Week 15 Story: The Battle of Lanka

Depiction of the Battle at Lanka. Source: Wikimedia

The Indian Storybook: Rama's Quest, by Richard Wilson

Ravana stood on the ramparts of his city walls on the eve of what would be the most important battle of his life.  He looked out onto the sea and saw the vast monkey hoard that was coming to take his life, spear-headed by the dreaded Rama.  He looked back on the day he had captured the thing that seemed had ultimately sealed his fate.  It was Sita, the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.  When he saw her in the forest that day, it didn't matter who she was with, she had to be his.  Little did he know she was married to Rama, one of the strongest men in all of the world who had been exiled to the forest by a vengeful queen. 
As he pondered this, one of his councilmen came to him with a plan to convince Sita to abandon hope for Rama and marry him while he still had the chance.  They would conjure up a fake head of Rama and convince her that he was killed in a night raid on the city to save her.  When they carried out this plan it worked quite well, leaving Sita utterly devastated.  Before Ravana could carry out the rest of his plan, he was called to the front lines by one of his generals.  Rama's army was here and decimating Ravana's forces. Ravana had to think up something quick if he was to even save any of his army or his generals from getting wiped out on the first day of battle.  He had some of his magicians conjure up a flying chariot and magic arrows.  One of his Rakshasa allies took these up into the sky and rained down on Rama's forces, injuring Rama and his brother Lakshmana in the process.  It seemed like Ravana's magic weapons had won them the day as Rama's forces panicked with their two leaders badly injured, but then came the Wind, a powerful deity that breathed new life into Rama and Lakshmana.  With this new burst of energy Rama's forces once again began to pummel Ravana's army as Ravana could only watch as his fate was truly sealed. 

Author's Note:  I decided to tell this story from Ravana's perspective to give a new look at how this battle played out.  It's interesting to see how the scene looks from the losers perspective and I think it adds a lot to the story overall. 

Reading Notes: Indian Storybook, Rama's Quest Part B

The battle at Lanka. Source: Wikimedia

The Indian Storybook: Rama's Quest, by Richard Wilson

The Battle Begins:

Ravana looked out at the coming army from the ramparts of his city walls in Lanka.  He ponders his coming doom and has an idea.  The next day he goes to Sita and tells her Rama came in the night for her and was slain.  He then had one of his magicians bring her a fake head of Rama.  When Ravana leaves one of Sita's guardians tells her it was jsut a trick and not to worry about Rama because he is still alive.  While this was going on, Rama's monkey army had nearly wiped out Ravana's army.  One of the Rakshasas used magic to fly up in a chariot and rain magic arrows down on Rama and his army.  Rama and Lakshmana get injured in this attack.  Things seemed lost when the god of the wind came to their aid and gave them words of encouragement that revived them to full strength. 

Reading Notes: Indian Storybook, Rama's Quest Part A

Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana in the forest. Source: Wikimedia

The Indian Storybook: Rama's Quest, by Richard Wilson

Rama's Exile:

Things were going well for Rama when the King grew old and wished to give control of the kingdom over to Rama.  One of the kings wives was angry with this however and wanted her son Bharata to be chosen as king.  The old king gave into her wishes and even let her convince him to send Rama into exile for 14 years.  When it was time for him to leave Sita begged to go with him so she was sent into exile.  Lakshmana joined them as well.  They were forced to wear bark clothing and had to leave with not much of anything to bring with them.

Famous Last Words: A Reflection On Week 14

It's Summer Time. Source: PublicDomainPictures

Reading for the Week:  I really enjoyed my reading this week.  It was fun to read more Jatakas and I think they are the most enjoyable of all of the stories I have had to read for the class.  They are short, sweet, and to the point and have a creative spin to all of their lessons.  It was nice going through and seeing a bunch of different author's takes on the stories and how they differ from one another. 

My Best Writing for the Week:  I think my best writing was in my Storybook project because I think I made my last story more clear and specific.  I think a good writing strategy is to just sit down and write what's on your mind and edit it later.  You may end up writing more than you need and you can trim it down to what you really want to say when you revise.

Other People's Writing:  I read a portfolio this week from class that had a really excellent layout for its stories and had nice emphasis on certain lines and dialogue.  It made their story have more impact and makes me think I should add some similar elements to my website. 

My Other Classes:  My other classes are all coming to an end an they all have final projects that I need to finish up.  It will be challenging, but I can get it done if I manage my time right.  The nice thing about this is most of those classes don't have finals, so it will be a pretty relaxing finals week this semester. 

Plans for Next Week:  I really hope to finish up this class strong next week and get all of the points I need to make an A in the class. It looks like I should just be able to do it if I do all of the regular weekly assignments. 

Week 14 Story: The Quail and His Farmer

A quail. Source: Wikimedia

The Giant Crab and Other Tales from Old India, by W. H. D. Rouse.

There was once a lazy quail that lived on a farm.  He would lounge around all day while the farmer worked and when the farmer was finished, the quail would meander around the field collecting food that had been churned up by the farmer.  It was an easy laid back life and the quail had nothing to worry about in the world.  One day, the quail decided that he no longer wanted to pick scraps from what the farmer would dig up during his work.  The quail wanted to taste fresh and new food instead of the same old stuff all the time.  He decides that he will go into the forest in search of fantastic new delights for him to feast upon.
He set out from the farmers land with a smile on his face and a skip in his step, thinking of all the delicious foods waiting for him in the forest.  On his way there he happened to be spotted by a great falcon.  The falcon sees the easy unsuspecting meal and decides to capitalize on the quail's situation.  The falcon swoops down and grabs the quail with his mighty claws in an instant.  Before the quail knew what was going on, he was up 100 feet in the air in the grasp of the falcon.  The quail started to scream out about his plight and what had led him into this situation.  If he hadn't been greedy and stayed on the farm, he would be just fine.  The falcon hears this and issues the quail a challenge.  The falcon wanted to prove that no matter where the quail was he could capture him.  He lets the quail go on his farm and tells him to prepare himself.  The falcon then flies up into the air and begins his nose dive towards the quail.  Just before the quail was to be captured again, the farmer stepped in and batted the falcon away.  The farmer was apparently quite fond of the quail and did not want him harmed.  When the falcon recovered from the blow he flew off in fear of being attacked again.  The quail never realized the farmer cared for him so much and was ultimately overjoyed that he now realized how good he has it on the farm.  The quail decides that he should never forget this lesson and be happy with the life he has, while he has it.

