Portfolio Guide

For my project this semester in Epics of India I am making a portfolio of some of my favorite stories! The theme for my portfolio is strong women in the classic Indian tales. Get ready for some fun reads!

First let's think about a different way Sita's swayamvara could have gone in my story There's always someone bigger and better.

Now what if Bhima was a girl and she fought back when Duryodhana tried to kill her?

Or what if Sita stood up to her father when he said she couldn't fight rakshasas? What would happen? Whose life could she positively impact? Find out in my story Sita inspires Mulan

Last but not least! Can you imagine living without the love of your life, because he magically lost his memory? Yeah, Sakuntala couldn't either! Read about what she did here: Sakuntala

Inspirational quotes for women

I hope that my Portfolio can inspire women and inspire men to empower the women in their lives. I think way to often being female people sometimes view us as less of a person, when that's not the case at all. My stories show instances where women took charge of what happened to them and their lives and I think they are better off for it. I hope we all try to be strong and courageous like these Indian ladies!

Reading Notes: Dutt-M. Classic Tales (B)

• What if Suruchi felt bad for Suniti because their husband neglected her? And the two women got together?
• I wonder how things would play out with the wives if somehow there was an accident where the son of the favorite wife died?
• Dhruva was a very mature and brave kid!
• It'd be interesting to tell this story through the eyes of one of the wives.

(Wikipedia: Vishnu and Dhruva)

• What if Sabitri was known for being the ugliest girl ever?
• It'd be interesting to do a story that talks more about why the messengers of death and Yama could not get close to Sabitri.
• I love the persistence of Sabitri!!! Best love story ever!

(Wiki: Sabitri begging Yama)

• What if there was some kind of battle between the women in all of the stories we've read of who loved their husband more?
• ooooh Debjani got friendzoned! It'd be funny to make this story into a modern version.
• I'd love to see a showdown between Debjani and Sharmista by her catching Sharmista and her husband sneaking around.
• It would be interesting to see the Harishchandra story in modern time, where technology could play a role.
• The part of Harishchandra where he sells his wife and gives away his son could definitely be made into a story!
• What an interesting twist for the gods to start worshiping a king!

Bibliography: Gleanings from Indian Classics, Volume 1: Tales of India by Manmatha Nath Dutt

Reading Notes: Dutt-M. Classic Tales (A)

(Devdutt: Hindu gods)

• How interesting that the gods and demons worked together to make the oceans! What if something went wrong and it just turned into a bunch of lava instead of water?
• It seems kind of funny to me that Vishnu took the form of a woman to make all of the gods and demons get along when dividing the ocean.
• It’d be kind of funny to turn this story into children fighting over who got to play with which toys during playtime, since the gods and demons were kind of acting like children.
• I feel like I could somehow related the thunder from the bones to a story set in today’s time where something bad had happened but the thunder/lighting was the beginning of something good?
• How/why were the demons able to get into heaven and steal so easily? I feel like there’s a story there!
• It’d be fun to write a story over Cupid (Madan, god of love) telling his friends some crazy situations he had been in. Especially have him talk about shooting Shiva but somehow he gets away
• The way that Shiva and Sati lived their lives as gods could be a good example to kings that are filled with greed.
• I wonder if the character of Shiva was set in today's time if he would be considered a drug abuser?
• I wonder if there is another way for Sati to make her father stop insulting her husband other than killing herself?

(Shiva carrying Sati's body)

• It'd be interesting to have a story through the eyes of the parents of the terrible Hiranyakshya and Hiranyakashyapu while they were growing up.
• The story of Prahlada was awesome. I definitely feel like there's a story I could write about him.
• What if I did a story of Shakuntala and her friends in modern time like a high school or something?

Bibliography: Gleanings from Indian Classics, Volume 1: Tales of India by Manmatha Nath Dutt

Wikipedia Trail: From Ganges to Garuda

A topic that really grabbed my attention this semester was the Ganges River! That is where I started my Wikipedia trail at the article: Ganges. The Ganges actually serves as a boundary between India and Bangladesh. It is actually so large it is the third largest river in the world! I was actually pretty shocked to learn that.

