Topic Research: Gods/Devas

Samudra Manthan
 I am really interested in this story because it worked for a lot of the topics I was interested in.  It is a creation story that involves several important gods and goddesses. The characters in the story come together to churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality. But many things go awry!

Lakshmi
 I also interested in the idea of focusing in on the goddess, Lakshmi.  She is the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity.  She actually is formed out of the ocean that is churned in the story I just mentioned.

Vasuki
Lastly, I would be interested to focus in on Vasuki.  He is one of the king serpents in Hindu mythology.  He is also an important character in Samudra Manthan.  He is interesting because it seems that he is often being pulled in many directions by different characters. 

Lakshmi (Wikimedia Commons)

Week 3 Story: Sita, the Theta

I have a slightly updated version of this story on my website.

It was a brutally hot August afternoon in Norman, Oklahoma.  Everyone was rustling around to and from classes.  Campus was chirping and students were in a hurry.  Really, everyone just wanted to get in the nice air conditioning, even if that meant spending an hour and a half in Zoology lecture.  Meanwhile, Rama was sitting in the Beta dining room with his new pledge brother.  His brother mentioned how he had not yet walked around to look at all the other fraternities and sororities (some might call this a “frat lap”).  So, with their pledge trainer’s consent, the two brothers ventured out on to Greek row.  They walked all around.  They made their way down to South Greek and looped back up to North Greek where their house was.  All of the lawns were filled with boys and girls.  This time of the year means the first round of dating parties are just around the corner.  For freshmen like Rama, this is a scary concept because he wants to go to all of these parties but he does not know any girls to invite him.  He had heard through the grapevine of a girl named Sita.  She was a new Theta that was looking for an eligible date for their upcoming date party.  Rama thought this might be his chance. Both Rama and Sita were legacies of their respective chapters and their houses were just down the street from each other.  Plus, they both had super weird names.  It was perfect!   Rama just had to get Sita to notice him.  Rama and his brother were almost back to their house.  They were passing the Theta lawn where Sita and her sisters were sunbathing.  Rama made an effort to get her attention by tripping right in front of her.  He looked up and the two of them locked eyes.  From that moment on, Rama and Sita were inseparable.  And most importantly, they each had dates locked in for the first round of date parties!

A Modern Day Castle: Beta Theta Pi (Wikimedia)

Author's Note:  My story is a based on the PDE Ramayana version of "Sita."  In the original, Rama and Lakshmana (his brother) were wandering the streets.  People all around were admiring the noble princes, thinking they would be rather suitable for young princess, Sita.  Both Sita and Rama were avatars of gods.  Later on, Sita was walking in a garden with her maids when one of them noticed the two young men.  She told Sita of their nobleness.  Rama overheard and lifted his head.  The two locked eyes and instantly fell in love.  They both then prayed for each other's hand.  My story is a modern, satirical twist on the story.  It takes place in Norman.  Instead of a prince and princess, Rama and Sita are new members of Greek life.  Instead of avatars of gods, they are legacies of their houses.

Bibliography. "Sita" from PDE Ramayana by Laura Gibbs. Web Source.

Feedback Strategies

I read the article, "What Kinds of Messages Help Kids Grow?" because it was something I thought I had heard about before.  The concept of saying more than just "good job" is not new to me.  I am majoring in Psychology and have heard this before.  It helps to add what you are praising a child on, like "good job on doing your chores."  It helps the child understand why they are receiving praise.  This can help them understand how to overcome setbacks as well.

I also read, "The Difference Between Praise and Feedback."  This was interesting to me.  It was similar to the other article in that simple praises alone do not necessarily do much.  It helps to seem interested about what the child is doing so that they can continue to learn how to be creative.  It helps them think it through.  Also, giving feedback rather than just praise can help children learn from any mistakes they may have previously made.

"Giving Feedback" (McConnell)

Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part A

I read the PDE version of Ramayana.  While I enjoyed listening to all the stories, I can see myself writing about one of the following later on this week.

Dasharatha's Sons: I didn't like the gruesomeness of the horse sacrifice so I would maybe want to change that.  Things can be sacred without being gruesome!

Thataka: This was Rama's first battle.  Thataka was misshapen and horrible.  I think I might want to make her beautiful so that it is harder for Rama to want to hurt her.  I also would maybe go more in detail about the celestial weapons he received.

Sita: I liked this story because it was very much "love at first sight."  I enjoyed all of the descriptive details.  I can see myself writing a story based off of this one.

Rama Wins Sita: I liked this story because of Rama having to win over Sita from the numerous other suitors from far and wide.  I can see myself turning this into a more modern version of "the boy wins the girl."  I think I am noticing a theme in liking stories about Rama and Sita.

 

 

Breaking the Bow of Shiva (Wikimedia Commons)

Bibliography:

Gibbs, Laura. Indian Epics: Images and PDE Epics. Link