Author's Note:  I decided to give the farmer a roll in the story and to make the quail's lesson that much more apparent about appreciating what you have.

Reading Notes: The Giant Crab and Other Tales Part B

A falcon lunging at prey. Source: Pixabay

The Giant Crab and Other Tales from Old India, by W. H. D. Rouse

The Quail and the Falcon:

There was a quail who lived on a farm and would live easily off of things the farmers plow turned up.  The quail got bored of the the food the farmer turned up and decided he would search for food in a nearby forest.  While the quail was in the forest it was spotted by a falcon who immediately swooped down and grabbed the quail with its claws.  The quail begins to cry and say the falcon would never have caught him at home.  The falcon hears this and lets the quail go at his home to prove to him that he can catch him anywhere.  The falcon charges at the quail, but the quail dodges and the falcon runs straight into a clod and kills itself.  The quail is again happy and decides that he should stick to what he knows.

Reading Notes: The Giant Crab and Other Tales Part A

A field mouse. Source: Pixabay

The Giant Crab and Other Tales From Old India by W. H. D. Rouse.

There was a mouse that had a great amount of hidden treasure in a hidden hole in a field.  The farmer who owned the land the mouse lived on would be nice to the mouse and give him cheese sometimes even though he didn't know about the treasure.  The mouse wanted to repay the farmer so every day he would give him a golden sovereign and the farmer would buy meat in town and give some to the mouse.  The mouse soon got very fat.  This attracted a lazy mouse who wanted to eat him.  The mouse agrees to give him the meat the farmer would give him and soon the mouse became thin.  The farmer asks him what is wrong and the mouse tells him his situation.  The farmer gives him an ink vile to hide in and when the mouse refused the cat the next time the cat ate the ink vile with the mouse and died.  The mouse crawled out of the vile and lived happily with the farmer the rest of the his life.

Week 13 Story: Golden Goose

Golden Goose. Source: Wikimedia

The Golden Feathers, from Twenty Jataka Tales by Noor Inayat

Once there was a poor family who lived in a small hut in the forest.  The father of the family decided one day that he was tired of scraping by  and watching his wife and children struggle, so he decides he will go out and seek wealth to bring back to them so they didn't have to live such a hard life.  The father tells this to his family and bids them farewell.  When he had gotten far down a forest path and had been away from his family for some time, a fairy appeared to him.  The fairy asked him what he was doing and why he was all alone in the forest.  He told the fairy his quest to bring his family comfort and how he had to leave them to find a way to help.  The fairy was moved by the man's devotion to providing for his family so he turned the man into a golden goose.  The goose's feathers were made of gold and he shimmered brilliantly as he moved from place to place.  The man, now a goose, immediately went back to his family.  He decided to help his family he would return periodically to them to give them one of his feathers for them to go into town and sell.  He gave them a feather and then left after he had explained his plan to them.  This continued for some time where he would return, give them a feather, and then leave.  One day the wife explained to the children that they must capture the goose and pluck all of his feathers in case he leaves one day and never returns.  The kids were sad about it but had to agree to their mothers plan.  So, when the goose came back the next time to give them a feather, the kids all jumped on him and held him down as the wife plucked all of his feathers.  They then threw the goose in a barrel to save him until his feathers grew back.  The feathers they had plucked had a problem however, because they all turned to white regular feathers when they had finished their terror on the goose.  As it turns out, the fairy had put a charm on the goose that if his feathers were ever taken from him by force, that they should revert to normal and he would never grow golden feathers again.  This shocked the wife and made her regret her rash decision.  The goose grew back his feathers and in time returned to his past human form.  The wife was shocked one day to find her husband sleeping in the barrel where the goose once was.  It was then she finally understood what the goose was doing and why it had come to them and she became inconsolably sad. 

Author's Note:  I decided to change the end of this story to make the husband turn back to normal instead of staying a goose.  I feel like it helps his wife in the story better realize the gravity of her mistake. 

Reading Notes: Twenty Jataka Tales Part B

Buffalo. Source: Pixabay

Twenty Jataka Tales, by Noor Inayat

The Patient Buffalo:

There was a buffalo lazing by a tree.  A monkey saw him there and decided he wanted to make him angry so he jumped on his back, swung around his horns, and trampled his grazing grass but the buffalo did nothing.  The monkey continued to bother him for some time until a fairy appeared and asked him why he put up with the monkey.  The buffalo says the money is weak and stupid so it is not worth it to make him unhappy for the buffalo's own happiness.  The fairy is pleased with this answer and gives him a charm that will prevent anyone from bothering him again and drives the money away. 

Reading Notes: Twenty Jataka Tales Part A

Picture of golden goose. Source: Wikimedia

Twenty Jataka Tales,  by Noor Inayat

The Golden Feathers:

A father wants to provide a good life for his family so he tells them he is going to go out and seek riches to make their lives more comfortable.  When he sets out he enters a forrest late at night and is confronted with a fairy, who when hearing his plan, turns him into a golden goose.  The father seeing this decides he will fly to his family every so often to give them a feather to sell.  The wife gets greedy one time and decides to pluck all of the goose's feathers.  The feathers turn to normal white feathers however because the fairy gave the goose a charm that they would do that if they were taken from him.  The goose grows back white feathers and flies to the forrest to live the rest of his life happy. 

Week 12 Story: Bhima vs Baka

Picture of Bhima. Source: Wikimedia

Mahabharata The Greatest Spiritual Epic of All Time, by Krishna Dharma

After Bhima married Hidimbi he went with her and stayed in the mountains to give her a son.  After seven months Hidimbi had a son who was a virtuous Raksasa.  He grew up unnaturally fast and soon requested that he should leave home to go explore the world.  Bhima granted him this wish and soon he would leave with the rest of the Pandavas to continue their quest to combat Duryodhana.  After they had left Hidimbi for some time they were approached by a stranger who said he would lead them to a safe place to stay.  He led them to the house of a local Brahmin where they were safe from harm and they could care for their mother Kunti.  One day Kunti overheard the Brahmin talking with much distress to his family members.  The town had apparently made a deal with a Raksasa named Baka that if once a week they would deliver food and a human offering to the Raksasa he wouldn't attack them and would protect them.  It was the Brahmin's turn to be an offering next and the family was grieving with their father.  Kunti overheard all of this and is swept with emotion.  She decides that the Pandavas will do anything to help the Brahmin and his family.  She offers an alternative to them that Bhima should go to Baka and take him out for them instead.  They are very grateful for the offer and Kunti tell Bhima so he can prepare.  The next day Bhima goes to the Raksasa and confronts him.  Baka attacks him immediately and Bhima counters every blow.  Eventually Bhima grows tired of the fight and kills Baka with one blow.  He warns all other Raksasas in the vicinity that they should leave and never devour humans again unless they want to end up like Baka.  The Raksasas all flee and the towns people cheer for Bhima.  After a little more time had passed and the town had not been attacked again Bhima decided he wanted to go back to Hidimbi.  The fight made him realize what was important to him.  He told his brothers to just call him whenever he was needed so they could win back their throne.  His brothers agreed to Bhima's request and he left them to return to Hidimbi.

