Week 10 Storytelling: How I Met My Wife

            I never asked for this. I never asked for any of this. I never asked for her. But here I am with the love of my life – the goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity herself, Lakshmi. My wife had a strange and complicated history before she chose me to be her husband. She was the daughter of the asuras (or demons) and was previously wedded to Indra, the king of the devas (or gods). The problem was, no one seemed to appreciate Lakshmi for anything except the wealth and beauty she brings. The asuras trapped her into the ground so they could preserve the wealth of gold and minerals. After Indra made Lakshmi his wife, she presented him with three gifts: a wish fulfilling tree, cow, and gem. It’s not every day you can get such extravagant gifts from a beautiful being. For this reason, Indra was worried and fearful that she would leave for someone worthier than him, which may be true now but it wasn’t at the time. So before she could have the possibility of realizing Indra’s faults, he lashed out and subconsciously created reasons for her to leave. He became more hedonistic, bringing more women and wine home to indulge in simple pleasures. Soon after, Lakshmi became tired of his behavior and left him to become the ocean of milk.

            Now, this is where I came in. Indra, devastated by the loss of his wife, asked me to find a way to get her back. To which I replied that he must offer a beautiful mandala and churn the milk to make her form. Indra followed my suggestions and brought over every deva he could to help churn the milk around a mountainous island. Upon realizing that the threads of the mandala would ruin and separate once it’s placed in the ocean, Indra feared he could not perform such task to win back his wife. I, being a good friend, turned into a turtle avatar Kurma for him to set the mandala on my back so it would be dry and safe as we churned the milk. However, our efforts were futile because we were simply going in one direction. It was then that I brought the asuras over to help, regardless of their feud with the devas. If it wasn’t for their desire to get their daughter back, the asuras would have never agreed to help. Together, the devas and asuras worked together, going in opposite directions churn the milk ocean and give form to their beloved Lakshmi.

            Once formed, both the devas and the asuras celebrated for the return of the goddess, and begged her to decide who she wanted to go home with: Indra in the heavens or the asuras in the subterranean realms. This was when Lakshami chose me. Her reasoning? She hated that the asuras only wanted to keep her and her treasures buried deep beneath the grounds and that Indra and the other devas only cherished her for the treasures she gave them. Everyone took her for granted. Everyone except me apparently. Lakshmi claimed me as her husband because I saw her for who she was and did not try to control or possess her. To the dismay of the asuras and the other devas, they lost their most prized possession, while I gained the best thing I could have never asked for.

Vishnu and Lakshmi

Author's Note: Part C of Pattanik's "Seven Secrets of Vishnu" discussed Lakshmi's story with the Indra and the asuras, and also discussed Vishnu, his second avatar (Kurma), and Lakshmi's newfound love for him. I thought this development was interesting and was almost a twisted Romeo and Juliet story but instead, Juliet ends up with Mercutio in the end. I wanted to view this story from Vishnu's point of view because it seemed like he did absolutely nothing to try to win Lakshmi's love, but he got her in the end and their love becomes everlasting.

Bibliography: Devdutt Pattanik's "Seven Secrets of Vishnu"

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's "Seven Secrets of Vishnu" (Part C)

Chapter 3: Kurma's Secret
"Wealth eludes the insecure."

• Lakshmi = goddess of wealth, provides sustenance for beings
• Does not discriminate, restless
• Described as coming from the ground - lives in Patala
• Subterranean realms = realm of Asuras
• Grandfather (Brahma) - Father (Kashyapa) - Mother (Diti)
• Demons who withhold Lakshmi under the earth
• Devas (gods) help release Lakshmi - halfbrothers of Asuras
• Acts of mining, hunting, fishing, farming, and harvesting (which generate wealth) are so violent because it basically symbolizes Devas killing Asuras to release Lakshmi from her subterranean prison.
• Indra was Lakshmi's husband.
• She brought him a wish fulfilling tree, cow, and gen. 
• Insecure that she will leave him for a worthier husband - acts out as hedonist
• She leaves him and turns into the "milk of the ocean"
• Asks Vishnu for help - he says to create a beautiful mandala and churn the ocean of milk
• Thought it was impossible for it to stay together/afloat
• Kurma (AKA Vishnu) appears as a turtle to help circle the mountain - Indra also had to make the Asura help churn the milk as well.
• Devas and Asuras work together to get back Lakshmi because both need her - two opposing sides working together for a common goal
• Milk - represents the material world full of possibilities
• Vishnu demands butter or ghee - Shiva is content with raw, unboiled milk
• After Lakshmi appears, the Devas and Asuras wait for her to choose who she wants to be with.
• She declares Vishnu because he is enterprising, gets enemies work together, and does not attempt to control her.
• Vishnu does not chase her, but she always follows him - her character completely changes from her original restless, random movement self.

