Reading Diary Week 14: Missing Queen Part D

The Missing Queen  by Samhita Arni (2014)

I thought this was a great story and I would recommend this novel to anyone! It wasn't quite what I had expected, but I loved the modern take on the Ramayana. It was really interesting to see the story of Sita unfold from the perspective of a journalist.

Something that I would love to elaborate on is Sam Bhoo Kha's story. I love the idea of the matriarchal society that he was a part of before Ayodhya came. The queen was in power, women had no shame and did not wear shirts because it was more convenient to feed the young, and they had freedom for women that was not common. My history teacher used to say, "behind the downfall of every man lurkes a woman." However, the queen was trying to avoid war and turmoil for her people. It was a man (brother to a girl that was assaulted) that started the war between Sam Bhoo Kha's tribe and Ayodhya. Although, some could argue that it was the girl's fault for going into the Ayodhya emissioner's tent. Regardless, I think this would be a fun story to tell.

I also loved how this version of the story ended compared to the original story that we read in class. As I was reading, I liked the fact that Sita died and Rama did not just take the boys and leave Sita in a forest. I thought that was a more suiting end because Sita could not survive on her own without her boys. Then there was the cliffhanger at the end. I would love for that to be Sita alive and well, however, part of me also wishes that it wasn't. I can't imagine Sita sitting in a cabin somewhere content in life when her sons are with their father that had abandoned them before they were born and thought their own mother was dead.

The Chicago Massacre of 1812 from Wiki Commons

Week 14 Reading Diary: Missing Queen Part C

The Missing Queen  by Samhita Arni (2014)

I think that Sita's sister, Urmila, has a great story to be told. I have a little sister and if she suddenly went missing I would do all that is in my power to find her. I don't blame her for being upset with her husband for getting rid of her sister. I don't think I would ever forgive my husband if he made my sister leave, especially without letting me say goodbye. I love that Urmila stood up to Rama in this story and said she did not want him to find another wife because he was still married to her sister. I know that must have taken a lot of bravery because in this world women don't seem to have a lot of power. If I wrote a story I would love to have it be right after Sita went missing. It would concentrate on Urmila and her efforts to find her sister and then the betrayal of her husband. I could only imagine how Urmila would feel when finding out that her own husband got rid of her sister.


Another scene I found interesting was the bar scene in chapter 21. I could either write the story about a regular customer that likes to come there and listen to the music or I could write about the singer herself. The song that she sung seemed to really hit home for a lot of people including the singer. I feel like there was a backstory to this song. I would love to create it. Perhaps her mother wanted her to marry an Ayodhya man, or maybe she had a friend that fell into the trap?

Singing woman in red from Shutterstock

Reading Diary Week 13: The Missing Queen Part B

The Missing Queen by Samhita Arni (2014)


One story within this novel I found really intriguing was Lankadevi's story of the battle at Lanka. It was interesting to read about the effects after the war from a child's point of view. Especially from the side of the war that did not win. I would really like to develop more on the part where she first sees Sita. Young Lankadevi is so mad and all reason goes out the window as soon as she sees Sita. I would like to go more into what the young girl is thinking as she marches toward Sita over all of the dead bodies and then her realization that Sita has suffered too. 

Emerald and Diamond Tiara by Ernesto Moreira (2005) from Wiki commons

Another story I loved was Trijatha's dream. She dreamed before the war even started about what her father would do and the war that was to come to Lanka. I would like to start the story with her father telling her goodnight and calling her his little princess before tucking her to bed. Then Trijatha will go to sleep and have a very detailed dream about a war to come and her father's betrayal. Trijatha would then wake up confused but see her father with her uncle the very next day with deceit in his eyes and at that very moment Trijatha would realize that her dream would come true. 

Although it is not part of the original Ramayana story, it would also be interesting to talk about our journalists days inside the prison. One of my favorite movies is The Count of Monte Cristo and I could almost picture the journalist inside of a place like Chateau d'if. I can only imagine the torment one would face when left in a cell for months with no contact with the outside world. 