Author's Note:  I wrote this story based on chapter 1.8 of the Dharma Mahabharata book.  I changed the end of the story so that Bhima returned to his wife, which I like better because he just leaves her there in the original story.  I also left it open to him helping his brothers when the time comes so he doesn't betray his family with the choice. 

Reading Notes: Dharma Mahabharata Part B

Bhima beating Baka. Source: Wikimedia

Mahabharata: The Greatest Spiritual Epic of All Time,  by Krishna Dharma

1.8, Ghatotkaca Born and Baka Slain:

Bhima had just defeated Hidimba but Hidimbi was still left.  She decides shes in love with Bhima and wants to marry him.  Yudhisthira appreciated Hidimbi's religious knowledge so he approved of Bhima and hers marriage.  They gave birth to a chile Ghatotkaca.  He was a Raksasa but was virtuous by nature.  When their son was old enough to leave, Bhima and the Pandavas leave Hidimbi and stay at a Brahmin's house.  They have a problem with a annual sacrifice of young men to a raksasa.  Kunti offers Bhima as a sacrifice over the Brahmin's son.  Bhima defeats Baka and end the cycle of tribute.

Reading Notes: Dharma Mahabharata Part A

Bhima fighting the Nagas. Source: Wikimedia

Mahabharata: The Greatest Spiritual Epic of All Time,  by Krishna Dharma

1.4, Duryodhana Begins His Evil Schemes:

Duryodhana is raised as a prince born to be king.  He is arrogant and proud and many prefer his cousins the Pandavas who were much more humble.  Duryodhana schemes with his brother to kill Bhima, one of the greater Pandavas, by poisoning him and throwing him into the ganges.  After Bhima was poisoned they all went to the river to play.  Bhima fell asleep by the river bank and was bound and thrown in. Bhima was carried to the domain of the nagas, which were fantastical giant snakes, and their poison healed Bhima.  He was brought to the snake king who gave him a drink that would permanently give him the strength of 1000 elephants.  Bhima came back to the palace stronger than ever where Duryodhana tried to poison him again to no avail. 

Week 11 Story: The Grateful Elephant

Elephant carrying logs for a man. Source: Wikimedia.

source: The Kings White Elephant, from the Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt

There was once a small carpenter community that lived on a river.  On the opposite side of the river bank was a large forrest where they would gather their wood from for their work.  One day, as they were working, a large old elephant came to them limping.  It appeared the elephant had a problem with its front foot because it couldn't manage to put weight on it for more than a split second before it would wince in pain.  The carpenters went up to the elephant and inspected his damaged limb.  When they got close, they saw that the elephant had a large splinter right in the center of its foot.  The carpenters immediately get to work at removing the splinter and in no time they have it removed.  They even went as far as to bandage and wash the wound so that it would heal properly.  The elephant was taken aback by the carpenters kindness because he had never met people so generous and caring for other beings besides themselves.  From that point on the old elephant made it his mission to help the carpenters wherever he could to pay them back for this great service.  He began to carry heavy logs for them, roll logs down to the river for transport, and he would even bring them their tools if they needed ones they didn't have with them.  The elephant loved the carpenters and they loved him too for the service he gave them.

The old elephant had a young son that was beautiful and white.  He decided that his son should learn to help the carpenters too.  The elephant taught his son everything about helping the carpenters and the carpenters quickly grew to love the elephants son as well.  When the old elephant died, the young elephant filled his spot for the carpenters without skipping a beat.  The young elephant would also play with the young carpenters children in the river all the time when he wasn't helping the carpenters.  One day a king came walking by the riverbank and noticed the brilliant white elephant playing with the children in the river.  He was immediately impressed and wanted to buy the elephant from the carpenters for a large sum of money.  The carpenters considered the offer, but decided to turn it down for their love for the elephant was too strong and he was almost like family to many of them.  The children were overjoyed that the elephant wasn't sold and the elephant lived happily with the carpenters until the end of his days. 

Author's note: I decided to change the end of this story to where the carpenters didn't sell the white elephant in the end.  I thought it was pretty lame for them to sell him like that after all he and the old elephant had done for them. 

Reading Notes: Jataka Tales Part B

Elephant lifting logs for the carpenters. Source: Wikimedia.

The Kings White Elephant, from Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt

There were some carpenters that lived near the forrest and would go in daily by boat to harvest wood.  One day an elephant came to them limping and showed the carpenters it's swollen foot.  The carpenters saw that there was a large splinter in the foot of the elephant.  The carpenters removed the splinter and washed the foot so that it would heal.  The elephant was so grateful to the carpenters that he took it upon himself to become their helper.  He would deliver tools to them, help take down trees, and eve roll felled trees down to the river.  He had a white elephant son that he would eventually train to help the carpenters as he had.  The white elephant learned to help and enjoyed playing with the carpenters children in the river.  One day, the king walked down to the river and saw the elephant playing with the children.  He bought the elephant from the carpenters for a large fee and took care of it for the rest of its days.

Reading Notes: Jataka Tales Part A

A large ox. Source: Wikimedia.

The Ox Who Won the Forfeit, from Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt

A long time ago a man owned an ox that was so powerful that he wanted everyone to know so he made a challenge to his village and said that he would give away 1000 pieces of silver if his ox could not haul 100 wagons.  They set it up and the owner of the ox began to whip the ox and call it names.  The ox refused to move.  Stunned, the owner went home with his ox and with 1000 silver less.  He asked the ox why he didn't move the carts and the ox told him that he was too harsh and that if he was nice next time, he would do it and win the man back his silver.  The owner put a wreath of flowers around the ox and they went back to the village and completed the challenge with ease.  The townspeople apologized and gave the man his silver back.