I was even more shocked to learn that that this sacred Hindu river was so badly polluted in real life. It was apparently was so polluted that the people living around it had to form an action plan to clean it up! The Pollution of Ganges stated that the river was a water supply to 40% of India's population! Can you imagine drinking water that was filled with human waste and chemicals because you simply had no other choice? The project put together to clean the river is Namami Ganga and it wasn't put into action until 2014!

Wiki: pollution of Ganges

A dam was built in Haridwar to try and help since it is the first location in India that the Ganges enters. While the dam just added to the pollution in the water by diminishing its flow, it was in a very famous location. Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places to Hindus! This is because it's believed that drops of immortality were accidentally spilled into it while being carried to Garuda

The Garuda is a very large bird-like creature in Hindu mythology. It is thought to be a deity of Lord Vishnu! The Garuda is even thought the be the Nagas worst enemy. Remember in storytelling the Nagas live in the river Ganges which is where we started!

Tech tip: Embedded Youtube

For my tech tip this week I added a video to my Intro! If you've read it you know that I love the show The Flash  so I added a video for you guys to enjoy! It was super easy to do! Just have your cursor placed where you want before you click the movie icon while editing/creating a post. Then past in the link for your video and select it to be embedded from youtube!

If you want more info click here

Reading Notes: Jagannatha of Puri (B)

• I wonder why Nilamadhav wanted to come back in the form of a Daaru?
• What if instead of the King getting dreams to communicate with the god, I did a story where the log talked out loud to everyone?
• What if king Indradyumna never went to Brahmaloka?
• I wonder if I could do a story where Indradyumna found a way to visit his wife and tell her what happened? 
• I could do a story through the wife's eyes after he leaves. 
• It'd be interesting if the people that were inside the temple somehow all recieved the same message from a god that Idradyumna was coming. Maybe he could have given advice and love on how to live their lives?
• What if instead Indradyumna used his boon for bringing back his wife?
• I wonder what stories that building could tell if it could speak?

(King Indradyumna's Jagannath Temple)

Bibliography: Jagannatha of Puri by Gayatri Madan Dutt from the bizzel library

                       Call number: PN 6790 .1443 A437 V.709

Reading Notes: Jagannatha of Puri (A)

• It's interesting to me that people strive to make a lot of money and then you read stories about how once they achieved that they still weren't happy. 
• Maybe I could do a prequel to this story about the King's life before he was a wealthy king.
• I could do a more modern version of this story where everyone is used to relying on technology and then take it away somehow to see how well they do without it?
• What happened to the rest of the men that were with Vidyapati? I could do a story from their point of view?
• It's interesting to me in these tales that people were just open to taking in strangers. I could do a story where someone lets in a bad guy, but the gods protect everyone from getting hurt.
• How long was Vidyapati gone? Did no one think he died?
• I would like to do a story through the eyes of the Kings's wife. I could show her thoughts of her husband and his desires for this hill that he dreamt of.
• I love that the hill hid itself for the men.

(the blue hill: nilachala)

Bibliography: Jagannatha of Puri by Gayatri Madan Dutt from the bizzel library

                       Call number: PN 6790 .1443 A437 V.709

Growth Mindset: Believing in yourself

(Kick start: believing)

It is crazy just how powerful our minds are! When you believe in yourself it's like everything changes! I watched the video about the Ted Talk where the children got grades of "not yet" instead of an F. I don't know about you but if you have ever received a failing grade it is such a hard thing to pick yourself back up from and try again. I've learned that talking to my friends and family about things like that encourage me to try and do my best. They help me BELIEVE that I can do anything. The mind is such a powerful thing. Try believing in yourself and see what new things happen for you. That's the power of a growth mindset.

