tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85099785612228522862024-03-12T23:09:54.506-04:00Indian Epics: Amar Chitra Katha <em>Amar Chitra Katha</em> Reading Guides for MLLL-4993, Epics of Ancient India (University of Oklahoma).Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-169049919716921642020-02-25T21:42:00.000-05:002020-02-25T21:42:42.134-05:00Guide: Vaishno DeviThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="http://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/vaishno-devi">Vaishno Devi: Goddess of the Hills</a></i></b> which is one of the comic books included in the three-pack <b><i><a href="http://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/temples-of-indiaa?___store=international">Temples of India</a> </i></b>(Volume 829). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0076ZGUPG/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.829<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-48979899739043479282020-02-14T20:40:00.000-05:002020-02-14T20:40:55.829-05:00Guide: Tales of ArjunaThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-tales-of-arjuna">Tales of Arjuna: The Exploits of an Exceptional Warrior</a></i></b> (Volume 525). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003Z9JQC6/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.525</b><br />
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See the detailed Reading Guide below.<br />
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<b>Arjuna, The Monkey, and the Boy (pp. 1-8)</b>. When Arjuna comes to Rama's Bridge at Rameshwaram, he is surprised Rama used the help of monkeys instead of building a bridge of arrows. A monkey laughs and challenges Arjuna to build a bridge of arrows that will support his weight. With arrows from Agni's quiver, Arjuna builds the bridge, but it collapse when the monkey touches it. Arjuna tries again, and fails, so now he must immolate himself as promised. Just before Arjuna jumps into the flames, a mysterious boy appears on the scene who disputes the terms of the bet. The boy proposes to repeat the contest now with a witness, and this time the bridge holds, so the monkey makes himself gigantic, revealing himself as Hanuman. The bridge still holds, and Hanuman realizes the boy is Krishna in diguise; he and Arjuna both worship him as Vishnu. Vishnu explains that he wanted to teach them both a lesson about humility, and henceforth Arjuna will have Hanuman as the emblem on his flag.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can learn more about Rameshwaram and its monuments at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rameswaram" style="font-weight: bold;">Wikipedia: Rameshwaram</a>, and also in the article about Rama's Bridge, which is also known as <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam%27s_Bridge">Wikipedia: Adam's Bridge</a></b>. Both Rama and Krishna are avatars of Vishnu; you can read more about Vishnu's avatars at <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashavatara">Wikipedia: Dashavatara</a></b>. Hanuman is indeed alive at the time of events of the Mahabharata; in a famous incident, <b><a href="http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/pde-mahabharata-bhima-and-hanuman.html">Hanuman meets Bhima</a></b>, too.</blockquote>
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<b>Arjuna Defeats Indra (pp. 9-22)</b>. For twelve years, a king sacrifices to Agni, the fire god, pouring ghee (butter) into the sacrificial fire. All that butter makes Agni ill! Brahma tells him to go eat the Khandava forest to feel better. Indra is upset that Agni is burning the forest where Takshaka the king of the nagas lives, so Indra rains down on Agni. Brahma tells Agni to seek help from Arjuna and Krishna. Disguised as a brahmin, Agni asks them for help, and he summons Varuna to give the Gandiva bow and inexhaustible quiver to Arjuna, and the Sudarshana chakra to Krishna, along with a chariot. Krishna fights the forest dwellers, and Arjuna fights the gods, stopping Indra's rain with a canopy of arrows and rendering Indra powerless with the Vayavya, the weapon of Vayu, the wind god. Together, Krishna and Arjuna fight off all the gods, the nagas, and asuras. Indra hurls the peak of Mandara mountain at Arjuna, who shatters it with arrows. Indra is impressed, and when he learns Takshaka is safe, he yields. The Maya Asura seeks refuge with Arjuna, even as Agni keeps on burning. Indra bestows boons on Krishna and Arjuna, and Agni promises to help them at any time, and Maya promises to build a great palace for Yudhishthira, Arjuna's brother. This is the palace that drove Duryodhana, the elder of the Kaurava brothers, mad with envy, eventually leading to the Great War.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: The famous burning of Khandava forest is an important <b><a href="http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/pde-mahabharata-ascent-to-heaven.html">event in the Mahabharata</a></b>, and you can read more at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khandava_Forest"><b>Wikipedia: Khandava</b></a>. For more about Takshaka, see this comic book: <b><a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/05/guide-pareekshit.html">Parikshit</a> </b>(and Parikshit happens to be Arjuna's grandson).</blockquote>
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<b>Arjuna Humbled (pp. 23-31)</b>. A brahmin who has lost nine sons already begs Arjuna for help, and Arjuna vows to protect the brahmin's tenth son, vowing to defeat even Yama, the god of death. When the son is born, Arjuna surrounds the brahmin's hut with arrows and stands outside to face Yama, yet the baby vanishes. Arjuna rides off in a celestial chariot to find the baby, but he fails. Now he must immolate himself as promised. Krishna intervenes, and he and Arjuna journey into the regions of night in the west, and finally they come to Vishnu's home. All the sons of the brahmin are there; Vishnu took them to get Arjuna's attention. Arjuna realizes that it is humility and faith that will be victorious, not vanity, and he takes the brahmin's ten sons back to their home.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: This story forms the subject of a dance-drama from Kerala: "The progeny of Krishna" by the 18th-century poet Mandavappalli Ittiraricha Menon, based on a story in the <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavata_Purana">Bhagavata Purana</a></b> (X.89.22–66).</blockquote>
<br />Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-89376768567158013252020-02-10T00:19:00.000-05:002020-02-10T00:19:55.448-05:00Guide: Shiva ParvatiThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-shiva-parvati">Shiva Parvati: A Story of Divine Love</a></i></b> (Volume 506). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00352DIMW/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.506</b><br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Summary</i>: The story begins after the death of Shiva's first consort, Sati. She is reborn as Parvati, daughter of the mountain king Himavat and the apsara Menaka. Narada tells Himavat that Parvati is destined to be Shiva's next consort, and he sends Parvati to attend Shiva in his meditations.<br />
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Meanwhile, Taraka is terrorizing the gods, and Brahma foresees that the son of Shiva and Parvati will be the one who defeats Taraka. Kama, god of love, and his wife Rati go to see Shiva and make him fall in love. Kama strikes Shiva with one of his arrows, and Shiva angrily burns him to ashes. The gods tell Rati that Kama will be restored to her on Shiva and Parvati's wedding day.<br />
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Parvati then practices austerities to try to win Shiva's love on her own. A wandering hermit seeks to persuade Parvati to abandon her quest, but she is steadfast, and this hermit turns out to be Shiva in disguise, testing her. They marry, and Shiva restores Kama to Rati. Together they raise the six-faced god Kartikeya, who grows up to defeat Taraka and restore peace to the gods in heaven.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-81009583127205496232020-02-07T20:42:00.000-05:002020-02-07T20:42:31.765-05:00Guide: Stories of CourageThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="http://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/stories-of-courage?___store=international">Stories of Courage: Jataka Tales Of Valour And Victory</a></i></b> (Volume 615). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/8189999117/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.615<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-77172587365890178312020-02-05T13:53:00.001-05:002020-02-05T13:53:42.146-05:00Guide: ParashuramaThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-parashurama">Parashurama: Sixth Incarnation of Vishnu</a></i></b> (Volume 764). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004EEORZW/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.764</b><br />