Week 10 Story: Krishna's Fight for Glory

Krishna killing Kansa. Source: Wikimedia

Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories, by C. A. Kincaid.

Krishna was almost ready to become a man.  He had bested many beasts so far, and to him, it looked like no one could challenge his might.  Krishna began to hear tales of a mighty beast in the forest that was supposedly stronger than any he had faced.  He set out immediately to challenge the beast and test his strength.  When he arrived in the forest he explored around for a bit until he came upon the beasts path of destruction.  Massive trees were snapped in two like twigs along the warpath of this voracious beast and there wasn't a living being in sight.  Krishna followed the path and eventually caught up with the raging beast.  When he arrived at the end of the trail he found a gargantuan Bull that was feasting on the creatures of the forest.  Once the bull noticed Krishna it charged straight for him.  Krishna, without missing a beat, grabs the bull by the horns and launches it 100 meters away, snapping a horn in the process.  Krishna then takes the horn and beats the beast with it until it is a pile of pulp, unrecognizable from its previous form.  Krishna became sad because he thought this beast would prove to be a worthy challenge, but it ended up being just like all the rest.  He accepted that there might not be any being that could challenge him and went home. 

King Kansa, in the meantime, was making preparations to send more assassins and monsters to send after Krishna.  He stopped his preparations when he heard how Krishna had easily beaten the demon bull in the forest.  Kansa didn't even send that monster after Krishna and it was much stronger than anything he had in his arsenal.  Kansa and his consort decided that the best way to deal with Krishna was to lure him to a trap in the form of a grand wrestling tournament where he would summon all of his strongest men to take down Krishna all at once.  They thought that they had better deal with Krishna soon before he becomes a man and no one can challenge him.

Krishna hears of the tournament and is aware of the plot, but still decides that he must go.  He arrives in the city and many fall at his feet worshipping his glory.  Krishna enters the arena and is immediately attacked by all of King Kansa's strongest men.  He beats them all with ease and turns to face Kansa as all of the spectators start to cheer and celebrate his great victory.  Krishna leaps up to Kansa's high throne and drags him to the arena. Kansa, knowing his fate already, gives a pitiful attempt to defend himself and perishes.  Krishna had fullfilled Kansa's prophecy, even though Kansa had tried everything in his power to prevent it. 

Author's Note:  I decided to simplify this story a bit.  I tied Krishna's fight with the bull into his fight with Kansa because it flows a little better and makes more sense that they would be related.  I also removed Balarama to make it more about Krishna vs. Kansa. 

Reading Notes: Shri Krishna of Dwarka Part B

Death of Krishna. Source: Wikimedia

Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories, by C. A. Kincaid

Chapter 13: The Passing of Krishna

Prince Samba went with some of his friends to play a joke on Vishvamitra and other mighty sages.  Samba dressed as a woman and had his friends ask the sages for a blessing of a child.  Instead, Vishvamitra tells the boys that Samba will have a mace that will destroy the Yadava race.  When Ugrasena heard the story, he ground up the mace and threw the handle and the grounds into the ocean. Someone picked up the handle later and made an arrow with it.

Troubling times started and all of the Yadava men were sent to worship at a temple.  Instead of worshipping they drank and got into a fight.  The fight resulted in all of their deaths but Krishna and Balarama.  Daruka, who had fashioned the arrow from the mace handle, thinking Krishna was a deer shoots him in the foot.  Krishna and Daruka both ascend to heaven and the Yadavas are gone. 

Reading Notes: Shri Krishna of Dwarka Part A

Krishna killing Kansa. Source: Wikimedia

Shri Krishna of Dwarka and Other Stories, by C. A. Kincaid

Chapter 4: The Manhood of Krishna

A new demon that was more powerful than any Krishna had ever faced appears in the forrest near Gokula.  He came in the form of a giant bull.  Krishna happened upon it in the forrest one day and it immediately charged him.  Krishna grabbed it by the horns and drove it back 20 paces.  The bull charged again and Krishna broke its horn off and beat it to death.  

King Kansa contemplates how to deal with his impending doom in Krishna.  He decides to invite them to the palace to kill them while they are young and not at full strength.  They are invited to a wrestling tournament and Krishna decides to attend.  At first Kansa sends an elephant after Krishna and Balarama, but it is quickly defeated.  Krishna and Balarama make quick work of Kinsa's finest wrestlers too.  Krishna finally brings down Kansa and kills him, while Balarama kills Kinsa's brother.  

Week 9 Story: Duryodhana's Defeat

Duryodhana facing off against Yudhishthira (in my story at least). Source: Flickr

Duryodhana in the Lake, from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie.

Karna had been slain. It was the worst possible outcome for Duryodhana's forces.  He couldn't believe the situation he was in.  Just days ago he was boasting of his superior military strength to the seemingly unassuming force of Yudhishthira, now Yudhishthira's forces were marching on his position now, with not much in their way.  Since Karna was slain, Duryodhana's forces had been scattered and in a panic.  They were still a bigger force, but they had no one leading their movements or devising strategy.  Duryodhana had to pick a new general, or his army would be destroyed in no time at all.  Duryodhana picked Shalya as the next general in command of his army, but by the time he got what little forces Duryodhana had left together, the enemy was already upon them.  Shayla lead Duryodhana's forces in a head on last resort attack on Yudhishthira's encroaching army with disastrous results.  Shayla was slain and the fragments of Duryodhana's forces either dispersed and fled or joined the other side.  Moments before Yudhishthira and his brethren reached Duryodhana's location, Duryodhana fled with his mace to hide away from the coming judgement at the bottom of a lake where he could survive indefinitely .  While he did this most of his brothers were slain by Yudhishthira and his company.  Soon all that remained of Duryodhana's grand army was Ashwathaman, Kripa, Kritavarman, and himself.  It took many days for Yudhishthira's men to discover the location of Duryodhana's hiding place, but eventually Bhima discovered where it was.

When they arrived Yudhishthira called out to Duryodhana saying, "Duryodhana, come forth and face judgment, so your Kingdom can once again be mine."

Duryodhana called back out to Yudhishthira saying, "You can have my kingdom, just leave me at peace, and you can do whatever it is you desire."

