Week 8 Progress

I am very happy with my progress in the class. There some weeks I am ahead while others I am right on time. I have used several of the extra credit opportunities which has given me tons of points to stay ahead of my assignments. I feel like for the most part I am doing pretty good in this class. Being the night owl that I am, I like to work on my stories and readings at night because that's when I'm more productive.

Although I am doing well, I know I need to slow down a little and take the time to read through the assignments so that I know exactly what to turn in. I have had a few times where I got the assignment done but did it wrong or turned it in wrong because I didn't read the instructions correctly. I also want to be able to manage my time so that I don't fall behind in this class when I have a busy week.

Quote by Rikki Rogers
Image Source: Ordinary Quotes

Week 8 Comments and Feedback

I feel like most of the comments are pretty helpful. I got a lot of comments about how my writing is fun to read cause of the dialogue but is a little vague when it comes to describing the setting and characters thoughts.

I feel like my feedback is average. Some of the strategies I have used are the "what if.." or "I wonder.." like this one blog suggested. I also like to ask a lot of questions to give writers new ideas if they decide to choose that story to write for their project..

I am very happy with the blog comments and how my introduction allows me to get to know people. I also have gotten to know people through their introductions. It definitely made breaking the ice easier.

For the feedback, I think I need to explain how they can change something if there is a spelling error or something and give people ideas of how they can change it.

I think a really important aspect of feedback is honesty because without it, there is not much room to improve and recognize mistakes. I am usually pretty open to feedback but that doesn't mean I will always accept it. I personally appreciate when someone gives me feedback because very few people are willing to give it because they may be uncomfortable or may feel like its not their place to say. I chose the image below for this reason.

(Growth Mindset Resources)

Week 8 Reading and Writing

 What has been your favorite reading so far? Are your reading notes helping you each week with your story post? Have you discovered any new reading/research strategies? Are you happy with your class project? 

I really enjoy reading the stories and writing my notes. It was very useful when I needed to write my stories or needed to refresh what has already happened in the story. I feel like some of my biggest accomplishments in this class is improving my writing and expanding my creativity. It's nice to be able to rewrite the story to my satisfaction but also keep old parts of it. It feels like rewriting history in a way. My favorite reading is the Bhagwat Krishna since I'm familiar with the story and have always been fascinated with Krishna since I was little. I also that it's a comic so I can see what's happening as I read. Sometimes its hard to understand what's happening in some of the stories so I'll read the guide for some help. 

I really like this image because of the colors and because it shows a whole family together. In most of the stories, the families have been separated or the husband has more than one wife. I also thought Ganesha looked really cute as a baby. This picture was from my Topic Brainstorm: So Many Options! blog.

I feel like I just need more time to read and write. Since midterms started, I haven't really had time to read and enjoy the stories since the due dates are so close to each other. 

Famous Last Words: No Sleep, Just Naps

Wow has this week been busy! I had this coding homework that was due today and spent most of my nights working on it. It's also time for midterms so I've been studying.

I'm hoping next week is a little more laid back but it's college. I've learned to accept that in college you don't get to sleep, you only get naps.

I'm also hoping to get some good news on my study abroad status. I've still been waitlisted but I should be getting and update some time next week.

Today has been a great day thanks to the weather. I came back to OKC to hang out with my family but today was a little different. I came home and hung out with my dogs outside and then when I finally got in the house to get settled, my parents gave me some sad news.

If you've seen my introduction I mentioned having a pet bird, her name was Tootsie. Unfortunately she passed away yesterday but I just learned about it today. What's even more crazy was that I had a dream about this just last week. I remember calling my parents and asking them if she was okay since the dream was practically a nightmare and she was doing great.

It's been a little hard today going near her cage since she's not in there anymore. Everytime I'm near it I look in it expecting her to be there only to remember she's not. However, I also know she is in a better place and was glad to know she went peacefully. I had her for at least 8 years and of all the pet birds I've had, she's probably one of the only few that has liked food as much as me.

Here is a picture of her:

Personal photo of Tootsie

Week 7 Storytelling: Duryodhana & Karna vs. Arjuna et. al

Several people chattered and argued in the courtroom as they waited for my arrival. As I enter the courtroom everyone went silent. 

KARMA: "Well if it isn't Duryodhana and Karna, the troublemakers. To what do I owe this pleasure?"