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<b><i>Summary</i>: </b>The story begins with Bhrigu and his son Richika who married Satyavati. Bhrigu gives his daughter-in-law and her mother sacred rice to produce sons, but they mix up the pots, and this leads to a mix-up in the lineage: Satyavati's son Jamadagni will have a son, Parashurama, who, although born a kshatriya, will live a brahmin's life. He is also an incarnation of Vishnu, born to put a stop to the warriors like Kartavirya Arjuna who are wreaking havoc on earth and in heaven.<br />
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So obedient is he to his father, Jamadagni, that he is willing to kill his own mother at his father's command. Kartavirya Arjuna steals the calf of Jamadagni's homa cow, but Parashurama slays Kartavirya and rescues the calf. Kartavirya's sons then kill Jamadagni in revenge, whereupon Parashurama slays the sons of Kartavirya and then all the kshatriya on the earth, generation after generation.<br />
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Mother Earth begs Kashyapa to make Parashurama stop the slaughter, and Parashurama then gives away all his wealth to the brahmins, and he gives his weapons to Drona. Parahsurama then departs for the Mahendra mountains to live the life of a hermit ascetic.<br />
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You can find out more about Parashurama at <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parashurama">Wikipedia</a></b>.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-28182320627721202712020-02-05T13:53:00.000-05:002020-02-05T13:53:38.445-05:00Guide: Tales of DurgaThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="http://www.amarchitrakatha.com/in/tales-of-durga">Tales of Durga: Tales of the Mother Goddess</a></i></b> (Volume 514). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003DZ1HE2/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.514</b><br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Summary</i>: The first story is <i>Durga, The Slayer of Mahisha</i>. Mahisha the asura, hoping to live forever, obtained the boon that he could only be killed by a woman. He confidently attacks Indra and occupies his throne. The angry gods conjure up Devi Durga, and they give her weapons. In his buffalo form, Mahisha (the name means "buffalo") attacks her, and then attacks her in many other forms, but Durga finally kills him. The next story is <i>Chamundi</i>. Shumbha, the Lord of the Asuras, with his generals Chanda and Munda, chases the gods from their heaven. The gods pray to Durga, and the goddess Ambika, a manifestation of Durga, springs forth from Parvati, and Shumbha desires to possess her, and she says she will only marry someone who can defeat her in battle. She is able to turn asuras to ashes with a single word. Ambika then generates Kali from her forehead, who crushes asuras by hurling an elephant at them. Because Kali slays both Chanda and Munda, she acquires the name Chamundi. The final story is <i>How Durga Slew Shumbha. </i>The gods manifest Brahmani, Vaishnavi and Maheshwari to do battle with Shumbha, and Ambika generates Chandika. Hundreds of Shakti manifestations do battle with Shumbha. The asura Raktabeeja scoffs at the women and attacks Indra's Shakti; she wounds him, and each drop of blood generates another Raktabeeja. Thousands of Raktabeejas face the Shaktis. They prevent the blood of the Raktabeejas from reaching the ground and finally they slay them all. They then kill Nishumbha, who is Shumbha's brother. All the Shaktis merge into Durga, and she slays Shumbha at last.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-33198620191656149682020-01-29T21:38:00.000-05:002020-01-29T21:38:00.688-05:00Guide: Indra and VritraThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="http://www.amarchitrakatha.com/in/indra-and-vritra">Indra And Vritra: The Demon Who Terrorized the Gods</a></i></b> (Volume 755). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004E9UA08/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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<b>Call number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.755.</b><br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-19790743929488082342020-01-27T22:50:00.000-05:002020-01-27T22:50:28.109-05:00Guide: GarudaThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-garuda">Garuda: Vishnu's Divine Mount</a></i></b> (Volume 547). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/8184821220/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.547</b><br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Summary</i>: The sage Kashyapa's wives ask for sons: Kadru wants a thousand snakes (nagas), and Vinata asks for two sons as powerful as those snakes. Indra and the tiny Valakhilyas prepared the sacrificial fire, and to humble Indra the Valakhilyas pray that another Indra be born: he will be the lord of winged creatures, Garuda. Kadru's children hatch first, and the impatient Vinata cracks open one of her two eggs too early; her son Aruna, the sun's charioteer, is not fully formed. She waits until Garuda hatches and he then frees her from enslavement to her sister as a result of their bet about the color of the tail of Uchchaihshravas, the cosmic horse (Kadru cheated). To free his mother, Garuda must steal the heavenly amrita; he does so, but he also enables Indra to steal it back!<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-44561865072210316082020-01-25T22:33:00.000-05:002020-01-25T22:33:02.128-05:00Guide: KarttikeyaThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="http://www.amarchitrakatha.com/in/karttikeya">Karttikeya: A Son of Shiva</a></i></b> (Volume 529). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/8189999478/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.529<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-59472652517558189102020-01-22T21:27:00.000-05:002020-01-22T21:27:10.323-05:00Guide: Jackal StoriesThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="http://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/jackal-stories?___store=international">Jackal Stories: Jataka Tales of the Sly and the Shrewd</a></i></b> (Volume 553).<br />
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Bizzell Library Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.553.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-26630362506652422672020-01-21T23:52:00.000-05:002020-01-21T23:52:42.115-05:00Guide: MahiravanaThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-mahiravana">Mahiravana: A Magician Outwitted</a></i></b> (Volume 526). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/8175080760/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.526</b><br />
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See the detailed Reading Guide below.</div>
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<b>Mahiravana (pp. 1-6)</b>. Mahiravana, magician, king of the netherworld, senses that his father, Ravana, needs his help, so he goes to Lanka. Ravana has summoned him in desperation after the deaths of his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Indrajit in battle. Ravana tells Mahiravana about Rama, Sita, and Hanuman. Mahiravana promises to help Ravana defeat Rama.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: The story of Mahiravana (Ahiravana) is not found in Valmiki's <i>Ramayana</i>. Instead, it is found in other versions of the <i>Ramayana</i>. Sometimes Mahiravana is the brother of Ravana, and sometimes his son. You can read another version of the story of Ahiravana at <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahiravan">Wikipedia</a></b>. (It is quite different from the version here in the comic book!)</blockquote>