Yudhishthira refused this request, citing that he can only claim that which he has rightfully obtained in combat.  Duryodhana accepts this fact and makes a deal with Yudhishthira to fight his forces one by one until he is beaten.  Yudhishthira decides he will deal with Duryodhana immediately so he is the first to face him.  It is a greater risk, but will end the conflict sooner.  Duryodhana emerges from the lake and they begin their fight.  To no ones surprise, Yudhishthira defeats the weakened Duryodhana hastily and claims his Kingdom.

Author's Note: I didn't like how Yudhishthira didn't just take care of Duryodhana immediately, so I changed the story to give it a more abrupt and satisfying end.  

Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part D

Duryodhana hiding  in the lake. Source: Wikimedia

Duryodhana in the Lake, from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie.

After Karna is defeated Duryodhana's forces start to fall apart.  Kripa tells Duryodhana that he should sue for peace since his defeat is inevitable.  Duryodhana denies this request and says they must fight it out till the end.  Shayla becomes the new leader of Duryodhana's army, but they are soon after defeated, causing Duryodhana to flea with his mace.  He decides to hide at the bottom of a lake because he has the power to survive under water.  Shayla was slayed by Yudhishthira and Duryodhana's army completely fell apart.  As Duryodhana hid, all of his brothers and warriors were killed except a small few that were left.  Yudhishthira's party finds out where Duryodhana is hiding after a long while and go to the lake to confront him. Duryodhana offers to hand over the kingdom to Yudhishthira, but he cannot accept.  Yudhishthira says he can only accept such a thing that he has won in battle.  Duryodhana agrees to fight them if they will fight one by one.  Bhima is the first to face him but he breaks the rules of combat and breaks Duryodhana's knee.  Yudhishthira smacks him and scolds him for what he did.  Krishna prevents Balarama from disciplining Bhima. 

Week 8 Progress

1. I am mostly happy with my progress, but I'vs fallen off of my weekly routine the last two weeks because of other classes ramping up all at the same time.  I enjoy the story assignments and plan to start doing extra credit assignments soon.
2.  I want to start doing extra credit to make up some missed points.

Source: Wikimedia

Week 8 Comments and Feedback

1. The feedback has been very good from fellow students for the most part.  The most useful comments to me are the ones that aren't all positive that actually have some suggestions to make it better. 
2.  I think I have been giving good feedback.  I try to stay positive but at least give one improvement tip to be more constructive.  I think analyzing others writing is a great way to improve your own.
3.  I think I am getting to know the people whose pages  I visit.  It's nice to get a snapshot into other people in this class' lives.  I am happy with my introduction and the comments on it I have received.
4.  I don't know if I have any suggestions for improving the feedback system.  I think it works well as is.  I don't want to change my blog, I think it works well.
5.  I like this image cause I think it's kinda funny and reminds me of some video games I used to play. Source: growthmindsetmemes

Week 7 Story: The Field of Battle

Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna. Source: Wikipedia

From Indian Myth and Legend, by Donald A. Mackenzie

It was the eve of the great battle.  Both sides had been preparing for what felt like an eternity.  Yudhishthira's side was about half the size of Duryodhana but they didn't seem to phased by that gross imbalance of military force.  They were not phased because they had Krishna on their side, and they knew that he would be the one to tip the scales in their favor.  Duryodhana had taken everything from Yudhishthira trough deceit and trickery and didn't have the foresight to see past the military might Krishna had bestowed upon him in leu of his own help, which he gave to Arjuna and Yudhishthira.  Duryodhana could not foresee the great help that Krishna would be for the other side when he took the army over Krishna because he thought that since Krishna would not fight, he would be of no use. 

Duryodhana was so confident of his victory, from his overwhelming military strength that he decides to taunt Yudhishthira, Krishna, and Arjuna.  He sends a messenger telling them, "You guys are weak.  You talk all of this shit, but never follow through.  When this battle starts you dudes are going to get wrecked! I have a bigger and better army and you can't do shit, even with Krishna."  This message angered Krishna who responded with, "For sure bro.  You have no idea how fucked you are, I'm going to wreck your whole army with fire and soon enough you'll have nothing left you scumbag."
Once Duryodhana's army heard Krishna's response to his boasting many became weary of their allegiance to Duryodhana.  They all knew Krishna could ball out and they didn't want to be on the receiving end of it.  Yuyutsu, the half brother of Duryodhana, decides that he can't remain with Duryodhana because he knows him and his entire army is about to get wrecked.  He tells his decision to Duryodhana and leaves him being welcomed openly into Yudhishthira's ranks.  At this point Duryodhana comes to realize his situation, but still decides to meet Yudhishthira's forces in battle, which lets just say it doesn't go well for him. 

Author's Note:  I decide to tell this story with a little more modernized banter between the two sides.  I think it sounds more fun and interesting when told in this way.

Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part C

Arjuna and Krishna confronting Karna on chariots. Source: Wikimedia

The Armies at Kurukshetra, from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie

The Pandavas, marching for Yudhishthira, and the Kauravas, marching for Duryodhana, are marching towards the field of battle.  Krishna returned to the aid of Yudhishthira and Duryodhana sent them a challenge.  Duryodhana boasted of how many of them had talked about how they would defeat him and his kind, but hadn't done anything close to that.  He says that he has taken everything from Yudhishthira and they had been able to do nothing but talk empty threats.  Krishna answers Duryodhana's boasting by telling him he will be embarrassed before the end.  They go back and forth a bit more and finally decide enough is enough and it's time to fight.  The armies assemble and Yudhishthira stands before them unarmed.  He gave Duryodhana's forces and ultimatum to join him before the battle.  Yuyutsu, the half brother of Duryodhana, speaks up and says he will join Yudhishthira's forces.  Yuyutsu and his men left Duryodhana with no protest and joined Yudhishthira. 

Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part B

Indian game of Parchisi. Source: Wikimedia

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

Duryodhana is very envious of the Pandavas and all of their success and glory.  He was particularly jealous of Indraprastha's amazing palace and the splendor and glory achieved by Yudhishthira.  A prince named Shakuni, who happens to be a really good gambler with the help of some loaded dice, makes a proposition to Duryodhana to take down Yudhishthira.  Shakuni tells Duryodhana that Yudhishthira is a big gambler, but he doesn't know really how to play it.  He says he will beat Yudhishthira in a match and win his kingdom and bring him shame.  They plot to hold a gambling tournament and invite Yudhishthira and his family.  Yudhishthira is weary of the warning, but decides he cannot refuse and agrees to go to the festival.  When Yudhishthira arrived, he was challenged by Duryodhana, staking jewels and gold, but saying Shakuni would play for him. Yudhishthira thinks it is a bit weird, but accepts the challenge anyway.  Yudhishthira then began to lose everything he owned to Duryodhana.  All of his wealth, his slaves, his lands, and even himself was not his anymore.  He played one last time and bid Draupadi.  He lost and Duryodhana tells one of his servents to go retrieve her to become a slave. 

Week 6 Story: Ganga's Deception

Devavrata being presented to Shantanu by Ganga. Source: Wikimedia

King Shantanu and Ganga, from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie.

The eight Vasus arrived hurriedly to Ganga's home for help with a horrible predicament they had found themselves in.  They were great celestial beings with tremendous power, but had been sentenced to live in the mortal world for a transgression against Vashishtha during his holy meditations.  They had come to Ganga to plead for her help in making their punishment less severe.  They asked if she would mother their human forms and immediately cast them into the Ganges on birth so they could become celestial again.  Ganga, contemplating the request, decides that she needs something in return if she is to do this service for the Vasus.  She requests that if she does this for them, that her earthly son should be given one eighth of each of their power as payment for her service.  The Vasus agree to the arrangement and Ganga sets forth with her plan.

Ganga takes human form and waits by the Ganges for her suitor to come to her.  The person who would father the Vasus was none other than King Shantanu.  He saw her from afar when walking the river banks and was immediately drawn to her.  The closer he got, the more beautiful she became  and the more sure he was that she must be his wife.  He approached her and showered her with praise exclaiming that she must be his wife, just as Ganga had expected.  She agreed to marry him, but made him promise that he would not speak harshly to her or question her actions, lest she leave immediately.

A year later she gives birth to eight children all at once, surprising the king greatly who was overjoyed at the prospect of his expanding domain.  She did not hesitate with her previous promise to the Vasus however, and cast all eight of them into the Ganges river.  Horrified, the king for the first time lashes out at his wife for her supposed cruelty and destruction of his newly born children.  She reveals herself to him as the goddess Ganga and tells him of her agreement with the Vasus.  In an instant, after she had finished her explanation to the king, she vanished.  Both grief stricken and in awe of what he just saw, for many months the king only patrolled his palace grounds in silent contemplation of what it all means to him.  One day, many months later, Ganga appeared before the king again and delivered him a son.  The king was overjoyed and immediately taken by the boy.  The boy would be named Devavrata and would have within him the power of the Vasus, just as they had promised to Ganga years prior.

Author's Note:  I decided that this story was kind of horrific from the king's perspective, and I thought it might be a little better for the king if he is confronted with Ganga's actions once and not several times over the years.  I thought it was kind of weird that he didn't say something sooner, so instead of drawing it out over 7 pregnancies and deaths, it all happens at once. 

Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part A

Statue of the Goddess Ganga. Source: Wikimedia

King Shantanu and Ganga, by Donald A. Mackenzie

There were eight celestial beings called Vasus that were attendants of Indra. They were cast down to earth in human form by Vashishtha for blocking the sun during his holy meditations.  They went to Ganga for help and to ask if she would be there human mother and cast them into the ganges at birth so they could return to the celestial realm.  She agreed to this but made them all promise to each give one eighth of their power to her son who should remain a man for many years and will not marry or foster offspring.  King Shantanu was walking along the Ganges one day and saw Ganga in human form by the river.  He was instantly awe struck by her beauty and gaze and asker her to marry him right away.  She agreed to wed him but she made him promise to never question her decisions or speak harshly to her or else she would leave immediately.  She had children with the king and one after the other, cast 7 of them into the ganges.  The king was horrified and before she killed the eighth, he lashed out at her.  She revealed who she was and what she was doing and left him with the eighth child.  She then returned some time later to give the king a son.  The king takes the boy in and names him Devavrata. 

Week 5 Story: Rama saves Sita

Sita and Rama in the forest. source: Flickr

Hanuman was fresh on the trail.  He moved swiftly and silently like a shadow jumping on rooftops and sneeking through alley ways. He was seeking out Sita, Rama's wife, who had been stolen by Ravana a little while ago when Rama was out hunting.  She was being held in the great city of Lanka, which Ravana had ruled over for quite some time.   Hanuman had searched nearly all of the city over the past few weeks but had still not found Sita.  Then it occurred to Hanuman that he hadn't checked any of the gardens yet because he figured they would hold her away somewhere unseen.  he raced up to Ravana's personal garden and lo and behold, there was Sita sitting under a great tree in the middle of the garden.   Hanuman rushed over to speak with her and see if she was alright.  She told him to go and tell Rama that she is alright but that Rama must come get her, for no other man has a right to touch her.  Hanuman takes a piece of her jewelry as a token for Rama and left.

On his way out of the city, Hanuman is discovered by one of Ravana's sons and he is captured.  Ravana wants to make an example of Hanuman, so he sets his tail on fire and parades him through the streets.  This doesn't go as planned however, Sita prays to the Fire to leave Hanuman unharmed from the flames and it works.  Hanuman becomes impervious to the flame and breaks free of his bonds.  He runs through the streets lighting the city ablaze.  He makes one last check on Sita to make sure she was unharmed and leaves the city on fire.

Once he hears the news, Rama starts to make plans to attack Lanka and take back Sita.  He and Hanuman assemble a massive monkey army and lay siege to Lanka.  It doesn't take long for Lanka to fall when up against Rama's superior force.  He defeats Ravana and finds Sita in the garden where she had been staying for some time.  He embraces his wife and is overjoyed to have her finally return to him.  It was then that one of Rama's generals asks Rama what he is to do with Sita now that he has defended his honor.  Rama became angered at the question for in Rama's mind, there was only one place for Sita, and that was at his side as his queen.  He knocked back the general and exclaimed for all to hear that Sita was his wife and she shall remain by his side forever.

Author's Note:  I decided to tell the story from Hanuman finding Sita until Rama reunites with her.  I changed how Rama reacts to finding Sita because I think the actual story is kind of lame making Sita prove her innocence and then banishing her later.  I think this ending more aligns with modern sensibilities and makes more sense to me.