Reading Diary Week 13: Missing Queen Part A

The Missing Queen by Samhita Arni (2014)

I have really enjoyed this story so far! I love that it is a more modern take on the story of Sita. It is an easy read and I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Sita from Vedicgoddess

So far, the story has not gotten so far into the kidnapping of Sita. It is more conspiracy of where she went and who she was before she was taken. I like the idea of Sita as a cute southern belle country girl. I think it could be fun to write a story about her country life before she met Rama. It could be doing daily things to help her saint of a father that took her in and her experiences. Another good story is to describe Sita's first time going into the big city after living a country life. It could have been a real culture shock for her.

Another person I was interested in was Rama's secretary. Could you imagine being secretary to a king? Now think if this king was Rama. I can only imagine how crazy Rama's life is, but can you imagine being the one that is control of how busy he is. Who will Rama see today? How long will he see them? It almost reminds me of my trip to Mount Vernon over Spring Break. George Washington had several rooms in his house and when people showed up the butler would put them into different rooms based off of the guests importance. I can definitely imagine Rama's secretary doing something similar.

Reading Diary Week 12: Indian Fables and Folklore Part A

Indian Fables and Folklore

Wedding Invitation - The Sun and Moon by Madame-Dei from Deviantart

The Elephant Fighting Hare

I absolutely loved this story! I thought it was so cute! I would love to write a story about the hare fighting the elephants. Perhaps he could be telling his friends and family about it at home. I think it would be great if he was an older hare now and it was like he was telling a war story. It may also be exaggerated over time. Maybe this one hare saved the village or something of the sort. There are so many things that I could do with this short story.

The Moon in the Well

I actually think I have heard this story before! I think I would rewrite this so no monkeys died though. Perhaps the moon really was stuck in the well and they create a very elaborate rescue mission for it. Almost like a mission impossible version of the story. I think that would be a fun and new way to write my story this week. I haven't done anything like that and it could be quite the challenge.

The Gifts of the Sun

I thought this was a cute and interesting story. The sun was so polite to the sage. The sage was very daring. The sun could have scorched the earth because of what the sage did. It could be a fun approach to tell the story like the sun did release all of its wrath. Perhaps people could be telling stories and fables about how the world was before the sun scorched the earth. Green trees, flowers of every color. It could sound crazy to someone that only knows desert.

Reading Diary Week 11: Hindu Calendar Part A

7 Secrets From Hindu Calendar Art

I like the story where the son runs around his parents three times and says that it is his world I think it's really sweet and I could write a story based off of that. I could make it a race in a tournament. Perhaps instead  of trying to win a mango they would win a trophy of some sort. I could make the trophy a mango shaped just to tie in the mango part of the story. Not to mention the bragging rights of being the best son. However, I would hope this is just a temporary position and that the parents actually love them and think they're both the best.

That is a lot of pressure for Shiva to keep his eyes open because if he closes them the world no longer exists. It could be an interesting story to talk about how tiring it gets for him. Maybe he's really tired and is trying to find ways to keep himself awake or maybe his wife is trying to help him since she is the goddess of love.

I'm really intrigued by The God Who lives I think underground sleeping on snakes that are on top of an ocean of milk. That is very interesting and I feel like I could be nice to kind of like do a story of best cribs or something like that. He could be like a reality show where this snow is showing off his crib to the rest of the world.

I also really liked the comparison of Hindu gods and goddesses with Greek gods and goddesses. 

Vishnu and his snakes from Onlineprasad

Also, I liked when they 

Reading Diary Week 10: 22 Goblins Part F

Twenty-two Goblins

A lions yawns at Nairobi's National Park on March 11, 2013 by Marko Djurica—Reuters from Time

4 Brothers

I love how they say that these three things that are fickle and bring sorrow at the last: evil friendships, a flirt, and money. I have to agree. You cannot try to find happiness with these things. However, I don't understand why this statement made the brothers want to find their talents. Perhaps the knowledge would bring them power. The brothers's talents are quite interesting. I like how they coordinate together to finally bring life. It is unfortunate that the animal ended up being a lion. I think it may be interesting to write a story where they made a bunny or something and there was a happier ending. Or maybe keep the story with the lion but there were no teeth to let the lion eat the brothers. The lion could be tame and they ride the lion into the sunset. I also believe that it is the last brother's fault that they died because he could clearly see that it was a dead lion. What did he expect to happen???