DURYODHANA: "Karma, you have to help me, the Pandavas are after me. They're trying to kill me! They need to be arrested."


KARNA: "It's true your Honor, they tried to kill me too, Arjuna broke the rules during battle."


KARMA: " First of all, do not call me Karma, it's your Honor . Secondly, why should I help you of all people Karna?  I watched the battle between you and Arjuna, and saw you break the rules as well. You also let your sister-in-law be ridiculed in public, not to mention you ganged up on and murdered your own nephew. Your the last person that needs to be talking about rules, so why don't you just take a seat and shut up."

"As for you Duryodhana, I believe there is more to this story so I am going to ask you again, are you sure that is all that happened?"


DURYODHANA: "Positive!"


KARMA:"Very well then. Pandavas, why don't you tell me your side of the story?"


ARJUNA: "Your Honor,  Karna disrespected our wife, He also killed my boy! During our battle, I was trying to fix my weapon and he continued to attack me instead of pausing like the rules said. What kind of father would I be if I let all of that go? ""

"Duryodhana has continuously harassed me and my brothers after we asked him to stop. Before we got here he stHe also took away our kingdom. He tricked us and made us go into exile and then sent his men to come kill us.


KARMA: "I see. Duryodhana you this was your chance to take responsibility and yet you still lied to my face. It also sounds like you neglected your dharma as a king in your fit of rage and jealousy. Unfortunately for you, I will not grant the order nor will anyone be going to jail. In fact, I'm going to set both you and Karna free. "

DURYODHANA: "But you can't do this! Your suppose to protect us."


KARMA: "Actually, no Duryodhana, my dharma is to make sure everyone gets what they deserve based on their actions. And it looks like based on your actions, you need to be taught a lesson. Good luck, your going to need it. As for you Karna, you abused your powers so I am taking them away from you. Although what your mother did to you was unfair, that does not excuse your actions."


I banged my gavel with finality.


DURYODHANA: "They'll have to catch me first!"


KARNA: "Me too!"


Both Duryodhana and Karna ran out of the court.


KARMA: "I am ordering the Pandavas children be put in protective custody immediately and keep them in custody until Duryodhana is caught. Pandavas, what are you waiting for? Go after him!"


The Pandavas brothers quickly run out of the courtroom to pursue Duryodhana. I sighed. I knew this was going to happen. I took this case because the children needed to be protected. I know the brothers will slay Duryodhana and his men but he has a whole army after the Pandavas and the children have also come in harm's way. This was the only way to protect them. I know they will catch him soon but for now, I can only wait and watch.  I admit, Arjuna hasn't been the best father but the love he has for his children is obvious. He was nearly broke at the mention of his son. 

 I'm not too worried about Karna since his powers have been taken away. He was also just another one of Duryodhana's cronies. I can't help but feel a little bad for him. I'm sure if his mother hadn't abandoned him and if the injustice of the caste system hadn't limited his abilites , he would've turned out to be a great man. Despite his actions though, I made sure to give everyone who has wronged him their karma as well. Kunti lost her husband and suffered with her sons as a consequence of abandoning him. Drona got his before he even met Karna when his best friend rejected him, and then again when he was killed. It's was the least I could do for the poor guy.

All of a sudden my phone beeped and I smirked at the image. I knew they wouldn't go very far. 

Image sent to Karma's phone
(Wikimedia Commons)

Author's Note: I rewrote the story based on the Arjuna and Karna and Duryodhana in the Lake. Since Karna has been loyal to Duryodhana I thought I would show that in this story when Karna vouches for Duryodhana about the Pandavas trying to kill him. In the original story of Arjuna and Karna, Balarama is the one who confronts Karna about all the things he has done after he says the battle is unfair but in this story I had Karma ask him those question instead. I also wanted to put the Pandava brothers' kids in protective custody because it was never their battle to begin with but they ended being drawn into it.

The I called the brothers Pandavas since that is what they've been referred to throughout most of the Mahabharata and let Arjuna represent them because since he had battled with Karna and Duryodhana.

