Guide: Hakka and Bukka

This is a guide to Hakka and Bukka: Founders of the Vijaynagar Empire (Volume 795). You can find it at Amazon.

All the ACK comic books are on Reserve in Bizzell, and the call number for this issue is: PN 6790.I443 A437 v.795

You can read more at Wikipedia about Hakka, Bukka, and the Vijaynagar Empire 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 Wikipedia). In defeat, the brothers must disguise themselves and go into hiding; that is when they meet sage Vidyaranya who uses the words of the Bhagavad-Gita to summon men to their army ("And the Lord said: Action, then, O Arjuna, is thy duty; the fruit thereof is not thy concern"). 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.

You can also read about Hakka and Bukka in this comic book: Heroes of Hampi, 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.

Guide: Savitri

This is a guide to Savitri: The Perfect Wife (Volume 511). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Reserves call number: PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.511

Summary: 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 Wikipedia.

Guide: Tulsidas

This is a guide to Tulsidas: The Poet Who Wrote Ram-Charit-Manas (Volume 551). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Reserves call number: PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.551

We also have an Amar Chitra Katha comic book version of Tulsidas' Ram-Charit Manas!

Summary: Tulsidas was a poet and saint (1532-1623), author of one of the most famous versions of the Ramayana. 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 Rana Pratap at Wikipedia). For more about Tulsidas, see Wikipedia: Tulsidas.

Guide: Sukanya

This is a guide to Sukanya: The Princess who Married a Sage (Volume 759). You can find it at Amazon.

All the ACK comic books are on Reserve in Bizzell, and the call number for this issue is: PN 6790.I443 A437 v. 759

The story begins with a sage named Chyavana who is covered by an anthill during his meditations, and Princess Sukanya accidentally does him a terrible injury, not realizing what she was doing. She vows to the goddess Durga that she will marry the sage and serve him, helping him with his yagnas (sacrificial rituals). The Ashwin gods arrive, and Sukanya hopes they will cure Chyavana's blindness. They promise to do so, but only if Sukanya can identify her husband after they have transformed him to look like themselves; the goddess Durga assists her so that she does, indeed, pass the test.

This motif of having to choose the mortal from divine look-alikes also shows up in the famous story of Damayanti and Nala.

Guide: Nala Damayanti

This is a guide to Nala Damayanti: The Steadfast Lovers (Volume 507). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Reserves call number: PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.507

Summary: This elaborate legend, very much like a fairy tale, is told in the Mahabharata and it has many points of comparison with the adventures of Draupadi and her husbands. A supernatural swan carries news of King Nala to Princess Damayanti, and she resolves to marry him. When Nala loses everything in a gambling match, Damayanti goes with him into the forest where he abandons her. It is only after many trials and tribulations that they are finally reunited. You can read more about this famous story at Wikipedia.

Guide: Nachiketa

This is a guide to Nachiketa: A Collection Of Stories From The Upanishads (Volume 702). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Reserves call number: PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.702

Summary: The first story is Nachiketa, who is the son of the sage Vajashrava, and even as a young boy he is occupied with spiritual questions. When his pet deer dies, Nachiketa wants to know whether there is life after death. In a moment of anger, his father curses him to become a gift to Yama, the god of death. Nachiketa obediently marches to the abode of Yama, and Yama grants him three boons. Nachiketa asks for his father to be cheerful, then he asks for a sacrificial rite to alleviate hunger and thirst, and then he wants to know whether there is life after death. When Nachiketa insists on an answer, Yama enlightens him, and Nachiketa goes back home to his father.

The next story is about a boy named Satyakama wants to be the disciple of the sage Gautama. Gautama accepts him as his pupil and sends him on a journey to tend a herd of cows. One of the bulls of the herd speaks to him about finding Brahman, and Satyakama is enlightened.

In the final story, Prajapati, the gods seek advice from Prajapati about their dissatisfaction with their easy lives (this story comes from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad). Meanwhile, the men living on earth are unhappy with their lives of hard work. The asuras, likewise, were unhappy with their lives spent striking fear into the hearts of men and gods. The gods, men, and asuras all seek Prajapati's advice. He says only, "Da." The gods conclude that this means "Damyata," telling the gods to restrain themselves in order to achieve joy. The humans think it means "Datta," urging them to give generously and find joy in giving. The asuras decide it means "Dayadhvam," which means they should show compassion, which brings joy.

Guide: Vasavadatta the Princess

This is a guide to Vasavadatta: The Princess who Captivated a True Kshatriya (Volume 674). You can find it at Amazon.

All the ACK comic books are on Reserve in Bizzell, and the call number for this issue is: PN 6790.I443 A437 v.674

This is a classical Sanskrit romance story, dating to perhaps around the year 700 C.E. You can find out more at Wikipedia. This comic book version, however, is quite different, and is based on the Buddhist legend instead, focusing on the fairy-tale love story between the princess Vasavadatta, daughter of King Pradyota, and her father's rival, King Udayana.

My favorite part involves what you could call a "Trojan Elephant," but I won't say anything more about that (spoilers!). I also like the way King Udayana's skills involve playing the veena. Part of being a "true kshatriya" involves musicianship!

Guide: Andhaka

This is a guide to Andhaka: The Dark Lord Who Saw Light (Volume 712). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.712

Guide: Chandrahasa

This is a guide to Chandrahasa: Faith Cannot Be Vanquished (Volume 697). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.697

Guide: Nahusha

This is a guide to Nahusha: He Became the King Of Heaven (Volume 695). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.695

Guide: Ramakrishna

This is a guide to Sri Ramakrishna: The Saint of Dakshineswar (Volume 595). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.595

Guide: Kacha and Devayani

This is a guide to Kacha and Devayani: Star-Crossed Lovers (Volume 661). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.661

Guide: Aruni and Uttanka

This is a guide to Aruni and Uttanka: Tales Of Devotion And Reward (Volume 652). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.652

Guide: Zarathushtra

This is a guide to Zarathushtra: God's Messenger From Ancient Persia (Volume 738). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.738

Guide: Hiuen Tsang

This is a guide to Hiuen Tsang: A Buddhist Pilgrim From China (Volume 691). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.691

Guide: Fa Hien

This is a guide to Fa Hien: The Fearless Monk (Volume 680). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.680

Guide: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

This is a guide to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: The Miracle Messenger Of Love (Volume 631). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.631

Guide: Chokha Mela

This is a guide to Chokha Mela: The Boy Who Heard God (Volume 744). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.744

Guide: Anant Pai

This is a guide to Anant Pai: Master Storyteller (Volume 834). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.834

Guide: Kalidasa

This is a guide to Kalidasa: Master Poet And Dramatist (Volume 600). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Call Number PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.600