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<b>The Fortress (pp. 6-11)</b>. Ravana's brother Vibhishana (now loyal to Rama) takes the form of a bird to spy on Ravana. He tells Rama about Mahiravana. Stretching his tail, Hanuman builds a fortress to protect Rama and Lakshamana, with the discus Sudarshan on top of the fortress to keep watch while Hanuman stands guard on the ground.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can read about the Sudarshana Chakra (discus) of the god Vishnu at <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudarshana_Chakra">Wikipedia</a></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>The Tunnel (pp. 12-19)</b>. Meanwhile, Mahiravana plans to kidnap Rama and Lakshmana and sacrifice them to the goddess Durga. Mahiravana disguises himself as King Dasharatha in order to enter the fortress, and then as Bharata. These tricks fails, but when he pretends to be Vibhishana, Hanuman lets him in. When the real Vibhishana shows up, they rush inside but it's too late: Mahiravana has taken Rama and Lakshmana out through a tunnel, while all the rest of the army is fast asleep.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can read about the goddess <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga">Durga</a></b>, one of the many manifestation of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devi">Devi</a></b> (the goddess), at Wikipedia.</blockquote>
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<b>Hanuman in the Nether World (pp. 19-23)</b>. Hanuman goes on a rescue mission, following the tunnel that Mahiravana used to get out of the fortress. Although Hanuman hides in a tree, two women see him and from their conversation he learns of a prophecy that says that the arrival of monkeys and men mean that Mahiravana is doomed. Hanuman also learns that the sacrifice to Durga is about to begin, so he finds the temple and enters, disguised as a fly.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can find out more about Patala, the nether world, at <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patala">Wikipedia</a></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>Victory (pp. 24-31)</b>. Rama and Lakshmana awake, and Hanuman then goes to get Durga to help them. The goddess tells Hanuman how to defeat Mahiravana. Mahiravana begins the sacrifice, but Rama and Lakshmana refuse to bow, saying they don't know how. They ask Mahiravana to show them, and when he bows before the altar, Hanuman attacks! Mahiravana is defeated, and Hanuman takes Rama and Lakshmana back up through the tunnel to safety.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: The story of Mahiravana is usually connected with Hanuman Panchamukha, "Five-Faced Hanuman." You might want to read that story at <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchamukha">Wikipedia</a></b>. It is a very cool story about why Hanuman needed to assume his five-faced form to rescue Rama and Lakshmana from Mahiravana. You can also find the story told in the Wikipedia article about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anjaneri">Anjaneri</a></b>, Hanuman's birthplace.</blockquote>
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<br />Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-30105662730511787452019-09-03T17:55:00.002-04:002019-09-03T17:55:47.115-04:00Guide: Hakka and BukkaThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-hakka-and-bukka">Hakka and Bukka: Founders of the Vijaynagar Empire</a></i></b> (Volume 795). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/8184824955/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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All the ACK comic books are on Reserve in Bizzell, and the call number for this issue is: <b>PN 6790.I443 A437 v.795</b><br />
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You can read more at Wikipedia about <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harihara_I">Hakka</a></b>, <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukka_Raya_I">Bukka</a></b>, and the <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijayanagara_Empire">Vijaynagar Empire</a></b> of southern India. This comic book begins in the year 1310 when the sultan's army from Delhi in the north was attacking the south, preparing to invade. Hakka and Bukka help defend the south; at a desperate moment, the women undertake the act of Jauhar (more about that gruesome ritual at <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jauhar">Wikipedia</a></b>). In defeat, the brothers must disguise themselves and go into hiding; that is when they meet sage <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidyaranya">Vidyaranya</a></b> who uses the words of the Bhagavad-Gita to summon men to their army ("<i>And the Lord said: Action, then, O Arjuna, is thy duty; the fruit thereof is not thy concern</i>"). The comic book ends with the omen of the dog and the rabbit at the place where the brothers mark the place that will be their city of victory, Vijayanagara.<br />
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You can also read about Hakka and Bukka in this comic book: <a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/05/guide-heroes-of-hampi.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Heroes of Hampi</a>, which has a detailed reading guide (not just a quick summary as here). That comic book begins where this one ends, with the omen of the dog and the rabbit.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-76384096860783885672019-09-03T17:55:00.001-04:002019-09-03T17:55:36.212-04:00Guide: Indra and ShachiThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-indra-and-shachi">Indra and Shachi: The Lord of Heaven and his Devoted Wife</a></i></b> (Volume 567). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/8189999079/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.567</b><br />
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<b><i>Summary</i>: </b>The three-headed Trishiras, son of Tvashta, is a sworn enemy of Indra. Indra defeats Trishiras, but must do penance for his crime. Tvashta creates the asura Vritra to avenge his son's death. Indra pretends to make peace with Vritra and then kills him; ashamed of his deceit, he runs away, which causes chaos on earth. The gods invite the mortal Nahusha to take Indra's place, but they are not happy under his rule. Indra's queen, Shachi, flees Nahusha's advances. The gods seek out Indra and ask him to expel Nahusha from heaven. Upashruti, the night goddess, escorts Shachi to Indra and they come up with a plan to defeat Nahusha when he is being carried in a palanquin by the seven sages. One of the sages, Agastya, curses Nahusha to turn into a snake, and Indra again becomes king of heaven.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-67206593590977517592019-09-03T17:55:00.000-04:002019-09-03T17:55:02.271-04:00Guide: GangaThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-ganga">Ganga: The Divine Beauty</a></i></b> (Volume 515). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003S3S4YA/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.515</b><br />
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<b><i>Summary</i>: </b>Asuras who hide in the ocean are tormenting the people of earth, so Vishnu sends the gods to Agastya, who agrees to drink up the whole ocean, and it remains dry until the sons of Sagara set in motion a chain of events that brings the goddess Ganga to earth. When Sagara performs the Ashwamedha horse sacrifice, Indra steals the horse, so he sends all 60,000 sons in search of the horse; when they accuse Kapila of having stolen the horse, he burns them all to ashes. Sagara then sends his grandson Amsuman to see what happened. Amsuman retrieves the horse and discovers his uncles' ashes. Amsuman's own grandson Bhagiratha performs penances to bring Ganga down to earth, with Shiva protecting the earth from the power of her descent. When Ganga's waters disturb the sacrifice of Jahnu, he drinks her, but finally he relents and lets her go. Ganga fills the ocean and purifies the ashes of the sons of Sagara.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-10419546994564261742019-08-31T18:27:00.003-04:002019-08-31T18:27:49.990-04:00Guide: GaneshaThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-ganesha">Ganesha: The Remover of All Obstacles</a></i></b> (Volume 509). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/8189999311/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.509</b><br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Summary</i>: This story tells how Parvati creates Ganesha all on her own as her son to stand guard at her door. Because Parvati tells him to let no one in, he stops Shiva from entering and fights back not only Shiva, but Brahma and the other gods. Parvati, enraged at the attacks on her son, manifests as Kali and Durga. Shiva finally beheads the boy, making Parvati even more enraged, but Shiva replaces the boy's head with an elephant head, and so he becomes the Ganesha that we know.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-4224797467039327032019-08-31T18:27:00.002-04:002019-08-31T18:27:30.898-04:00Guide: RamaThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-rama">Rama: Retold from the Ramayana</a></i></b> (Volume 504). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003DZ1ERM/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.504</b><br />