Storytelling: Sakuntala

(Sakuntala and her fawn)

Sakuntala sitting in the forest talking to her baby fawn

Oh yes, my young fawn, I know I just met him. My goodness, he is lovely though. I still can't believe I woke up this morning just planning on doing my everyday tasks and somehow ended up with a wonderful husband! I love the ring he gave me too! I've never seen a ring that had words written inside it, King Dushyanta. Oh, I can't wait to go be with him! Okay, fawn, I must go get ready for bed, goodnight.

When I woke up the next morning I was pleasantly surprised. My loving sisters were preparing clothes for me to go be with my husband. The clothes had to be very nice, because after I fell for my husband he revealed to me he was a King. He had to leave after we were married in the forest to take care of his people. I was to go to him when I was ready, and bring his ring with me.

The clothes my sisters had made for me were quite beautiful compared to my hermit clothing. However, my sisters were not satisfied that they were Queen-worthy clothing. My father then prayed to the forests, and before I knew it the birds of the forest were clothing me with beautiful flowers and silks. "Oh, thank you, Father!" I gratefully told him.

He replied, "Anything for you, my Daughter, and don't worry: the forest will protect you on your way to the castle as well."

(Sakuntala unknowingly dropping something in the river)

Once my appearance was that of a Queen and all the proper rituals were performed, I began my journey to my new home. On the way there I was thirsty, so I stopped for a drink of water from the river.

(King Dushyanta's castle)

Shortly after, I arrived at the castle, my new home! Something was wrong, though. Being his wife I demanded to see King Dushyanta. I walked into the room with a huge smile on my face, excited to be reunited with my husband. However, he didn't look very happy to see me. "Husband, why are you not happy to see me?" I asked.

(King Dushyanta)

He replied, "Who are you? I am not your husband. I don't recall ever seeing you before."

By heart broke into pieces. How could my own husband not remember me? I had to help him remember me. "We married in the forest near my father's cottage. Here is the ring that you gave me," I said. When I reached for the ring, though, it wasn't there! The King quickly became angry telling me I was a liar and should leave. "Please, give me two days and I can find the ring. I'll prove to you we are married," I pleaded.

King Dushyanta replied, "Fine, I will grant you two days. If you cannot convince me, though, I never want to see you again."

I quickly retraced my steps on my journey to the castle. The only way I could have lost it was when I stopped at the river. I raced back to the river and jumped in so I could find the ring faster. As I was swimming, looking at the bottom of the river in the sand, a glowing fish swam by me. Naturally, I followed it. If the ring somehow had powers over my husband's memory maybe it could glow too? The fish surprisingly didn't try to swim away from me. Maybe the skills I developed while raising my fawn helped me with all animals? I grabbed the fish and got out of the river. I pressed on its belly for a while and it threw up the ring! I placed the fish back in the river. I was so happy to find the ring and that this sweet fish could still live.

I ran back to the castle ring in hand. When I got there the strangest thing happened. As soon as King Dushyanta set his eyes on the ring, it was like he changed back into the kind man I married in the forest. I told him he was never allowed to take his ring off again! A short time after we had a boy and he grew up to be very brave and strong like his father. We called him Prince Bharata.

(Prince Bharata)

Bibliography: The Indian Story Book- Story VIII Sakuntala

Author's Note: 
In the original story Sakuntala and King Dushyanta get married in the forest near her hermitage. He is then summoned to return to the castle for kingly duties, but before he leaves he gives Sakuntala his ring. A short time later when Sakuntala arrives to the castle to be with her husband he doesn't remember her. She goes to show him the ring, but she has lost it. King Dushyanta then lets her to leave and she doesn't look for the ring. They don't run into each other again for many years. When that happens though, she has a son that is around seven years old. That is when King Dushyanta remembers her and realizes that she has been raising their son alone.

In my story I wanted Sakuntala to take charge and find the ring. That way the king would remember her instead of waiting many heart aching years for him to remember on his own. I also wanted to give more insight on her close relationship with the fawn she was raising. I thought that was an important insight to have to show how well she handled the fish that swallowed her husband's ring. That's also why I wanted to include the picture of her and her fawn in the beginning. Another variation in my story is her family. In the original story that I read Sakuntala was living with her adopted father who was a hermit. I decided to have him be her real father and give her some sisters. In a lot of versions of the story of Sakuntala, though, she is alone.

