#The Sarcastic Dharma Society

[hunterartemisanime]

Anime Analysis-Chapter 1: How Aries and it’s ideas can be explored by these anime Characters

Since my last couple of astrology posts got quite a bit of love, I decided to make a thing of it. So the cycle will end with Pisces if everything goes well. I will be focusing on only a couple of characters so that it doesn’t jar the minds of you guys. I hope you’ll like it.

There are few things one needs to remember. I lean towards the Vedic astrology analysis because I feel it is lot more in depth and adds a lot of psychology into it, and it actually gives accurate analysis on how people from the same Zodiacs behave vastly different. That been aside, let’s jump into the main thing:

Aries! what a sign. It is the start of the Zodiac cycle, number 1 Sign and harbinger of the Spring and youth. However in Media and social media Aries is always depicted as headstrong, stubborn and short-tempered time bomb, but it is so much more than that. There are a few fundaments to add: Aries’ rulership is Mars, which also rules Scorpio and gets Exalted in Capricorn. Aries itself is the Exaltation point on sun, and debilitation point of Saturn. It is a Cardinal Sign thus it is not fixed in nature. It is the part of the Dharma Trikona signs: (Fire signs that signifies the true purpose of your life) along with Leo and Sagitarrius.

These particular characters has been chosen by me because they not only break stereotypes of Aries in one way or the other but also reconfirm age-old astrophilosophic theory about someone born under a particular sign. Here I will also provide the Sun and moon sign to compare how they appear and how their minds work.

Handa Seishuu: Barakamon (15th April) (Aries Asc, Sun, Moon Mercury conjunct in Aries) (Double sun influenced, afflicted) (Mars debilitated)

Handa has a very good chart for artistic ability, but there are some added twists to it. Handa has many similarities with the other Aries native Chiyo Sakura (whom I shall discuss later). He is sensitive, critical, self searching on the positive side, and he is irascible and petty on the other side. He has his sun and Moon placed in the Krittika Constellation or The constellation of the Cutter (Pleides). Since Krittika constellation is ruled by the Sun, he is considered doubly influenced with sun. Krittika constellation is the birthplace of Sun and exaltation point of moon (when it is in the Taurus belt) and it usually gives the native exceptional leadership qualities, critical and perfectionist attitude, sharp wit and sarcastic speech, soft heart and thus they become sensitive to the core.

But neither of them are quite associated with Handa now, does it? that is because when Sun and Moon are placed so close to each other in a same Constellation, it is considered Eclipsed in astrology. This means the native would get neither the benefits of Sun nor the Moon. Thus he loses a great deal of the charismatic leadership edge that is considered “alpha” in society. But we also have to remember that this conjunction is placed over the ascendant, which is the safe haven for debilitated or afflicted planets: it does not totally rob the native of the good results of the said planets. Sun is associated with Father, workplace, body, leadership, fame and Moon is associated with Mother, home environment, mind and nurturing: Handa is blessed on both sides. He almost easily transited into the profession his father followed, and he was brought up with least struggle. Both mom and dad protected him from harm and brought up a very sensitive guy who almost never faced any consequences for his naivete. The eclipse can also cause affliction in confidence and disturbance in mind which Handa has throughout his life, but it does not totally rob him of fame. He was famous in his world of calligraphy, he was begrudgingly famous as “sensei” in the island he lived during his exile, and in the Spinoff “Handa-kun” his afflicted mind made him think everyone hates him in the school but in reality he was the most popular boy around. That is the merit of Aries Sun. Another planet which is conjunct is the Mercury which encourages his to experiment from his traditional path and open avenues he never ventured before. Mercury is the significator of intelligece, mutability, children or kids, and this happened when Handa meets and interracts with Naru. Throughout his exile he constantly experiments with the brush strokes and his subject matter regress from grand to mundane, while his technique started to mutate from normal “textbook style” to more experimental.