Conclusion

First of all I completely respect the king for going back to get the goblin every time he ran off. That is real dedication. I am also kind of surprised that the monk was evil the whole time. I am glad that the goblin respected the king after all of those riddles and told him the monks plans. I also thought it was weird that what the king wanted was for the whole world to know the riddles the goblin shared with him.

Reading Diary Week 10: 22 Goblins Part A

Twenty-two Goblins

Goblin by Throne Rush from Wikia

Introduction

I wonder why there are gems inside of the fruit the monk gives the king? I liked that the monk's name is Patience. I definitely feel like there is some significant meaning with that name. I was really confused when the goblin was in the dead body. Originally I did not realize that there was a dead body. I just assumed that what the king thought was a dead body was actually a goblin. Nope. I was definitely wrong. The goblin was just inside of the dead body. 

The 3 Lovers

I definitely would have not guessed the correct answer for this riddle. First of all, I think what all the brothers did after Coral's death was weird. Making a hut on her ashes and begging for food is obsessive and scary. Dipping her bones in a river is also a bit strange. Honestly becoming a monk was not too bad, but seemed a little extreme. When the monk brought her to life, I was a little confused. I thought monks were like nuns and could not marry. So I didn't think that marrying Coral would be an option for him when she came back to life. I was kind of shocked to hear that the answer to the riddle was the brother that built a hut on her ashes. Like I said before, I think that is scary obsessive. However, I couldn't have come up with a better answer. I think a good story would be to have Coral talk about what happened after she died (like a ghost) and to be weirded out, yet also touched by what happened. 

Week 9 Reading Diary: Twenty Jataka Tales Part B

Twenty Jataka Tales

The Goblin Town

I really really liked this story. If I were to choose this for my storytelling this week I would like to tell the story from the point of view of the man that discovered that they were in a goblin town. I think it would be nice to stay along the same plot line but go deeper into it. It could start with the boat having trouble and then the crew knowing it was going to sink and how relieved they were to find land. I think the goblins were like sirens so I would like a description of how beautiful they were before they realized it was a deception. 

Elephant from The Safari Guide

The Great Elephant

I found this story very touching. It really captures the meaning of sacrifice for others. If I chose this as my story for this week I would retell it as a person that sacrificed something or themselves for their friends. 

The End of the World

This story has everything you could want including a flying lion! I like that this story had a "boy that cried wolf" feel to it. However, I feel like it ended too calmly. I know that if I were one of the animals running for my life because the earth was breaking I would be happy that it was not, but I would also be a little upset at the little hare for overreacting and causing the huge stampede that almost led all of them to their deaths. I would probably tell the story after the lion came back and use those emotions toward the little hare. 

Week 9 Reading Diary: Twenty Jataka Tales Part A

Twenty Jataka Tales

The Guilty Dogs

I want to mention this one because I think it would be a cute case for Wolfgang to solve in my storybook project. Wolfgang could solve for who ruined the straps on the royal chariot. Perhaps the chief of the dogs would seek out Wolfgang for help so that all of the dogs in the city would not be slaughtered. It would be cute because it would be like the children's stories Wolfgang had solved in the past and because it would introduce talking animals into this new world he has found himself in called India.

The Tortoise and the Geese by yam50 on Deviantart

The Tortoise and the Geese

I enjoyed this story. I like the lesson that just because you can talk doesn't mean you always should. Some things are better left unsaid. I am curious like the children though as to why the tortoise was flying. I know the story says he was going to see the home of the geese, but I think it would be cute to write a story about a tortoise or turtle that really wanted to fly. He had a friend that was a goose and agreed to take him into the sky. However, once the children started to make fun of them he decided to make a remark back. This was a very bad decision because when he fell he broke his shell and couldn't walk or fly ever again. Or perhaps something similar. I may change for a happier ending, It would be terribly tragic if the dreaming turtle died. However, he should still be punished for talking because that is the lesson for the children hearing the story. Or I could be completely different and teach the children to dream instead.

