Week 5 Reading Overview

The version of the Ramayana that I have chosen to read is the PDE online version. The main reason that I have chosen this one is because it is free to read online. I like to read from my laptop so since it is easy to get and free online this is the best option for me.

For the comics, I am interested in the Stories of Courage comic. This one intrigued me as I like the title because courage is a great quality to have and I liked the cover art with the tiger. The next comic that I am interested in is Tales of Durga. Again, the cover art on this comic brought me in as it is exciting and has a lot going on. Also the story of a powerful woman who even the gods pray to sounds interesting and I would like to learn more about it.

The first video that I am interested in is the Ancient Technology - Atlantis and India because I like technology and always find it fascinating to look back at what technology was used in the pasta and I am often amazed and how advanced people really were. The next video that I am interested in is Harry Potter Meets Hindu Mythology because I love Harry Potter and want to see how it connects to Hindu Mythology.

Hayagriva and Brahma

Reading Notes: The Voyages of Sindbad Part B

In Sindbad's fifth voyage there are several similar elements of this story as there are in his first voyage as he once again finds a Roc egg and finds himself clinging to drift wood in the water until he is able to scale the side of an island to safety.  Personally, my favorite voyage of these three is his seventh and final voyage as Sindbad's interaction with the elephants is intriguing to me as he is told that no other slave has survived hunting the elephants; however, they decide to spare him and show him where to get more elephant tusks as this will protect them. Is this because they know they will continue to be hunted if they kill him or is Sindbad truly protected by the Heavens as his master says? Sindbad's continual call to adventure is exciting to me and is one of my favorite parts of these tales as even though he often finds himself in impossible scenarios, he is always looking to explore and see more of the world.

illustration by Milo Winter

Source: The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang

Reading Notes: The Voyages of Sindbad, Part A

I originally thought that Sindbad was a pirate that sailed the seas raiding other ships. I have never done much research on this topic so to learn that he was a merchant with high morals and who often shared with others surprised me. These stories like to talk about animals and the animals are often the mythical parts about these stories. I like in the second story how we see the creativity and smarts of Sindbad to find his way back to safety after being left behind. The first and second voyage both have similar feels as Sindbad is left on his own in both of them; however, he finds different ways to save himself both times.

Roc, by E. Dulac

Source: The Seven Voyages of Sindbad the Sailor by Andrew Lang