Duryodhana never directly takes responsibility for his actions which is why I had him lie to Karma. In the story his wife Krupi told him to try and make peace but he did not feel the need to because he had done so many bad things which is why Karma mentions giving him another chance. He had several chances to fix things with the Pandavas but never did. His defiance is demonstrated in this story when he talks back to Karma. Although the theme is the same as most of my other stories, this one is a little different because there were more than two parties arguing, not to mention one them openly defies karma.

Week 7 Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata, Part D

Bhishma Falls

Amba is reincarnated as a warrior named Shikhandin and Bhishma recognizes her reincarnated form and doesn't attack him because he still sees her as a woman. Arjuna takes advantage and kills Bhishma because he tried to kill Krishna. After he dies Karna decides to battle his brothers since he already hates them. 

After Bhishma's death, Drona takes command and vows to make Yudhishthira his prisoner while Arjuna vows to protect his brother. 

Abhimanyu and Jayadathra - Dharma & Karma

Jayadathra breaks his promise of being Yudhishthira's slave and kills Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu. Arjuna vows revenge and succeeds with Krishna's help. 

Gatokacha

• Bhima's demon son and the Pandavas nephew

He can create illusions but it didn't work on Karna and he ended up being killed by him. 

Death of Drona

The Pandavas trick Drona into think his son is dead and kill him.  Karna now takes command of Duryodhana's army.

Bhima and Duhshasana - Karma

Bhima gets revenge for Draupadi. Before exile Dushasana had not treated Draupadi right at the gambling event and karma has finally caught up to him. 

Arjuna and Karna - Karma

The brothers battle each other and Arjuna tells Karna to pause because it's unfair to allow him battle someone whose unarmed but Karna continues to attack him. Karna is now at a disadvantages and tells Arjuna to pause and tell him it's unfair to attack a helpless enemy. 

Krishna makes Karna eat his words by asking him about whether all the things he did was manly.

• Not pausing for Arjuna
• Letting Draupadi get ridiculed
• Murdering Arjuna's son with six other men 

Before Karna got to answer Arjuna killed him when he heard his son's name. 

Duryodhana in the Lake

Duryodhana is now using his powers to hide in the lake while that Kauravas fled.  Duryodhana is advised to try and make peace but insists on continuing war since he has gone in to deep. 

Shalya is now the commander of the army. During the battle Duryodhana fled and hid in the water.

Duryodhana neglected his dharma.

Duryodhana surrenders and tells them they can have the kingdom and to leave him alone so he can go into the forest to meditate. 

He tells them he will fight only if he can fight them one by one and the Pandavas agree but he still won't come out of the water until Bhima threatened to drag him out and kill him. Despite being outnumbered, he is still confident he will win. 

The Night Raid

Drona's son tries to kill the Pandavas in their sleep but fails.  All of Draupadi's kids are dead and she is angry at her husbands and asks them if the exile was worth it now since they were the reason the Pandavas and her went into exile.

In the end Kunti still got to keep her kids but everyone else lost their husbands or kids. 

The Pandavas and Bhishma 

Bhishma decides its time for him to die and explains how to run the kingdom to Yudhisthira how to run the kingdom before he dies. 

It's ironic how Yudhisthira ended up being king of the kingdom again since he was part of the reason they went into exile. 

Parikshit

Although the Pandavas are dead, a miracle happens which saves their family line.  Parikshit had originally been killed in the womb but was brought back to life by Krishna and he was born 5 months later after his father's death.  Uttara, Parikshit's mother wanted to die after he was born so she can be with her husband but Krishna reminded her that her son needed her. 

Krishna's Death

Krishna and his brother both died in the jungle. Krishna was mistaken for a deer and shot in the foot, the only spot where he could be wounded. Balarama died after a snake came out of his mouth. 

Not too long after Krishna's death, it was time for the Pandavas to leave the world as well. 

Draupadi and Krishna
(Wikimedia Commons)

The Afterlife

After the Pandavas enter the afterlife, they find Duryodhana there as well sitting on a throne. They also see the other Kauravas but do not see Draupadi.  Yudhisthira is not happy to see the Kauravas and wants to find Draupadi. 

He is tested when an illusion of hell appears. He tells the celestial to leave him there because he needed to make up for his mistake.

Week 7: PDE Mahabharata Reading Notes, Part C

Life in the Forest - Dharam 

After the Pandavas are set free they go into exile and Draupadi goes with them. At this point, they have lost their kingdom along with everything else and come across a brahmin name Dhaumya, whom they live with for the next 12 years.

