Indian Epics Blog

Part X History Meteoric Rise Shows up in 5th century AD Widespread worship of him in 12th century AD Indus Elephant images appeared in this region around 2500 BC Vedic Ganapati Appeared in Rig Veda around 1500 BC Vinayaka of Sutra and Smiti Manava-griha-sutra refers to him at around 500 BC Yakshas Class of beings that were Shiva devottees Indo-Greeks Indo-Greek coins have elephant images Hastimukha Scriptures written after Rig Veda invoke deities with elephant attributes Ganapatya 8th century AD scholar observed Hindus could be classified into five groups Tamil and Sri Lanka Stories of Ganesha spread here Morya Morya Gosavi is a saint who was exclusively devoted to Ganesha Maratha Influence Ganesha became personal deity of the Maratha community Tilak 1893 Ganesha Chaturthi became a public festival Part XI Spread Nepal Worshiped by Hindus and Buddhists Worship Heramba form of Ganesha Tibet Buddhists worship Ganesha AK...

Part VI Temples Rock Fort Dedicated to Ganesha and Shiva Ganesha rooted to this spot because Vibhishana struck him on the head at this point The British fortified the temple which gives it it's name Ashtavinayak Eight shrines Moreshwar Temple at Morgaon Ganesha mounted on a peacock killed demon Sindhu Sidhivinayak of Siddhatek Ballaeshwar of Pali Varadavinayak of Mahad Chintamani of Theur Girijatmaj of Lenyadru Vighnahar of Ozar MahaGanesha of Ranjangaon Pilgrimage to all these places and then back to the first Trunk to left on all Ganesha's except one at Siddhatek Puri Elephant Houses Krishna, Subhadra, and Balbhadra During the bathing ceremony, Snana-yatra, Krishna and Balbhadra are placed in elephant dress they become black and white elephants. Part VII Festivals Autumn Ganesha and Gauri are worshipped twice (In the Spring and Autumn) Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated on the fourth day of the waxing moon Ten days After this is Pitr...

Part III: Representations 4 Forms Avatar God descends to earth to solve worldly problems Ganesha has four in different yugas Krita Yuga Riding a lion he killed demon brothers Narnataka and Devantaka Treta Yuga Riding a peacock he killed the demon Sindhu Dvapara Yuga Riding a rat he killed the demon Sindura Kali Yuga Riding a horse he kills the demon 8 Avatars In Mudgala Purana Ganesha takes 8 forms to kill 8 demons Vakratunda God with curved trunk Rides lion to kill Matsara Demon of jealousy Ekadanta God with one tusk Rides rat to kill Mada Demon of vanity Mahodara God with great belly Rides rat to kill Moha Demon of attachment Gajanana God with elephant head Rides a rat to kill Lobha  Demon of greed Lambodara God with pot belly Rides a rat to kill Krodha The demon of rage Vikata God with deformed body Rides a peacock to overpower Kama Lord of lust Vighnaraja Master of obstacles Rides a serpent to ...

Part I Creation A Mythological Puzzle Ganesha is a mythological puzzle Not made solvable because "wisdom must never be given" We therefore are enriched by him every time  The Idea of Ganesha Shiva=Hermit=Person who does not want to interact with world Shakti=Householder=Person who wants to interact with world Shiva+Shakti=Hermit+Householder=Ganesha From Vinayaka to Ganesha Vinayaka=Vina(Without)+Nayaka(Man) Shakti made Ganesha from her own body oils Shiva destroyed Vinayaka's head Put elephant head on his body and brought him back to life Declared him Ganapati(aka Ganesha)=Leader to his followers who are known as the Gans Shiva to Shankara Shiva has two forms Shiva Form where his eyes are shut All heat contained in body World around him dark and cold Destruction Shakti convinces him to open his eyes Opened his eyes and laughed and supposedly created Ganesha from his laughter Looked to much like Shiva so he transformed his head...

Episode 11: Brahma saw Krishna and his cowherd friends eating together Disappeared with cows Krishna went in search of cows Came back and Brahma had kidnapped his friends Krishna used divine powers to play a trick on everyone Made clones of his friends and the cows No one noticed for a year that everyone was replaced Brahma came back after a year  Brahma acknowledged Krishna's power Episode 12: Balram wanted to be strong enough to punch and kill Hastin (bull) Krishna told Balram that killing the wouldn't be good Said he would ride Hastin in one month Played flute and fed Hastin everyday Hastin became docile Krishna rode him Lesson Kindness is the ultimate strength Episode 13: Radha and Krishna became one soul Yashada refused to let Krishna marry Radha Nanda took Krishna to Gargacharya (family priest of the Yadus) Could not marry Radha because of his destiny Episode 14: Kansa organized the Dhanur Yajana Kansa sent Akrur to ...

