Story Lab: Storybook Research

-Yoga is often used to be benefit people physically, spiritually, and mentally
-The spiritual aspects of yoga originated in ancient India and is one of the 6 schools of Hindu philosophy
-There are many schools of yoga that have been introduced and practiced throughout the many years
-The first evidence of yoga appeared in the Ramayana and Mahabharata
-There are said to be 84 classic Asanas that Lord Shiva taught

-Vriksasana or Tree Pose is probably one of my favorites and the story is said to come from the  Ramayana.. Sita was kidnapped by Ravana in hopes that one day Sita would marry him, she refused time after    time and was sent to dwell in the woods. Since Sita was the daughter of Earth she stood and chanted her husband Rama's name... here she felt even more connected with the Earth and the trees. Finally Rama sent Hanuman to rescue her. (definitely can use this story)

Picture information: Tree Pose with trees

-Virabhadrasana poses or the Warrior Poses are said to have originated when Shiva's beloved wife Sati killed herself due to her father's selfishness. When Shiva found out about her death he cut off a lock of his hair and threw it to the ground, a warrior sprung up. The three poses are the three aspects of the warrior.

Picture information:Warrior II Pose

-Akarna Dhanurasana or the Shooting Bow Pose originated in the Ramayana and was Shiva's bow which was too heavy for mortals to lift.. except for Sita. Sita's father held a contest when she was of wedding age to see who could move the bow and whoever could could marry her. Rama was able to move the bow and the rest was history. (maybe find another story, can't find any pictures labeled for reuse)

-Hanumanasana or Lord Hanuman Pose is named after Hanuman who is a demi-god. When Rama's brother Laksmana was injured in battle, Hanuman extended his legs and leapt away to Himalaya to find healing herbs.

Picture information: Hanumanasana pose

Here is a list of the Asanas

Reading Notes; The House of Fire, Part B

Background:
-Vidura is brother to Pandu and Dhritarashtra.
-He is a member of Dhritarashtra's court but he is loyal to the Pandavas.


Story:
-Vidura found out Prince Duryodhana's plot to kill the Pandavas and Queen Kunti.
   -He then told Prince Yudhishtira of Duryodhana's plot to kill them all.
-Arriving at the palace all but Yudhishtira were in awe.
   -Yudhishtira saw that everything was drenched in oil, and that the palace was made of wood.
   -He knew that the palace was easy to catch on fire and burn.
   -He told his brothers and mother of the plot.
-Vidura sent a miner with the Pandavas and Kunti.
   -The plan was to have him dig a tunnel for them to escape Duryhodhana.
   -The miner dug a tunnel at night which led to the forest outside the palace, hiding his work from
    Purochana, the evil captain.
-Purochana was plotting to set the palace on fire during a night with no moon which allowed the miner to finish digging.
   -That same night that he finished, the Pandavas and the Queen all escaped through the tunnel.
   -Bhima, one of the brothers told his brothers and mother to wait while he returned to the guards
    house to set it on fire.
   -The guard and Purochana died in the fire.
-While the guardhouse was on fire a wind passed the fire to the palace.
   -Within the palace was a mother with her 5 sons who had come earlier to beg for food and now
     were sleeping.
   -They all died.
-The next morning the townspeople walked outside and saw the smoke and ash.
   -Within the ash they found the mother and her 5 sons.
   -They thought that they were the Pandavas and Kunti so they all mourned.
   -Word spread to Duryodhana and Dhritarashtra, they both rejoiced.

    Source info: The Pandavas by name


Source: The Indian Heroes by C. A. Kincaid (1921). Link: House of Fire

Reading Notes: Duryodhana's Revenge, Part A

Background:
-The Pandavas, the 5 sons of King Pandu, grew more and more successful which infuriated Prince Duryodhana who then plots to get rid of them along with Kunti.


Story:
-The Pandavas captured King Drupada which caused Duryodhana even more rage and spite against them.
-Duryodhana's father, King Dhritarashtra then also named his nephew Prince Yudhishthira (the eldest son of King Pandu)- this also ignited more fury within Duyodhana.
-Duyodhana then went to his father, King Dhritarshta and told him lies about Prince Yudhishthira which caused the King to second guess his decision.
-Prince Duyodhana then suggested to his father that he build a palace that only had wooden furniture which were soaked in oil- he wanted the place to be flammable.
-The Prince's plot was for his uncle, King Pandu, along with the Pandavas and Kunti to occupy the palace in order for Duyodhana to catch the palace on fire and kill all members of that family.
-The King agreed and the palace began to be built, just as the Prince had asked and planned.
-Back in Hastinapura the Prince told Kunti and the Pandavas of the palace he built, enticing them with a festival in honor of Shiva.
-Kunti and the Pandavas were given permission to go visit the palace but only if there was a guard in place.
-Duyodhana had a guard back at the palace named Purochana who knew of the plan to kill the Pandavas and Kunti.

                              Pandu and Matakunti


Source: The Indian Heroes by C. A. Kincaid (1921). Mahabharata publich domain.