Kurma the Second Avatar of Vishnu

Bibliography: Devdutt Pattanaik's "Secrets of Vishnu"

Week 9 Storytelling: Great Grandfatherly Advice

Culture is imperfect. Humans are imperfect. Life is imperfect.

I am Manu – the first human. Let me explain what I mean. Matsya nyaya is the law of the jungle where the mighty rule. Dharma is the idealistic belief of creating a secure world where prey and predator can live in harmony. Humans are the only creatures that do not have to follow matsya nyaya and can interfere with nature by following dharma and using empathy and compassion. However, this is where imperfection lies. A perfect world determined by humans does not exist because everyone still follows the law of karma – every action as a reaction whether it may be good or bad.

I can 100% guarantee that you are a human being, meaning I am your great great great great…. etc. grandfather. Hi, great great great great… etc. grandson or granddaughter. Nice to meet you! Let me tell you about the story of King Shibi.

***

King Shibi rescued a dove from being eaten from a hawk, leaving the hawk furious.

“I am starved, and you have taken my dinner. What do you expect of me to eat now?!” asked the hawk.

While holding the rescued dove, the king replied, “Another dove, perhaps?”

“How do you expect to save one dove but sacrifice another?”

“Well, fine. Eat a rat or a serpent instead then if you prefer!”

“Now, why should they die for the life of a simple dove? What fairness is there in that?”

The king could not answer.

***

I bet that when you read that King Shibi (another descendent of mine) rescued a dove, you felt compassion and empathy for a poor, weak, defenseless creature. This is your dharma ideals that have been implanted in your head. You try to break the rules of the jungle law, interfering with nature to try to help weaker animals from mightier ones. In reality, because Shibi saved the dove, he was unfair to the hawk and attempted to throw any other animal under the bus in order to save this one dove. Right or wrong depends on your perspective. Essentially, nothing is fair. Nothing is perfect. The world moves on.

The moral of my story is this: Although everything is imperfect, humanity has the power to even the playing field and create a better world. The matsya nyaya may rule many, but dharma has a strong power and it is your responsibility to use it. I can’t tell you what is fair or unfair. That is for you to judge. Whether you think the hawk is right or Shibi was is completely up to you. Humans are the masters of this universe, but just remember – if you have a growing fish in a bowl, give him a bigger bowl, but do not underestimate his ability to care for himself without your interference.

Now go about the world, my descendent, and do good. Make me and the rest of your humankind proud. Pass on my lesson to your own descendants. Now, how’s that for great grandfatherly advice?

King Shibi, the Hawk, and the Dove

Author's Note: I was inspired to write this when I read about the tale of King Shibi. I thought it was an interesting perspective to see that by saving the dove, you are cruelly punishing the hawk. Thinking about it in human terms, you're taking away food from a starving man in order to give it to a starving child. You reason with yourself that it's for the better, not considering the fact that you're leaving the man or the hawk to starve. I thought the topic of matsya nyaya and dharma were very intriguing as well to think that humans posses this mental capability to determine right and wrong for themselves, separate from the animal world.

Bibliography: Pattanaik's "Secrets of Vishnu"

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's "Seven Secrets of Vishnu" (Part B)

Chapter 2: Matsya's Secret

"Only humans can empathize and exploit."