Learning Challenge: Health and Happiness

Gratitude, the mother of all virtues. How amazing are the side effects of being grateful! Noting how grateful you are everyday can actually improve your happiness by 5% after just one month. Health wise it actually increased heart health! I have a journal that I write my daily tasks in and I am definitely going to start writing things I'm grateful for each day as well! Be grateful guys :)

(youtube: gratitude)

Another thing to think about it your level of stress. I personally can say that on a usual day I'm around 70% stressed. It's true students get so overcommitted with life without trying. There's family commitments, school, work, paying your bills for the first time, etc. I had never thought of the effects that kind of stress could have on me. Some people deal with so much of this stress it leads to depression and anxiety. 

Being aware and trying different methods to reduce your stress can really change things. One tip I found helpful is to go get some fresh air, exercise, and keep a list of things you are grateful for! Here's a fun video with more tips too!

(youtube: stress management)

Bibliography: Stress Management, 

Google Timer Tech Tip

This is a really cool feature Google has that I definitely need to take more advantage of! All you have to do is type (or say) "set a timer for _____ minutes/hours" and it starts timing you! Don't worry you can't forget about it either because there is a timer that lets you know when your time is up!

I think I am going to use this more often while I do homework. I have this terrible habit of getting distracted by music, T.V., people, etc. I think knowing I am being timed and need to get done before the timer goes off will help keep me more focused.

Side note, I've noticed that listening to instrumentals or coffee house music helps me focus more than listening to music I know. I hope these tips help some of you like they did me!

Also, ladies please enjoy this motivating message from Ryan Gosling.

(Konnect: effective time management motivation)

Story Planning: The Green Eyed Monster

(Sarabha saving the king)

I want to write a story about greed as a person. I’d like to have greed be the narrator maybe and talk about some of the instances where he has overtaken people such as the king in the sabala story. I want to include other stories we’ve read this semester as well. I think since it is all about greed when a person gets consumed with greed have their eyes turn green. I want to research through all the stories I have read so far and find the instances where greed consumed a character. I then need to really analyze those characters and find out everything they gave up. In the end I want to have Sarabha break Greed’s winning streak of overpowering people till they eventually end or waste their lives.

Styles:

Here in Oklahoma- This would be fun but I am afraid I’d change too much of the stories I am planning on retelling that my peers from class wouldn’t recognize them. However, it would be a very relatable story since everyone is so familiar with campus.

Stories for children- This would be fun to do since I got the idea of writing this story while reading a children’s book. At the same time though my readers are college students so I don’t know how much they’d be interested in that.

Courtroom Trial- I think this would be a really great setting for my story. Mainly because I am reviewing all the instances where Greed was responsible for someone’s death or loss of everything. Maybe the characters that died I could have their ghosts come back and speak as witnesses against Greed. I could even have one of my old characters, Detective Meena, come back to prove Greed is guilty.

Character sketch:

Greed: boastful, arrogant

Sarabha: wise, beautiful, strong

Pictures:

I want to find photos that really show the characters filled with greed. I think that would make the photo of Sarabha helping the king even more powerful.



Bibliography: My reading notes and The Sarabha

Reading Notes: Twenty Jataka Tales (B)

• I like the sounds used in The Two Pigs, tic-a-tac, crack, crack! I'd like to do something like that in my stories.
• What if the pigs were found by the king instead of the little old woman? would their lives have been the same?
• What if the two men and the mother fell asleep after drinking and then the house caught on fire. It be neat to see the pigs somehow save them!
• The patient buffalo would be a good story to tie in with another story to teach a character about patience.
• It seems that greed has played a role in a lot of stories I have read this semester. I like how in the end of Sarabha the King was saved from his crazy greed before it killed him. Maybe I could write a story that ties this in with the story of the king and sabala the magic cow?

