Epics from India

                                                                      Image: Golden Wings, Source: Pixabay It was a brisk, chill morning. The cold wind grazed my arm as I walked toward the house. It was a small, thatched cabin with vines covering the walls and the roof. I need to get rid of that at some point . As I walked up to the front door, I could hear the stairs moan beneath each step I placed. I sighed; I swear this entire house reeks of poor. I opened the front door and could hear my mother furiously working in the kitchen. I couldn’t help but chuckle. We barely have enough food to cook in the house and she’s making lunch. “Nandini, is that you?” I could hear her slowing down her pace and I knew what she was waiting for. It was pretty common for the older children in the family to be the most re...

Kumbhakarna                                                          Image Details: Kumbhakarna, Source: Wikimedia In the comic book “Kumbhakarna,” we learn more information about the titular character. He is the brother of Ravana and is also a giant rakshaka. Furthermore, he is very strong and is able to defeat Indra in battle. In the beginning of the story, we see Brahma giving boons to Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Vibishana. For fear that he may grow strong, Indra tricks Kumbhakarna is making a foolish wish. In the Ramayana, Ravana asks Kumbhakarna to defeat Rama. Kumbhakarna terrifies Rama’s army by his strength, but Sugreeva is able to thwart his attacks. At the end of the story, Kumbhakarna faces Rama and is eventually killed. In the Ramayana, we get a very brief glimpse of Kumbhakarna. He is known to be Ravana’s brother and t...

Ravana humbled: an arrogant king finds new friends                                                                   Image Details: Ravana, Source: Wikimedia One day, Shiva and Parvati are arguing with each other. However, Ravana accidentally disturbs them which angers Shiva. Shiva traps Ravana beneath the Mount Kailasa, but becomes impressed with Ravana’s stories and gives him the Chandrahasa . Later on in the story, Ravana travels to the city of Mahishamati. The king of Mahishamati gets provoked by his wife and blocks the flow of the river. At that time, Ravana is worshiping a Shiva Linga, but because the water is blocked, the Shiva Linga is washed away. This upsets Ravana and he challenges the kings to a fight.   Although the king wins, Ravana and the king become good friends. When Ravana visits Kis...