Epics from India

Background:  Karna is one of the most tragic hero’s from the Mahabharata. He is known for his loyalty, bravery, and chivalry. Karna was the son of Kunti and the sun god, Surya. However, since Karna was born to Kunti before her marriage, she abandoned him in a basket along a river. An interesting aspect to Karna was that he was born with golden earrings and a strong armor to indicate that he could not be defeated. One interesting aspect of Karna's story, is that of his and Duryodhana's friendship and loyalty to each other.                                                           Image Details: Karna and Indra, Source: Wikimedia Duryodhana makes Karna a King: When Karna participates in a weapons competition; he is required to announce his lineage. This was done so that men of equal ranks would fight each other. However, ...

Topic 1: Ravana Ravana is known as the main antagonist in the story of the Ramayana. He is often associated with the terms evil, conniving, and terrifying. In the Ramayana, Ravana kidnaps Rama's wife Sita in order to exact revenge on Rama and his brother Lakshmana for cutting of the nose of Ravana's sister. I picked this topic because I thought that it would be interesting to delve into and try to understand more about Ravana's character. Sources say that Ravana was a great scholar, ruler, and devote follower of Shiva. However, I would like to understand what circumstances had caused Ravana to commit his actions as well as lead to his eventual demise. If I would retell a story, I would like to do it from Ravana's perspective. Topic 2: Rama and Sita Between the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the Ramayana is probably my favorite Indian Epic. It is story about duty, love, sacrifice, loyalty, and how good triumphs over evil. One of my favorite parts of the Ramayana is...