EC Reading Notes: Vaishimo Devi

Cover Art (Indian Epics: Amar Chitra Katha)

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

Cover Art (Indian Epics: Readings and Resources)

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

EC Reading Notes: Ganesha

Cover Art (Indian Epics: Amar Chitra Katha)

Ganesha: The Remover of All Obstacles
Written By: Kamala Chandrakant
Art Work By: C.M. Vitankar

Exposition
Parvati wanted to be alone, but Shiva (husband) didn't let her.  She molded a boy from saffron paste from her own body, and blessed him with life.  She ordered him to not let anyone into the house.  When Shiva tried to go in the house the boy hit him twice.  Mad Shiva decided that Parvati had gone to far.  He decided the boy had to be killed.

The Battle Royale
The boy fought all the Deva's Ganas (attendants), Indra, Kartikeya (Shiva's son).  Furious that they attacked her son, Paravati summoned Durga and Kali.  Kali stood between the boy and others.  She swallowed of their weapons, and spit them back out at them.  Durga, in the form of lightening, destoryed the weapons.  The two Devi did not allow a single weapon to come near the boy.  The three of them defeated all of them.  Vishnu and and Shiva entered the fight.  Durga and Kali gave the boy all of their strength so that he could fight the two Deva.  The boy broke Shiva's bow with his club.  Vishnu broke the boys club with his discus.  The boy threw what was left at Vishnu, but Garuda (his mount) caught it.  Shiva from behind the boy's back decapitated the boy with his trident.

Appeasing Parvati
She decided that her son died unfairly, and that all Devas and Ganas must die.  She made thousands of Shaktis and they started to eat everyone.  Brahma and Vishnu terrified asked Parvati what she wanted to make her stop.  She said her son reborn and made a Deva.  Vishnu and Brahma killed an elephant with one tusk, and put it's head on the boy's body.  Shiva blessed him, named him Ganesha, and declared that he was his son.  Parvati and Shiva lived happily with each other at their house.

Reading Notes: The Kaurava Empire Vol. 2 Part B

Graphic Novel Logo (Animation Xpress.com)

The Kaurava Empire: Vol. 2: The Vengeance of Ashwatthama

Written by, Jason Quinn 

Illustrated and Colored by, Sachin Nagar

Part B is pages 46-87.

About the book

This is a graphic novel 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.  It is a cautionary tale of the evil actions war can cause.  

Ashwatthama's Downfall

1. he stays to fight with the with the Kauravas (even though he believes the Pandavas are in the right) for two reasons:
1. he does not want to leave his father
2. he wants to prove he is a better warrior than Arjuna
2. he felt shame in the death of Abhimanyu, like a small piece of him died too
3. Drona was killed thinking his son was dead, but it was a war beast with the same name
4. he swears to avenge Drona's death
5. later Duryodhana dies, tells him that Bhemma struck a low blow
6. he and Kripa (his uncle) and Kritavarma (Yadava warrior) went to the Pandava's camp and started to kill everyone in their sleep
7. he killed all of the Pandava's children 
8. he knows its wrong, but he believes the Pandavas won the war by treachery, and they deserve it
9. the Pandavas fire their Brahmastra at him for revenge
10. he fires his as well to kill them and Daupadi
11. both are powerful enough to destroy the universe
12. a god intervenes to stop it
13. the Pandavas stop theirs 
14. he directs his to Uttaraa's womb, killing Arjuna's unborn grandson
15. the god cursed him
1. removed his jewel
2. he will live forever
3. roam the universe alone
4. friendless
5. in pain
6. a living hell
16. In his own words at the end of part B, "I ask you to remember that I was not always like this." and "Once I was gentle and kind... until the war came... until the war turned me into a butcher... a monster beyond redemption.  Can I ever find forgiveness?"

Reading Notes: The Kaurava Empire Vol. 2 Part A

Cover Art (Indian Epics: Readings and Resources)

The Kaurava Empire: Vol. 2: The Vengeance of Ashwatthama

Written by, Jason Quinn 

Illustrated and Colored by, Sachin Nagar

Part A is pages 88 and 1-45.

About the Book
This is a graphic novel 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.  It tells how war can twist a person, and make them do unforgivable things.  It is a cautionary tale of the evil actions war can cause.