Bibliography: Sita Sings the Blues, by Nina Paley

Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues Part B

Hanuman burning Lanka from Sita Sings the Blues. source: Wikimedia

Sita Sings the Blues, by Nina Paley

Rama is informed by Sita that she is pregnant with his child.  Rama becomes worried that Sita being in his house is tarnishing his reputation and his subjects won't respect him because of her so he kicks her out.  She is taken to the forest and is supposed to be left there.  She meets a teacher there who takes her under his wing.  Sita gives birth to her two sons while living in the forest with the teacher.  The teacher teaches the boys songs praising Rama.  When visiting the forest one day Rama finds the two boys singing his praise.  He finds out who they are wants to bring them back to the palace with him.  He asks Sita to prove her purity to him again to take her back.  She asks to be taken back by mother earth if she is pure, which she is. 

Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues Part A

Sita cries a river. source: Wikimedia

Sita Sings the Blues, by Nina Paley

The film intros with Lakshmi rising from the sea listening to a song that is stuck on a loop on the line "a woman like me" implying that it gives her the idea to create a woman like herself.  The narrators start the story by setting up Rama's exile at the request of Kaikeyi.  Rama argues with Sita about her going with him into the forest and she convinces him to let her go with him.  It cuts to a musical number where Sita is singing and Rama slays many Rakshasa.  The narrators then explain how Ravana kidnaps Sita and talks about how he was relatively good outside of this incident.  Ravana's sister begins to convince Ravana to make Sita his wife and to steal her from Rama.  Ravana tells one of his servants to distract Rama by taking the shape of a golden deer while Ravana captures Sita.  Rama goes after the deer and Sita is captured.  Hanuman is introduced and meets Rama to help him find Sita.  Ravana gives Sita an ultimatum to marry him in 2 months or die.  Hanuman finds Sita and relays his findings to Rama.  Rama orders Hanuman to assemble his monkey army so they can march on Lanka.  Rama rescues Sita, but has some reservations about her time in Lanka.  Sita proves her purity by a trial involving a funeral pyre and Rama is convinced to take her back.  Rama and Sita then fly back on a flying chariot. 

Comment Wall

Sculpture of Indra on a temple. Source: Wikimedia

LINK: Indra Lord of Thunder

Week 4 Story: Hanuman's Mistake

Hanuman burning the city of Lanka. Source: Wikimedia

Hanuman was spying on Ravana and his consort for quite some time in the city.  He would follow  their patrols, their servants, their elites and anyone who he thought could get some decent intel on the location of Sita.  He always traveled in the shadows, using his acrobatic prowess and wit to remain unseen by anyone he was spying on.  One night however, he found what he was looking for.  He had discovered where Sita was being kept and hastened to reach her and speak with her. He found her in a garden and quickly tried to convince her to come with him and return to Rama, but she refused because she only wanted to be touched by Rama himself.  Respecting her wishes he receives a small token from her to give to Rama.  When he is about to leave many Rakshasa princes leap out of their hiding spots.  Hanuman leaps at them immediately, taking the apparent ambush head on.  He slays many of them but eventually is captured and taken to Ravana.

Ravana decides that he will make a mockery of the monkey and will parade him through the streets with a tail on fire.  Hanuman is shacked and placed in a cage to be paraded through the streets.  His tail is lit on fire and he is set on his torturous parade.  Sita seeing this prays to Fire to bring no harm to Hanuman.  Meanwhile Hanuman cries out in pain as he is trotted down various streets and walkways throughout the city.  Suddenly when he reaches the main center of the city, the immense pain he feels fades into a cool tingling sensation.  The prayer Sita performed had been answered! Hanuman feels his strength return to him and he quickly breaks free of his bonds and the cage they had stuffed him in.  In a fury he runs through the streets setting everything he sees ablaze.  In moments the entire city is up in flames. 

Hanuman was quite pleased with his accomplishment as he sat by the lake quenching his tail and watching the blaze, when he suddenly remembered Sita. She was still in the city that was now engulfed in flame!  He rushes to the place where she was being kept to find her perfectly fine, sitting where he had left her.  Hanuman was relieved for a moment until he discovered Ravana himself sitting next to her, staring angrily at him.  Ravana leaps out and attacks Hanuman clearly enraged by his burning city.  Hanuman could have fled, but confident in his own strength, he takes on Ravana head on.  Hanuman dodges a few of his swift strikes but is eventually hit by one of Ravana's attacks.  Hanuman's right hand had been cut clean off!  He knew he had to get out of their quickly or he would surely die.  He ran out the same entrance he came in when he saw a moment between Ravana's strikes to escape.  Hanuman escaped with his life but at the great cost of right his hand.  He learned a valuable lesson about getting carried away and underestimating his enemies.  His missing hand would become a constant reminder of that lesson for the rest of his life.

Bibliography: The Burning of Lanka from Myths from the Hindus and Buddhists, by Sister Nivadita.


Author's Note:  I decided to tell this story mostly the same but with a different ending that I think fits nicely in the story.  Hanuman had no consequences for quickly burning down a whole city without thinking it out first.  I think losing a hand in battle with Ravana is a nice consequence for his shortsightedness

Reading Notes: Ramayana Part D

Sita and Rama. Source: Flickr

Sita Tested: from Myths from the Hindus and Buddhists, by Sister Nivadita.

Sita is finally returned to Rama after winning the battle with Ravana who had kept her captive for some time.  Rama is torn because he loves his wife, but she has been in the house of another man for some time and he doesn't know if he can trust that she was faithful.  To test her, Rama tells her that she should prove her purity or be cast out.  She is surprised by this, but sorrowfully commands that a funeral pyre be made so she can show the congregation that she is pure.  Lakshmana, Brahma, and the congregation of viewers are upset with this decision.  The gods themselves come down from the heavens to try and persuade Rama away from this path.  Against all of this he still proceeds with the test.  Sita walks into the fire but it does not hurt her and is returned to Rama by the god of fire.  The god pleads to Rama that she has been pure in every way, although tempted by Ravana, she did not sway.  Rama speaks to the crowd saying that Sita is cleared from her charges and that she had passed his test.  He also explains why he needed to test her so no one could question her or him. 

Reading Notes: Ramayana Part C

Hanuman watches as Lanka burns. Source: Wikimedia

The Burning of Lanka: from Myths from the Hindus and Buddhists, by Sister Nivadita.