Krishna's Visit

The Bhima and Draupadi are still angry at Yudhishirtha. Draupadi mentions his dharma as a husband. Krishna offers to help the Pandavas help them get their kingdom back and explains to Yudhisthira that if he had been their this would have never happened.

Draupadi continues to complain about how she is no longer a queen and is living like a peasant. 

It sounds like Krishna is a mediator and has a little more power over everyone.

Shiva

Lord Shiva, the destroyer and transformer
(flickr)

Meanwhile Arjuna is used to being exiled since he had been before. He is looking for weapons so that him and the Pandavas can fight the Kauravas. He goes to the Himalayas and meets Shiva. Shiva grants Arjuna's wish and gives him weapons. 

Arjuna and Indra - Karma

Arjuna meets his father Indra. Arjuna also meets Urvashi who curses him to become a musician and dancer for 5 years in order to get him under control. While under the curse, he also learns how to use the weapons that Shiva gave him.  Indra trained Arjuna into a warrior. 

The Pandavas and Arjuna reunite. 

Bhima and Hanuman - Dharma

Bhima is Hanuman's half-brother.  Their father is Vayu, the wind god. Hanuman explains the duties of different castes to Bhima. 

Duryodhana and the Gandharvas

Karna is loyal to Duryodhana and is sent to spy on the Pandavas. He wages war with the Gandharvas. The Pandavas are now out of exile and Karna vows to kill Arjuna. 

Karna and Indra - Dharma 

Indra is trying to protect Arjuna by negotiating with Karna. Karna is also a follower of Indra ironically. Indra disguises himself as a brahmin and demands Karna's armor and earrings.  These things are significant because they make him invincible.

In exchange for the armor, Indra gives him a weapon that can slay anyone except Arjuna but he does not mention that. The weapon rebounds if it hits Arjuna.

Karma can take away his armor and earrings as a result of misusing them for evil.

Jayadratha and Draupadi - Karma 

Like in the Ramayana, Draupadi is put in danger in the forest. Jayadratha likes her and kidnaps her.  He is also married to Duryodhana's sister. 

As punishment, he is stripped of his royal position and is declared a slave. 

The Court of King Virata

The Pandavas must spend their final year in exile hiding. The terms of exile:

• spend additional 12 years in exile if discovered by Kauravas

They hid at a kingdom where the king and queen bond with them while they are there. 

Bhima and Kichaka - Dharma

Draupadi in disguise at the Court of King Virata
(Raja Ravi Varma)

The Pandavas fail to protect their wife once again when the queen's brother, Prince Kichaka, attempts to assault Draupadi. Bhima secretly defends his wife. The queen abided by his wishes. Draupadi tells the king what happened but he just laughs at her along with the rest of the court because he feared the prince. 

Bhima hides in Draupadi's room and slays Kichaka when he comes in. 

The king and queen fail their dharma to protect their people. Why is he a king if he's going to be scared? Kings are suppose to be brave and this one shows poor leadership. 

The Cattle Raid

Despite the king's lack of leadership and integrity, the Pandavas defend him when Duryodhana tries to steal his cattle. The Pandavas brothers' exile is over and the brothers reveal themselves to the king.

Preparations for War

Krishna is trying to help the Pandavas and Kauravas make peace. The Kauravas refuse to give the kingdom back to them. 

Duryodhana and Arjuna both wanted Krishna's help but Krishna saw Arjuna first and gives him the option to choose between an army and him and Duryodhana gets the other option.  

Krishna is not going to participate in the battle but Arjuna is confident he could single-handedly defeat his enemies.

Krishna's Mission to the Kauravas

Krishna continues to try to make peace and goes to the extent of showing his true form as Vishnu.  Duryodhana wants to hurt Krishna now to weaken the Pandavas power but he reads their thoughts and so he goes to the elders.

Krishna and Karna - Karma

Karna still doesn't know that the Pandavas are his brothers until Krishna tells him. Karna confronts his mother and is angry and still chooses to help Duryodhana because they cared for him. He told Kunti that he will not hurt his brothers though. He decides to fight Arjuna only and says its a win-win situation whether he dies or not.

This is Kunti's karma.

The Battle Begins

Bishma is the General of the Kauravas but isn't confident that they'll win.