About Ashwatthama

1. he is the son of Drona
2. he has a jewel on his forehead which protects him from harm
3. he becomes jealous of Drona's relationship with Arjuna 
4. he tries to keep the peace between the Pandavas and the Kauravas

Events Leading to the War

Drona driven by a need for vengeance asks both Pandavas and Kauravas to attack his frenemy King Drupada.  Duryodhana jealous of the Pandavas and their wife Draupadi, tries to destroy them.  Shakuni's loaded digi-dice make Yudhisthira lose everything.  Duryodhana refuses to grant them any land, just their freedom.  So this leads to the great war.

EC Reading Notes: Mahiravana

Cover Art (Indian Epics: Amar Chitra Katha)

Mahiravana: A Magician Outwitted
Written By: Meera Ugra
Art Work By: Souren Roy

Back Story
This comic is part of the Ramayana.  However, it did not appear in the PDE version that I read.  Which is a shame because it has my favorite character Hanuman.  As an added bonus he also has new super powers!  Plus, Durga makes an appereance.  So, that is cool.  These events take place after Hanuman burns down Lanka, but before the final battle with Ravana.

The Exposition
Ravana calls Mahiravana for help.  Mahiravana is Ravana's son, a magician, and king of the underworld.  So, Mahiravana decides to help his dad by kidnapping Rama and Lakshmana.  He takes them to the underworld, and decides to sacrifice them to Durga.

Hanuman's Super Powers

• can turn invisible
• can turn into a fly

Hanuman and Durga Teamup

Hanuman (in fly form) asks Durga to help him save Rama and Lakshmana.  She says yes, because she has decided that Mahiravana should die.  First, she does not want the sacrifice.  Second, he is persecuting the noble and innocent.  She tells Hanuman the plan, and wants him to tell Rama and Lakshmana.  The brothers are taken to the temple.  Hanuman turns invisible and follows.  The brothers refuse to bow at the alter because they are royal, and don't know how.  So Mahiravana bows down to show them.  Hanuman takes the sacrificial sword, and decapitates Mahiravana on the alter.  The three men return to camp to continue their adventures.

EC Reading Notes: Saraswati

Cover Art (Indian Epics: Amar Chitra Katha)

Saraswati Stories of the Goddess of Wisdom
Written By: Sanjana Kapur
Art Work By: Adarsh Achari

Birth of Saraswati

Version 1
After Brahma created the three worlds, his mind was at peace.  From his mind came Saraswati.  He was so captivated by her that every time she moved he grew another head to keep her in his sites.  After he grew five heads Saraswati asked Shiva for help.  He destroyed Brahma's fifth head.  Brahma apologized and asked Saraswati for guidance.  She gave him knowledge and married him. 

Version 2
Saraswati was born from Brahma's mind.  She said he had to give her a place in the universe because she came from him.  He said she would exist in three forms.  Speech, to stay on the tip of everybody's tongue.  River, so she would exist on earth.  Goddess, to stay with Brahma because she is a part of him.

Saraswati's Image

She wears white to represent purity of thought.  Also, she wears blue accents to represent her river form and fluidity.  Her clothing is simple to show that wisdom and knowledge are beyond material wealth.

Saraswati Saves the World

At the request of the Gods, Saraswati keeps the world from burning.  In her river form she carries the Vadavagni (all consuming fire that destroys everything) to the ocean.  The area where her river meets the ocean is sacred. 

Reading Notes: Krishna the Defender of Dharma Part D

Krishna reveals celestial form to Arjuna (Wikimedia Commons)

Krishna the Defender of Dharma

Written by: Shweta Taneja

Artwork by: Rajesh Nagulakonda

Part D: pages 102-151

Kurukshetra

1. this is the great battle between Pandavas and the Kauravas
2. the focus is the influence that Krishna had over the events of the battle
3. Krishna is the adviser and guide to Arjuna
4. Krishna shows Arjuna his celestial form

Krishna's Wit and Wisdom

1. "Your pain is misplaced, for there is no wisdom in grief.  The wise are not deceived by death.  Nothing is permanent.  Everything is subject to change."
2. came up with the plan to kill the elephant named after Drona's son, so Drona could be killed while he grieved.

Krishna's words when he showed his celestial form to Arjuna:

I am time.

I am the harbinger of death.

I am here to destory all that is unjust.

So rise and slay your enemies.

Fear nothing, for you are my instrument alone.

By me they are killed for their own actions.

Put aside your ego.  Discard the 'I'.

It is not you who does anything, but the 'me' inside you.