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See the detailed reading guide below.</div>
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<b>Young Rama (pp. 1-6)</b>. The story starts in the city of Ayodhya on the Sarayu River where Dasharatha is king. His sons are Rama, son of Queen Kaushalya; Bharata, son of Queen Kaikeyi; and Lakshmana and Shatrugha, sons of Queen Sumitra. Already a skilled archer as a young boy, Rama helps the sage Vishvamitra to kill the demoness Tataka. Vishwamitra then takes Rama and his brother Lakshmana to the court of King Janaka of Mithila. To win Janaka's daughter Sita in marriage, Rama not only lifted but snapped a mighty bow. Rama's father, King Dasharatha, comes to Mithila for the wedding of Rama and Sita.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: The sage Vishvamitra was originally a king and only later became a sage. You can read his story in this comic book: <a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/05/guide-vishvamitra.html"><b><i>Vishvamitra: The King Who Became an Ascetic</i></b></a>.</blockquote>
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<b>Rama's Exile (pp. 7-12)</b>. King Dasharatha decides to make Rama his successor but Manthara, maid of Queen Kaikeyi, persuades Kaikeyi to demand that Dasharatha exile Rama and make Kaikeyi's son, Bharata, king instead. Because of a promise he once made to Kaikeyi, Dasharatha has to agree, although he is grief-stricken. Rama obeys his father's wishes without question, and Sita and Lakshmana join Rama in his exile. Bharata had been away from home during these events and when he returns, he learns that his father has died after sending Rama into exile. Bharata seeks Rama in the forest, hoping to persuade him to return to Ayodhya, but Rama insists on carrying out Dashratha's commands. Bharata takes Rama's sandals and puts them in place of Rama on the throne.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can read the sad story of Dasharatha's last days in this comic book: <b><i><a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/05/guide-dasharatha.html">Dasharatha: The Story of Rama's Father</a></i></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>Shurpanakha (pp. 12-14)</b>. While Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana are living in the forest, a beautiful woman, Shurpanakha, sees Rama and falls in love with him. Rama explains that he is married and refers her to Lakshmana, while Lakshmana jokingly sends her back to Rama. Furious, Shurpanakha reveals her true form: she is a demoness. Lakshmana cuts off her nose and ears, and she runs screaming to her cousins, Khara and Dooshana, for help. Khara leads a demon army to attack Rama and Lakshmana, but Rama defeats the demons and kills both Khara and Dooshana. Shurpanakha goes to her brother, Ravana, the ten-headed king of the demons, and tells him what happened.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: For more about Ravana and his family, see this comic book: <b><i><a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/05/guide-lord-of-lanka.html">The Lord of Lanka: The Rise and Fall of a Demon King</a></i></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>Ravana (pp. 15-18)</b>. Ravana summons his uncle, the demon Maricha, and tells him to take the form of a golden deer. Sita urges Rama to catch the deer for her. Rama chases the deer, who cries out in Rama's voice to Lakshmana. Sita forces Lakshmana to go after Rama, and when she is alone, a sanyasi approaches her, begging for food, but it is Ravana in disguise. He grabs her and takes her away in his chariot. The vulture Jatayu tries to stop Ravana, but Ravana is too strong. Rama and Lakshmana return to find Sita gone; Jatayu tells them that Ravana took her and went south before he dies.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: The word "sanyasi" refers to someone who has renounced the material world and is living the life of an ascetic. You can find out more about the stage of life called <b><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sannyasa">sannyasa</a></i></b> in this Wikipedia article. As that article explains, the <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sannyasa#Etymology_and_synonyms">literal meaning</a></b> of the word "sannyasa" is to "put everything down," i.e. renunciation, to set aside the material world.</blockquote>
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<b>Rama and the Monkeys (pp. 18-22)</b>. Heading south, Rama and Lakshmana meet Sugriva, brother Vali, king of the monkeys, and his friend Hanuman. They help Sugriva defeat Vali, and Sugriva becomes king. Rama gives Hanuman his ring and sends her in search of Sita. Hanuman and the monkeys go to the southern tip of India, and then Hanuman leaps to Lanka. He finds Sita there, being held prisoner. He gives her the ring and promises to take news of her to Rama. He fights with the demons and even kills Ravana's son, Akshaya Kumar. Ravana sends his son Meghanada to capture Hanuman. Meghanada brings Hanuman before Ravana, and Ravana sets Hanuman's tail on fire. Hanuman grows to a gigantic size, which allows him to set all of Lanka on fire. Hanuman then returns to Rama with news of Sita.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: Meghanada is better know as Indrajit, the "Conqueror-of-Indra," because when Ravana attacked the gods in their heaven, Indrajit defeated Indra. You can read more about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indrajit">Indrajit</a></b> (Meghanada) at Wikipedia; Meghanada is the Sanskrit form of the name, while Meghnad is a modern version (much like Rama is Ram, Lakshmana is Lakshman, etc.). There is also an article at Wikipedia about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akshayakumara">Akshayakumara</a></b>, who was Ravana's youngest son. </blockquote>
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<b>Vibhishana (pp. 23-25)</b>. Rama leads his army of monkeys and bears to Lanka. Ravana's virtuous brother Vibhishana urges him to return Sita to Rama, but this infuriates Ravana. Vibhishana then goes over to Rama's side, and Rama accepts him as an ally. The monkeys build a bridge across the sea, and Rama then sends Vali's son Angada as an ambassador to Ravana, offering peace in exchange for Sita. Ravana refuses the peace offer.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: There is also a detailed article at Wikipedia about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibhishana">Vibhishana</a></b>, along with a great article about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam%27s_Bridge">Rama's bridge to Lanka</a></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>The War (pp. 25-28)</b>. Meghanada wounds Lakshmana, and Hanuman brings the physician Sushena... and he brings Sushena's house too! Sushena says he needs the sanjeevani herb which grows on a far-away hill, so Hanuman flies away and brings back the hill itself so that Sushena can revive Lakshmana. Ravana's brother Kumbhakarna slaughters many of the monkeys before Rama is able to kill him, and then Lakshmana kills Meghanada. When Ravana hears his son is dead, he goes into battle himself.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can read more about Hanuman and the Medicine Hill in this comic book: <b><i><u><a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/05/guide-hanuman-to-rescue.html">Hanuman to the Rescue: Hanuman Brings the Sanjeevani</a></u></i></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>Rama's Victory (pp. 28-32)</b>. Ravana uses all twenty of his arms to attack Rama and Lakshmana, while Rama rides out to challenge him in a chariot given to him by the god Indra. Ravana then uses his magical powers to conjure up more Ravanas. Rama slices off one head after another with his arrows, but Ravana keeps on fighting. Finally Vibhishana reveals that Ravana's nectar of life is in his navel, so Rama is able to kill Ravana by shooting an arrow into his navel. Rama makes Vibhishana king of Lanka, and he returns to Ayodhya with Sita, traveling in Pushpaka, the flying chariot, where he crowned king at last.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: There is a detailed article at Wikipedia about the <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimana">Pushpaka Vimana</a></b>. For the story of how Ravana came into the possession of the Pushpaka, see this comic book: <b><a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/05/guide-kubera.html">Kubera: The Lord of Wealth</a></b>.</blockquote>
Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-33041413451395689192019-08-31T18:27:00.001-04:002019-08-31T18:27:17.302-04:00Guide: HanumanThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-hanuman">Hanuman: The Epitome of Devotion and Courage</a></i></b> (Volume 502). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003DZ1MXS/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
<br />
Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.502</b><br />
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<br />
See the detailed Reading Guide below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGVyTLVrLY6Ti0Zbr4F0hPYA6tEdqYTTuZsV1OKNu90mmhhcaeb_gzA8iI32BB1PlJGu2pxW9fA2Of3PRvouwMoJRpHznF8jsS0K9if_kqZ2Yz4eQNLtKe_d09U3eajQRmUhffrOLBqph/s1600/HANUMAN_0__5.1425045861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGVyTLVrLY6Ti0Zbr4F0hPYA6tEdqYTTuZsV1OKNu90mmhhcaeb_gzA8iI32BB1PlJGu2pxW9fA2Of3PRvouwMoJRpHznF8jsS0K9if_kqZ2Yz4eQNLtKe_d09U3eajQRmUhffrOLBqph/s1600/HANUMAN_0__5.1425045861.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Hanuman and Rama (pp. 1-3)</b>. When he was little Hanuman grabbed at the sun, thinking it was a fruit to eat. He got stronger as he grew, and saved Sugriva from a wild elephant. When Sugriva had to flee his brother Vali by going into exile in the wilderness, Hanuman joined him. It was in the wilderness that Hanuman first met Rama and his brother Lakshmana; not sure who they were, Hanuman disguised himself as an ascetic. Overwhelmed by love for Rama, Hanuman then revealed who he was and carried Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders to meet with Sugriva.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: The usual version of the story is that Hanuman thought the sun was a mango; more about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman#Childhood">Hanuman's childhood</a></b> at Wikipedia. Pavana is another name for <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vayu">Vayu</a></b>, the god of wind. You can read more about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugriva">Sugriva</a></b> and his brother <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vali_(Ramayana)">Vali</a> </b>at Wikipedia, and there is also an article about the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanara" style="font-weight: bold;">vanaras</a>, often translated "monkeys" in English.</blockquote>
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<b>Sugriva and Vali (pp. 4-6)</b>. Sugriva tells Rama about how he had trapped his brother Vali in a cave, thinking he was dead, and how Vali emerged from the cave, furious to discover that Sugriva had taken the throne in Vali's absence. Rama agrees to help Vali defeat his brother. Sugriva then shows Rama the jewels that fell from the sky; Rama recognizes them as belonging to his wife Sita, who has been kidnapped by Ravana, king of the rakshasas. Sugriva duels with Vali, but Rama cannot tell who is who. The next time they fight, Sugriva wears a garland and this allows Rama to recognize Vali and kill him. Sugriva becomes king again, and Vali's son Angada is made crown prince.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can read all about the conflict between Vali and Sugriva in this comic: <i><a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/05/guide-vali.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Vali: The Downfall of an Arrogant King</a>.</i></blockquote>
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<b>Leap to Lanka (pp. 4-9)</b>. Sugriva then sends Hanuman and the other monkeys to search for Sita. When Hanuman, Angada, and Jambavan, king of the bears, reach the southern shore, Sampati the vulture king tells them Sita is in Lanka. Hanuman leaps all the way to Lanka. Along the way he rests on Mount Mainaka, who is a friend of Hanuman's father, and he also battles with the monster Surasa.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: There are some wonderful illustrations of this episode in the Wikipedia article about the monster <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surasa">Surasa</a></b>. Valmiki's <b><i><a href="http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rama/ry344.htm">Ramayana</a></i></b> tells the story of Mount Mainaka in detail: Mount Mainaka was hiding under the water to escape from the god Indra who wanted to cut off the wings of all the mountains; Vayu, Hanuman's father had rescued the mountain by blowing it into the ocean. After Mainaka helped Hanuman, Indra was so impressed that he then came to see the mountain and promised not to cut off Mainaka's wings, so Mainaka is the only winged mountain left in the world.</blockquote>
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<b>Hanuman and Sita (pp. 10-13)</b>. Hanuman looks everywhere in Lanka for Sita. He sees Ravana's many wives in the palace, and he sees Ravana himself. At first the thinks Mandodari, Ravana's wife, might be Sita, but he realizes Sita would never give herself to Ravana. Finally he finds Sita in the ashoka garden. Hanuman hides and listens as Ravana tries to seduce Sita. He then hears the rakshasis teasing Sita. When Sita is alone at last, Hanuman goes to her and gives her Rama's ring. He offers to take Sita away, but Sita decides to stay so that Rama will come and defeat Ravana once and for all.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: What the comic book does not explain was that Ravana could not force Sita because of a curse resulting from his rape of the apsara Rambha; you can read more about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rambha_(apsara)">Rambha</a></b> at Wikipedia.</blockquote>
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<b>Fire in Lanka (pp. 13-17)</b>. Hanuman then starts uprooting the trees and attacking the rakshasas, who are terrified of him. Indrajit, Ravana's son, then used his snake-arrows to capture Hanuman. Ravana wants to execute Hanuman, but his virtuous brother Vibhishana urges him to treat Rama's messenger with respect. Ravana decides to set Hanuman's tail on fire, but Hanuman's tail grows so large that they run out of oil. When they set the fail on fire, Hanuman runs through the streets and sets all of Lanka on fire, and then plunges his tail in the ocean before leaping back to India.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: Indrajit's weapon is called a <i>nagastra</i> or a <i>nagapasha</i> in Sanskrit; you can read more about this weapons and other supernatural weapons in the <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astra_(weapon)">Astras</a></b> article at Wikipedia, and there is also a detailed article about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indrajit">Indrajit</a></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>March to Lanka (pp. 17-21)</b>. When Hanuman returns, Rama raises an army of monkeys and bears to march on Lanka. The monkey engineer Nala builds a bridge so that they can cross the ocean. Ravana's brother Vibhishana decides to ally himself with Rama. On the way to Lanka, Hanuman carries Rama on his shoulders and Angada carries Lakshmana.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: There is a fascinating article about the Rama Setu, or Rama's Bridge, at Wikipedia. The title of the article is <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam%27s_Bridge">Adam's Bridge</a></b> because of an Islamic tradition that associates Sri Lanka with Adam (see the article <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam%27s_Peak">Adam's Peak</a></b>), so when a British mapmaker drew the bridge on a map in 1804, he used the name "Adam's Bridge."</blockquote>