Aries ascendants have beautiful looks and they are somewhat unaware of their attraction and totally ignorant of any romantic or sexual desires. While making bath, Handa said to the Village chief “I’ll probably die alone”, and in Handa-kun he was blissfully unaware of the crush-brigade he had behind his back. The core of Handa’s character is his senitivity and critical nature. He is never satisfied with his process, even though the others say it is good. The first day when Handa writes in the village, he exhausted himself by overworking but throughout the process he was laughing on his own: his satisfaction is not in the result but in the constant process of effort and perfecting.

However, there is one major flaw in Handa which sets the whole story into motion: his irascibility. he punches a old man in Calligraphy exhibition who criticised his work. It could be Ariesian ego, but it is not. It is a sign of debilitated Mars. Handa has debilitated mars in cancer which makes him lash out without dignity and with very little provocation. This makes him a laughing stock in many situation in both his society and in the village, and he is sometimes seen “assaulted” by the children in the village. He is also seen as petty when he has his lunch with Hiro where he bashes Hiro’s Cucumber-Miso rice, while defending his deplorable Cucumbar-miso rice. Mars is willpower, energy and anger and when it is debilitated it makes one less of a dignified person. This segment I placed at the last because it was one of his core factor that makes Handa the way he is. However since his debilitated Mars is placed in fourth house, it somehow makes him always sheltered in comfortable homes, even in the unlikely of places. The example can be seen in how he was taken care of by the Gotou island villagers with food, company and service.

Sakura Chiyo: Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki Kun (March 27) (Virgo Asc, Aries Sun, Pisces Moon) (South Node an Mercury influenced) (Sun Exalted, Mercury debilitated in Pisces, seventh house)

Sakura Chiyo is a great and exceptional example of Aries Sun. I love her: she is sweet, imaginative, and has a lot of positive qualities like believing in people who are unlikely to be believed (Yuzuki for example). Her Sun sign is exalted in Aswini Constellation or The constellation of the Horse. Sun exaltation people are usually courageous, valiant, pure hearted, adventurous and generous. Chiyo is is all of that, but in her own unique way. She had the courage to confess to her crush in the first episode, and she was valiant enough to stay friends with his crush even after he friendzoned her. She appears to be quite shy and blushing frequently, but she asserts herself when she needs. For example, telling Kashima, a far more charismatic and popular person than her, off when she was being a bother during the set painting session. She often tells Nozaki off when he is being weird with his manga character--this is really good writing, because assertiveness need not be cutthroat all the time.

Reason her own self is reflected the way it is represented must be looked with her Ascendant. She is a Virgo ascendant, and Sun is exalted at the 8th house where the typical exaltation perks of sun fades a little (Sun is best exalted in 1st, 5th, 9th and 10th). However, let’s look at her own self. Virgo is a earthy, practical and Mercury ruled Zodiac sign which signifies The Maidenhood. Virgo ascendants tend to be smaller statured (unless some other planets interfere), generally intellectual and a little on the overthinking side. This is very prominent feature of the both Chiyo and Wakamatsu (who is a Virgo Sun). Virgo ascendants are very meticulous in whatever they do, as we remember Nozaki saying to Chiyo “I have had my eyes on you for quite a long time. I figured whoever could color in that poster so cleanly would do a nice job” in beta-ing his manga.

 Her moon is conjunct with mercury, and moon itself is in Revati Constellation, which is the final constellation and maturation point of mercury. Revati constellation is associated with imagination that transcends reality, and it is said many famous musicians like Mozart or Bach had this moon placement. Chiyo is artistic indeed and very much so as we can see her command on sketching classical style shapes and silhouettes. As moon is quite imaginative in this part and in the Seventh house of marriage and romance, it becomes quite imaginative about that idealistic romance part. But here is the added twist: her mercury, which is also the ruler of her Moon constellation becomes debilitated in Pisces. And when it is debilitated in the Seventh house it makes one frustrated about everything associated with the seventh house: romance, partnership etc. And thus, dear Chiyo is so unlucky in Romance that not only she chooses a drab and dull guy, denser than a black hole but also frustrates her in the process because of the gap of reality and imagination.

