

“I had friends and loved ones.  I trained under my father with the Pandavas and the Kauravas before everything fell apart,” said Ashwatthama.

“That was what you did, not who you were at the time.  Be honest with yourself.  Be brave enough to admit your faults.  It is the only way you can ever move on,” replied Durga.

“No! I was petty and weak!  I was jealous of my father’s relationship with Arjuna.  I felt like a second-rate warrior compared to Arjuna and Bhima,” answered Ashwatthama.

“Now we are getting somewhere.  It feels good to be true to yourself.  If you did that from the beginning perhaps you would not have been cursed of all eternity.  Do you remember what choice you made that started your downfall?”  said Durga.

“Yes, I should have fought with the Pandavas.  In my heart I knew they were in the right.  I just could not abandon my father,” said Ashwatthama.

“I warn you, one more false statement like that, and I will leave.  You can continue to wander the land cursed until the end of days.  Is that what you want?”

“No, please stay!”

“Fine,” replied Durga, “Now answer the question.”
“I wanted to prove that I was a better warrior than Arjuna,” answered Ashwatthama.

“That is the answer I was waiting to hear.  Answer my next question honestly and in no uncertain terms.  After your father died and the war ended; why did you not surrender in peace?” asked Durga.

“Because I had nothing left.  I had no family, no home.  The Pandavas took everything from me.  All I had to cling to was my rage, and my desire for revenge.  I wanted them to know what it feels like when everything you ever loved is destroyed right in front of your eyes!”

“So, you felt justified in your actions against the Pandava family?” asked Durga.

“Of course not!  My quest for revenge turned me into a monster.  An evil man who killed innocent children while they slept.  I killed Arjuna’s grandchild while it was still in the womb.  Actions like that can never be justified,” said Ashwatthama.  With a heavy sigh, and a defeated posture, Ashwatthama whispered,” It was not the war that twisted me.  I did this to myself.  I deserve this curse.  Leave me great goddess, I do not deserve your attention.  However, I must thank you.  Until now I have never taken responsibility for my own actions.  It was talking to you that finally made me see things clearly.”

A brilliant flash of red light surrounded Durga, and in an instant she was gone.  In her place stood the awe inspiring, fear inducing Kali.  When her fearsome gaze made eye contact with Ashwatthama; he fell to his knees.

“I am the dark blue night.  I am creation and destruction.  I am the divine protector who grants moksha.  It is I alone who has the power grant liberation form this life, and all incarnations.  I am Kali!” said Kali.  As she strode toward Ashwatthama she continued, “Ashwatthama, your curse has served its purpose.  You have admitted your faults.  It is time for you to take the next step.  I grant you a release of the life and death cycle.  Be at peace Ashwatthama.”

Still on his knees Ashwatthama gazed adoringly at Kali, with tears in his eyes.  He said,” Thank you, divine goddess, you honor me.”   With that Kali swung her sword and gave Ashwatthama a warrior’s death. 

Author’s Note
This story is loosely based on The Kaurava Empire:Volume 2 The Vengeance of Ashwatthama graphic novel.  It was written by Jason Quinn, with art work by Sachin Nagar the graphic novel is based on the Mahabharata.  It describes the events before, during, and after he war from the perspective of Ashwatthama.  It is all flashbacks that he tells Governor Aiken, who he saved from an attack.  Conversation occurs thousands of years after the great war.  Governor Aiken passes judgment, saying the slaughter of children is unforgivable.  She leaves Ashwatthama stranded on the planet.  It tells how war can twist person and make them do unforgivable things.  It is a cautionary tale of the evil actions war can cause.  

My story starts at the end of the graphic novel.  I felt like Ashwatthama’s story was not over.  In the epics I read in this class if a demon did what Ashwatthama did they would be killed by a hero.  Since the gods cursed him with immortality I thought that they should eventually end the curse.  So, the whole point of my story was to get Ashwatthama accept his guilt.  Then he would get peace through death.  I chose Durga and Kali for several reasons.  One, they are the same goddess.  Two, both are awesome.  Three, Kali has the power to free a soul from the reincarnation cycle.  Four, according to Kali’s Wikipedia page she appears in the Mahabharata and interacts with Drona and Ashwatthama during the war.  Although I have not read that version.  I thought it would work well for them to meet in my story.

