Indian Epics Spring 2018

        I do not like that women like Draupadi were married off to whatever man was able to complete the task her father had set for them. I'd like rewrite the way Draupadi's swayamvara went. I've never watched The Bachelorette, but I imagine it being something like that. These royal and handsome men would complete tasks to show their physical abilities, but they would also have time to speak with the princess. She would be able to see their personalities and find out what kind of lives they're hoping for. At the end of some period of time, Draupadi would choose which man she felt would be her best match.         I love the way the Pandavas were able to clear away the unhealthy and infested lands of Khandavaprasth. This transformation was very satisfying for me. I wouldn't mind elaborating on how this was done and providing more detailed imagery for the city created as well as the wasteland which was present before. It would be really cool if...

        I have always felt sympathy for Karna. He was hit with several bad hands in life, but didn't seem to be all that bad of a person. If things had gone differently, he could've been very successful and happy. I might rewrite his story so that he gets a happy ending. If Kunti had never given him up and if his teacher had not rejected him, things would've been very different. He could have become an even more incredible fighter. He would've had a much more respectable reputation.         In the story of Drupad and Drona, a childhood promise is broken in the greed of adulthood. I think we make a lot of promises to other people and ourselves when we are children that are unrealistic to keep once we're older. I could write about two little girls, one a little wealthier than the other. The girl from the wealthier home would promise the other that, when she received a car from her parents for her 16th birthday, she would share it with the other gir...

        On one mid-summer morning, a naked woman emerged from the woods from behind Mr. Whittaker's home. She crouched in his little garden to gorge on strawberries. When Mr. Whittaker saw this through the window, he immediately called for the police. The juice from the strawberries dripped down her face, making it look like she'd been drinking blood. Long black hair flowed down her back, unbound and matted. The police came to take her to a hospital, but she fought them intensely, clawing and biting. She screamed and growled like a wild beast.         The consensus at the hospital was that she was a physically healthy young woman, likely in her early 20's. Her mental health, however, could not be estimated due to her utter and complete lack of cooperation. She had to be restrained or sedated at all times or else she wreaked havoc on the hospital. Later, she was transferred to a mental hospital where a psychiatrist took special interest in her cas...

        One way to take the ideas in these videos quite literally would be to write about a female character capable of altering the material realities of our world. This woman would be able to control things with her mind, both by moving objects and creating material items out of thin air. The opposing side of this would be a male character able to control the minds of those around him. As a couple, these beings would be unstoppable and very much in control of the world. They would use these powers for both good and bad things. She might produce money for the poor while he might manipulate someone's mind into doing favors for him.         A story that piqued my interest was the one of Brahma trying to be with his own daughter. This would've been horrible for her. I'd like to write about a girl becoming a woman and discovering that her father lusts after her and intends to marry her. He'd be some sort of highly respected figure in the community, ...

        I like the idea of Kali. On the Ramayana and Mahabharata, women are expected to be tame and obedient to their husbands no matter what. Kali is everything that an Indian woman from this time was not supposed to be. To focus on one aspect of Kali that goes against the societal norm, I might write about a female character displaying a greater interest in sexual activities. This character might enjoy sleeping with several different men. She would be viewed harshly by her community and shunned by other women. But, perhaps this woman would start a social revolution to change the way the people in her village view women and sex.         Another aspect of Kali is her violence and rage. I might write a story about a woman who is created to be a weapon for war. She would be a wild force to only be unleashed on one's greatest enemies. I've never written an in-depth battle scene so this would be a challenge for me. But, I think it would be intere...

        The concept that societies went from women and men being equals to men being superior is a really interesting one. It made me think about how I could write about a group of people who begin the story as equals. Women and men are able to do the same things and neither is viewed greater than the other. Then, some kind of catalyst causes the men to decide that women are not their equals. Women would be treated more as property as the video mentions happening in real life. This would condense thousands of years of gender evolution into a short time frame. The catalyst might be something/someone from outside society or a single individual from the group.         Another thing that struck me was the idea that the more isolated a woman is, the more valuable she is. I can't imagine having to spend most of my life alone. It would be fun to write about this sort of life from the perspective of the woman. Her whole life she'd be told that her seclus...

        The first video was very empowering for women. It suggests that one male is really all that is needed to keep a society going. It could be a lot of fun to write about such a society. Many men would be put through trials to find one to fertilize all of the women. The rest of the men would be workers. Obviously, I don’t think this is how our society should be and it would be horrible for everyone involved, but it’s definitely an interesting concept.         The video’s explanations of the older concept of the words whore and virgin were very intriguing to me. I’d love to work with these concepts and maybe write of a woman who was “free” to reproduce with many men without judgement. It makes one wonder if a monogamy is the way our species is supposed to go. So, maybe in my story, polygamy would be accepted. Or maybe, no marriage at all would be fine.          Another story about a woman with teeth linin...

Edit: This story has been transferred to my  Portfolio . Click  here  to view the most up to date version.         There was once a king who very much enjoyed hunting. He spent many days in the forests and wilderness of his kingdom. On one occasion, he spotted a particularly large and beautiful deer. His heart was dead set on conquering the creature. The king urged his horse faster and faster, racing after the deer beyond his companions. At the very last moment, the king saw a chasm ahead and yanked the reins. He and his horse skidded to a halt just before falling over the cliff. The deer had not been so lucky and laid at the bottom, still alive but gravely injured.         The king looked down at the creature he had been determined to kill, and his heart broke. He could not kill the animal now that it had been wounded. It wouldn’t be proper sport since he had an unfair advantage. But he also couldn’t leave the animal to di...

        I'd like to write about the buffalo's patience. It reminds me of a mother's love. Her children run wild and loudly bother her, but she does not hate them for it or get angry. It's their nature and she doesn't fight it. But when they ask why she tolerates their shenanigans, she says it's because of her love for them. And once the children understand this, they appreciate her more and make an effort to be more peaceful.         In the next story, I liked that the deer was kind to his hunter despite everything he'd done. Taking pity on someone who has tried to kill you is difficult I imagine. I could write of a human equivalent for this. Or perhaps switch the roles here. Maybe the deer falls into the chasm and once the king sees him injured, he feels pity and nurses the deer back to health instead of killing him.         I've written a story about the Goblin City before, but I considered adding a twist. Maybe the wom...

        I really liked that the monkey king thought the best way to rule was to love. I think that there are conflicting ideas about whether fear or love is the best way for a king/queen to control. I could write a story of two kingdoms showing these opposite methods of rule. They would clash, and I'd show how one is superior to the other.         The second story had a somewhat similar theme. It impressed me that the king actually listened to a commoner that he would not normally respect. I thought that the king should have asked the dog chief to stay with him and be his advisor. The dog seemed smarter than the king. I could write an extension to this story where the dog remains in the palace and helps the king as an equal instead of a pet.         I think the lesson of talking too much is one that many people need to learn. I think I'd like to write about a king who is cursed with being mute. He would see how much more ...