Introduction: The birth of the Pandavas started Krishna's story Episode 1: King Kansa of Mathura Cruel ruler Had his cousin Devaki married off to Vasudev Voice from the sky told him he would die at the hands of the 8th child of the couple Kansa tried to kill the couple Devaki begged him not to He imprisoned them instead Kansa killed all her children one by one 7th child transported from her womb to Vasudev's 1st wife 8th child 8th incarnation of Vishnu Born on same day as Arjuna  Episode 2: Night Krishna was born Cell gates unlocked and guards asleep Vasudev took child Whole kingdom was asleep Yamuna River Asked it for help Serpent came out of it Protected him and son as he walked across river  Ran into the Nand People Gypsies Yashada Nandas' wife Birthed daughter (Maya) that night Traded son for girl Episode 3: Kansa realized she had daughter Tries to kill baby Baby turned into Durga Durga told him that h...

Episode 45: Tried to strip Draupadi Krishna didn't let it happen Pandavas vowed vengence and war Dhritarshtra tried to stop everything by giving Draupadi anything she wanted Draupadi asked for freedom of Pandavas and their kingdom Episode 46: Called Pandavas back for another game of dice They lost Exiled for 12 years and spend 13th year in hiding If found out spend 12 more years in exile Episode 47: Pandavas left Krishna tried to convince them to go to war They said to wait Krishna promised his support Pandavas met a demon Kimira  Pandavas killed him Episode 48: Krishna blamed himself Dwarka was under attack Shalva and flying machine Eventually Shalva was beheaded by Krishna Episode 49: Brothers visited by sages while in exile Ved Vyasa visited them and told them what they must do before war Told them about the virtues warriors should posess Arjun has to acquire Indra's and Shiva's celestial weapons Arjun go to ...

Episode 36: Arjun abducts Subhadra Went back home Draupadi not happy but then gives blessing Episode 37: Subhadra pregnant Arjun tells about Chakravyuh strategy and how to escape it Subhadra fell asleep with last part Son Abhimanya heard everything but last part so doesn't know how to escape Chakravyuh strategy Episode 38: Yudhisthir was supposed to perform a yagya Asks Krishna for advice Warns about King Jarasardha of Magadh  Tells him to kill him so there are no challenges to his yagya Bhim, Arjun, and Krishna fight Jarasandha Bhim tears him apart and throws pieces in opposite directions Episode 39: Lots of kings came for Yudhisthir's coronation Shishupak of Chedi comes Mad about Krishna being chosen for certain part Insults Krishna more than a hundred times Krishna beheads him after that Coronation ended Episode 40: Procession to Ganga river to bathe in Yudhisthir and Draupadi bathe in the Ganga Duryodhan becomes mo...

Episode 27: Draupadi Contest to win her hand Pandavas disguised as Brahmins  Had to string a bow and shoot an arrow through the eye of a fish Arjun Fullfilled challenge Episode 28: Karna Draupadi insulted him Krishna Didn't participate Knew what was going to happen in the future Episode 29: Kunti said they have to share whatever they bought equally Draupadi had to marry all five of them In previous life she prayed for husband with five virtues  Got five husbands in this life Episode 30: Draupad happy but not happy about his daughter Pandavas returned to Hastinapar Yudhishthir crowned King of Dhritarahtra and given kingdom of Khandavaprasth  Episode 31: Khandavaprasth Cursed and barren Krishna Invited Vishvakarma to design the kingdom for them Forests were burned and beautiful city was built Kingdom of Indraprasth made Episode 32: Asura brothers Devoted to each other Tilottoma was desired by both o...

Episode 18: Karna Drona refused to teach him Found new guru Episode 19: Karna Found Parshuram Taught him the art of war Accused him of being a kshatriya Cursed him Moment when he needed his skills the most he would forget them Episode 20: Pandavas in tournament Karna vs Arjun Karna won Arjun became sore loser Karna vs Pandavas Refused to fight him because he was below them Duryodhan Made him worthy by crowning him King of Anga Episode 21: Drona Gives Pandavas mission in Paanchaal Drupad (King of Paanchaal) Told Drona he would give him 1/2 his kingdom Drona came to collect but Drupad refused and humiliated him Drona vowed to punish him Episode 22: Yudhisthira Was going to be declared king Duryodhan extremely jelous Planned to burn the Pandavas Episode 23: Pandavas escaped through underground tunnels Episode 24: Bheem Carried them all to safety and nourished them Episode 25: Pandavas t...

Episode 9 Kunti has son god child Episode 10 Pandu got cursed in the most ridiculous way Episode 11 Kunti had three children by gods Madri had two children by gods I find it ridiculous that it's okay for a woman to have a child with a god if she's married, but not if she isn't Pandu raped Madri and died Madri decided to kill herself because of her idiot husband Episode 12 Gandhri gave birth to demon children First indication of something wrong with her children probably should have been that they were made out of a putrid lump of flesh Episode 13 Duryohodhana is a spoiled brat who became jealous of his cousins King Shakani acted like a child and stirred things up with Duryohodhana and the Pandavas Episode 14 Bheem was almost killed by Duryohdhana  Bheem got super strength Episode 15 Drona got ball out of well and became Pandavas tutor Episode 16 Started learning from Drona Episode 17 Arjuna acted like a child ...

