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Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part C

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Episode 10 - Pandu's Curse Dhrithrashtha and Pandu get married. Kunti has secret son from Surya. Three of them enjoyed the forest and each other's company. Pandu hunted in the woods. He made a mistake. Shot an arrow at hermit couple making love. Killed him in a moment of passion. Whenever he becomes intimate with a woman, he would die. They made a decision. Pandu would not be returning. Kunti and Madri stayed back too. Dhritarashtra thought throne was his for good. Kunti spoke the mantra and gave rise to Hastinapur's future kings. Episode 11 - Sons of Pandu Pandu kills kermit and gets cursed. Kunti called Yama, God of Truth and Death, gave her son to be embodiment of patience, Yudhisthir. He became mental block of the brothers to be relied on in times of turmoil. Wind god gave Kunti son who was as strong as the wind, named Bheem, known as hero later on. Mantra was called upon to Indra, which gave her a son to become a great warrior. Kunti summoned twins for Madr

Growth Mindset: The Beginning to the End

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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.

Famous Last Words: Almost Done!!!

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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.

Week 14 Story: Blind Love

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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

Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part B

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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

Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part A

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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

Week 12 Story: Unconditional Love: Radha and Krishna

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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