Week 15 Famous Last Words: Ran 5 miles !

 I have been a sprinter all throughout high school and competed for my school in India. After a shoulder injury, I stopped being regular to practice and eventually quit. Even though I went on runs here and there, the conditioning I was used to wasn't there anymore. A couple of days ago, I decided to jump back into running. I was barely able to complete 5 miles and realized that lack of practice can be disastrous. I have made up my mind to at least run 20 miles a week to get back my stamina. Overall, I am happy with my growth this semester.

Week 15 Tech Tip: Make a Minecraft server!

 

Week 15: Wednesday Reading

After the pleas of several people, Lord Vishnu decides to adapt a "Narasimha" ( male lion ) avatar to slay the demon Hiranyakashayap—twin brother of Hiranyaksha, the demon overthrown by Vishnu in his previous incarnation as Varaha. He obtained a boon from the god Brahma that he could not be killed by a human or animal, from inside or outside, by day or by night, and that no weapon could do any harm to him. Thus, feeling invisible, he began to cause trouble in the heavens and earth. His son, Prahlada, on the other hand, was a devotee of Vishnu, even though his father threatened his life because of it. One day his father challenges him , "If your god is omnipresent. Where is he now ? Is he here ? In the pillar?" As the demon mocks Prahlada, the Narasimha avataar of Vishnu rages out and slays the demon on the threshold. He rips open the demon's insides and used his curls like garland 

This meme cracks me up every time ! 

Story source: Narasimha

Wikipedia Trail from Gandhara to the Tibetian Empire

     

Gandhara

Gandhara was an ancient kingdom in present day Afghanistan and Pakistan, near the Peshawar basin. It has been mentioned in Hindu texts as early as the Rig Veda ( the first Veda).

Atharva Veda

It is the fourth Veda and a late edition to the Vedas. It also mentions key aspects of Hinduism, like the 5 holy organic elements.

Brahman

In Hindu Philosophy, Brahman constitutes the highest universal reality. It is considered the eternal and infinite truth.

Atman

Atman is the "Sanskrit" word for inner soul or spirit. It is distinctly described in various Hindu philosophies like Dvaita and Advaita.

Gandhara's Indus Valley Goddess

Earlier forms of Hindu tradition had a unique style that can be traced back to the Indus Valley civilizations on the banks of the Indus river.

Week 14 Famous Last Words

 I want to share my experience about getting back in the gym again. I am proud of myself for getting back into my routine and working on myself. I have realized the value of good health this semester. Setting up goals and getting them done helps me keep motivated. I also browsed through the internet to find a quick meme about gyms. They help me through my anxiety. 

Week 14 EC: H.E.A.R.T

 I am finally excited to play a game that I have been waiting for quite a long time. This is something that makes me extremely happy. To be able to customize a character from the ground up and play it in a ever changing city is what Cyberpunk 2077 is all about. It is about a dystopian future and I am excited to enjoy the story of the world !

Porsche teased for the game

The car teased above is a 1970's Porsche, meaning it will a hundred years in the game! 

Tech Tip : Create Facebook Group

 

Week 14 EC: Micro fiction Revision

 

Sanjeevani was used to save Laxman's life 

Before

At the height of the battle in Ramayana, Laxman was wounded and would face death without the herb called Sanjeevani. The only one that could fetch it was Lord Hanuman but he wasn't so sure about himself. Hanuman had forgotten his powers due to a curse from childhood. A group of Rishis were annoyed by young Hanuman and cursed him to forget his extraordinary. However, he remembers on time and fetches the entire mountain for the herb. His strength is thus celebrated around the world and chanted time and time again to invoke strength. 

After

During the Ramayana War Laxman is wounded and is on the brink of death. Without the Sanjeevani herb, he would die. The only one that could fetch it was Lord Hanuman but he wasn't so sure about himself. Hanuman did not remember his powers due to a curse from childhood. A group of Rishis were annoyed by young Hanuman and cursed him to forget his extraordinary abilities. However, he remembers his powers on time and fetches the entire mountain to retrieve the herb. Lord Hanuman's strength is celebrated around the world and his name is chanted time and time again to invoke strength. 