(Sarabha saving his enemy, the King)

• What if I could write a story through the eyes of the goblin women and talk of all the men they've captured?
• I wonder if there is a good way to end The Great Elephant without him dying?
• Maybe the quail could make a trap for the villager and ask him to stop hunting them?
• Size doesn't always matter! 

(Baby quail blowing out the forest fire)

• What if I tied in the forest fire story with the end of the world? After the hare had cried wolf it'd be interesting to see how everyone reacts to him when there actually is a problem.
• Maybe I could mix the noble horse story in with the Pandavas and the Kauravas story?

Bibliography: Twenty Jataka Tales by Noor Inayat, 1939

Reading Notes: Jataka Tales (A)

(Monkeys and their beloved fruit)

• Of course the Ganges is related to the giant monkeys
• What if there was a story where the goddess of the ganges got upset at the monkeys and tried drowning them?
• what if the fisherman that found the fruit just discarded it because he found in in the ocean?
• What if someone walked in on the exact dogs tearing apart the chariot straps so the king wouldn't have said all dogs everywhere should be killed.
• What if the chief dog couldn't talk with humans? how would he have shown the king the truth?
• I know it supposed to be a children's story but what if the King was never told the gold deer had came to the killing stone? What would have happened if the king had eaten him?
• Why did these geese want to take the tortoise with them? Just because they were friends?
• What if the tortoise landed in the kings pond and survived. The tortoise could teach the king about being wise with his words.

Bibliography: Inayat. Twenty Jataka Tales 

Tech Tip: Weather Widget

Hey friends! I added a weather widget to my blog! It is pretty cool, and if you want to try and do the same to your blog click here for instructions! It was more simple than I thought it would be. Enjoy!

Reading Notes: Sacred Cow, Rishyasringa, Sakuntala (B)

(Sakuntala looking back at King Dushyanta)

• I wonder what would have happened if the king didn't put his arrows up but killed the fawn? would the hermits have cursed him?
• Why did the king leave his wife in the grove? Shouldn't he had taken her with him?
• What if Sakuntala took the fawn with her? Would the king have had it killed?
• What if Sakuntala had a power where when she touches someone she could have them see a selected memory of hers?
• Maybe I could write a prequel to this story to tell the powers of the kings ring?
• A story even from the eyes of Sakuntala would be interesting. 
• It'd be interesting to know what all happened to Sakuntala when some god came out of the sky and took her away. Was the purpose of the boy's amulet to find the father or what?
• I love how this story had a happy ending!

Bibliography: The Indian Story Book- Story VIII Sakuntala

Reading Notes: Sacred Cow, Rishyasringa, Sakuntala (A)

•  What if instead of Visvamitra having to travel to find someone to fight there was a neighboring kingdom that wanted to fight him for some strange reason?
• I wonder what would have happened if the king left when he wanted instead of giving in to the sage's demands that he stay?
• Wow I was not expecting Sabala to provide an army that large! It'd be interesting to tie Sabala into the Pandu story somehow. 
• So sad all his sons turned to ash! What if he bargained with the sage that he would leave them alone forever if Sabala brought back his sons?
• What if Visvamitra was the Queen. I wonder if she would have acted out so wildly to make Sabala hers?
• It'd be interesting to see through the eyes of the woman who is trying to convince King Visvamitra to enjoy life and stop living it so harshly.
• what if instead of sending down women to Visvamitra they sent men? Maybe one of his deceased sons? 

(Sabala and her loving owner)

• The way that Rishyasringa grew up reminded me of Tarzan! That'd be an interesting story!
• What if instead of being able to curse people he made them switch bodies? Or put them in random places of the earth?
• What if Rishyasringa was mute? after all he had never talked or interacted with anyone other than his father. 
• What if a woman was sent to talk to the father and was able to warm his heart from all that hatred?

(Rishyasringa's first encounter with women)

Bibliography: The Indian Story Book- Story VII Sabala, The Sacred Cow and Story IX The Great Drought about Rishyashringa