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<b>The Battle Rages (pp. 22-24)</b>. When Hanuman and Vibhishana capture some rakshasa spies, Rama sends them back to Ravana to warn him. Ravana is not afraid, and vows to destroy Rama and all his allies. The rakshasa general Jambumali fights with Hanuman, but Hanuman smashes his chariot and lifts up Rama and Lakshmana so they can rain down arrows on their enemies. Hanuman slays the rakshasa general Dhumraksha, and he crushes the giant Akampana with a tree.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: According to some versions of the story, Dhumraksha and Akampana were both sons of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumali">Sumali</a></b>, Ravana's grandfather. You can find out more about Sumali and the history of Ravana's family in this comic book: <b><i><a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/05/guide-kubera.html">Kubera, The Lord of Wealth</a></i></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>Hanuman and the Mountain (pp. 24-27)</b>. Using his power of invisibility, Indrajit manages to shoot Lakshmana. The physician Sushena says he needs the sanjeevani plant to heal Lakshmana, so Hanuman flies to Mount Gandhamandan to look for the plant; unable to find the plant, he brings the whole mountain back with him. The plant cures Lakshmana and brings thousands of monkeys back to life.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can read all about this episode in a different comic book: <a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/05/guide-hanuman-to-rescue.html"><b><i>Hanuman to the Rescue: Hanuman Brings the Sanjeevani</i></b></a>.</blockquote>
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<b>Victory for Rama (pp. 27-32)</b>. With Hanuman's help, Rama destroys Ravana's chariot, but he lets Ravana go rather than kill an unarmed enemy. In desperation, Ravana decides to wake up his brother Kumbhakarna. Although Kumbhakarna is a fierce warrior, Rama defeats him. Meanwhile, Lakshmana interrupted Indrajit during a prayer that would have made him invincible, killing him with an arrow. Ravana rides out on the battlefield again, and Rama finally defeats him. Vibhishana becomes king, Rama and Sita are reunited, and Hanuman takes the news of victory to Ayodhya, announcing Rama's return. When Rama sends all his other allies back home, Hanuman will not leave, vowing to stay with Rama forever.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can read more about the defeat of Kumbhakarna in this comic book: <a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/04/guide-kumbhakarna-vol-528.html"><b>Kumbhakarna: The Sleeping </b></a><br />
<a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/04/guide-kumbhakarna-vol-528.html"><b>Giant</b></a>. Hanuman's absolute devotion to Rama and Sita is often represented in visual form by having Hanuman open up his heart to show that Rama and Sita are there inside, as you can see in these <b><a href="http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Images%3A%20Hanuman%20-%20Heart">images of Hanuman</a></b>.</blockquote>
Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-10391764160488640632019-08-31T18:27:00.000-04:002019-08-31T18:27:06.748-04:00Guide: DasharathaThis is a guide to <a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-dasharatha"><b><i>Dasharatha: The Story of Rama's Father</i></b></a> (Volume 570). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0060ZXSS0/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
<br />
Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.570</b><br />
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See the detailed Reading Guide below.</div>
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<b>The Hunting Accident (pp. 1-4)</b>. The young Dasharatha accidentally kills a young boy while hunting in the dark and must tell the boy's old, blind parents what happened. The old man curses Dasharatha: "Your son too shall be parted from you, and you shall die grieving for him."<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: In other accounts this boy is named <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shravan">Shravan</a></b>; you can learn more at Wikipedia.</blockquote>
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<b>Queen Kaikeyi (pp. 4-8)</b>. Dasharatha also married three women: Kaushalya, Kaikeyi (promising Kaikeyi's father Ashwapati that her son would be heir to the throne), and Sumitra, but none of them bore him a son. The god Indra had sought Dasharatha's help in the war between the gods (devas) and demons (asuras), and Kaikeyi rode with Dasharatha when he went to help Indra battle the asura Shambara. She saved his life on the battlefield, and he granted her two wishes whenever she wanted them.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can read more both about the god <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indra">Indra</a></b> and the asura <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambara">Shambara</a></b> at Wikipedia.</blockquote>
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<b>The Sons of Dasharatha (pp. 8-10)</b>. Dasharatha decides to perform a sacrifice to the gods so that they will grant him a son. A celestial being emerged from the sacrificial fire for payasa (rice pudding); he told Dasharatha that if his wives ate the payasa, they would have sons. Kaushalya gave birth to Rama, Kaikeyi to Bharata, and Sumitra to Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Rama was everyone's favorite; even Kaikeyi agreed that Rama would be the best king to rule after Dasharatha, although there was a rivalry between Kaushalya and Kaikeyi.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: Another name for this rice pudding, called payasa in the comic book, is kheer. You can read more about it at <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kheer">Wikipedia</a></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>Vishvamitra (pp. 11-15)</b>. Vishvamitra asks for Rama's help in doing battle with the rakshasas who disturb his sacrifices. Dasharatha reluctantly agrees to send Rama and Lakshmana. News then comes that Rama has won Sita, the daughter of King Janaka, as his bride, and Janaka offers his daughter Urmila as a bride for Lakshmana and his nieces as brides for Bharata and Shatrughna.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: Vishvamitra is one of the most famous of the Indian sages, and he is involved in many adventures beyond the stories recounted in the <i>Ramayana. </i>You can read more about Vishvamitra at <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishvamitra">Wikipedia</a></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>Dasharatha's Plans (pp. 15-19)</b>. Bharata's uncle, Yudhajit, has taken him to visit his grandfather, Ashwapati. Dasharatha decides to name Rama as "yuvarajah," or crown prince, the heir apparent. Rama is surprised that he will be made king while Bharata is away, but he agrees to his father's wishes. Kaikeyi's servant Manthara, eavesdropping, finds out what is happening and informs Kaikeyi.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can learn more about Kaikeyi and her family in the article about Kaikeyi at <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaikeyi">Wikipedia</a></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>Manthara and Kaikeyi (pp. 19-22)</b>. Kaikeyi is at first delighted to hear the news about Rama from Manthara, but Manthara then turns her heart against Rama, and she persuades Kaikeyi to ask for her two wishes from Dasharatha: to make Bharata king and to send Rama into exile.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: In some versions of the story, Manthara has hated Rama ever since he was a small boy. You can read about that at <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manthara">Wikipedia</a></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>Kaikeyi and Dasharatha (pp. 23-27)</b>. Despite Dasharatha's desperate protests, Kaikeyi insists that he honor his promise and grant her wish that Bharata be made king and Rama go into exile for fourteen years.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: The place where Kaikeyi awaits Dasharatha is the <i>kopa gruha</i> (or <i>kopa bhavan, kopa mandir</i>), the "anger room." </blockquote>