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Wikipedia Trail: from Halloween to A Midsummer Night's Dream

Happy Halloween! (Pixabay)

Halloween
It is a no big surprise why I chose Halloween as a topic for this post.  It is one of my favorite holidays.  Who does not like bobbing for apples, going to a haunted warehouse.  Some times I wish I was still young enough to go trick-or-treating.  However, that does not stop my from dressing up.

Trick-or-treating
So to night is cold and it is raining.  So I have not had a lot of trick-or-treaters.  The people I work with will be happy because they get all the left over candy.  Apparently, trick-or-treating became popular in the United States in the late 1920s.  Although it did slow down during World War 2 because of the sugar rationing.

William Shakespeare
Shakespeare mentions All Hallows Tide, which is an older more religious version of the modern day Halloween.  He is without a doubt one of my favorite writers.  St. Crispin's Day speech from Henry V is one of the most powerful and inspiring speeches I have ever heard. 

A Midsummer Night's Dream
This is my favorite Shakespeare plays.  It is a fun and light hearted comedy.  It was written in 1595 or 1596, which is early in his career.  It has one of best characters ever, a fairy named Robin Goodfellow (Puck).  His best scene is at the where he basically tells the audience if they did not like the play, perhaps it was just a dream.

Wikipedia Trail: from Orion to Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte in 1969 (Wikimedia Commons)

Orion (constellation)
I chose to start with Orion because it is my favorite constellation.  Many different cultures have names and meanings attached to Orion, especially his belt.  The Rig Veda refers to Orion as Mriga or the Deer.  Spain and most of Latin America call the belt Las Tres Marías or The Three Marys.  The Lakota call the belt Tayamnicankhu or spine of a bison.

Betelgeuse
Betelgeuse is a star in the Orion constellation.  It is also called Alpha Orionis.  Betelgeuse is a red super-giant.  It is cool and bright.  It also pulsates so it's mass changes with time.  Also, it is the name of the main character from Beetlejuice.

Beetlejuice
This is one of my favorite movies of all time.  It is a comedy-fantasy directed by Tim Burton released in 1988.  Michael Keaton starred as the ghost Betelgeuse also called Beetlejuice.  This movie also features one of my favorite singer/songwriters  Harry Belafonte.

Harry Belafonte
I grew up listening to Harry Belafonte is a kid.  At age 91 Harry Belafonte has done so much more for the world than most people realize.  He was a major contributor in the Civil Rights Movement.  He bank rolled the Freedom Riders.  He was part of the Civil Rights March on Washington in 1963.  He was honorary co-chair for the Women's March on Washington held on 1-21-17.  A few months later in 2017, I had the privilege to hear him speak at OU Catlett Music Center.

Wikipedia Trail: Ludwig van Beethoven to Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica

Ludwig van Beethoven (Wikimedia Commons)

Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven is my favorite composer.  He was an extremely important figure in the transition of music classical to romantic.  The Ninth symphony is one of the most beautiful and powerful pieces of music ever written.  He identified with the ideals of the Age of Enlightenment.

Age of Enlightenment
Also known as the Age of Reason from 1715 to 1789.  This was when absolute monarchy and the power of the church declined.  The main ideas of this time were liberty, progress, constitutional government, and the separation of church and state.  

Science in the Age of Enlightenment
This is when the first encyclopedias and dictionaries appeared.  The number of universities increased.  Science was introduced to the masses through public lectures and coffeehouses.  Reflecting telescopes lead to the discovery of planets.

Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica
Latin for Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, written by Sir Isaac Newton.  It is a collection of three books.  Sometimes it is shortened to Principia.  It includes important concepts such as Newton's laws of motion and Kepler's laws of planetary motion.