Is Rama unfairly sexist? Why or why not.
I disagree. You have to think about being in Rama's shoes. Even if it was a woman who was in Rama's place. I believe that you would come to the conclusion well my husband or wife has been trapped in a house for months with another stranger. Maybe she/he gave in? You wonder those things. I think this was Rama's way of getting an answer from Sita. She didn't openly said nothing happened, she jumped in a fire when Rama told her to leave. Showing her faithfulness to Rama. Although it is rash i don't believe Rama is being unfairly sexist.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Ramayana Journal #5
What is Bharatha's mother's initial reaction to the news of Rama becoming king? How does the nurse change her attitude towards Rama? What should Dasaratha do in this situation (what is his dharmic duty)?
Bharartha's mother is very coniving. Right when she hears Rama is going to be king she starts thinking of ways to make her son the King instead. And sadly, she succeeds. She decides to go along with what Bharatha's mother is saying. And gives her the idea of how to get rid of Rama, so really the nurse is just as conniving as Bharatha's mother. In Dasaratha's position I think he is doing the right thing. But morally it is not the right thing to do. His position as the king is to be honest and true to his word. And breaking that promise would bring bad karma, so in a way it is also religious. But that doesn't mean it makes the situation morally right.
Bharartha's mother is very coniving. Right when she hears Rama is going to be king she starts thinking of ways to make her son the King instead. And sadly, she succeeds. She decides to go along with what Bharatha's mother is saying. And gives her the idea of how to get rid of Rama, so really the nurse is just as conniving as Bharatha's mother. In Dasaratha's position I think he is doing the right thing. But morally it is not the right thing to do. His position as the king is to be honest and true to his word. And breaking that promise would bring bad karma, so in a way it is also religious. But that doesn't mean it makes the situation morally right.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Ramayana Journal #4
Karma is hard to keep track of. No human is perfect and is constantly making mistakes; unitentionally or intentionally. So I guess my karma would be average, I can't really compare.
Honestly, I can not think of a day I would ever want to take back. Because then I wouldn't be wear I am now. If I took away my parents divorce I would not be in this school, I would not have my half sister Melody. If I kept my first boyfriend. I would never have met my current boyfriend who i love alot. If I would have taken back a fight, then I wouldn't learn my lesson. So when I was asked this question, I honestly couldn't think of anything I woulod want to take back. Because I believe from the worst experience can always come a better result. I read a book called "White Chocolate Moments" by Lori Wick. Its about a girl whos parents die in a tragic car accident when she is little. She ends up having to live with her Grandpa. But her Grandpa loves his other grand daughter and pays no attention to her. So right when the girl turns 18 she leaves. One day the grandpas assistant is dying and on his death bed he tells the grandpa all the things he has done wrong in his life. So the grandpa starts to go to church and find the purpose of his life. In the end the grandpa reunites with his grand daughter and they both become christians and the girl finds the man of her dreams. I think this is a great example of how good things can come out of bad things.
Honestly, I can not think of a day I would ever want to take back. Because then I wouldn't be wear I am now. If I took away my parents divorce I would not be in this school, I would not have my half sister Melody. If I kept my first boyfriend. I would never have met my current boyfriend who i love alot. If I would have taken back a fight, then I wouldn't learn my lesson. So when I was asked this question, I honestly couldn't think of anything I woulod want to take back. Because I believe from the worst experience can always come a better result. I read a book called "White Chocolate Moments" by Lori Wick. Its about a girl whos parents die in a tragic car accident when she is little. She ends up having to live with her Grandpa. But her Grandpa loves his other grand daughter and pays no attention to her. So right when the girl turns 18 she leaves. One day the grandpas assistant is dying and on his death bed he tells the grandpa all the things he has done wrong in his life. So the grandpa starts to go to church and find the purpose of his life. In the end the grandpa reunites with his grand daughter and they both become christians and the girl finds the man of her dreams. I think this is a great example of how good things can come out of bad things.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Ramayana Journal #3
I believe the biggest reason why Rama is so inclined to forgive Sugreeva is because it is always a religious factor. Forgive and forget. And having Rama being a God he is inclined to be such a forgiving person. I know in some religions the Gods can be not so nice and not so forgiven, such as the stories told from Greek Mythology.
Sugreeva’s Story: Sugreeva loves his brother and cares for him, he always has. And he did his best to follow what he says. When Vali went to kill Mayavi he left Sugreeva in charge and Sugreeva followed those orders and ruled while Vali was gone. He waited and waited and the people blocked the mountains to come in to the city. Vali was enraged think that his brother shut him out. But just like Rama said, “When he struggled to explain and sought your pardon for any mistake on his part, you rejected his appeal.” (110)
Vali’s Story: Vali has been hunting this Mayavi, for months. And the reason why he is doing it is to protect his city. When Vali comes back to his city, he sees that the mountains are entombed. The first thing that comes to his mind is his brother. He did leave his brother in charge after all. So why is his brother trying to keep him out? It’s like Rama says, “You are well versed in the lawsof conduct and mortality and yet instead of affording protection to a helpless woman, life partner of a brother at that, you have molested her.” (110) So not only did he do all the things to his brother. He stole his wife!
In politics there is always one side or the other. Bush vs. Obama. Heath Care! 9/11. Blah blah blah. Politics are two sided or even more sometimes but there is always a different story for each, and sometimes the stories have a lot of misunderstandings. Just like Vali and Sugreeva.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Ramayana Journal #2
IMMANENT:
In chapter one page 13
"Rama sent up his arrows, which shielded them from attack. Finally Rama's arrow pierced her throat and ended her career; thereby also inaugurating Rama's life's mission of destroying evil and demonry in this world. The gods assembled in the sky and expressed their joy and relief and enjoined Viswamithra..."
In this example immanence is shown through the power of the arrows and the gods celebrating the work of Rama killing the demon woman.
In chapter two page 28
"They were startled when they heard a deafening report, caused by the cracking of the bow at its arch, which could not stand the pressure of Rama's grip. The atmosphere was suddenly relaxed. the gods showered down flowers and blessings, clouds parted and precipitated rains, the oceans tossed up in the air all the rare treasures from their depths."
In this example immanence is shown through the power of Rama's bow where the bow could not even handle the power coming from Rama and once again the gods celebrating.
ILLUSORY:
In chapter one page 20
"...Rama noticed a shapeless slab of stone, half buried vertically in the ground; when he brushed past, the dust of his feet fell on it, and transformed it, that very instant, into a beautiful woman."
This is an example of illusory because it is a unreal that a slab of stone would turn into a beautiful woman only from a touch of dust of a mans feet.
And also from the two examples showing immanence it proves that the bow Rama used was illusory. To beat off such strength with one bow seems unreal.
In chapter one page 13
"Rama sent up his arrows, which shielded them from attack. Finally Rama's arrow pierced her throat and ended her career; thereby also inaugurating Rama's life's mission of destroying evil and demonry in this world. The gods assembled in the sky and expressed their joy and relief and enjoined Viswamithra..."
In this example immanence is shown through the power of the arrows and the gods celebrating the work of Rama killing the demon woman.
In chapter two page 28
"They were startled when they heard a deafening report, caused by the cracking of the bow at its arch, which could not stand the pressure of Rama's grip. The atmosphere was suddenly relaxed. the gods showered down flowers and blessings, clouds parted and precipitated rains, the oceans tossed up in the air all the rare treasures from their depths."
In this example immanence is shown through the power of Rama's bow where the bow could not even handle the power coming from Rama and once again the gods celebrating.
ILLUSORY:
In chapter one page 20
"...Rama noticed a shapeless slab of stone, half buried vertically in the ground; when he brushed past, the dust of his feet fell on it, and transformed it, that very instant, into a beautiful woman."
This is an example of illusory because it is a unreal that a slab of stone would turn into a beautiful woman only from a touch of dust of a mans feet.
And also from the two examples showing immanence it proves that the bow Rama used was illusory. To beat off such strength with one bow seems unreal.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Ramayana Journal #1
My initial reaction to the first chapter wasn't what I was expecting. Viswamithra was taking Rama and Lakshmana with him to proteect him while he dances. I decided to engage more in the text I would have to get more backround information then we did as a class. But I also think this will be a good book. I like the different stories that Viswamithra shares. He is wise and very mellow, I enjoy him as a character. Because I can relate to being calm in such situations. I struggled a little bit so far but it's mostly the names so hopefully I will be catching on to that soon. I believe if I getr some more backround information I will really be ablke to engage in the book. Hinduism has a lot of ideas and concepts, I just need to find them.
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