Surrender your consciousness to me, make me your anchor.

Remember,

I will help you cross all obstacles.

It is only if you are arrogant that you will not find your way.

You refuse to fight because you are vain,

Although, you will have to.

Remember, he who treats pain and pleasure equal,

And is swayed by none,

Is dearest to me.

Reading Notes: Krishna the Defender of Dharma Part C

Krishna and Balarama in a chariot (Wikimedia Commons)

Krishna the Defender of Dharma

Written by: Shweta Taneja

Artwork by: Rajesh Nagulakonda

Part C: pages 69-101

Dwarka

1. Krishna and Balarama return from school
2. Jarasandha wants revenge, (his 2 daughters were Kansa's wives)
3. Prince Rukmin of Vidarbha, wants revenge (friends with Kansa)
4. Princess Rukmini ( Rukmin's sister) runs away and marries Krishna
5. defeated Narakasura of Pragjyotishpur with the help of Garuda

Indraprastha

1. Krishna meets the Pandavas to kill Jarasandha to prevent an alliance with the Kauravas
2. Bheema fights Jarasandha for 27 days
3. Krishna tells Bheema how to win, split Jarasandha in two, then throw the peices in dofferent directions

Krishna's Wit and Insight

1. "no creature that plunders the riches of the earth for selfish interests can survive while I esxist."
2. "you should have heard what your sister's heart desired, rather than be blinded by pride and arrogance."
3. he moved the entire city of Mathura to Dwarka to protect the weak and innocent from battle

Reading Notes: Krishna the Defender of Dharma Part B

Baby Krishna Eating Stolen Butter (Wikipedia)

Krishna the Defender of Dharma

Written by: Shweta Taneja

Artwork by: Rajesh Nagulakonda

Part B: pages 37-68

The Brother's Childhood

They were raised as cow herders.  They spent their time playing music, and tricks on the villagers.  Krishna loved to steal freshly churned butter.  Occasionally they killed assassin demon's sent by Kansa.  Radha and Krishna were childhood sweethearts.  When the were teenagers they entered Kansa's wrestling tournament and won. Then Krishna killed Kansa to end his reign of terror, and restore dharma. Ugrasena (Kansa's father, Krishna's and Balarama's grandfather) is returned to the throne.  Krishna and Balarama go to Ujjain with the guru Sandipani to be educated.  They were taught politics, philosophy, and military science.

Demon Assassins

1. Kaliya (poisionous snake), killed by Krishna
2. Bakasura (stork demon), killed by Krishna
3. Dhenuka (donkey demon), killed by Balarama
4. Aghasura (serpent demon), killed by Krishna
5. Pralamba (shape shifting demon), killed by Balarama

Reading Notes: Krishna the Defender of Dharma Part A

Cover Art (Indian Epics: Reading and Resources)

Krishna the Defender of Dharma

Written by: Shweta Taneja
Artwork by: Rajesh Nagulakonda
Part A: pages 1-36

Explaining Dharma

It covers everything from righteousness to social order.  This includes protecting the weak, and taking care of the environment.

About Krishna

1. he is the avatar of Vishnu
2. Vishnu is the preserver of all creation
3. he was born to bring an end to evil and to restore dharma
4. Vishnu's celestial home is Vaikuntha
5. Yogmaya (Goddess of Illusion) helped Krishna and Balarama be born

Krishna's Family

1. he is the eighth child of Princess Devaki and Vasudeva
2. raised by Yashoda and Nanda Vasudeva
3. his powers include sucking out life essence, super strength
4. five demons tried to kill him
5. has an older brother named Balarama

About Balarama

1. he is Krishna's older brother
2. he is the seventh child of Princess Devaki and Vasudeva
3. raised by Rohini, Vasudeva's first wife
4. he is the avatar of Shesha
5. his powers include super strength, and manipulating his bodies density

EC Reading Notes: Bheema and Hanuman

Cover Art (Indian Epics: Amar Chitra Katha)

Bheema and Hanuman
Written By: Kamala Chandrakant
Art Work By: M. N. Nangare

About the Comic

Honestly I am a little disappointed in the comic.  I am a huge fan of Hanuman.  So I read the comic just to see him interact with Bheema.  I was curious about what the comic book version was about.  I read the PDE versoin of the Mahabharata, and I like that version of meeting between Bheema and Hanuman.

