Storytelling Week 5: Karma's Letter

Dear Kaikeyi,

          I regret to inform you that Bharata is VERY angry with you. It seems as if you betrayed him, as well as the entire city of Ayodhya.

Vasishtha came to me today revealing your actions and expressing how livid Bharata is. I would like to get your side of the story; is it true that you used the two promises King Dasaratha granted you to exile your stepson and heir to the throne, Rama, for fourteen years and to make your own son, Bharata, king?

I am led to believe that Vasistha tells me the truth. Apparently, King Dasaratha was so heartbroken about losing Rama that he passed on and is transitioning into his next life.

I am sorry for your loss. I am sure you grieved after your husband’s death. Perhaps you feel as if his death is some sort of penance (that is assuming that Vasistha is telling the truth and you did, indeed, use your two promises).  Unfortunately, Dasaratha’s death was a consequence from his own actions and I must proceed with different penalties for your situation. With any action that occurs in this world, I must perform at least one outcome according to that action.

Vasishtha displayed a lot of emotion. So much so that I could feel Bharata’s anger in Vasishtha’s words. The conversation was tense and full of worked up thoughts. Therefore, I must warn you, that in order to ease Vasishtha and Bharata’s minds, I gave Vasishtha a list of consequences that you will experience. Again, these consequences will only occur if Vasishtha is telling the truth AND Bharata does not forgive you. You may view the list below:

·        You will find it challenging to tell right from wrong
·        You will have many doubts
·        You will become close-minded
·        You will crave flavors, but never taste them
·        You will be viewed as wretched and ugly
·        You will lose your desire to learn
·        You will desire sleep and never rest
·        You will become poor and beg people for food
·        You will live in a kingdom led by fear
·        You will receive many teaching skills, but forget your lessons and appear a fool
·        You will eventually resort to gambling
·        You will not be able to perform good deeds, no matter how hard you try
·        You will betray your friends
·        You will lose others’ trust
·        You will lie to the people who need the truth the most
·        You will argue your beliefs and values to those that don’t wish to hear
·        You will never see Rama return to Ayodhya

Before I act upon any decision made in this world, I believe it best to gather all of the facts. Hence, this letter. I would appreciate it if you respond to me with your side of the story in ten days or less. If I do not hear from you, I will assume that Vasistha told me the truth and will conduct research to see if Bharata forgives you.

I wish you the best.

Sincerely,
Karma

An endless knot. Related to Karma because Karma can be considered endless. Source: Wikipedia

Author’s Note

In Buck’s Ramayana, King Dasaratha dies and his son, Bharata, returns to Ayodhya. When Bharata arrives, he is told about his father’s death, Rama’s exile, and therefore, his new position as king. Bharata is very angry with his mother, Kaikeyi, for using her two promises to exile Rama and make Bharata king. He speaks with Vasishtha about what will happen to his mother (he prefers she is killed) and Vasishtha has a very long, negative list of consequences that Kaikeyi will experience if Bharata cannot forgive her. Fortunately for Kaikeyi, her son ends up forgiving her.

The major changes include a letter-format with Karma’s perspective (he is not technically introduced in Buck’s version). Also,Vasishtha informs Karma of Bharata's anger towards his mother due to her deeds.

This portion of the story snagged my attention because I believe Karma was at work. Kaikeyi decided to use her two promises and a lot of possible consequences crop up (Vasishtha’s list of what will happen to her) from those actions. I wanted to write a letter from Karma’s perspective explaining to Kaikeyi what would happen to her if she was not forgiven.

I chose an endless knot as my image to display Karma. I feel as if this is perfect imagery since Karma is everywhere and will always be in existence.

Bibliography

Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way.

Week 5 Reading Diary B: Sita's Capture

From Buck William's Ramayana: King Rama's Way

Thoughts and Favorite episode:

• (Page 170) I thoroughly enjoyed the scene where Sita rejects Ravana. 
• I would like more background on why simple acts are considered "the right thing to do." For example, on page 169, Lakshmana goes into the forest to find Rama because Sita wishes him to do so even though he knows that it is a trick. Just by satisfying Sita's desires, he claims that he has done right. However, I find his decision illogical. 
• I can't quite remember but wasn't Jatayu an eagle (instead of a vulture) in Narayan's Ramayana? (Page 173).
• I like how Buck references storytelling in within the stories (ie. Listen Rama- or Listen Sita-)

Sita and Ravana. Source: Wikimedia

Favorite Quotes:

• Page 170: "Sita laughed. 'Garuda mating with a goose? A firefly courting the Sun?'"
• Page 170: "'A gnat trying to suck up a bowl of butter?'"
• Page 180: "'For there is nothing worse than the tears of the innocent.' said Indra."
• Page 193:

"I greet my Death. 

Yama, come my Friend 

And take me home."

Week 5 Reading Diary A: King of Birds

From Buck William's Ramayana: King Rama's Way

Thoughts and Favorite episode:

• (Page 117) Vasishtha tells Bharata what will become of Kaikeyi for the first couple paragraphs of the page. We can see Karma acting here! Bharata ends up forgiving his mother so that she does not endure the long list of negative consequences.
• I've noticed that Buck references Time in his version of Ramayana. I am interested in Time as a character.
• I'm having a hard time connecting to these stories. Not sure why,=.
• (Page 140) Agastya gives Rama a new bow and it is described 
• (Page 147-154) I like Garuda 's story the best so far. Garuda, the King of birds, flies up to heaven to steal from Indra (in order to free his mother). He eats a turtle and an elephant who are fighting..sort of weird. This gives him the strength to fly to heaven and fight to snag the 'Nectar of Life.' 
• (Page 156) Buck's version differs from Narayan's version; Shurpanakha is described as very ugly in Buck's Ramayana.

When Vishnu makes Garuda King of all Birds. Source: Wikipedia

Favorite Quotes:

• Page 116: "Sorrow deforms our thoughts and our reflections; it goes within and smothers our hearts."