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Class Reading Options

It seems like we will be doing readings from several drastically different sources for this class, which I find quite interesting. I find it boring in classes where the readings all come from the same location or author, as a diverse set of readings creates a broader scope for learning the material. I'm looking forward to experiencing all of the different reading options that this class has to offer!

Ramayana

The first reading I looked at and found interesting was the multiple methods to read the Ramayana during weeks 3 and 4. I think it is intriguing that it can be read it two forms, one in a modern novel style translation by one author, as well as in an anthology style format by multiple authors. I plan on experimenting with which format I find most compelling as well as time efficient to read, and choosing that to complete my readings.

Mahabharata

The second reading I looked into was the Mahabharata, which seems to be set up in an identical format to the Ramayana. I may choose to read the opposite version of the Mahabharata than the one I choose for the Ramayana in order to take in both writing formats. I have heard some vague stories of the Bhagavad-Gita, namely the quote of Vishnu that came to Robert Oppenheimer following the detonation of the first atomic bomb, "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." I am very excited to read more about where this quote comes from, as well as more of the context behind it.

Amar Chitra Katha Comic Books

The final reading I looked into that looked interesting to be were the ACK comic books, which look like they could be really entertaining to read. It's not often that you can read for a college course by reading comic books, so it's hard to look past this. The covers to the different comic book issues seem to not attempt to reflect American superhero comics, but rather traditional Indian painting, which I think is awesome. I look forward to spending some time reading up on some of the stories in this class using this format! 

Indra and Shibi, Tales of the Wise Lord of Heaven, random comic selected (Source: ackguide.blogspot.com)

From what I've seen in this assignment, the readings in this class are going to be very different from what I'm used to, and therefor very engaging! I'm excited to get started reading up on these epic tales from the East!
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