Week 7 Reading Diary: Mahabharata Part D

Mahabharata PDE

Bhishma Falls

You can really see in this story the regret of the Pandava brothers for being in this war. They really were pained by the loss of Bhishma even though they were the cause of his death. It is sad that this did not budge Karna's need for revenge on Arjuna. His own father was dying and all he wanted was revenge. I would like to recreate this to where this is not an issue. The dying words of Bhishma would convince Karna to not seek revenge on his brother. I think this would be a great twist and end to this story.

Abhimanyu and Jayadratha

I would like to go more into Abhimanyu's death. I feel like this should be a main focus instead of a side note that drives other things to happen. To make this more of an impact, I would have Arjuna see the whole thing. This may sound cruel but I think this cold be very impactful to the readers to have Arjuna's reaction. He could have Abhimanyu's life flash before his eyes. Start with his birth and how proud and scared Arjuna was to become a father. Then, I could flash forward to Abhimanyu's first time playing with a sword and seeing his sons fighting skills progress over time. All of this could happen in moments as Abjimanyu was dying. Arjuna could rush to his son's side and have a moment in all of the chaos of battle. Ignoring everything that is happening around him so he could mourn his son.

Abjimanyu from Mythologies Revisited

Reading Diary Week 7: Mahabharata Part C

Mahabharata PDE

Arjuna and Shiva from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914).

I really loved this story. The fight between the hunter and Arjuna over the boar was really cool! I think I would basically stay along the same storyline, but perhaps go more into the fight and the boar itself. I think you could improve the story a lot by adding more details. It has the bones but give it more meat!

Riddles at the Lake from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

It is crazy to me that two of the brothers were written out and died within the same paragraph and it was so casually done! I actually really wanted to save this because it is a good potential case for my detective to solve in my storybook. He could answer some of the riddles at the lake.

Bhima and Kichaka from The Indian Heroes by C. A. Kincaid (1921)

I loved how Bhima defended the honor of his wife. It sounds like Kichaka took advantage of so many women and I am glad that he got what was coming to him. I think it would be great to go into this entire story. I think I would switch it up and write it like it was in the early 20s. Perhaps it would be like in Downton Abbey. There is actually an episode where Mr. Bates reminds me a lot of Bhima in this story. Downton Abbey is one of my favorite television shows so I think it would be really fun to incorporate it into this class. Not to mention I have never written anything like it. It would be a great new challenge.

Bhima and Kichaka from Kidsgen

Week 6 Reading Diary: Mahabharata Part B

Mahabharata PDE

Bhima and Hidimbi  from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

I thought this was an interesting story. I would like to go more into depth of the wedding between Bhima and the demon woman. I feel like it would be difficult to really care for and love a demon. Also, to have a half demon spawn. I am sure that kid has some problems. Besides being a demon, he is also a bald child. I am sure that kids made fun of poor Ghatotkacha as he was growing up.

Bhima and Baka  from The Indian Heroes by C. A. Kincaid (1921).

The story really intrigues me. The tax that the chief set as payment for protection was really insane. I would like to go more into depth of how the family felt trying to decide among them who went to sacrifice themselves for the town. I may write it so there is not a happy ending to show how the previous families felt before Bhima was there to rid them of this monster.

Draupadi and the Pandavas from Wiki Commons

Wife of the 5 Pandavas from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

This story sounds like a reality tv show. If I would write a story about this that is exactly what it would be. Can you imagine being the wife of 5 men? Not to mention the fact that they are all brothers. That would definitely be some sort of reality tv show today. Instead of "sister wives" it would be "Hubby bros" except they really are all related! I can almost hear the drama with living that kind of life. I would never be able to share a spouse! I feel like this would definitely be a MTV show.

Week 5 Reading Diary: Mahabharata

Mahabharata PDE

Vyasa and Ganesha from The Mahabharata, A Summary by John Mandeville Macfie (1921)

The Story of Vyasa's birth is WEIRD. I think it would be a good story to go into why Vyasa wanted the story of Mahabharata to be written and why he thought no one on earth was worthy. I would also like to go more into depth of the scribe. What makes him so worthy? Also another good story would be of the sister Satyavati. Her interaction with the rishi and her desperation to get rid of her "fishy smell".

Ganga brings Devavrata to Shantanu from Wiki Commons

Ganga and King Shantanu  Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913).