• Matsya = avatar of vishnu in form of fish
• Larger Brain = transform pashu (animal) to purusha (human)
• Creates Brahma who seeks Brahman.
• Physical manifestation of spiritual real
• Born of vishnu to realize him
• Manavas = Humans
• First human is named Manu.
• Jungle Rule (Matsya Nyaya): Might is right.
• Only humans can overturn this rule.
• Mighty humans can help weak ones.
• Manu interferes with nature because of empathy, transforming nature.
• Saves little fish by putting him in pot.
• When fish grows, Manu gives him bigger pot.
• Notion of property - from empathy/compassion or fear/greed
• Dharma = artificial construct to create a secure world
• Imagination + Empathy = Inclusive Property --> Dharma
• Imagination + Fear/Exploitation = Exclusive Property --> Adharma
• Rama = Dharma, Ravana = Adharma
•   King Shibi rescued dove from hawk.
• When hawk asks what he will eat, King replies he should eat another dove.
• Hawk questions why King would save one dove but sacrifice another.
• King changes mind and says to eat a rat or serpent.
• Hawk questions why they should die for the dove to live. No answer.
•  Vishnu draws attention to imperfect culture.
• Culture is built on the destruction of a natural ecosystem.
• Law of Karma = Ever action as a reaction.
• Newton's third law??
• Flooding (death of the world) - Manu creates boat by horned fish's instructions
• Similar to Noah's ark

Matsya

Bibliography: Devdutt Pattanaik's "Secrets of Vishnu"

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's "Seven Secrets of Vishnu" (Part A)

For the next three week, I'm going to read Devdutt Pattanaik's "Secrets of Vishnu" (or watch the videos) to learn more about Vishnu. Here are some notes from Part A:

Chapter 1: Mohini's Secret
"Spiritual growth need not exclude material growth."

• Mohini is Visnhu's female form who is an enchantress.
• Hindu mythology uses gender as a vehicle to communicate metaphysical ideas.
• There are two realities in Indian mythology:
• Material (tangible) reality is represented in female form.
• RED - color of blood; sustains life
• Spiritual (intangible) reality is represented in male form.
• WHITE - color of bones; upholds life by being still
• Interdependence of the two realities is represented as a male-female couple.
• EX: Vishnu and Lakshmi
• Reasons for gender assignment:
• Males/Spiritual reality trigger observation.
• Female/Material reality embodies observation.
• (Think of pregnancy)
• Unborn child - innocent, ignorant of the world
• May be represented as Narayana who sleep on a serpent in water.
• Serpent is named Adi-Anatna-Sesha (Primal-Infinite-Residue), which represents the stages of time.
• Adi - represented by 1 - "awakening"
• Anatna - represented by infinity - "awake"
• Sesha - represente by 0 - "asleep"

Mohini

Bibliography: Devdutt Pattanaik's "Secrets of Vishnu"

Week 8: Growth Mindset

Since my post of Growth Mindset in Week 1, I would like to say that I have somewhat enhanced my mindset and adopted a strategy of mastering materials. This semester, I have officially switched my major to psychology and have decided that I want to become a counseling psychologists, which means I definitely needed to adopt a growth mindset in my psychology classes for my future career. So far, it's going pretty well, and I have been able to accomplish different dimensions of growth, although I have my moments of slacking and procrastination. As for this class, I came in not knowing anything about Indian mythology and not having a serious passion for it. However, since I've been trying to be a better student, I've learned so much about Indian epics, gods, and culture, which is so much more than I could ask for in terms of knowledge. At times, I fall behind my work in this class and not apply any growth mindset challenges because I am too focused in other classes, and/or I am working too much buuuuut I'm able to get back on track soon enough! Now for the second half of the semester, I might try to do more work ahead of time so I am not as overwhelmed, especially when there are tests coming up. I also might try studying at least one week prior to the test to I can actually absorb and learn the material. This way, I can take the steps I need to make the grades I want and learn the material I need for the future.

Growth Mindset Steps

Week 8: Reflections

Coming into this class, I didn't really know what to expect, and I definitely didn't realize how much creativity I would need each week in order to create new, interesting stories. I think my favorite reading so far is Ramayana, hands down. I love the character development and the storyline overall. As for my favorite character in Ramayana, I really like Hanuman the monkey god. My favorite story I've written is actually in his first-person perspective, too! (Monkey Business - A Story of Hanuman) However, my story about Rama in the perspective of his son is a close second (The Legendary Rama)! Nevertheless, I don't think my stories can compare to many of my other classmates. Each week as I read unique and wonderfully written stories, I am amazed on how people can create so many different stories from different perspectives, inspirations, and characters all derived from the same story. After reading their stories, I became more determined to enhance my storytelling, and judging by my writing since the beginning of the semester, I can honestly say that I've noticeably improved! For the rest of the semester, I hope to keep this motivation going, and I can't wait to see what stories I and my other classmates come up with for weeks to come!

Storytelling