Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Journal #6
There is evidence that this battle is both a psychological one and a spiritual one. Throughout the enitre chapter both Rama and Ravana have to seek counsol from those who support them that they can infact defeat their enemy. Along with that, Rama has to be careful and very wise. He continues to show his nobility by waiting for Ravana to gain back strength before fighting again. (pg. 158) Along with the battle being a psychological one it also spiritual beacuse the "weapons" that Ravana and Rama use are ones that come from the gods. They both pray and worship before using these weapons and before continuing on into the next phase of battle. This ties in with the Hindu religion because they revere their gods and worship them before doing anything of great meaning.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Journal #5
Is Rama sexist? Why or why not?
I personally think that Rama is sexist because on page 116 Rama says that "women can lead one to death." He blames all problems on women and getting one into trouble. I think this is unfair because the men of this book are the ones who get themselves involved with battle and end up killing themselves. I think Rama has respect for women but he generalizes that men are ultimately better.
I personally think that Rama is sexist because on page 116 Rama says that "women can lead one to death." He blames all problems on women and getting one into trouble. I think this is unfair because the men of this book are the ones who get themselves involved with battle and end up killing themselves. I think Rama has respect for women but he generalizes that men are ultimately better.
Journal #4
How's your kharma?
If I had one day to do over, I would choose the day I had my first kiss. I know that may sound cheesy or dumb but I believe that had I handled the situation differently the outcome would have been different. Not once in that relationship did I ever fully come out and say how I really felt. I think this blew any chance for a deeper or longer lasting relationship. I didn't do my part or hold up my end. Had I said what I really felt, instead of keeping it in because I was afraid, I'm pretty sure our relationship would be different today. Although we still remain friends, I wish I had not let the fear of speaking my mind not get in the way. It could have saved a lot of questioning and heartbreak in the long run.
If I had one day to do over, I would choose the day I had my first kiss. I know that may sound cheesy or dumb but I believe that had I handled the situation differently the outcome would have been different. Not once in that relationship did I ever fully come out and say how I really felt. I think this blew any chance for a deeper or longer lasting relationship. I didn't do my part or hold up my end. Had I said what I really felt, instead of keeping it in because I was afraid, I'm pretty sure our relationship would be different today. Although we still remain friends, I wish I had not let the fear of speaking my mind not get in the way. It could have saved a lot of questioning and heartbreak in the long run.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Journal #3
Why is Rama so inclined to sympathize with Sugreeva?
Rama is inclined to sympathize with Sugreeva for many reasons. One of the most prominant reasons would be the fact that both Ram and Sugreeva have had their wives taken from them. "When Vali went back, he not only resumed his authority as a ruler over the kingdom (which he had not really lost), but alos forcibly aquired Sugreeva's wife and made her his own. And now Sugreeva has neither a home nor wife." (pg. 101) Also, Rama sympathizes whith Sugreeva having to deal with Vali's harshness and wrath towards his brother for doing nothing wrong. Rama has promised Sugreeva that he wil fight his brother Vali so that all will be well. Sugreeva asks Rama to prove himself. "Then Rama took out an arrow and shot it through not only the trunks of the seven trees but also through the seven worlds, and the seven seas, and all things seven; and then it returned to its starting point in the quiver. Sugreeva was overwhelmed at this demonstration and bowed his head in humility, convinced now that he was in the presence of a saviour." (pg. 102-103)
Vali had a different take on why Rama was inclined to help Sugreeva, or in this instance not help Sugreeva. "I have heard of Rama as being one possessing integrity and a sense of justice; one who could never take a wrong step. How could you ever imagine that such a person would ever take sides in a quarrel between brothers?" (pg. 105) Vali thinks Rama will not take sides because of his integrity and dedication to his brother, Lakshmana. In my personal opinion, I think Rama did the right thing by helping Sugreeva because together they were trying to achieve justice. Also, Rama stuck up for Sugreeva as Vali was dying explaining to him that Sugreeva left to save him, not to take his place as a ruler. (pg. 109-110) To me, that is a person with great integrity and a willingness to stick up for what is right.
This situation can be compared to modern politics and conflicts in that people choose sides to support and conflict is created when these sides clash. The republicans and democrats, for example, disagree on many issues. It's like Rama when choosing a side. The citizens of the United States choose a side that they agree with or support. Thus, leading to conflict when those around them support the other side.