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<b>Dasharatha's End (pp. 28-32)</b>. Rama learns of the change in plans and obeys without question, and departs into exile with Lakshmana and Sita. Dasharatha rejects Kaikeyi and spends his last days with Kaushalya. On the sixth night of Rama's exile, he remembers the old curse and dies. Bharata, however, will not rule in Rama's stead; he refuses to be crowned king and places Rama's sandals on the throne.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: The Sanskrit term for these slippers or sandals is paduka; you can read more at <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paduka">Wikipedia</a></b>.</blockquote>
<br />Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-46917914254367629152019-08-31T18:26:00.004-04:002019-08-31T18:26:55.819-04:00Guide: SavitriThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-savitri">Savitri: The Perfect Wife</a></i></b> (Volume 511). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00352DN8G/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.511</b><br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Summary</b>: The story of Princess Savitri (as told in the Mahabharata) is one of the most famous Indian legends. The story begins with Savitri's miraculous birth and then Savitri's journey to find a husband of her own choosing. She falls in love with the impoverished son of an exiled king, Satyavan, and marries him despite ill omens and her father's protests. Savitri goes to live with Satyavan in the forest and in the end she will have to confront Yama, the God of Death, face to face. You can read more about Savitri and other versions of her story at <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savitri_and_Satyavan">Wikipedia</a></b>.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-23886245739553613152019-08-31T18:26:00.003-04:002019-08-31T18:26:48.240-04:00Guide: TulsidasThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="http://www.amarchitrakatha.com/in/tulsidas">Tulsidas: The Poet Who Wrote Ram-Charit-Manas</a></i></b> (Volume 551). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00352DIMW/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.551</b><br />
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We also have an Amar Chitra Katha comic book version of <b><a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/06/guide-tulsidas-ramayana.html">Tulsidas' <i>Ram-Charit Manas</i></a></b>!<br />
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<i><b>Summary</b>: </i>Tulsidas was a poet and saint (1532-1623), author of one of the most famous versions of the <i>Ramayana</i>. The comic book begins with the sinister omens surrounding Tulsidas's birth. Tulsidas devoted himself to Rama, and eventually left his family to preach the story of Rama in Hindi. He experienced visions of Hanuman, Rama and Lakshmana, and Shiva, and he was also involved in the politics of his time (you can read about <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharana_Pratap">Rana Pratap</a></b> at Wikipedia). For more about Tulsidas, see <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsidas">Wikipedia: Tulsidas</a></b>.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-5161905321786178092019-08-31T18:26:00.002-04:002019-08-31T18:26:40.858-04:00Guide: SuryaThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="http://www.amarchitrakatha.com/in/surya">Surya: How the Sun God Was Tamed</a></i></b> (Volume 566). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/8184820550/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.566</b><br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Summary</i>: The story begins with Sanjna, the daughter of Vishwakarma. She loves Surya, and her father arranges their marriage. They have a son: Manu. One day, unable to bear Surya's light, she turns away, and so he curses her to give birth to Yama, the god of death, and his inconstant twin, the girl Yamuna. Sanjna summons her own shadow, Chhaya, and sends her to Surya in her place, while she returns home, but her father sends her away, so she turns herself into a horse. Chhaya has more children with the sun, and she loves them more than Sanjna's children. Yama denounces the false Sanjna and Surya confronts her. Surya seeks Sunjna, she turns back into a woman, and they all make a family together, Surya, Sanjna and Chhaya, and their children.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-36561310725201280182019-08-31T18:26:00.001-04:002019-08-31T18:26:33.848-04:00Guide: SaraswatiThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-saraswati">Saraswati: Stories of the Goddess of Wisdom</a></i></b> (Volume 840; not available yet at Amazon).<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.840</b><br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Summary</b>: This comic book contains several separate stories — and some beautiful artwork! "The Birth of Saraswati" tells how the goddess of wisdom emerged from Brahma's meditation and how Brahma grew new heads in order to gaze at her from every direction. In "Saraswati Becomes a River," the all-consuming fire of Vadavagni threatens to destroy the world, so Saraswati becomes a river to carry the fire away; it also tells the story of King Prabhanjana who was cursed to become a tiger. The "River of Blood" tells how Vishvamitra cursed Saraswati to become filled with blood and how the sages were able to reverse the curse and purify the river's waters.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-55623431780645112892019-08-31T18:26:00.000-04:002019-08-31T18:26:26.169-04:00Guide: The Churning of the OceanThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-the-churning-of-the-ocean">The Churning of the Ocean</a></i></b> (Volume 538). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0046A9PZQ/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.538</b><br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Summary</i>: The sage Durvasa receives a fragrant garland from an apsara; he gives it to Indra, and Airavata flings it on the ground. Durvasa is angry and curses Indra; the gods and all the natural world begin to grow weak, and the asuras are able to defeat them in battle. Vishnu urges them to make peace with the asuras, and then to churn the amrita nectar from the ocean with the asuras' help, but to keep all the nectar for themselves. The gods go to Bali, lord of the asuras, to make peace, and they persuade the asuras to help them churn the Ocean of Milk. With the help of Vishnu and Garuda, they use Mount Mandara as the churning rod, and they use Vasuki as the churning rope, with Vishnu's avatar, Kurma the tortoise, as the base on which the mountain sits. The asuras are holding Vasuki's head, and the smoking fumes from his mouths choke them. Then the poisonous Halahala emerges from the ocean, but Shiva drinks it up, which turns his throat blue. All kinds of marvelous creatures emerge from the churning, and finally Shri emerges, captivating all the gods and asuras, and she chooses Vishnu as her consort. Finally, Dhanvantari emerges from the ocean, carrying the nectar, and the asuras grab it. Vishnu takes the form of Mohini, a beautiful woman, and the asuras want her to distribute the nectar. She gives nectar to the gods, just smiling at the asuras, but the asura Rahu becomes suspicious; he sneaks into the group of gods and begins to drink the nectar, but Vishnu cuts off Rahu's head just as he begins to swallow the nectar, and Rahu's head shoots off into the sky. The asuras realize the gods have tricked them, and a fight breaks out. Vishnu uses his Sudarshana Chakra to kill thousands of asuras, and the asuras hurl mountains at the gods. In the end, the gods defeat the asuras and return to their heavenly home.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-8129978782982835292019-08-28T22:56:00.001-04:002019-08-28T22:56:17.864-04:00Guide: Sati and ShivaThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-sati-and-shiva">Sati and Shiva: Perfection Rewarded</a></i></b> (Volume 550). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/8175080442/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.550</b><br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Summary</i>: The goddess Uma was born on earth as Sati, daughter of Daksha, to become Shiva's wife. Shiva is so impressed by her devotional practices that he agrees to marry her. Daksha is not happy with her choice, and he scorns Shiva, refusing to invite the married couple to his great sacrifice, but Sati goes anyway, riding on Nandi. Daksha continues to insult Shiva, and in her shame Sati decides to die so that she can be reborn as the daughter of a more worthy father. She casts herself into the fire and dies. A huge fight breaks out between Shiva's attendants and demons loyal to Daksha, and Shiva's attendants retreat to Mount Kailash.<br />
