Week 4 Storytelling: The genie

Kaikeyl was lounging about, eating her oranges and mangoes in the den. Life could not be more pleasant. Here she was, scantily clad in only her beads and pearls, reveling in the fact she had raised her son, Bharata to be the perfect young man. The only problem was that Rama was the heir to what she thought was to be her son's throne. She loved Rama, but she felt that Bharata reflected everything that was right in the world of Ayodha. Bharata had the true human package, being able to properly empathize and work alongside people. She thought Rama really just kept to himself and his wife-- truly a nice young man, but nothing compared to Bharata.

She realized she still had to sort through some old belongings she had forgotten about. These items were once very valuable, but as she was a queen, they didn't matter. The first thing she noticed when rummaging was an old gas lamp with multitudes of languages inscribed upon it. She had been advised against opening it by her own mother for the past 20 years. "I am a queen of Ayodha. Who is to say what I can't open?" She proceeded to pry its top from the base and a gigantic plume of dust filled the room. It was black as soot and smelled of putrid food.

Manthara, a wicked genie, was all that remained of the lamp and dust once it all settled. She was not the most stunning of characters, having a plump belly and unfortunate frame. Her voice also sounded like a gull being strangled. Manthara chortled, "Hello Kaikeyl! How great it is to finally be in your presence. You must forgive me for my appearance, as I am obviously very cramped in that awful vesicle". Kaikeyl had yet to respond, verbally or with gesticulation. Manthara continued, "You may have your two wishes granted now, no questions asked! Just remember that actions and words -- or lack thereof -- have consequences!"

Kaikeyl was known by her people as loyal, trustworthy, and logical, which is why it was so peculiar for her to ask for her wishes abruptly. She wished for Bharata to become king over Rama, and she asked for Kausalya, Rama's mother, to forgive her for her wish.

~ Years later ~

It was late in the afternoon and Kausalya was still unhappy with Kaikeyl. She came up to her at dinner one evening and sarcastically told her, "I forgive you for stealing the throne for your Bharata, because it has taught my son how to NOT be a proper king".

Bharata, having been given the throne despite not being the proper heir according to his father, had become a spoiled tyrant. Rama was patient with him for a great time, even being part of his consul for part of his reing. This, however, became too much for Rama whenever the people of Ayodha began to complain of the awful taxes, welfare, and future prospect of the kingdom. Rama eventually lead a coup in order to take down the tyrant. Bharata fell to his death while trying to escape the palace during its siege.

Kaikeyl, a bit older and wiser now, realized her mistake. She made haste in giving her son the throne without considering the consequences. Manthara's words echoed in her mind.

Oil lamp, from Wikipedia

Author's Note:

This was a different take on Manthara's visit to Kaikeyl where she asks Kaikeyl to use her two wishes to save her son Bharata. I made the maid servant into a genie to give it a fable/storytale feel. I started to rn out of ideas on how Bharata was to become a spoiled king, so I made it into a summary of his fall instead of a conversation. It's basically a story over: "Be careful what you wish for".

Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way.

Week 4: Reading Diary B

• Despite knowing the true ending of Ramayana, I wish Kaikeyl was not so quick to trust her servant Manthara when he/she convinces her to stop Rama from becoming king. I think Kaikeyl has to know that Rama will eventually become king regardless of her actions, so this likely factors in to her decision.
• All of these sorts of decisions are made without Bharata being present, which is obviously going to be a spot of disagreement later on.
• The citizens act of raising the river to block Rama has got to be the most impressive thing a town has ever done to keep their monarch in town.
• I don't remember Guha having a role in Narayan's version. I'd like to make a storytelling post where Guha is a stand-up comedian. I feel like he could have some crazy stories, too.
• I think Lakshmana should be the official unsung hero of the entire book. He battles relentlessly and competently without any supernatural ability, he can build houses on a whim in the forest, and he's a master tactician for Rama. I like that Buck gives a little more insight on him.
• I hate the part of both books where Dasartha dies of grief. The parents who told Dasharatha he should be on the flames with their son were clearly talking out of anger and shock. Parents should never wish for anyone to lose his son. Dasarathra takes this too literally, and does not take into account what his death could possibly do to hurt his sons, and even his country who do not have a king in the meantime. I could see an alternate storyline where he dies of grief and Ravana comes in to rule Ayodha as their new ruler.
• I understand that Darasathra intends to give each wife her own say and kept promises, but I felt like the only wife who talked rationally was Kausalya. This is possibly just because she is the birth mother of Rama, and she likely is trying to protect her son first and foremost.

Reading Diary A: Week 4

1. I'm not sure I am going to enjoy Buck's version as much as I thought I was going to. For one, the part of the first edition that always had me scrambling when reading was the constant slur of new characters being presented. Looks like I had it easy in the first one, because Buck's version feels like a constant bombardment of names. The legend they give before the chapter is too much to comprehend as well, but it certainly helps.
2. I enjoy how much detail he goes into when describing Ravana and the tales of the other rahshasas upbringing. It's nice to know that Lanka has not always been the demon stronghold that it was when Rama attacked.
3.  It's also interesting that the whole beginning talks about the events as if they already happened while also promising to tell them anyway.
4. The quarrel between Indra and Brahma is fascinating. It's hard to tell who is really the most powerful, but it's clear that Brahma is not nearly as eager to demonstrate that as Indra.
5. I don't remember Shatrugna being mentioned in the first version. This could be an interesting story re-telling perspective
6. Kumbhakma: What is there to say? He had a choice to be whatever he wanted to be, and he chose to be an eternal slumberer. I wish I could call him a glutton, but that sleep sounds pretty nice right now for a college student
7. I think Ravana's conquests are all great foreshadowing to his eventual fate. He shows off all of his self-centered, egotistical self. He makes sure to have many invulnerabilities, but does not have one for humans. Good luck this time, Ravana.
8. I'd like to know more about Janaka and his relationship with his daughter