Week 3: Storybook Styles

Topic: For my project this semester, I would like to make a Storybook about the god Ganesha!  As mentioned in my feedback, we do not hear much about Ganesha until we get to the epic Mahabharata.  Also, as I mentioned in my topics post, I just find him one of the most interesting gods (mainly because he has an elephant head haha).  I would like to include the story of why he has an elephant's head foremost, then I would like to touch on some of his most known attributes such as his appetite/race with his brother, his single tusk, and why the moon changes phases.  What I would cover would depend on how many stories I am able to create before finishing the course.  

Bibliography: 

1. Information on Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten day festival celebrated in many Southeastern Asian countries: Source

2. Much background information on Ganesha and a layout of the many things that he is connected to and represents: Source

3. Mythological anecdotes of Ganesha: Source (I believe this will be my main source)

(Ganesha Scribing for Vyasa: Wikipedia)

Possible Styles:

Festival:  Since Ganesha is loved throughout southern Indian, I would use the introduction to tell about his background and significance (as mentioned before).  I could talk about the different times one would worship Ganesha, and in what circumstance.  There are many Hindu temples, and I could provide a walk through of some of them including pictures.  Finally there is a festival called Ganesh Chaturthi, which I could elaborate on.  It lasts ten days, and I could talk about the rituals, dates, and differences of the festivals in different countries.  

Children's Story: I read a great story between a mother and daughter when researching some of the Storybooks previously made.  I like this idea, but want to do it in such a way that I would not take away the focus away from Ganesha himself.  Since Ganesha's head is replaced when he was young, or at least speculated, I could tell the story to a young boy.  Since my audience is more directed toward a child, I could really simplify Ganesha's stories for my audience.

Journey: This reminds me of the "traveling through India" topic I was thinking about doing.  If I were to use this topic, I could be a traveler flying into India for a semester abroad.  Although I have talked about the festival aspect some, I could almost use some of those same topics, but use the perspective of a modern day college student and their experience as an american who has never been exposed to these kinds of traditions and tales before.  

Television Story:  With this topic, I could almost combine television and children's story by using a theme close to Reading Rainbow.  I got this idea when Aiden (my son) was watching Nick Jr. and they told the story of Rama, Sita, and Ravana (this was even before I knew anything about the Ramayana).  I would start each story as a different "program/episode," and tell a portion of Ganesha's story.  For my introduction, I would introduce myself and give the background on Ganesha and his significance in not just India, but in other parts of Southeast Asia as well.  

Week 3 Storytelling: Sita in Lanka

If you had not read my great tale from before, you may not know that Vayu is the father of Rama's devotee, Hanuman.  Vayu is the god of wind, and one of the many gods that the demon King Ravana had conquered and made slave of his court and kingdom. You would have also missed the part where I explained that Vayu had to ability to be everywhere at once, and to grant life to throughout the Earth.  All the gods knew of the prophecy once Ravana was granted his boon.  He was so arrogant that he believed that only celestial creatures would want to see the end of him.  Ravana was granted eternal protection from all beings except for humans and monkeys. The great Rama's entire existence was centered around marrying the most beautiful woman in the world, Sita, and ending the demon King's reign of terror.  

Onto present day, and back to Vayu, he had just witnessed the heart breaking scene of Ravana carrying Sita, on a slab of dirt, into his court.  She was very distressed, and was calling for him to return her to Rama before he sought the demon's death.  Ravana was amused by her threats, but was quickly becoming annoyed.  He ordered that an entrapment of sorts be made in the garden, directly outside the biggest window of his bed chamber.  Vayu observed all of this unseen, for he had the power of invisibility, and went to tell his friend Agni (the fire god) about the situation.  Once he had Agni convinced that their salvation was near, Vayu went to observe what the kingdom had to say about Sita's presence.  

Much to Vayu's surprise the kingdom was in quite a stir.  The many consorts of the King were growing concerned that Ravana would grow tired of them, and banish them back to their homeland.  The demon army was growing excited, for it had been many years since Ravana took them out on raids to overcome the many gods on Earth.  Vibhishana, Ravana's younger brother and advisor, was growing anxious over his brother's well being and began plans on how he could convince the King to surrender to Rama. 