  Kurapika: Hunter X Hunter (4th April) (Leo Asc, Aries Sun, Moon in Ascendant) (Venus and South Node influenced) (Saturn in Capricorn, Jupiter Exalted in Cancer)

I was quite interested to analyse Kurapika, and I picked the right one here. Kurapika, as everyone knows is an Aries Sun. Kurapika’s Aries sits in the ninth house of Aries, and it is the ruler of the first house: ascendant Leo. Okay, so this is one of the most favorable and auspicious combination for a leader. Because Sun, which signifies Soul, body, bones, leadership, government is sitting in the house of Higher principle, Higher knowledge, father, teachers. Leo ascendants tend to be very regal and grave in appearance because of the ultra masculine Sun is the ruler of Leo. They are also very dutiful, faithful to their friends and deep supporters of justice and the ones that are right. Kurapika was born to be a leader and although he doesn’t become a “leader” of that sort, but we can agree that he is not someone you can trifle and get away with. 

So, if he is born in ultra male Sun influence then why the hell is he not so stereotypically masculine? So here is the answer. He is born in the Varani constellation or the Constellation of the Bearer, which is Venus influenced. Varani is the second constellation in the celestial cabinet and it falls in the middle part of Aries. That is one part: the other part is his moon sign. Since his moon sits in the ascendant it brings some feminine qualities which is unlike the Sun ruled ascendant of Leo. Thus here the native is graced with a thin, pale body and with an anxious vigilant disposition. They are often distrustful of others and have hard time opening up. To note, Kurapika’s moon sign falls in Magha constellation, or the Constellation of the Luck which is a South Node ruled constellation. As South node denotes detachment, renunciation and distrust it brings a sort of cold detachment in his character. 

Both of Kurapika’s Sun and Moon signs are incredibly strong. Bharani is one of the most violent energies in existance but as it’s symbol is a Vagina, the violence is internalised. These people tend to internalise positive and negetive emotions with great intensity. When Kurapika lost the entire Kurta clan by the Spiders, he internalised his pain so greatly that his life motto became to take revenge on the Spiders. Interesting thing to note, his Bharani Sun which sits in the ninth house is the house of Higher Philosophy, which can also signify one’s greater purpose in life. The energy of Bharani is especially corrosive because of its associated deity: The God of Death, and Death he inflicts upon Pakunoda and Uvogin, two of the spiders involved in the Kurta Genocide.

He has another interesting combination: His sixth house Capricorn has Saturn (in Saturn’s own house), and in his twelfth house Jupiter is Exalted. So the benefic planet of expansion and comfort directly aspects the malefic planet limitation and hardship. Saturn in the sixth house of enemies, diseases and debts, mixed with Capricorn’s energy of hard work and patience makes Kurapika one of the potently powerful people in Hunter X Hunter, even if he isn’t at par with many of them. Here Saturn gives such sufferings and pain that it gets unbearable, but at the end one shall succeed if one keeps going on. Saturn is directly aspected by Jupiter from the 12th house of isolation, liberation of soul. This is meaningful indeed! Jupiter in 12th house indicated the leaving of home or leaving your comfort zones behind for the sake of your own liberation. Jupiter indeed gives liberation of the soul in this position but it also indicates the act of giving liberation from injustice, since it is aspected by the Planet of Time and Justice: Saturn. When they look at each other it creates an extremely balanced, controlled and equally industrious person who has his energy of conviction and justice on his side and he will execute it at any cost, for the greater good.

It may be far fetched but I also think of Saturn-Jupiter axis in Kurapika;’s chart when I see his chains. Saturn as the planet of limitation represents many things: isolation, chains, and as metal (in Vedic astrology): iron. Where as Jupiter tends to expand. Chains expand to any length by Kurapika’s command, which again juxtaposes this completely paradoxical combination.  

