Reading Options

Seeing the reading list for this class makes me extremely excited for many reasons. I am not only a Religious Studies major, but I am also of Hindu background, so I am familiar with all the various stories and mythologies associated with the Ramayana and Mahabharatha to some extent. Additionally, last semester, I took Dr. Moodie's Introduction to Hinduism class, so I had more exposure there, too. In her class, we read R. K. Narayan's edition of the Ramayana, so this semester, I I will read the other version. I am actually quite excited for this reading, because R.K. Narayan's edition did not include the story of the twins Lava and Kusha and of Sita's departure. Another item of interest for me that I hope to look more into is the character of Bhumi - Mother Earth - that seems to play a part both in the Ramayana (with Sita's departure) and in the Mahabharatha with some of Krishna's feats, like the killing of Narakasura. Goddess Bhumi also overlaps the super interesting Goddess (Devi) tradition in Hinduism, too, which I have background in. In further correspondence with this Goddess, tradition, therefore, I am interested in learning more about Durga, who is considered by some to be the manifestation of the Adi-Parashakti, too. Perhaps I can make a reading of the Devi Mahatmya a side project in the class!

A picture of the Goddess Durga slaying the powerful demon (asura) Mahishasura

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