(Source)

Once Vayu was done listening to the opinions of the Lanka, he decided to pay Sita a visit.  He made himself invisible at first to see what kind of environment and situation that she was in.  There were some fearsome looking rakshasis' surrounding her around the clock.  They were trying to convince her to just give in to Ravana, to forget about Rama, and that the demon King would be able to please her for an eternity in ways that her human husband wouldn't be able to.  After hearing this for a little while, Vayu decided enough was enough and sucked the breath out of their bodies temporarily.  He made himself visible only to Sita and reassured her that if she continued to refuse Ravana that she would remain safe.  He gave her a secret signal (only known between the two of them), so that if she ever needed anything he would be able to bring it to her, or he could determine whether a messenger is telling her the truth or lies.  This is how Sita kept her determination while waiting for Rama throughout the next rainy season and year.  Anytime someone would try to deceive and lie to her about what was going on, even when the demons tried to bring her what appeared to be a decapitated Rama, Sita would always wait for Vayu's signals on whether or not her audience was telling the truth.  Vayu's son, Hanuman, was a devotee of the great Rama, and the human king-to-be would be the one who was going to grant him salvation.  The least he could do is aid Sita during her time in the demon kingdom. 

Author's Note:
Since the wind god is able to be in all places as once (or least I depict him in this way), I decided to try and make a part II of the story I wrote last week [3].  Since Narayan's version of the Ramayana doesn't give readers much insight on how Sita's stay was like in Lanka, and how she survived, I decided to give Vayu the credit.  Since Vayu is known as the wind god, I really emphasized on his abilities of being all-seeing and how he can be perceived as in many places at one time.  I thought it would be interesting to make a continuation of last week since someone commented about how they would like to know more about Sita's capture. 

I am aware that we are put into different "comment" groups each week, and those who I will be paired with will be different from last time.  Even though I tried to continue from last week's story, I tried to catch the reader up so they didn't feel like they were missing out on anything. For my new readers, please don't hesitate to point out if I made anything confusing, I'll gladly try and make them clear!

Bibliography:
Narayan, R. K. (1972) The Ramayana.

Week 3 Reading Diary B: Narayan's Ending

I simply cannot display through writing, and emphasize, on how excited I was to begin reading this part of the tale. Up until this point I have read lot of comparison, and I am ready to learn something new about Rama, Ravana, and Sita's fate.  Hanuman's stature and powers are really impressive in this section.  He is so devoted in looking for Sita and appeasing Rama's wishes. I like how he was able to send a message to Ravana and to his kingdom, by burning it down, and relieve Sita from her torturous guards.  

(Hanuman and Sita)

Vibhishana's persistent warnings, and helping Hanuman to escape Lanka, not only shows his pure heart, but also Ravana's consistent arrogant blindness.  He only tries to be voice of reason, but reveals that Ravana is truly destined to send himself to doom.  Ravana's biggest mistake is sending his younger brother away, he practically handed the win to Rama for he now has all of his army's secrets.  

One of my favorite parts is when Rama's army builds the land bridge, and I could only imagine what this site would have looked like during the process.  When the many days of battle have gone by, Rama has finally defeated Ravana, and he has ordered the great funeral for the demon king.  

I was VERY surprised and shock with how Rama tested and presented himself to Sita when he first saw her (as were the gods)!  After Agni presented Sita back to Rama, blessing her as pure, I understood more but this did not lessen my shock.  I am glad that the epic addressed this, and set Rama back on the path of Dharma.  I think this is just an example of how a man can be changed by battle and war.  I can only wonder what would have happened if Sita did give in to Ravana.  Would Rama still have defeated him, would he have changed his mind about doing so, etc.?  I really liked this ending of the story, and glad that Narayan added the epilogue to go over some things. I was wondering when and why Sita would enter the forest, but he decided that this was an unappealing ending when the tale should be positive.  Overall, I am very happy with Narayan's version of the Ramayana.

  

(Sita's Test)

Week 3 Reading Diary A: The End is Near

I am starting to see lots of variances again within some familiar places.  When I first began reading Buck's version, I preferred and was partial to it.  Now that I have come this far in the text, I am favoring how Narayan is able to cut out some "unnecessary" points in the story, and he is effectively able to move along without leaving the reader wondering what these specific details are.  With this version I like how Ravana was unable to touch Sita against her will, I think this is much more effective than him not being able to "take her" as he pleases.  I still fell bad for Jatayu, but I am glad that he was so valiant and tried to save Sita from Ravana. 

(Ravana fights Jatayu)

Hanuman's significance is more elaborated, and his appropriate "obsession" with Rama is more understood, in my opinion.  I understood the dispute between Vail and Sugriva better in this version of the epic, and I am relieved that Tara didn't take her life and was able to serve as a voice of truth after the rainy season.  The sending out of the armies, setting free the nymph to heaven, and crossing paths with Jambavan comes quickly in this version, and I am very excited to come to the end of the epic and see how the battle comes about!