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When Shiva hears what happened, he pulls out a clump of his hair and generates Virabhadra and Mahakali, and then he sends them to attack Daksha. Another huge fight breaks out, with Indra helping to defend Daksha from Virabhadra and Mahakali. Vishnu also attacks Virabhadra, but cannot stop him, and Virabhadra finally tears off Daksha's head and throws it into the sacrificial fire. Vishnu and Brahma persuade Shiva to revive Daksha to complete the sacrifice, but he will have the head of a goat.<br />
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Sati, meanwhile, will be reborn as Parvati so that she can again be Shiva's consort. You can read about Shiva and Parvati here: <b><i><a href="http://ackguide.blogspot.com/2015/07/guide-shiva-parvati.html">Shiva Parvati: A Story of Divine Love</a></i></b>.<br />
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Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509978561222852286.post-62554383773547472882019-08-28T22:56:00.000-04:002019-08-28T22:56:03.736-04:00Guide: VishvamitraThis is a guide to <b><i><a href="https://www.amarchitrakatha.com/us/uc-vishwamitra">Vishvamitra: The King Who Became an Ascetic</a></i></b> (Volume 599). You can find it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00352FQPO/bestiarialati-20">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Bizzell Reserves call number: <b>PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.599</b><br />
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See the detailed Reading Guide below.</div>
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<b>Vishvamitra and Vasishtha (pp. 1-4)</b>. As the story begins, note that Vishvamitra is a king. He is impressed by the lifestyle of the sage Vashishtha. Vishvamitra is also amazed by Vashishtha's cow Kamadhenu, but Vashishtha refuses to sell him the cow at any price.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can read about these two very famous figures at Wikipedia: <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishvamitra">Vishvamitra</a></b> and <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vashistha">Vashishtha</a></b>. There is also an article about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamadhenu">Kamadhenu</a></b>!</blockquote>
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<b>Stealing Kamadhenu (pp. 4-7)</b>. Unable to buy the cow, King Vishvamitra steals her. Kamadhenu escapes back to Vashishtha and complains. She then conjures up an army to fight Vishvamitra's soldiers. Vashishtha then burns Vishvamitra's sons and horses to ashes.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: The power of the sages often manifests in the form of heat. For more about the "heat" of spiritual practices, see this article about <i><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas_(Sanskrit)">tapas</a></b></i> at Wikipedia.</blockquote>
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<b>Vishvamitra's New Powers (pp. 8-13)</b>. Vishvamitra bestows the kingdom on his one remaining son and goes to the Himalayas to practice austerities. Shiva rewards him with a knowledge of weapons and warfare, and Vishvamitra then challenges Vashishtha. Vashishtha halted all of his weapons, even the Brahmastra. Vishvamitra vows to become a great sage, a brahmarshi, like Vashishtha. Vishvamitra takes his queen to live with him in a hermitage, and she gives birth to more sons there. The god Brahma recognizes Vishvamitra as a <i>rajarshi</i>, "king-become-rishi."<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: The supernatural <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmastra">Brahmastra</a></b> weapon also has an article at Wikipedia. You can also read about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishi">rishis</a></b> at Wikipedia, and there is also an article about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmarshi">brahmarshis</a> </b>and about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajarshi" style="font-weight: bold;">rajarshis</a>.</blockquote>
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<b>Trishanku's Wish (pp. 13-18)</b>. While Vishvamitra is becoming a sage in his own right, King Trishanku seeks Vashishta's help to visit heaven because Vashishtha is his guru. When Vashishtha refuses him, he goes to Vashishtha's sons for help. They are outraged and curse him to become a chandala (lower caste or outcaste). In desperation, Trishanku goes to Vishvamitra, and Vishvamitra agrees to help him. The devas (gods), however, do not respond to Vishvamitra's sacrifice.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can read more about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trishanku">Trishanku</a></b> at Wikipedia. There is also an article about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandala" style="font-weight: bold;">chandalas</a>, and you can also learn about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru">gurus</a></b> there.</blockquote>
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<b>Trishanku's Fate (pp. 18-21)</b>. Vishvamitra then uses his own powers to cause Trishanku to ascend to heaven, but the gods push him back. Vishvamitra creates a new heaven in the sky for Trishanku, and vows to make Trishanku king of the gods. The gods agree to let Trishanku remain in heaven as a constellation, head down, and now they fear Vishvamitra's powers.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: The constellation associated with Trishanku in the Indian tradition is the one that is called "The Southern Cross" in the European tradition. You can read more about that constellation at <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crux">Wikipedia</a></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>Ambarisha (pp. 21-24)</b>. Ambarisha, the king of Ayodhya, has lost his sacrificial animal. In fact, the god Indra has stolen it. Seeking a human sacrifice, Ambarisha goes to the sage Richika and asks him for his son. Richika refuses, but his son Shunahshepa volunteers. On their way back to Ayodhya, they pass by the hermitage of Shunahshepa's uncle: Vishvamitra! None of Vishvamitra's sons will take Shunahshepa's place, so Vishvamitra curses his sons and then teaches Shunahshepa powerful mantras to use for protection. Hearing the mantras, Indra spares Shunahshepa from the sacrifice.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can read more about the god <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indra">Indra</a></b> at Wikipedia. There are is also an article about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambarisha">Ambarisha</a></b>. You can also learn about the power of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantra">mantras</a></b>.</blockquote>
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<b>Menaka (pp. 25-27)</b>. While practicing his spiritual discipline, Vishvamitra sees the sage Menaka and falls in love with her. Only later, he realizes the gods sent her to entrap him. He sends Menaka away, returns to his spiritual practices, and finally Brahma recognizes him as a maharshi (great-rishi), but Vishvamitra still wants to be a brahmarshi and practices even greater austerities.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: There are articles at Wikipedia about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menaka">Menaka</a></b> and about the other heavenly nymphs called <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apsara">apsaras</a></b> in Sanskrit.</blockquote>
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<b>Rambha (pp. 28-32)</b>. The god Indra decides to tempt Vishvamitra again, this time with the apsara named Rambha. She is frightened and refuses, but Indra promises to protect her, disguising himself as a cuckoo. Vishvamitra sees through the trick and curses Rambha to turn into a rock. Indra tries again to trick Vishvamitra, but Vishvamitra keeps getting stronger and stronger. Brahma finally makes Vishvamitra a brahmarshi, and Vashishtha salutes him.<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Additional reading</b>: You can read more about <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rambha_(apsara)">Rambha</a></b> at Wikipedia; she plays an important role in Ravana's life story!</blockquote>
<br />Laura Gibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994025992373244815noreply@blogger.com