Erina Nakiri: Shokugeki no Souma (March 23) (Taurus Asc, Aries Sun, Gemini Moon) (South Node and North Node Influenced) (Saturn and Venus in Ascendant, Sun Exalted)

Erina is depicted as a perfectionist, royalty of the Culinary world in Shokugeki no Soma. she is called the “God Tongue” who enjoys haute cuisine on a daily basis. Here’s what I think when I look at her chart: Ice princess with a heart of fire. First of all, Not the whole of Aries is considered Exaltation point for Sun, it is deeply exalted from 0-3 degrees in the first third of Aries, which consists of the Aswini Constellation or the Constellation of the Horse. These people usually tend to be naturally charismatic, pleasant to be around and unquestionable leaders: no harshness at all, because they are so self secure they don’t need to prove themselves. But that is more Satoshi Isshiki rather than Erina Nakiri isn’t it? Erina does have a penchant to prove herself so desperately. Why is that? you’ll only need to look at her ascendant.

Her ascendant is Taurus, a Venus ruled Zodiac. It is an earthy, stable, materialistic sign that loves every thing artistic, luxurious and perfect. Erina is all about that and more. Her Ascendant has one of the most powerful conjunction of all time: Venus and Saturn. Where Saturn feels quite uncomfortable being in the ascendant, it feels less uncomfortable because it’s sitting with Venus, it’s friend. The ascendant is all about the Body, personality and how other people see you. Saturn in the ascendant brings anxiety, fear and rigidness in the personality that does not appreciate breaking rules, because Saturn gets debilitated in the first house, the natural house of Aries, the debilitated Saturn brings inflated ego, and when it’s hurt, it will seek for blood. Thus Erina in times is quite the rigid little thing, and she maintained strong rivalry with Soma, just because he had “offended” her. Venus on the other hand is a soft, sensuous planet, and although it is rather comfortable in 7th house, (house of people, marriage, bonds) it does great in the first house, because in first house it brings Beauty, exceptional, awe-inspiring beauty. combined with Saturnian rigidity, it brings the textbook definition of ice princess.

Let’s see how Erina’s mind thinks? Her moon sits in Gemini an airy intellectual sign which can sometimes be problematic for moon, which is a watery and emotional planet. Her moon sits in Ardra Constellation or the Constellation of Moisture. The ruler of this Constellation is the North Node, which signifies ambition, greed, illusion, inflation of ego. Erina gets her ego hurt quite often, which should not be a trait of someone who has her sun Exalted, but it is. Because this constellation, which has all the positive qualities of ambition and achieving material things, it also gives a fragile ego as well. The symbol of this constellation is a teardrop, which is also a symbol of suffering. This includes that the mind must have undergone suffering. If this point of view is seen with the Saturn in the ascendant (the signifactor of suffering, hardship and hard work), Erina did suffer in her early life in the hands of her extremist father who wanted her daughter to be the best in the culinary world. It is interesting to see that her sun sits in the 12th house (house of imagination, isolation, jail, and liberation) and she was isolated from the world, by her father! Erina underwent suffering in a manner which is very North-Node like: she was brainwashed and gaslighted continuously. The North node which is the signficator of illusions and madness casted shadow in the her earlier life through the mental abuses of her father, and her Saturnian ascendant internalised it as her ultimate reality.

She remains festuring in this fear until the very end when Rivals rebelled against the new order of her Father’s making. As a part of the rebell team herself, she pushed herself and her team to not only win, but also break free from her own fear. This is where her exalted sun comes in play. Sun, which is the natural significator of soul is sitting in the 12th house of liberation of the soul. Here Sun allows the person to liberate herself from the ties of the mortal world, here the terrible past and the Saturnian fear of her father. Coincidentally enough, Sun is also the significator of father as well. It solidifies the theme that the cause of her fear (the father), is also the key to her liberation. She used her 12th house energy of imagination and liberation to battle her 12th house of isolation, which is fascinating.