Ganga really intrigues me. I love how she is first described. She must have been quite beautiful. Her story of striking her children almost reminds me of Kronos eating his children until Zeus. I am glad the father of the children took action. I think it could be interesting to kind of intertwine the story with Ganga with Kronos. Maybe they could be at a "I tried to kill all of my children" group and talking about their experiences and why they did it. How did they react to their spouse turning on them? 

Bhishma at the Swayamvara from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914).

I really like the idea of the tournament to win the brides. I would love to maybe go more into the festivities and tournaments. I always loved the stories of knights and chivalry and tournaments. It would be so fun to combine this story with that love. 

Week 4 Reading Diary: Sita Sings the Blues Continued

Sita Sings the Blues film by Nina Paley

Sita from Online Prasad

I think would be interesting to go through Rama's head when he banishes Sita. The pain and turmoil and uncertainty that he goes through when making that decision because he still loves her. Also the need for respect of his people that he doesn't have because he is with Sita is a huge issue for him. Then even more uncertain when he finds out that she's pregnant so soon after getting back. Is it his child or not?

It could be a good story to go more into depth of Sita's relationship with the monk. He was a great support for her and would listen to her when she had no one else. It would be nice to elaborate on that relationship and the types of conversations they would have had.

I feel for the twins of Rama and Sita because they are growing up with a mother that is banished into the forest and a father that has nothing to do with them and yet they still sing songs about drama and how great he is. I feel like they might have had some sort of rebellious stage and it could be interesting to write about. Also, I feel like they should be completely angry that their dad does not want to bring Sita back with them at the end.

I like what they said about the unconditional love of Sita towards Ramayana and how it may be was poisonous to the relationship. He didn't treat her right and it's sad that she can't get over him. However, a lot of women that are abused in their relationships kind of go through the same thing.

Week 4 Reading Diary: Sita Sings the Blues

Sita Sings the Blues film by Nina Paley 

Sita Navami from Online Prasad

I love all of the different songs that are in this movie it's really entertaining! I was slightly confused by the many variations of animations for each character. I really love the first song when Rama is killing all the monsters a while Sita is singing. One of my favorite moments in this movie is when they are making fun of Sita dropping all of her jewelry and trying to figure out where she got the story from. It could be fun to write about this as a treasure hunt for the monkeys.

Another good point in this movie, is when they're talking about how it would have saved a lot of time if Sita just jumped on the monkeys back. It could be funny to write it like this in a sense of the YouTube videos "how it should have ended".

I think it be an interesting story to go more into detail of see his reaction when Roma says that she's not worthy to be his wife. I would like to have see the kind of flipped out a little more and say that that's not okay it's not her fault she was kidnapped. Also perhaps when he finds out she is pure, have her not want to be back with him because he doubted her.

Could also most likely write a story about them on their flying chariots and their journey back. Did they have issues with weather with the wind? was it awkward on the way back after everything they've been through?

Week 3 Reading Diary: Ramayana Part 4

Ramayana PDE

Rama vs Ravana from BBC

Rama Attacks from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914)

I would love to go more into depth of how Ravana tricked Sita. The hurt that Sita felt and then the relief and anger when she realized it was all an illusion. The story did a great job talking about it, however, I don't think they went far enough. I really think the readers should feel what Sita is feeling in this story. 

Indrajit from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914)

Wow this is a great battle scene! It has great imagery I would love to play with. My favorite is "But the monkeys were panic-sticken, and if even a straw moved they deemed it to be a rakshasa." War is gruesome and those poor monkeys had lost thousands of friends. I would be terrified too, especially if I thought my great leader was dead. What is an army without their leader? It goes down hill really fast. I also feel sorry for Sita. Again, she is shown the body of Rama and now Lakshmana. She is just really going through a lot of emotions at the moment. Not to mention, at the moment she still doesn't know that Rama and Lakshmana are in fact alive. She must be distraught! 

Ramayana and Lakshmana from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

I went through a moment of panic with Rama over Lakshmana. I was not going to be happy if he died! Thankfully, he was saved with herbs! Like when I wanted to go into more depth of Sita's pain and loss over Rama, I would like to do the same with Rama and his pain over what he thought was losing his brother. They had experienced so much together and had survived so much of this battle it would be heart breaking to see your best friend and brother die. 