Week 14 Story Lab: Microfiction Revision

Before 

Duryodhan, the eldest among the Kauravas was constantly meddled in jealousy towards his cousins- the Pandavas. He devised a plan with his uncle Shakuni, to destory the Pandavas. They challenged Yudhishtira to a game of dice and knew that he wouldn't refuse. Yudhishtira's pride and a curse from King Drupad drove him to lose stake after stake against the masterful gambler Shakuni. After losing everything, Shakuni aksed Yudhishtira to gamble his wife Draupadi. Yudhishtira lost again and Draupadi was summoned to the court. She pleaded to the king and begged to be free from slavery as promised to Duryodhan.

 Prince Dushasan tore off  Draupadi's garments and tried to undress her. However, she folded her hands and started praying to Lord Krishna. As she was getting undressed, the lord clothed her and Dushasan ceased. Bhima now fueled with vengeance against his cousins, exclaims that he would drink the life-blood out of Dushasan and break Duryodhan's thighs in half. Even though King Dhritarashtra freed the Pandavas from slavery, they lost another round of gambling. They had to be exiled for 12 years and give away their kingdom to the Kauravas. When the events of the Kurukshetra war unfolded, Karma came full circle and Bhima slayed Dushasan and Duryodhan exactly like he claimed.

After 

Duryodhan, the eldest among the Kauravas constantly meddled in jealousy towards his cousins- the Pandavas. He devises a plan with his uncle Shakuni, to end the Pandavas. They challenge the eldest, Yudhishtira to a game of dice, knowing that he wouldn't refuse. Yudhishtira's pride, coupled with a curse from King Drupad drove him to lose stake after stake against the masterful gambler Shakuni. After losing everything, Shakuni asks Yudhishtira to use his wife Draupadi as a stake to gamble. Yudhishtira loses again due to the curse and Draupadi is summoned to court. She pleads to the king and begs to be free from slavery as promised to Duryodhan. The Kaurava Prince Dushasan tears off  Draupadi's garments and tries to undress her. However, she folds her hands and starts praying to Lord Krishna. As she's getting undressed, the lord clothes her and Dushasan finally stops. Bhima now fueled with vengeance against his cousins, exclaims that he would drink the life-blood out of Dushasan and break Duryodhan's thighs in half. Even though King Dhritarashtra frees the Pandavas from slavery, they lose another round of gambling. They have to leave for a twelve year exile and give away their kingdom to the Kauravas. However, when the events of the Kurukshetra war unfold, Karma comes full circle and Bhima slays Dushasan and Duryodhan exactly like he claimed.

Bhima kills Dushasan

Bhima murders Dushasan and uses his intestines like a garland, exactly like he clamed.

Week 14 Reading: The Birth of Karna

 When Kunti (the mother of the Pandavas) was a young women she had a remarkable personality and her father ruled the kingdom with pride. One fine day, the rishi Durvasa enters the palace and approaches the king for service. The king agrees as everyone is afraid of the rishi for his short temper and curses. However, Kunti is fearless and serves the rishi without any hesitation. She speaks her mind and impresses Durvasa. As he was leaving, he whispers a mantra in Kunti's ears . He clarifies that this will summon the god she desires and leaves. With still a lot of uncertainty behind it, Kunti decides to test it out. Durvasa left out a key detail in the mantra and Kunti finds herself with a beautiful baby boy, Karna. She sees his golden earrings and armor, instantly realizing that he is destined for greater things. However, being an unmarried woman, she has to let the baby go. She leaves it in a basket and lets it float down the river. This is later found my a fisherman and hence Karna grew up outside palace walls. 

Kunti leaves Karna in a basket

 Kunti has to make the tough choice of abandoning a child. Karna only finds out about his birth mother only towards the end of the Kurukshetra War. 

Week 14 Reading: Shantanu and Ganga

King Shantanu ruled over the kingdom of Hastinapur. This was before the birth of the Pandavas or the Kurukshetra War. While on the banks of the river Ganga, the king fell in love with the river Goddess and asked to her marry him. The Goddess agreed on the condition that he would never question her decision. They lived happily for a while without issue before their first child was born. Goddess Ganga drowned the child to King Shantanu's shock. She continued to do so  until just before the eighth child met the same fate, King Shantanu stopped her. He asked her for the reason for such a preposterous thing. She told him about the eight Vasus who were the celestial beings cursed with mortality. She relieved seven of them of the curse until now. She immediately vanishes with their eighth child. 

King Shantanu with Goddess Ganga

Ravi Varma made paintings like this throughout the 19th Century that are considered pieces of art. 

Source

 Mahabharata Episode 1 - Shantanu the Unfortunate | Epified