So, the comic only had 8 pages out of 31 that had Bheema and Hanuman together.  The rest was about the Pandavas exile, and Bheema getting flowers for Draupadi.  Although, Bheema's son Ghatokacha made an appearance, that was interesting and random.

Hanuman and Bheema Meet

1. Hanuman wants to teach Bheema to be humble
2. Hanuman scares Bheema by making a lot of loud noises that shook the mountain
3. Hanuman plays a trick on Bheema by making his tail so heavy that Bheema could not move it
4. Hanuman said that he would ride on Arjuna's flagstaff and roar to scare their enemies during battle

Reading Notes: The Kaurava Empire Vol. 1 Part B

Kaurava Empire Artwork (Animation Xpress.com)

The Kaurava Empire Volume 1: Abhimanyu and The Conquest of the Chakravyuha

Written by, Jason Quinn

Illustrated and Colored by, Sachin Nagar

About the book

It is a graphic novel based on the Mahabharata.  Part B constists of  pages 33-66.  This book changes the setting to an outer space environment.  Focuses on the thoughts and feelings of the Kaurava and Pandava families.  The Chakravyuha is Kaurava's ultimate battle formation.  It is all but impenetrable.  If an enemy actually breaches the outer defense he grows weaker as he fights toward the middle.  Meanwhile his opponents are stronger at the middle of the formation, than the outer area.  It is a suicide mission.

Charatcers

The two main characters are teenagers:

1. Abhimanyu (Pandava)
2. Durmashana (Kaurava)

The Two Heroes  Both are written as heroes of their own story, and they occasionally interact with each other.

1. Abhimanyu's adventure:
1. he remembers how to enter the Chakravyuha (Arjuna told his wife while he was in the womb)
2. he and Bheema try to gain enterance.  He does but Bhemma fails
3. Uttaraa pleads for him to come back
4. he kills Laxman by using his magical snake, and it bites off Laxman's head
5. Durmashana and him fight with mases to the death
6. Uttaraa witnesses his death on a video screen
7. His state of mind in his own words at the end of part two, "More than anything I want to be with my wife.  I want to feel my child kicking her belly.  I know I will never feel that again.  There's no way back.  Not now.  I don't want to die.  I want to live forever.  But what is life without honor?"
2. Durmashana's adventure:
1. as the days pass he faces his fear and continues to fight.
2. when he fights Abhimanyu he wants the loser to have a warriors death
3. he kills Abhimanyu
4. he finally became a hero, but doesn't feel like it
5. he has a lot of guilt, thinks he is a murder, not a hero
6. Arjuna kills him to avenge his son
7. he is relieved to die
8. His state of mind in his own words at the end of part two, "So this is what being a hero feels like... It feels like... nothing...like emptiness." and "I'm the hero of the army.  The man who defeated Abhimanyu.  I have respect. But every time I close my eyes, I see his face.  I murdered him.  I'm no hero."

Reading Notes: The Kaurava Empire Vol. 1 Part A

Cover Art (India Epics: Reading and Resources)

The Kaurava Empire Volume 1: Abhimanyu and The Conquest of the Chakravyuha
Written by, Jason Quinn
Illustrated and Colored by, Sachin Nagar

About the book

It is a graphic novel based on the Mahabharata.  Part A constists of  pages 66 to the end (cast of characters and author's note) and pages 1-32.  This book changes the setting to an outer space environment.  Focuses on the thoughts and feelings of the Kaurava and Pandava families.  Kurukshetra is the battle field where all events take place.  Hastinapura is the capital of the Kaurava Empire.

Charatcers

The two main characters are teenagers:

1. Abhimanyu:
1. Is the son of Arjuna
2. Just as talented with a bow as his father
3. His wife is Uttaraa, preganent, lives in the Pandava battle camp
4. A proven warrior in his own right
2. Durmashana:
1. Is the son of Dusasana.
2. Wants to prove him self a warrior
3. Made fun of by his cousin Laxman
4. trained to use a mase

The Two Heroes  Both are written as heroes of their own story, and they occasionally interact with each other.