Hanuman who is a servant of Rama is discovered as a spy in the city of Lanka as he is scouting for Rama and checking on Sita.  Hanuman's tail is set on fire as he is paraded through the streets as a spy.  Sita, seeing this, prays to the fire and Hanuman's tail becomes cool even though it is still enflamed.  Hanuman, recognizing his new predicament, capitalizes on his apparent invulnerability from the flame by breaking from his bonds and running through the streets of Lanka setting the city on fire.  Hanuman becomes worried that he may have hurt Sita in his haste to burn the city and quickly goes to the tree where she was to see if she is alright.  He discovers her there, unharmed as is instantly relieved.  He tells her that Rama is coming to take her back soon and then leaves to return to his home where he is celebrated for having found Sita and verifying that she was okay. 

Rama Attacks: from Myths from the Hindus and Buddhists, by Sister Nivadita.

Rama is getting ready to attack and Ravana begins to send spies into Rama's camp to gather intel.  They all come back telling Ravana of Rama's immense force and that he should return Sita.  Angered by this he decides to go a different route.  He tries to trick Sita into thinking that Rama was dead.  he shows her illusions of Rama's bow and severed head, which throw her into despair.  Luckily, Ravana is called to the battlefield and once he leaves, the illusion vanishes and Sita is aware of the deceit. 

Feedback Strategies

A feedback loop in an electrical circuit. source: Wikimedia

How to Craft Constructive Feedback:  I think the two questions it suggests reviewers pose when giving feedback of "What stood out for you?" and "Was there anything you wanted more of?" are good ways to highlight what you liked about someones work and bridge criticisms into positives where it could be stronger. 

Be a Mirror: This article has some helpful points on how to think about feedback in a different more constructive light when looking at others' work.  Being specific in your critiques can remove ambiguity and help someone make specific changes to improve their work.  Focusing on what someone is doing with their work and not what you as a reviewer thinks they should be doing is also a helpful way to look at things so the person can improve what they are doing and not focus on what they could be doing.

I have experience in other classes giving feedback and I think that experience will help me give better feedback in this class.

Topic Research

I think that an origin story for Indra combined with a battle to see who is the strongest thunder god is a cool concept and one that would be cool to incorporate thunder gods from other mythologies.  I think it would be cool to do a story about a battle with both Thor and Zeus over thunder god superiority.  Thor and Zeus could have a truce for the right to be gods of thunder, but it all gets thrown out of wack when Indra comes into the picture.

It could start with Indra's birth and rise as a God of thunder and storms though some of his exploits and battles.  He gains notoriety as a rising thunder god and attracts attention from Thor and Zeus in far away lands.

 Thor could have a build up where he is bragging about his exploits and all of the battles he has won and how Indra has no right to claim to be a god of thunder. Indra defeats Thor in a close battle to earn his respect.

A picture of thor that could be used for his introduction into the story and tie into stories he brags about. source: Wikipedia

Zeus will be the only one standing in the way of Indra once he defeats Thor.  He could send a message to Indra saying he wants a truce once he hears of Thor's defeat, but once Indra arrives Zeus would ambush him.  Despite this Indra would almost defeat him until Zeus calls his brothers Poseidon and Hades to help and they turn the tides.  Meanwhile, Thor hears of Zeus' deceit and comes to Indras aid when he is almost defeated and together they win the battle.

Week 3 Story: Rama the CoD God

A picture of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana because I couldn't find any free use material that related directly to this story.  Source: Wikimedia

It was an average day for forest life.   A few obstacles here and there, but nothing Rama could not handle.  He was very powerful and could best tasks even the most stout men had trouble with with relative ease.  He had become even stronger than when he had first been exiled many years ago by his father Dasharatha.  He lead his life in exile with his wife and his brother tackling whatever challenges came their way, but it was he who carried a majority of the workload, for he was much stronger than his brother.  One day a beautiful woman appeared before Rama and spoke to him.  

She said, "Rama you're a pretty good looking fellow, you should let me eat you wife and brother so we can live together forever."

Rama taken aback by her request laughs in her face seeing her for the evil hag she really is.  This woman was Shurpanakha, a shapeshifting Rakshasa who's true form was more hideous than one could imagine.  Shurpanakha can't handle rejection so in a fit of rage she attacks Rama's wife.  Rama's brother quickly counters her attack driving her back into the forest.  Humiliated and ashamed she returns to her brother Khara to plea for help.  Khara is outraged by the perceived assault on his innocent sister, so he makes plans to challenge Rama to one on one combat.  

A few days later Rama is out and about in the forest when he comes upon Khara sitting in a clearing waiting for him to arrive.  Rama asks what Khara is doing and what he wants.  Khara angrily shouts about Rama's assault on his siter Shurpanakha and that he was challenging Rama to a duel.

Rama agrees to the duel and asks, "what are the terms of this battle and where do we fight it?'

Khara replied simply, "that's easy, 1v1 me Rust bro"

Rama was shocked at the challenge.  He had bested many beasts physically but he hadn't played video-games or Call of Duty on his xbox in a long time.  He wasn't even sure if he remembered the controls.  But, never wanting to back down from a challenge, he accepted Khara's terms. He sat down next to Khara in front of the TV and xbox setup Khara had somehow gotten to work in a forest without electrical power for miles.  Rama had many weapons to choose from, but he went with the one he had the most experience with, the sniper rifle.  While Khara, being a little disrespectful and really wanting to win, chose a shotgun, which was preferable on a small map like Rust.  The game started and all of Rama's past experience came back to him, he remembered everything and moved and shot with the fluidity of a pro.  He dodged and countered Khara's every move and quick-scoped him into oblivion.

At the end of it all Khara was humiliated and Rama only had one thing to say, which was, "EZ PZ get gud scrub."

He had been bested by Rama at a game he thought he was the best at, which he couldn't handle, so he ran off into the forest never to be seen again.  

  

Author's Note:  I decided to tell this story relatively the same until the fight where I insert a lot of stuff that probably doesn't make any sense if you didn't play the videogame Call of Duty in the period between 2007 and 2010.  It has a lot to do with gaming culture in that timeframe centered around that game so I apologize if none of it made any sense.  Basically when someone got angry at someone in an online match, this kind of challenge is what might result.  It was fun to write and I thought I'd just kind of wing it on this one and this is what I got :).

Bibliography:

Battle with Khara Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie

Lakshmana and Shurpanakha Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie