Week 2 Reading Overview

Indian Epics Reading Overview

Hanuman, Rama, and Lakshmana attack Ravana

Web Source: Wikimedia Commons

I chose this image because of the contrasting colors and the busy border of the image. As I mention below, I am a visual learner, so this type of imagery immediately caught my eye. As you can see, there is a battle taking place and the figures on the left are drawn in a battle ready posture.

For my week 3 reading, I have chosen to complete the Public Domain Edition of: Ramayana because it is online and more importantly, free. Just kidding! In all honesty, I have chosen this version because I do prefer the different versions compiled into one and it gives the reader different perspectives. I am also curious to read our Professors comments on this version and how she has decided to portray this version of the Ramayana.

For the first comic book reading, I chose Parashurama: Sixth Incarnation of Vishnu. This story was particularly interesting to me because I have always been interested in the many ways that Vishnu and the other Hindu Gods can recreate or reincarnate themselves. I also find it interesting how loyal Parashurama is to his father and will even kill his own mother if his father ordered him to do so. Growing up, we are always told a mother's love is everything and even in movies, people become evil at the death of their mother. To see a character offer up their mother's life is something I have personally not read about in literature.
Web Source: Parashurama

The second comic book reading I have chosen is called Vasantasena, A Dancer and Her Most Precious Jewel. After reading this guide, I could not help but think of the movie Aladdin. A beautiful woman, who is sought after by an evil king, however, her heart longs for a commoner that is beneath her status. The stories are comparable, which is why I chose this story. I wonder if the creator of Aladdin was inspired by this story and if the tale of Vasantasena and her love interest have a similar ending to Jasmine and Aladdin.
Web Source: Vasantasena

The first video I chose is titled the Stage of Life and I chose this video because I appreciated the cartoon drawings that accompanied the lesson. The video was quick, but it was interesting to learn what the four ashramas are. I also thought it was interesting how in the first stage, celibacy was mentioned. This information has led me to believe that their culture values celibacy until a person has wed.
Web Source: Stages of Life

The second video I chose to view is titled Purushartha - The Four Aims Of Life and I also chose this video because of the cartoon drawing. Personally, I am a visual learner so I am naturally drawn to lessons that includes images, videos, or even something as simple as a cartoon drawing. I also thought this video was interesting because it was similar to the first video I chose, which describes the four stages of life. I have noticed that this video is also separated into four aims of life. I am wondering what the meaning of four is in this culture and why there are four aims and not three or five.
Web Source: Purushartha - The Four Aims Of Life