Tech Tip: Blogger Design

My Meme (ImgFlip.com)

I just changed the background of my Blog, I think it looks better.

Wikipedia Trail: Control System to Led Zeppelin

The actual title of Led Zeppelin's fourth album (Wikimedia Commons)

Control Systems https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_system

I chose control systems for this Wikipedia trail because that is engineering course that I am taking this semester.  It is my attempt to get back into school mood after the long weekend. A control system regulates the operation of other components or systems.  Some examples include cruise control on an automobile, or a thermostat on a heat and air system.  Most of my class is focused on feedback loops.

Feedback https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feedback

A feedback loop is when the output returns to the input, which then influences the input.  So the feedback loop self-regulates.  There are two basic types of feedback loops, negative and positive.  Positive feedback is used to make audio systems.  An example of audio feedback system is rock music.

Rock Music https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_music

Rock music started in the 1950s, and originally was referred to as "rock and roll." Rock music's roots come from rhythm and blues.  Over time, it split into many different branches.  Some examples include punk, heavy metal, folk rock, and psychedelic rock.  Most rock songs have the verse chorus format with a 4/4 time signature. 

Led Zeppelin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Led_Zeppelin

The mighty Led Zeppelin was a four member band from Britain.  The four members are Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass and keyboardist), and John Bonham (drums).  They made 8 albums from 1968 to 1980.  They disbanded after the passing of John Bonham.  They are one of my favorite bands of all time.  In my opinion their music is timeless, it never grows old.

Week 7 Story: The Ties That Bind

Pandavas Leave This World (Indian Epics: Images and PDE Epics)

The Ties that Bind

Vayu, the Wind God, left his breezy path and returned to heaven.  He sought out Dharma, the Lord of Death and Justice.  Upon reaching his chambers, Vayu asked for Dharma for his counsel.  The reason was a delicate matter that is best left between family members.

“Dharma, we should discuss the trials that face our son’s.  I have observed their choices, and I fear they are on a dark path.  My son Bhima, has become crueler during their exile.  He cares not about the destruction of flora and fauna.  While your son Yudhishthira, caused their banishment by having no self-control, and did not stop gambling when he should,” said Vayu.

The words caused Dharma to pause and reflect.  He too had grown concerned over the choices that the Pandava brothers have made in recent weeks. Eventually he turned to Vayu with a furrowed brow.

“I to share your concerns Vayu.  However, you know we are forbidden to interfere,” said Dharma.

“We must do something!  They are our children.  Surely, there must be something we can do?” said Vayu.

After a few moments, Dharma said, “How about a compromise.  We help guide them but not directly.  They would never know it was us.  We would just nudge them along the proper course.”

So, the two Gods parted ways and started to devise plans to help their children in a time of need.  They both knew that the exile was hard on the sons because their mother Kunti did not accompany them.  Even though they are grown men, there are times when they still need their parents’ help. 

Vayu rode the wind currents back to earth.  He sought his oldest son Hanuman.  Vayu had nothing but the greatest love for Hanuman.  As luck would have it Hanuman was wondering through the same woods that Bhima lived during his time of exile. 

“My son!  Please help your half-brother.  He is so much younger than you and could use your guidance.  I would talk to him myself if I could, but such a thing is not possible.  I fear he treads a dark path, and it is a fate that I wish to spare him from,” said Vayu.

“Of course, father,” said Hanuman, “I have seen the destruction he has caused.  He kills tigers and elephants with no remorse.  I will speak to him about the four Yuga.  Also, I will remind him of the four castes and what is expected of each.  Perhaps this will make him consider others and lessen his pride.  After all, Bhima is my brother, and I do not wish to see him fail because of his arrogance.”

“Thank you my most beloved son.  I knew I could count on you,” said Vayu.

“Ha-Ha! Think nothing of it! What is family for?” said Hanuman.

With a great weight lifted off his shoulders, Vayu returned to heaven.  He wanted to speak with Dharma.  First, he wanted to inform Dharma, about the progress he had made with Bhima.  Second, he was curious about how Dharma fared with Yudhishthira.  He was greatly surprised to find out that Dharma would not return to heaven for quite some time.

For years now, Dharma had concealed himself in the form of a hound.  Yudhishthira, loved the hound.  He was Yudhishthira’s best friend and loyal companion.  Eventually, Dharma realized that Yudhishthira needed a reminder to be humble.  So, he asked his friend the mongoose to tell the story of the Brahman and his family.  The mongoose recounted the tale after Yudhishthira’s great horse sacrifice.  Dharma was pleased that it had the desired humbling effect on Yudhishthira.  Content, Dharma decided to remain as a hound until the Pandava family returned to heaven.  He could not bring himself to abandon his son when he would need his father the most.  After all, they were family.

Author’s Note

This story was based on the PDE version of The Mahabharata.  I found it interesting how the family connections of the Pandava family were so complex.  So, this story focused on the two Gods and their sons.  The Mahabharata only briefly mentioned the fathers.  I chose to take a lot of liberties with this story.  I found it hard to believe that the fathers would not take an active interest in their sons’ grand adventure.  I took snippets of the four stories and created a back story where the fathers caused the events in The Mahabharata to occur.  The original stories can be read by following the links in the sources section.

Sources
Bhima and Hanuman, The Mahabharata, A Summary, John Mandeville Macfie.
The Mongoose, The Story of The Great War, Annie Besant.
The Pandavas Depart, Indian Myth and Legend, Donald A. Mackenzie.
The Sons of Pandu, Indian Myth and Legend, Donald A. Mackenzie.

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.