Week 3 Reading Diary: Ramayana Part 3

Ramayana PDE

Baby Ginger Monkey from Wiki Commons

The Armies from  Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913) and Ramayana, The Epic of Rama, Prince of India, condensed into English verse by Romesh Dutt (1899)

I think this would be a great story to recreate. One of the first things that comes to mind is telling the story from a monkey's perspective. Follow their journey to find Sita. Maybe he could be really annoyed with Sugriva and complain about his boss. I think this would be a fun story to write about. Another idea with this story is to write it like a Dr. Suess book. Perhaps give it an "Oh, the places you'll go" or a "Green Eggs and Ham" vibe. It could be difficult finding a way to make it rhyme, but I think it would be so fun! 

Sampati and Jatayu  from The Iliad of the East: The Ramayana, by Frederika Richardson Macdonald (1870). 

I love the talk of a bird race! I could have a lot of fun with that! Maybe it's a bird race competition and there is a tragic accident that ends up with one racer losing both wings. Afterwards, you can see how he is coping with it. Perhaps he is telling his therapist about the incident. Another take on this is to go off of the sentence "Of what good is life to a bird who has no wings?" I think I could create a great tragedy based off of this. Or talk about how that sacrifice, although painful and with lifelong consequences could be worth it to save someone you love.  

Sita and Ravana from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914).

I would like to go into more detail on the interactions Ravana and Sita had. I can definitely imagine her painting a great story of how her Rama would defeat him for her. I also believe that each time he came it would be more colorful and dramatic. It could be funny to have him walk in there asking how he was supposed to die today and Sita having an entire story already planned out for him. 

Week 2 Reading Diary: Ramayana continued

Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

Bharata requests Rama's sandals.

By Balasaheb Pandit Pant Pratinidhi, 1916.

Wiki Commons

Sandals from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913).

I chose this story because of the sandals. I think this is a really big moment because the sandals are supposed to represent "royal authority". I think I could write a story off of the shoes. It could be fun to go more into depth with this story and the "powers" of the shoes and why they represent who is in charge of the kingdom. 

Viradha translated by Manmatha Nath Dutt (1891 and following).

I am a sucker for a good battle scene. I really loved this story of Rama saving his damsel in distress. This creature really sounds terrifying so I can understand why Sita was "trembling with fear". I like changing the story by putting it into a different perspective than what was originally told. I think it would be great to hear this story from the monster's point of view. Or perhaps from Sita's point of view. Men perceive women as weak so maybe she was not shaking or trembling with fear. Perhaps this was anger. What if the boys gave her a few more seconds and she exploded in fury and kicked this no good monster's butt? I think that would be a fun twist to the story. 

The Golden Deer from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913).

I was really interested in this story because in two of my three favorite storybooks they used this story. I think it could be fun to link my love of Disney with this story. I could make it a twist off of Bambi in some way or another. 

Week 2 Reading Diary: Ramayana

Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

Thataka from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

I enjoyed this story a lot because it is the first time we get to see Rama in action. He must have some mean weaponry skills to be able to Thataka when she was invisible by just listening to where she would be. I also thought it was really cool that Rama could just think of his weapons and they would appear by his side when he needed them. It sort of reminded me of Thor and his hammer. 

Sita from The Divine Archer by F. J. Gould (1911).

I am a romantic at heart and loved to read the story of how Rama and Sita meet/fall in love. The scenery and description in this was really quite beautiful. I love gardens! I think it may be kind of different to go more into detail about what Sita is thinking, or perhaps make her not as perfect and ladylike (clumsy). 

Rama wins Sita from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

I really enjoyed the challenge that the monarch had made for his daughter's suitor. I think it would be funny though if, because he broke it, Rama did not get to marry Sita. It would be interesting to see the actions of the characters after that happened. Would Sita speak up? Would Rama challenge the monarch or accept defeat and leave? 

Karma from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)

I am really intrigued by the story of how the hermit was accidentally killed. More specifically I am interested in the hermit himself. It is sad but true how your life can end in an instant and you never know when it will happen. This is why it is so important to live life to the fullest. 

The blind hermit and his wife mourn their son by Kala Pahara from Wiki Commons