Reading Notes: Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of Vishnu: Matsya

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 3 Extra Credit More Reading assignment.

For this I watched the second part, called Matsya, of the Seven Secrets of Vishnu from the Hindu Calendar Art.

In this video, it is explained about one form of Lord Vishnu, the Matsya form, the form of a fish. It is explained how the Matsya form came about and what the Matsya form of Lord Vishnu teaches.

It was a really interesting watch. I learned some things that I didn't know before.

Reading Guide for Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of Vishnu: Matsya

The matsya form of Lord Vishnu

Source: (Google Images)

Week 3 Story: The Battle Between Bhidebhai and Don Baadal

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 3 Storytelling assignment.

Don Baadal abducted Bhidebhai's scooter out of feelings of revenge because Bhidebhai accidentally scratched Don Baadal super loved car. The members of Gokuldham Society are thinking of a way to get Sakharam (Bhidebhai's scooter) back. In this time, Sodhibhai gets an idea and get leaves in his jeep. Thirty minutes later, Sodhibhai returns to the society and asks Abdulbhai to come with him. Everyone questions him about what he's doing, but he doesn't respond; he only shows excitement.

A few minutes later, in the society compound, there is car exactly like Don Baadal's hanging from a crane that Abdulbhai is operating. Bhidebhai calls Don Baadal and tells him that he has his car. Don Baadal comes to the society, and upon his arrival, the car is dropped and breaks into a million pieces. Seeing this Don Baadal starts crying and says that he lost his beloved car as a result of his desire for revenge.

Sodhibhai then proceeds to tell him that nothing is wrong with his car and gives his car to him. Sodhibhai then explains that the broken car came from the junkyard and was dropped to teach him a lesson as to how it feels when you lose something you love dearly. He asks Don Baadal to return Bhidebhai's scooter because it is as dearly to Bhidebhai as the car is to Don Baadal.

Don Baadal learned his lesson, apologizes to Bhidebhai, and happily gives his scooter back to him.

***Author's Note: I got this story from the idea of Sita's agnipariksha. Even though Lord Rama knew that she was pure, she had to give an agnipariksha to prove her purity to the people. Similarly, Bhidebhai knew how it felt to lose his scooter, but Don Baadal didn't know how it felt. So the members of the society had to create this situation in order to explain it to him.***

R. K. Narayan's Ramayana

The car that taught Don Baadal a lesson

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part D

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 3 Reading Part B assignment.

Chapter 12 is titled "Rama and Ravana in Battle" and is about Rama and Ravana's battle. In this chapter, it is explained and narrated about the many weapons that Rama and Ravana used on each other, but because of Ravana's arrogance and many sins throughout his life, he is killed by Rama. After all, truth and righteousness always wins.

Chapter 13 is titled "Interlude" and is about when Hanuman goes and gets Mother Sita as per Lord Rama's instructions and command. Hanuman tells Mother Sita that it is Lord Rama's wish that she clean her appearance and make herself look well before coming to his presence.

Chapter 14 is titled "The Coronation" and is about Mother Sita's agnipariksha. When she comes to Lord Rama, she is asked to give an agnipariksha to prove her purity not for Lord Rama, but for all the people in Ayodhya that were gossiping about whether or not Rama should take her back even though she has lived with another man for so long. Lord Rama already knew she was pure, but he had to prove it to Ayodhya's people before taking the crown. Mother Sita successfully gave the agnipariksha, the people stopped gossiping, and she went to Lord Rama very happily.

The epilogue talks about the happenings after Lord Rama and Mother Sita returned to Ayodhya from exile: the monkey clan did not return to Kishkinda, from where they came; instead, they remained in Ayodhya to serve Lord Rama and Mother Sita, who were now the king and queen, respectively, of Ayodhya. It also explains that there is a sequel about Rama's sons that has been omitted in this book.

I would write a story about how the members of Gokuldham Society taught a lesson to Don Baadal and got back Bhidebhai's scooter.

Click here for a reading guide to R. K. Narayan's Ramayana.

Sita giving her agnipariksha for the people of Ayodhya.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part C

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 3 Reading Part A assignment

Chapter 8 is titled "Memento from Rama" and is about the ring that Rama had given to Hanuman when he was sent to find Sita and tell her that Rama will soon come and get her from Lanka.

Chapter 9 is titled "Ravana in Council" and is about when everyone in Ravana's council told him he did wrong and he should return Sita to Rama. In this council, Ravana didn't listen to anyone, thinking he is the only person in the council who is smart, which is why he is the king of Lanka. Out of everyone in Lanka, Vibhishana and his daughter are righteous. As a result, he decided to join Lord Rama in the battle for righteousness. His daughter remained with Sita and gave her moral and emotional support.

Chapter 10 is titled "Across the Ocean" and is about Vibhishana joining Lord Rama. Lord Rama was hesitant about letting him join thinking that he might be a spy sent by Ravana. But Hanuman assured Lord Rama that Vibhishana is not like anyone else in Lanka, so he was allowed to join Rama's battalion. Vibhishana also tells Lord Rama that his daughter is with Mother Sita in Ashoka Vatika giving her moral and emotional support. Lord Rama is very pleased and grateful to hear that.

Chapter 11 is titled "The Siege of Lanka" and is about the battle that ensues between both armies. In this chapter, the battle ensues between both armies. One by one, Ravana sends many warriors to fight with the warriors of Lord Rama. In these battles, one by one, Ravana's warriors are killed because of their arrogance and their unjust pride.

I would write a story about when Tapu Sena accidentally broke Bhidebhai's scooter's rearview mirror, and they were trying to explain to him about how they didn't do it on purpose, but Bhidebhai wouldn't listen to them.

Click here for a reading guide to R. K. Narayan's Ramayana.

Indrajit in war with Lakshmana

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part B

Today is Tuesday, January 24th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 2 Reading Notes Part B assignment.

Chapter 4 is called "Encounters in Exile" and is about the different people Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana come across as they are finding a place in the forest to settle themselves. They come across one of Ravana's sisters too. It is in during this time that Soorpanaka's nose is cut off and the story of Ramayana really begins.

Chapter 5 is called "The Grand Tormentor" and is an introduction to Ravana. In this chapter, Soorpanaka comes to Ravana after her nose gets cut off. She tells him who did that to her, and Ravana then vows to take revenge for such an act. It is in this chapter that Ravana abducts Sita and kills Jatayu, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, by cutting off one of his wings, when he was trying to save Sita.

Chapter 6 is called "Vali" and is about the coronation of the monkey clan king, Sugreeva. This chapter tells the story of Sugreeva.

Chapter 7 is called "When The Rains Cease" and is about when Rama and Lakshmana meet the monkey clan. As they were walking south to Lanka, they came across Vali. They met the king of Vali, Sugreeva. Sugreeva asks them why they look so sad, so they tell him that Sita had been abducted by Ravana, and they need to get her back. It is at that time that friendship is kindled between Rama and Sugreeva and Sugreeva and his monkey clan promise to help him.

My story would be about Don Baadal and how he abducts Bhidebhai's scooter to torment him.

Click here for a Reading Guide to R. K. Narayan's Ramayana.

Ravana abducting Sita and killing Jatayu while Jatayu was trying to save Sita.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part A

Today is Monday, January 23rd, 2017, and I am completing the Week Reading Part A.

I read the Prologue and Chapters 1-3 of R. K. Narayan's Ramayana.

The Prologue was an introduction to the Ramayana and the protagonist of the story, Lord Rama. It tells the story of his birth and how he came to be.

Chapter 1 is called "Rama's Initiation" and is about how Rama was initiated into his mission of fighting for good over evil. As Sage Vishvamitra took Rama and Lakshmana, along the way to his hermitage, Sage Vishvamitra narrated stories of different people and places that came along the way. My personal favorite of those stories is of Ahalya.

Chapter 2 is called "The Wedding" and is about how Rama got married to Sita. At the end of chapter 1, Sage Vishvamitra completes his yagna (sacrificial fire), and the three of them (Sage Vishvamitra, Rama, and Lakshmana) come to Mithila for another sacrificial fire. Once in Mithila on their way to the palace, Rama's eyes fell upon Sita, fell in love with her, and vice versa. This chapter outlines the events that lead up to their wedding and their wedding.

Chapter 3 is called "Two Promises Revived" and is about when Queen Kaikeyi puts her two wishes to King Dashratha and when Rama was sent for fourteen years of exile. It was during the time of crowning the king-elect (like president-elect in the United States). Because Rama was oldest, he was coronated to be the king after King Dashratha. Queen Kaikeyi's personal attendant, Manthra, did not like that, and filled Queen Kaikeyi's ears to tell King Dashratha send Rama to exile for fourteen years and to make Bharata the king-elect. Manthra succeeded in her mission: Queen Kaikeyi asked King Dashratha to send Rama for fourteen years exile and to make Bharata the king-elect. Even though King Dashratha was hesitant, because Rama considered Queen Kaikeyi as his own mother, he gave the crown to Bharata and immediately left for exile with Sita and Lakshmana.

If I were to write a story, I would write about Jethabhai, Popatbhai, and Iyerbhai dressed up in disguise to get Sakharam (Bhidebhai's scooter) back from Don Baadal (don = gang leader) after Don Baadal kidnapped it.

Click here for a reading guide to R. K. Narayan's Ramayana

Here is Rama reviving Ahalya to her original state and taking her out of Rishi Gautama's curse.

Source: (Google Images)

Growth Mindset: Continuously Improving

I had heard about Growth Mindset before, but I did not know that it was called growth mindset.

The biggest things I learned about myself as a student at OU was that not all strategies will work every semester. Although this didn't happen all the time, I found myself using different strategies every semester and in the meantime, I found which strategies worked well for me and which didn't.

I have a love for learning, so I will continue learning in any way I can, and I believe that learning is the only way you can continuously improve yourself in every way.

On the other hand, I have trouble with the Health/Happiness part of HEART. This semester, I really want to help myself improve in that department.

"Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again." This quote really resonates with me because this is how it is with my life. I am not seen as very successful, but I know I am because every time I have fallen down, I have gotten back up with a bang.

Source: (Google Images)