1. Abhimanyu's adventure:
1. believes in the Pandava quest for dharma (justice) after the exile of the brothers
2. almost kills Bhishma (commander of the Kaurava army)
3. almost kills Laxman (Crown Prince Duryodahana's son)
4. Almost kills Shakuni (guy with the loaded dice), but the days end of battle horn sounded
5. His state of mind in his own words at the end of part one, "Do I feel fear out here on the battlefield? No. Out here I feel invisible. Out here I feel as if I'm going to live forever."
2. Durmashan's adventure:
1. Believes the Pandavas are lying about the rigged game of dice and the humiliation of Queen Druapadi.
2. Looks for Abhimanyu on the battle field, thinks that if he kills him, he will be a hero
3. Instead he meets Ghatotkacha (Bheema's half deamon son)
4. Ghatotkacha almost kills him, but lets him go, calling him a baby
5. He knows fear and is terrified after the encounter
6. His state of mind in his own words at the end of part one, "No one has faith in me. Why should they when I have no faith in myself?"

Reading Notes: Mahabharata PDE Part C

Hanuman Statue (Indian Epics: Images and PDE Epics)

Source

Bhima and Hanuman, The Mahabharata, A Summary, John Mandeville Macfie.

When Bhima met Hanuman:

1. They are half brothers, Vayu (God of Wind) is their father
2. Bhima found Hanuman while gathering flowers for Draupadi
3. Bhima knew this was not a regular monkey, he could not lift him by the tail using both hands
4. Hanuman introduced himself
5. Told Bhima about the events of the Ramayana
6. Bhima repeatedly asked Hanuman to display his powers
7. Hanuman showed his mass changing abilities
8. Hanuman talked about the caste system with Bhima:
1. How the castes came to be:
1. Krita Yuga (1st age)  or Age of Truth
1. no religious acts, gods, demons, malice, sin, or pride
2. Brahma was attainable by all
3. Vedas did not yet exist
2. Treta Yuga (2nd age) or "collection of three arousing things"
1. sacrifices were introduced
2. men tried to be virtuous
3. men practiced extreme self control
3. Dwapara Yuga (3rd age) or "two ahead"
1. the Vedas were divided into four parts
2. man's devotion to virtue decreased by 50%
3. men's opinion divided over religious observances and rites
4. less devoted to the truth
5. men became more passionate
6. this brought about disease and calamities
7. selfishness brought about sacrifices to secure heaven
4. Kali Yuga (4th age) "strife or discord" not to be confused with the goddess
1. only 25% of virtue remained
2. evil prevailed
3. this brought famine, disease, sloth, and anger
4. religious acts started to have adverse effects
2. Duties of the castes:
1. brahmin
1. priests, scholars, teachers
2. get to heaven by penance, self-denial
2. Vaishya
1. farmers, merchants
2. get to heaven with gifts and hospitality
3. kshatriya
1. rulers, warriors
2. get to heaven by protecting others
4. shundra
1. servants, laborers
2. Hanuman said nothing about them getting into heaven

Reading Notes: Mahabharata PDE Part D

Mongoose (Wikipedia)

Source
The Mongoose, The Story of The Great War, Annie Besant.

1. Takes place after the great horse sacrifice
2. A mongoose with a half gold coat appears
3. says the horse sacrifice is nothing compared to a brahmin giving barley powder
4. The others asked the mongoose to explain
5. So the mongoose told the story
1. A brahmin and his family lived on grain after a harvest
2. they ate once a day
3. they were starving
4. a stranger came to visit and asked for food
5. the father, mother, son, and young wife gave their food to the stranger
6. After eating the visitor reveled him self as Dharma (Yama) Lord of Death
7. Dharma blessed the entire family and took them to heaven
6. The mongoose got his coloring by roll in the family's left over barley-powder
7. The mongoose looks for a sacrifice as great as the family's meal
8. He has yet to find one
9. Not even Yudhishthira's gold and jewels compare

Source

The Pandavas Depart, Indian Myth and Legend, Donald A. Mackenzie.

1. Team Pandava and wife Draupadi were told by the sage Vyasa their time had come to leave this world
2. One by one they all died in the following order:
1. Draupadi (loved Arjuna over the other brothers)
2. Sahadeva
3. Nakula
4. Arjuna (overconfidence in his skills)
5. Bhima (pride, cursing, and gluttony)
3. Yudhishthira is the only one to make it to heaven
4. Indra told Yudhishthira to leave his dog behind
5. He said no saying he would have no joy if he abandoned his faithful hound
6. The hound transformed into Dharma (father)
7. Dharma praised his so for being loyal to him
8. He said their is no equal in heaven because of Yudhishthira's loyalty.

Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata Part B

Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana (Indian Epics: Images and PDE Epics)

Sources

The Gambling Match, Indian Myth and Legend, Donald A. Mackenzie.

The Second Match, Indian Myth and Legend, Donald A. Mackenzie.

Gambling Part 1

1. Duryodhana jealous of Team Pandava wanted revenge
2. He enlisted the help of Prince Shakuni, a famous gambler
3. Shakuni challenged Yudhishthira to a dice game
4. Shakuni won every round because he used loaded dice
5. Yudhishthira lost everything, and became a slave
6. The last round Yudhishthira gambled with Draupadi's freedom and lost
7. Draupadi lost her freedom as well

Gambling Part 2

1. Dhritarashtra heard of the aftermath of the gambling match
2. He went to Draupadi to make amends
3. He granted her two boons:
1. Yudhishthira was granted his freedom
2. Arjuna, Bhima, and the others were granted their freedom and weapons
4. Duryodhana feared retaliation from Team Pandava
5. So he got Shakuni and Yudhishthira to play dice again with the loaded dice
6. Yudhishthira lost again
7. Team Pandava and Draupadi were exiled for 12 years
8. Bhima swore revenge against Duryodhana and Dushasana (brother)

Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata Part A

Drona Tests the Princes (Indian Epics: Images and PDE Epics)

Sources:

1. The Sons of Pandu, Indian Myth and Legend, Donald A. Mackenzie.
2. Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Indian Myth and Legend, Donald A. Mackenzie.
3. The Contest, Mahabharata, Epic of the Bharatas, Romesh C. Dutt.

Team Pandavas:

1. Parents : Pandu (father, dead), Kunti (first wife, alive), Madri (second wife, dead)
2. Kunti's children:
1. Yudhishthira (father, Dharma, God of Justice)
2. Bhima (father Vayu, God of wind)
3. Arjuna (father Indra, king of heaven)
3. Madri's children:
1. Nakula (father Ashwin twins, son of Sun God Surya)
2. Sahadeva (father Ashwin twins, son of Sun God Surya)
   

Team Kauravas:

1. Parents: Dhritarashtra (father, blind), Gandhari (mother)
2. Duryodhana eldest son 
3. 99 younger sons (so far most are nameless)

The Contest:

1. Bhima and Duryodhana fight
1. they use maces
2. both took it seriously
3. turned deadly
4. Drona (their trainer) stopped the match
5. it was a draw
2. Arjuna displays his archery
1. hard targets
2. small targets
3. wild boar plates had five arrows in their mouths
4. a moving cow horn on a string was struck 21 times

Reading Notes: Hanuman Part B

Hanuman (Wikimedia Commons)

Tulsidas Sundarkaand, The Triumph of Hanuman

Sundarkaand, is the fifth book of Tulidas’s Ramayana, still popular today, many verses are used as proverbs

Tulsidas (1532-1623)

Text Shtam Prakash, Art Sachin Nagar

1. Ravan’s Court and the destruction of Lanka
1. Hanuman warns Ravan to release Seta and ask for Ram’s forgiveness.
2. Angered Ravan orders Hanumans death, changes his mind since Hanuman is a messenger, instead orders his tail to be burned
3. Hanuman grew his tail really long, Agni (God of Fire) protected him from the fire
4. Hanuman ran around the city catching everything on fire except the ashok tree garden
5. Then returns to others across the sea
2. Hanuman: The Early Years
1. Mischievous and playful
2. Thought the sun was a ripe fruit and tried to eat it
3. Indra, king of Gods, struck him in the chin with a thunderbolt, in Sanskrit hanu is chin so Hanuman is “the one with the broken chin”
4. Surya, sun god, was Hanuman’s teacher. This was done by Hanuman growing big, with one leg in the east, the other in the west, and facing Surya as he crossed across the world in daytime
5. Hanuman interrupted sages and monk’s meditation one to many times, so they cursed him, sealing his powers
3. After the Ramayana
1. Did not leave with when Ram and the others left for heaven, Hanuman stayed behind
2. He would stay on earth as long as people chant Ram’s name with faith and devotion
3. He is a chiranjivi (relevant epic characters are eternal)
4. Broke a pearl necklace given by Ram, said it was worthless because there was no image of Ram
5. When others said there was no image of Ram on Rams heart, Hanuman opened his chest showing that his heart had an image of Ram and Sita on it
6. He is a sankatmochan (one who helps in overcoming crisis