Epics of India - Vinay Kalvacherla

Story 1: Varaha and Bhumi  This story involves the role of Bhumi in relation to the boar avatar of Vishnu, Varaha. In this story, a demon named Hiranyakashapa threatens Goddess Bhumi, and Varaha saves her by hiding her in the great Cosmic Ocean, subsequently killing Hiranyakashapa. I could possibly tell it from the point of view of Bhumi. Story 2: Sathyabhama Sathyabhama is a wife of Krishna and is believed by some to have been a manifestation of Goddess Bhumi. In her story, she kills a demon named Narakasura, who, interestingly, is actually her own child (he is child of Bhumi who attains great powers from Brahma through severe penance). It would be interesting to take a mother's perspective in this story. Story 3: Shiva and Ganga This is a rather interesting story that is not directly related to Bhumi, but is relevant. As seen in many depictions, Shiva is shown with a stream of water coming out of his hair - this is the river Ganga. The legend is that the reason it comes o...

The Plight of Bhumi Sometimes, it just becomes too much. I know you all know me. You have to know me; you wouldn't be alive if it weren't for me. I've been around for nearly 4.5 billion years, and have sustained every single life form to ever exist on this planet. From that ancient dinosaur whose bones are deep underneath your yard to the bacteria that caused your illness the other day, I've sustained all life. I'm behind the plants and animals you eat, the water that quenches your thirst, and the zephyr that cools your skin - be grateful that I'm here. Usually, I keep to myself in the background. I know (at least, hope) that you all know you rely on me for sustenance, and I just let you be. That is, until I saw the terrible woes of my daughter, Sita. As the queen of Ayodhya and the wife of Rama, she's enjoyed a fair share of honor in her life. She's an incredibly pious and respectable woman, dedicated to her family and extremely gentle and ca...

Rama needs to cross the bridge to Lanka; he asks for assistance to cross, God of Ocean recommends he ask Nala for help Other versions say people just wrote the name "Rama" on stones, allowing them to float and make a bridge across the ocean  Ravana tries to make Sita lament and pretends to bring in head of Rama - it's just an illusion  Ravana awakens his gigantic brother Kumbakarna to fight  Hanuman roots up an entire mountain to bring back healing herbs for the army  In other versions, he brings it back specifically to tend to Lakshmana's wounds  Would be very interesting to write a story from the point of view of Hanuman on this matter Lakshmana slays Indrajit  Rama kills Ravana, and Vibhishana becomes king of Lanka  In other versions, Ravana comes to realize that Rama is an avatar of Vishnu and that Hanuman is an avatar of Shiva and repents as he passes away  Sita is tested by fire for "purity;" passes the test, and both leave...

Sugriva - is a monkey-man just like Hanuman  Him and his brother Vali have an issue... Vali was out fighting a demon in a cave; he killed it, but mistaking the demon's blood for Vali's, Sugriva blocked the cave Vali thought this was betrayal; has a feud  Vali and Sugriva fight, and Rama shoots the arrow that kills Vali (self question: is this just?) Hanuman goes and visits Lanka  There, he finds Sita in a garden; apparently Ravana is not mistreating her  He gives her an ornament that Rama gives through Hanuman  Sets Ravana's palace on fire (fulfilling a prophecy) Ravana's advisers want him to go to war against Rama - they are bloodthirsty  Ravana's brother Vibhishana defects to the side of Rama and wants to help Rama fight Ravana  Interesting would be what would happen if Vibhishana did NOT defect... A picture depicting Vibhishana having defected to the side of Rama and prostrating at Rama's feet Source.  Bibliogr...