Notes: Introductin Story of an all-consuming war An account of how Karma functions Episodes 1-8 King Shantanu and Ganga river goddess Asking not to be questioned should have been the first hint that there was something going on with this river godess Evan if he promised not to question her he shouldn't have let her drown their children King Shantanu and Satyavati Devarat is dedicated to his father That's a weird boon to grant Devarat Bhishma was really mean to Amba Dhristarshtra  Why does he want to be king if he doesn't want all the responsibilities of being king Ganhari is probably more dedicated than she needed to be towards him Why is Shakuni so angry that she decided to blindfold herself for the rest of her life No one forced her to do it Shakuni just needs to chill Dhristarshtra and Gandhari Source Bibliography: Mahabharata Video by Epified

Chapter 13 At least Krishna will stand up for Draupadi. Dhritarashtra isn't very smart. Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Duryodhana never makes good decisions. Karna is really loyal. I like hoe Duryodhana blames the Pandavas for the death of his loved ones when all this is his fault in the first place. Chapter 16 Epilogue Bibliography: The Mahabharata by R.K. Narayan Pandavas' at war Source

Chapter 9 Why so petty? It's nice that the Pandavas' helped Duryoghana. I think Yudhistira has a gambling problem. So much for them protecting their wife. Chapter 10 The king has a really short temper. Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Dhristarashtra needs to grow a backbone. Also why does he ignore the overwhelming amount of advice given to him by all these people. Bibliography: The Mahabharata by R.K. Narayan The Pandavas' preparing for war Source

Chapter 5 Dhritarashtra needs to grow a backbone The rule that you can't intrude on whichever brother time with the wife is stupid Example A:  Arjuna had urgent business with his brother and was exiled just for trying to do his job Chapter 6 Duryodhana should focus on making his kingdom better instead of trying to ruin his cousins' kingdom out of jealousy Chapter 7 When you have to explain how what you're doing isn't actually cheating . . . it's probably cheating Why didn't anyone try and stop Yudhistira from gambling everything away? Everyone was horrified by how Draupadi was being treated, but no one tried to stop it Chapter 8 At least Draupadi is standing up for herself Bibliography The Mahabharata by R. K. Narayan Yudhistira gambling everything away Source

Chapter 1 Why do these stories always start off with love at first sight? The women has a shady request (Should have been the first indication that something was wrong) Acquiring a bride by force is not noble This family is messed up Chapter 2 Duryndhana is so jealous that he would try and kill his own cousins That was one shady coronation They probably should have at least questioned Drona At least he explained himself Chapter 3 The king easily turns against his nephews Chapter 4 It's rare to see a reverse harem in these kinds of stories It's like something out of a manga except she usually chooses one boy in the end Bibliography: The Mahabharata by R. K. Narayan The Pandavas' and Draupadi Source

 I like how it tells the story of the San Franciscan couple to kind of parallel that observation. Although I didn't really understand that point until it got towards the end of the video. General Notes: Sita is really obseesed with Rama Still loves him even after he abandons her Does pujas' dedicated to him after he abandons her Only tells her sons good things about him She proves her purity Sita has all this power and still relies heavily on Rama Bibliography:  Sita Sings the Blues by Nina Paley Sita with her sons Source

The thing I like about this video is that it points out something that I've always wondered. Why does Sita stay with Rama who treats her horribly. General Notes: The narrators are really funny because they have this really classic Indian way of thinking Sita is really obsessed with Rama He can do no wrong in her eyes She prays to him while in Ravana's captivity Sita isn't very big on girl power Admits she has her own power, but won't use it on Ravana because Rama didn't tell her to use it. Bibliography:  Sita Sings the Blues by Nina Paley Sita and Rama returning home after exile Source

Chapter 8: Why did Hanuman feel the need to piss Ravana off further, and warn him of Rama's impending attack? Chapter 9: I like how all these people are lecturing Ravana and yet they haven't tried to help Sita. Chapter 10: Vibishana turned on his brother way to easily. Chapter 11: Ravana's really quick to blame Sita for all his misfortunes when his son is killed. Chapter 12: Ravana dies. Chapter 13: Why did Sita have to throw herself into a fiery pyre to prove herself to her husband?  Chapter 14: Fourteen years were up, and thet went home. Epilogue: He's coronated. Hanuman stays with him forever. Bibliography: The Ramayana by R. K. Narayan Sita throwing herself into the pyre Source

Chapter 6: Rama tells strangers his whole life story Vali He turned on his brother way to easily Why hasn't anyone explained the full story to him in all this time? Why did Vali let Sugreeva stop there fight to talk to some random dude? Why is Sugreeva crying? What did he expect was going to happen when Rama shot Vali with an arrow Why did it take Rama, a complete stranger, to make Vali see his own stupidity? Chapter 7: Rama gives the worst description of Sita How did no one notice a giant monkey man crossing stepping over the ocean and onto the island? Bibliography: The Ramayana by R. K. Narayan Hanuman crossing the ocean to Lanka Source