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[vajranam]

Power Of Virtue

Results of Doing the Ten Non-Virtues

1. Killing any living being. It includes abortion, suicide (ruining a body that could have reached nirvana in this life), and participating in the military (even being a cook, it is as if you shot the gun yourself).

Personal Result: Your life is short; and you get sick easily, have little energy.

Environmental Result: Food, drink, medicine, crops, have very little effect, are always inferior, are not nutritious, are hard to digest, and cause disease in you. Most beings around you die before reaching the end of a full life.

2. Stealing anything of value: includes shady business deals, cheating on rent, taxes, or bills, underpaying what is due to local government or society, etc.

Personal Result: You do not have enough to live on or to make ends meet; and what you do have is all just common property with others.

Environmental Result: The crops are few and far between, they have no power to remove hunger, they spoil or never come up; dry spells stay on too long; it rains too much; the crops dry up or die off.

3. Sexual Misconduct. It mainly means adultery — cheating on your partner, a person to whom you are exclusively committed. It also includes some specific secondary behaviors.

Personal Result: The people who work around you are “inconsistent” (unreliable); and you find yourself having a lot of competition for your partner.

Environmental Result: You live in a place where there is urine and feces all around, and mud, dirt, filth; everything stinks and everywhere seems unpleasant and distasteful.

4. Lying, giving someone else a wrong impression about what you have seen, believe, or know; unless it would save someone’s life or prevent real suffering. If you lie and get something, the benefit comes from past good deeds, not from the lie.

Personal Result: No one believes what you say; even when you are speaking the truth, others are always deceiving you.

Environmental Result: Your work in cooperation with others fails to prosper and people around you do not work well together; everyone generally is cheating one another and is afraid, and there are many things to be afraid of.

5. Divisive Talk, splitting people up with your talk; saying things to alienate or separate two different people, (regardless of whether or not your words are true); causing one person to like another person less; it is usually subtle, like in your tone of voice.

Personal Result: You lose friends easily; people around you are always fighting one another; and people around you have an undesirable character.

Environmental Result: The ground you live in is split up, uneven, covered with crags and gullies, highs and lows, so travel is difficult and you are always afraid and there are many things to be afraid of.

6. Harsh Talk, with bad intent and effect; it includes sarcastic “nice” words and swearing.

Personal Result: You hear many unpleasant things, you hear things as bad sounds; and when others talk to you it always seems to you as if they want to start a fight.

Environmental Result: The ground where you live is covered with obstacles like fallen tree trunks, thorns, stones, sharp broken glass; it is rough, dreary, no streams or water springs; the ground is parched and poisoned, burning hot and threatening; there are many things to fear.

7. Idle Talk, meaningless chatter, criticism, disputes, useless joking, whining, complaining, speaking out of the motive of attachment or craving; gossiping about politics, sports, etc., or about people engaged in wrong livelihood; reciting prayers while not thinking about their meaning. Gossiping about others’ values or spiritual practice. Dharma is sacred and should be discussed in holy private whispers on special nights, not casually — talk in hushed tones, very beautiful sacred speech, talk about inspiring things. As an aspiring bodhisattva, you may need to discuss mundane topics with others for their benefit, but keep the ultimate goal in mind, and do not be drawn into worldly conversations.

Personal Result: No one listens to you; no one respects what you say — no one thinks that what you say has any particular value; and you are afflicted with a lack of confidence and self-esteem.

Environmental Result:Fruits refuse to grow, or grow at the wrong times, seem ripe when they are not, have frail roots; there are no leisure places around like parks, or pools of cool water; many things around make you afraid.

8. Craving/Coveting, is similar to coveting in the Ten Commandments. Wanting others’ possessions and personal qualities like their intelligence, health, fame, youth, or spiritual achievements. It comes in five stages: you are attached to your own possessions, desire to accumulate more than you have, discover another’s possessions, like to make them your own, and the desire becomes unmanageable and you “lose shame” (then you act).