Rama is inclined to sympathize with Sugreeva for many reasons. One of the most prominant reasons would be the fact that both Ram and Sugreeva have had their wives taken from them. "When Vali went back, he not only resumed his authority as a ruler over the kingdom (which he had not really lost), but alos forcibly aquired Sugreeva's wife and made her his own. And now Sugreeva has neither a home nor wife." (pg. 101) Also, Rama sympathizes whith Sugreeva having to deal with Vali's harshness and wrath towards his brother for doing nothing wrong. Rama has promised Sugreeva that he wil fight his brother Vali so that all will be well. Sugreeva asks Rama to prove himself. "Then Rama took out an arrow and shot it through not only the trunks of the seven trees but also through the seven worlds, and the seven seas, and all things seven; and then it returned to its starting point in the quiver. Sugreeva was overwhelmed at this demonstration and bowed his head in humility, convinced now that he was in the presence of a saviour." (pg. 102-103)
Vali had a different take on why Rama was inclined to help Sugreeva, or in this instance not help Sugreeva. "I have heard of Rama as being one possessing integrity and a sense of justice; one who could never take a wrong step. How could you ever imagine that such a person would ever take sides in a quarrel between brothers?" (pg. 105) Vali thinks Rama will not take sides because of his integrity and dedication to his brother, Lakshmana. In my personal opinion, I think Rama did the right thing by helping Sugreeva because together they were trying to achieve justice. Also, Rama stuck up for Sugreeva as Vali was dying explaining to him that Sugreeva left to save him, not to take his place as a ruler. (pg. 109-110) To me, that is a person with great integrity and a willingness to stick up for what is right.
This situation can be compared to modern politics and conflicts in that people choose sides to support and conflict is created when these sides clash. The republicans and democrats, for example, disagree on many issues. It's like Rama when choosing a side. The citizens of the United States choose a side that they agree with or support. Thus, leading to conflict when those around them support the other side.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Journal #2
Bharatha's mother's initial reaction at first was upset and she wanted to put an end to it. She wanted to know what the celebration was and when she heard it had to do with Rama she ordered her mistress to put an end to it immediately. The nurse is then able to help change her attitude by plotting with his mother to destroy Rama in some type of way. In this particular situation I believe that Dasartha should step in and keep the peace. It's his duty to keep order and crown the one who deserves to be King despite his mother's wishes.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Journal Entry #1
Two instances in which the divine are immanent are:
1.) Viswamithra comes to visit and talk with the divine king Dasaratha to ask permission to take Rama to battle to be the next great leader or "savior". Dasaratha's presence is an example of a divine being immanent."The King is coming; please don't go..." (Pg. 9-10)
2.) The second example would be when Bhagiratha prays for ten thousand years to the creator, Brahma who then sends down Ganga. This shows the divine being immanent because he sent someone down to do his will with Bhagiratha.""He prayed intensely for ten thousand years to Brahma, the creator, who advised him to seek the help of Shiva to bring down Ganga from high heaven to wash their bones in the holy water." (Pg. 19)
Three examples of Illusory are:
1.) When Sita says to the bird "Oh, bird, wherever you may be, please be quiet." (pg. 15) This shows illusory by knowing something is there but you can't see it or touch it. It's in your own mind of where it could be or what it could be doing but there is no way to prove where it actually is. It's all about not fully knowing.
2.) Another example is on page 24 when Lakshmana and Sita first see each other. They immediately know they loved each other. This is illusory because they had not yet met each other yet, they were in love. It's a feeling or idea in one's head that hasn't actually been proved to be there yet.
3.) A final illusory piece in this book is found on page 17 when it talks about Ganga "flowing along the valley, coming down from the Himalayas..." Ganga doesn't actually appear himself until later using others to appear in place of his. This could mean that he is there in spirit but not seen in person.
1.) Viswamithra comes to visit and talk with the divine king Dasaratha to ask permission to take Rama to battle to be the next great leader or "savior". Dasaratha's presence is an example of a divine being immanent."The King is coming; please don't go..." (Pg. 9-10)
2.) The second example would be when Bhagiratha prays for ten thousand years to the creator, Brahma who then sends down Ganga. This shows the divine being immanent because he sent someone down to do his will with Bhagiratha.""He prayed intensely for ten thousand years to Brahma, the creator, who advised him to seek the help of Shiva to bring down Ganga from high heaven to wash their bones in the holy water." (Pg. 19)
Three examples of Illusory are:
1.) When Sita says to the bird "Oh, bird, wherever you may be, please be quiet." (pg. 15) This shows illusory by knowing something is there but you can't see it or touch it. It's in your own mind of where it could be or what it could be doing but there is no way to prove where it actually is. It's all about not fully knowing.
2.) Another example is on page 24 when Lakshmana and Sita first see each other. They immediately know they loved each other. This is illusory because they had not yet met each other yet, they were in love. It's a feeling or idea in one's head that hasn't actually been proved to be there yet.
3.) A final illusory piece in this book is found on page 17 when it talks about Ganga "flowing along the valley, coming down from the Himalayas..." Ganga doesn't actually appear himself until later using others to appear in place of his. This could mean that he is there in spirit but not seen in person.
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