Indian Epics Spring 21

Root for Each Other, from the Feedback padlet on Canvas For this week's feedback assignment, I read the following articles:  Why Do So Many Managers Avoid Giving Praise? : I thought this article was interesting, and I was surprised at how many managers said they don't give any positive feedback. As someone who works really well when I have both positive and negative feedback, I know I would suffer in that kind of a situation. I've had different kinds of managers in my different jobs. I've had ones that only gave feedback when I asked, ones that gave mostly positive feedback, and then ones that gave a really good mixture of both. Thankfully, I haven't had anyone who only gives me negative feedback. I think a mixture is so important in any kind of work environment, as well as in school and even within our relationships. I have utilized this in my relationships, for instance if my husband had done something that hurt me or I just didn't want him to do again, I try ...

Statue of Durga Soumyasch at en.wikipedia Idea 1: My first idea is to write my storybook about the Hindu goddess Durga. Durga is one of several goddesses that are said to be one but have several forms or reincarnations. According to the Durga wikipedia page , Durga is "the principal Hindu goddess of war, strength and protection." The most famous legend about Durga is her defeat of the demon Mahishasura. In fact, to defeat the demon is why she was created by the other gods. She has eight or so arms, and a weapon in each. I would love to retell Durga's origin story and how she came to defeat Mahishasura, as well as what she did next, i.e. how she found a purpose after defeating the demon she was created to kill. Idea 2: My second idea is to do a modern retelling of Rama and Sita's story. In the Ramayana, Rama and Sita have a sort of 'love at first sight,' and are married once Rama lifts and strings the bow of Shiva. Sita then goes to live with Rama in his king...

Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Divakaruni They say love finds you when you least expect it, or when you're not looking for it. For Sita, it was the opposite. Hundreds of men came to her father's palace each year, trying to marry her. The catch was that her father, Janaka, would only allow a man to marry her if he could lift and string a bow that used to belong to Shiva. So far, the only person known to be able to lift it was Sita herself. Janaka believed this was the only way to find Sita a worthy husband. *** The day started out like any other, and I was praying in the temple to the goddess, asking for a worthy husband. It felt like thousands of men had tried to lift and string the bow in order to marry me, and I was just ready to finally be done with all of it and find love. When I finished my prayers, I took the arm of my friend and we began to stroll through the gardens. These had always been my favorite place at the palace. They were so peaceful, being in them gave me th...

Jatayu and Ravana I just finished reading part B of the Tiny Tales Ramayana! There was a lot of adventure and interesting things in this part. When I decide my retelling, if I did anything from part B it would be the kidnapping of Sita. That was the most gripping part for me, but it also had me shaking my head at the decisions she made. First it all started when Ravana's sister Shurpanakha wanted to marry Rama, and then tried to attack Sita. Lakshmana went at her with his sword and ended up mutilating her face. She ran away, and her cousins Khara and Dushana tried to avenge her by fighting Rama and his brother. The two brothers defeated Khara, Dushana and their army of rakshasas. Word about this got back to Ravana, who decided he would punish who had done by taking their wife, in this case Sita. So Ravana went to Maricha and made him agree to lure Rama away from Sita by taking the form of a golden deer. While Rama was away, Ravana would take Sita for himself. Maricha agreed o...

Marriage of Rama Bharata Lakshmana and Shatrughna After reading the first 50 stories of the tiny tales book, I was definitely most intrigued by the story of Rama and Sita. I might like to retell their meeting and marriage in my story this week. Here are some notes that will help me remember + inspire me. Rama first learns of Sita through Vishvamitra telling him about the bow and the test that must be passed in order to marry her. I do wonder if Rama actually wants to marry her or just wants to prove that he can lift and string the bow.  Sita is not Janaka's biological daughter, but he obviously treasures her like she is. I thought the origin stories were all a little odd, a baby coming from the ground. But the first origin story was my favorite, I liked the idea that Sita really was just a gift to Janaka from the gods. I liked the story about Sita learning to cook, and I think it points to a really sweet relationship with her mother. I'd like to know more about that/maybe use t...