Personal Result: Your personality is dominated by desire; and you are never satisfied with what you have.

Environmental Result: Every good thing you manage to find starts to get worse, decrease as days, months, and seasons pass.

9. Ill-Will, is to wish bad things upon others; being pleased when others fail or have misfortune; competitiveness, like “Oh, how did they mess up? Tell me more…” not feeling as bad for an unfortunate person as you would feel for yourself if you were them.

Personal Result: Your personality is dominated by anger; you are always finding yourself without help, or never find the help you need; and you are always hurting others, or always being hurt by others.

Environmental Result: You live in a world of chaos, diseases spread, evil is everywhere, plague, conflict, fear of harm from the military, dangerous animals, you are surrounded by harmful spirits, thieves or muggers, etc.

10. Wrong View, “Incorrect world view” means not regarding karma as being the direct cause of every microsecond of experience we have. This leads to doing misdeeds #1–9.

Personal Result: Your personality is dominated by stupidity; you are a person who keeps harmful views; and you are a deceitful person.

Environmental Result: You live in a world where the single highest source of happiness is steadily disappearing from the earth; where people think that unclean and suffering things are actually nice and happy; where there is no place to go, no one to help you, nothing to protect you.

THE TEN VIRTUES

Any actions we do that cause both oneself and others to experience happiness as a result are known as virtuous actions. The classification of virtuous actions is:

Not taking the life of living beings

Not taking what is not freely given

Abstaining from sexual misconduct

Speaking truthfully

Not engaging in divisive speech

Speaking gentle words

Not gossiping

Not coveting the wealth of others

Giving up holding ill-will towards others

Right view

Contrary at what we think virtues wasn't here before the Buddha teaching, we can find on vedic and pte hindu text the notion of virtues very similar, now when we come to Buddha teaching Shakyamuni stress on those virtues because he realised that without that nothing happened.

Virtues is rightous act made in selfless action, without thinking “ gonna get good karma doing this “ , virtues are made in selfless mind to.

How do we do virtues by practicing the Dharma ? So we do virtues because first we renounce to samsara, second we want to practice for sake of all sentient beings and last we generate bodhichitta. Without those we won’t make any virtues, now virtues applications so yes we will mess up in today world full of extreme yes we will do non vitues to cancel them we need to confess fault and hiden fault by the body, speach and mind.

There's a zen proverb that say that the zen master made more mistakes than the students. So making mistakes well it’s normal our day will be more grey tham pure with or dark. What we mistaken to be like Garchen Rinpoche for example that years of work, Garchen Rinpoche himself said himself if we look to his karma he didn't had much virtues but he didn't give up on Dharma not even for a day.

That same attitude we need to have, yes we will face hardship someday we will make just non virtues and that ok because we will regret transform and carry on its part of learning Dharma to the deep.

It’s very easy to see if we got virtues and on what we use those virtues, in past I was worried about money because I was very poor, till I notice well I am not so poor because I met Karmapa, Shamarpa, took refuge very high vows with Garchen Rinpoche, recived empowerments that Milarepa himself had, wasn't poor was extremely ritch I just noticed that virtues was in Dharma there for I focus on those and left the rest. So we maybe poor, ritch or whatever but we can see on what way go our virtues for example in our life there's an area that very grow that where is our virtues, after that area maybe not Dharma mean we actually burning virtues and if we want to practice we need to develop bodhi mind .

