Indian Epics Journal

Growth mindset is the best mindset. Source: TeachThought. I experience the strongest growth mindset when I consider myself apart from my academics and extracurriculars. Instead, I focus on who I am as a person, what my passions are, how I define them, and what I can do to better myself as this ideal person. Realizing imperfections are not a bad thing works well for me to adapt a growth mindset. I've come to the conclusion that imperfections are what allow people to be unique and without imperfections, you cannot improve yourself, your ambitions, nor can you understand how to move forward from mistakes and hurdles encountered. Now, whenever something does not go as planned, I do my best to remain calm and focus on how I can get over this set back. Of course, I think it's human nature to be upset and express your true emotions if you are distressed, but the most important thing to remember is to never give up your original passion.

A relatable image. Source: We are IU. Wow! I cannot believe this semester is coming to an end. I feel like just yesterday I was crafting my very first blog post of the semester: "Introduction to a coffee fanatic." This semester had its ups and downs but I've realized how much of a reality that reflects. All of us and our moods are continuously oscillating between two extremes because there is neither absolute happiness or sadness. The most valuable thing I've learned this semester is never to give up. You can have the whole world at your hands if you simply do not lose sight of your passions. I am excited for this summer as I will most likely be traveling or relaxing in some way, shape, or form, after I've applied to medical school in June. Luckily this semester, I only have three finals, which I am ready to ace. Regardless, I am stressed out because how can you not be?! To all my readers, wish me good luck as I embark on the journey of final exams.

Queen Satyavati ordered King Shantanu's son, Vyasa, to father children to both widows of his deceased son, Vichitravirya. When Vyasa visited his mother, he was under the influence of ascetic penance and thus, was not ready for the union with a woman who was still under the influence of worldly matters. Vyasa's mother, Satyavati, was adamant about her son fathering a child from the widows, as the Hastinapur throne was without any king. Vyasa knew that due to his unattractive appearance and smelly body, a woman might have distaste mindset during the Niyoga ritual, or marriage proposal. This, Vyasa decided, would affect the new born child in positive or negative way. Ambika could not face the rishi, Vyasa, with a peaceful mind. Thus, whatever were Ambika's bodily symptoms at the time of mating, were passed to Ambika's son, early on in her womb. Ambika, in the first instance, entered her chamber while the lamp was burning. The princess, seeing Vyasa's dark visage, h...

Episode 6 - Satyavati's Secret beloved king Shalwa, who refuses her. The kingdom no longer had a prince or king. Satyavati came forward to Bheeshm about her son with a former man. She summoned him to come and take over the reign of king. He became known as sage Vyasa. Unfortunately, he was no gem to look at and actually, people were terrified by his appearance. The throne of Hastinapur would finally be filled! Episode 7 - Sons of Vyasa Vichitraveerya dies so Vyasa takes over. Vyasa pays visit to Ambika, who closes her eyes when he takes her in an embrace. The child born to them was blind. Ambalika was visited too but she turned pale with fear and so their child was born pale and was in poor health. Servent girl fell in love witht he Sage. Blind child, Dhritrashtra, grew to be kind. Panda was pale and weak but grew to. Vidura grew to be wise and the god of truth and death. There was rivalry between Dhritarashtra and Pandu that Vidura noticed. There were too many contenders to ...

Mahabharata: the epic story of love, heros, villains, war, and importantly, a culture of India. Source: Wikipedia . Episode 1 - Shantanu the Unfortunate King Shantanu of Hastinapur fell in love with river goddess, Ganga, and asked her to marry him. Ganga said yes but made Shantanu promise her that he would never question her decisions. And so Shantanu said nothing as Queen Ganga killed each and every one of their newborn children. Finally one day, Shantanu could no longer bear Ganga's killings, so he interfered with her attempt to kill their eighth son, Devavrat. Ganga explained to him that all of the children she killed were celestial beings and she meant to end their mortality by drowning them in the river. Since Shantanu disregarded Ganga's wishes to never be questioned, Ganga left him and took their only son. Episode 2 - Devavrat returns Sixteen years after Ganga left him, Shantanu was strolling alongside the river when he noticed a young archer had tamed the riv...

In the land of the Gopis, winter time passed in its somber majesty. This followed with bright lotus petals coloring the land for warmer days yet to come, waving in the breeze and radiating happiness in brilliant shades. The prancing peacock’s exuberant calls, the sweet fragrance of the lotus spreading on cool, gentle breezes, and the overall fresh springtime atmosphere all contributed the perfect touch to the most anticipated event in Vrindavan: the meeting of Radha and Krishna. Krishna began playing flute as tribute to the spring day. Not too far away, the beauteous Radha was collecting water from the Yamuna river when she heard the melodious flute music. She ceased her water collecting and followed the sounds into the nearby forest. She let her eyes flow from tree to tree, noticing the buds ready to open into the light. Soon enough, the eyes of Radha met those of Krishna. Sparks flew with great ferocity as the immediate passion both had for each other became obvious. Following t...

Krishna Epified Episode 11 - Krishna Humbles Brahma Grazing voes by the lakeside. Brahma- creator of the universe say him sharing food. Tested divine power. Krishna found that the cowherd were kidnapped by Brahma. So Krishna created cows. Life went on normally in the village. Krishna fooled people. Every child and cowherd was Krishna. Episode 12 - Krishna Rides Hastin Balram told everyone he wants to kill ferocious beast. Krishna announced he would ride the beast on the full moon. Krishna did not listen to anyone. Fed jaggery to Hastin from a distance. KRishna got closer and closer to Hastin. Poonima. Krishna leaped onto Hastin. He rode Hastin all around the village. Krishna knew that even the strongest men did not do so. Krishna played the flute and reminded people that kindness is the ultimate strength. Episode 13 - The Savior of Dharma Radha and Krishna's love for each other made them one soul but Yashoda refused. Nanda decided to take him to Gargacharya. He could not m...

Krishna Comes - Intro Kamsa hated Krishna even before he was born. Krishna grew enemies who tried to keep him from being born. But when the enemies failed, they tried to keep him from growing up. But when this failed too, Krishna made allies with kind people and was loved by many. Eventually, he slays his ultimate enemy who is also his uncle, Kamsa. Episode 1 - Kamsa Kunti gave birth to Indra's son, Arjuna. Another birth took place far away... this birthed son would guide the Pandavas into war and bring about victory.. This birth was that of the one and only, Krishna. Kansa is a cruel ruler of Mathura. The gods above demanded that the eighth son of Devaki would slay Kansa. Kansa loved his cousin, Devaki, and decided not to kill her but instead throw her and her husband in jail until he found their son and killed him. He thought killing the eighth child would rid of his doom. Out of pure evilness, Kamsa killed all of Devaki's children, six in total. Vishnu came to Earth as a...