Hinduism

» Harsh Nevatia - Your take on this

Myths and legends have been rewitten with storyline alterations all through history and before. Homer did it, Shakespeare dit it and Hollywood is notorious for it.

Should traditional storylines be held sacred and not altered while rewriting or should literary licence be allowed to prevail. And if literary licence is permissible, then should it be within limits.

What are the altered tales that have not gone down well and which ones have been justifiable.

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion How to subscribe to feeds

» shukla - Your take on this

In response to Your take on this posted by hkyyin:

Ancient legends transform into old myths. Historical fact is blended with devotional thought and an entirely new picture emerges. Thus 'Mata bhiksha dehi ! ' is a ccorrupted form of "All is welcome for the guest!". More explanation if asked for !!!

-- posted by shukla

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion How to subscribe to feeds

» Harsh Nevatia - Your take on this

In response to Your take on this posted by shukla:
So true. But the process of transformation is still going on. In his six volume Ramayan, Ashok Banker has provided a different perception of events within the basic storyline. Probably the younger generation, who are not familiar with the details as known to us, will carry a different picture and transmit a different picture to their children based on Banker's version.

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion How to subscribe to feeds

» shukla - Your take on this

In response to Your take on this posted by hkyyin:

Could you please clarify Ashok Banker's view on the interaction between ravana and Sita at Panchvati ? Valmiki's Ramayana and Tulsi's Ramcharita offer widely divergent views !

-- posted by shukla

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion How to subscribe to feeds

» Harsh Nevatia - Your take on this

In response to Your take on this posted by shukla:
Banker imposes his imagination on events all the time. He has projected Sita as a strong woman who has actually fought alongside Rama against the asuras at Panchvati. To me the interaction with Ravana is a depiction of her mental and physical strength and a demonstration that she did not go docilely but put up a valiant fight.

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion How to subscribe to feeds

» Harsh Nevatia - Your take on this

In response to Your take on this posted by shukla:
Incidentally Kanhaiyalal Munshi, the founder of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, has written a seven or eight volume work on the life of Krishna. He describes the incident of the Govardhan hill differently. He says that Krishna found a cave within the mountain into which he took the people of Vrindavan for shelter.

He makes an interesting point. He believes that Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill but he describes it differently in his book. Because he wants to project Krishna as more human and less divine. He wants to convey the message that one does not have to be a God to fight evil. We humans have that capacity and should use it.

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion How to subscribe to feeds