[wassegnar]

this album has been a refuge and a source of solace and humor over the years. all time fave, thanks mat

[ambidextrousarcher]

Sarcastic StarBharat Reviews: Episode 4: Psycho Princess Wedding Problems and the Incurable Choke of Death

Tagging @ratnas-musings, @avani008, @butchcaroldanvers, @starsailororastronaut @justahappyreindeer, @chaanv, because you liked the other posts. This episode begins where the last one had ended. Psycho Princess has demanded Bhishm to marry her. He, very gently, refuses, stating that his prowess is not his own, it’s Hastina’s. (Did I mention Bhishm is NOT this perfect in canon?) Psycho Princess insults the royalty of Hastina, blaming everything on Psycho mum. Random guy (who’s the Mahamantri) gets pissed and yells that Psycho Princess will be punished. The more psycho Amba becomes, the less Psycho Satyavati is shown as, so Satyavati calmly states that she had ordered Bhishm to do what he did, to make psycho Princess and her sisters the Queens of Hastina, which she is welcome to be even now. (Did I mention that’s against canon?) Anyway, psycho Princess refuses. She doesn’t want to marry for joy anymore. She wants her justice, her revenge. She wants to marry Bhishm. Bhishm, calm and polite juxtaposition to psycho’s mad rage, pleads his inability to do so because of his lifelong oath. She wants him to break that oath, to give him living hell on Earth. She continues that he’s the reason for her pain, so as a punishment, he should get more pain than she. Apparently, StarMBH has a limit of one psycho lady at a time, because Satyavati is regal now, no more of a psycho, as she says “Apparently, you search for revenge, not justice.” Psycho Princess accepts it, says that yes, she wants revenge, but when this revenge is mandated by society, it becomes justice. I…didn’t really understand what she meant? She accepts that she will not get her justice here at Hastina. She swears that she will roam the entirety of Aryavrata and bring an entire army in front of him.  She dramatically turns and starts to leave the hall. Her way is blocked by swords of Hastina’s soldiers. Satyavati commands the soldiers to let her go, stating that she will not get help against Bhishm in any corner of Aryavrata. Bhishm stops her. Since he is perfect, he acknowledges the truth of Satyavati’s statement, continuing that it’s hence Adharm. He says that every complaint should be heard patiently and a solution for it to be found out. He tells her to seek out Parashuram. CANON FAIL. This show makes it look like Bhishm led her to Parashuram, for he alone has the strength to punish him if he is the wrongdoer. NOPE. Amba herself goes to the Kings, and failing to get aid because of their cowardice, she herself finds Parashuram. Seriously. Such character assassination to preserve Bhishm’s golden goodness.   Scene cuts to Psycho Princess trekking across hills and mountains. “Bhagwan Parashuram!” She yells. “Where are you? I have been looking for you for ages, you HAVE to appear in front of me. I will pursue you untiringly. Bhagwan Parashuram!” She falls and rolls across a thicket. She lands in front of a magic stone castle, which is throwing random stones. She crawls to the top of it. Enter Parashuram to his BG music. This guy looks badass too. A shivaling and a temple materialize out of thin air. Parashuram does pooja to the Shivling to the BG music of a Shiva mantra (The same one that plays in the Varnavrat pooja way into the future, but the tune is different, less urgent.) As he leaves, psycho Princess calls him. He turns. She asks him to hear her prayer. He repeats the Shiv Mantra, and blesses her. He ten asks her who she is and what she wants. She says she wants justice. She reminds him that he’s cleansed the Earth of Kshatriyas before. He says that yes, he has, 21 whole times, before he realized the futility of revenge. He says it in really fancy language, but that’s what it means, I think. He continues that now he’s more for the restoration of Dharma. He teaches eligible youngsters (like Bhishm). He continues that if she has faced any injustice, she should go to Hastina and unburden her heart to his favorite shishya, Bhishm. LOL! I was actually laughing at this dialogue. BTW. CANON FAIL. Nothing so flattering to Bhishm happens in canon. She tells him that Bhishm is the person who has wronged her. Parashuram goes full on drama Queen at that. He says that the ocean can overflow, the skies break, but Bhishm cannot commit Adharm. He asks her to search inside her heart for the truth, for doubtless she has misunderstood Mr. Flawless Paragon of Perfection. CANON FAIL. I REPEAT. CANON FAIL. Saying that, he leaves. Psycho Princess trails after her, yelling her sob story. He tells her that his trust in his student is absolute. He leaves then. She stays there. She keeps yelling that he has to punish Bhishm. Uh…skip. Krishna Gyaan. No. I’m not gonna watch this. Guys, I’m telling ya in advance. I will not review the Gita arc episodes. I value my sanity too much for that. Anyway, this piece of gyaan is about revenge, I think. Scene cuts to Hastina. Drunk kid’s coronation has begun. Satyavati blesses Ambika and Ambalika to rule over Hastina as Queens for a long time, that their children and grandchildren should follow on the throne. She continues that there is no greater pleasure than that, and that it was a shame that psycho Princess did not understand it. Ugh. Obviously, things are gonna go south. Drunk kid is slightly in distress, but he is trying to hide it. He’s clad in royal robes and trying to hold a sword. Then the guru pronounces the coronation (Rajabhishek, anyway) complete. Drunk kid is to sit on the throne after accepting the crown from Bhishm. He staggers near the throne. Ambalika is worried. She states that her husband’s health doesn’t seem good. Satyavati shushes her, saying that she should not say such inauspicious things during this auspicious time. Drunk kid’s vision tunnels on the crown Bhishm is holding. As he ascends the stairs, Bhishm starts descending them. And then drunk kid begins to choke. Blood spurts out of his mouth. Episode ends, with the incurable choke of death. CANON FAIL, again. Vichitraveerya does not die on the day of his coronation. He dies after a few months of ruling, of TB, I think. Precap: The ladies rush to drunk kid. He’s obviously dead. Scene cuts to Satyavati promising Ambika and Ambalika that their children will definitely occupy the throne. The younger women ask how they will have children now. Satyavati promises that they will. Both Ambika and Ambalika look creeped out, as they should.

[bangali-ray-blog]

Book Review "RAM: The Scion of Ikshvaku"

“You live in Ram’s kingdom, hold your head high. Fight for justice. Treat all as equal. Protect the weak. Know that dharma is above all. Hold your head high, You live in the kingdom of Ram….. “ 

The COVID-19 Pandemic has proliferated around the world in 2020 spreading the sense of despondency throughout humanity. Even in such dark times there have been several interesting developments happening all around world. One such instance has been the resurgence of public interest in India for the ancient Indian chronicle of "RAMAYANA". The re-telecast of the 1987 television series based on the account Tulsidas has emerged as a surprise winner when every telecasting platform has been trying to grab eyeballs amidst the lockdown. Hence it is the most appropriate time to revisit another successful attempt of retelling this tale by India's literary popstar "Amish Tripathi".    

SCION OF IKSHVAKU, the first book in the Ram Chandra series by Amish Tripathi gives an amazing mythical re-imagination of the Ramayana without losing the essence of the story. Amish tries to keep every character in the book as real as possible with no traces of Godliness or the magical powers that we are accustomed to knowing in the epic saga. Just like his previous book series "The Shiva Trilogy", here too a great attempt has been made to present the readers with the set-up of the story and world it is set in. The intricate details of the society gives the modern day readers and context for the world in which the tale is set in. 

Although the storyline is the same as the well known classic tale, but it still breathes of freshness. One of the unique feature of Amish’s writing is that although he’s rewriting mythology, but he never resorts to equip any of his characters or the environment with any magical or divine power. He attempts to back up the mighty powers and things in the story with science and technology and it works, it works well. Ram is neither born through divine means, nor portrayed as the apple of everyone’s eye. In fact, the first and greatest point of difference between the traditional Ramayana and Amish’s retelling of the tale is the depiction of Ram as an unloved prince. His father, King  Dashratha, considers Ram’s birth inauspicious and blames him for all his misfortunes. So, the fabulously powerful and wealthy king of Ayodhya is shown to be a defeated old man ruling over a crumbling kingdom. The very foundations of the epic are laid differently in this story. Even Manthara is depicted as a powerful merchant of the Sapt Sindhu. Her actions are justified in the lieu of her daughter's murder which instigates her hate for Ram.     

 Amish also makes use of the feminist wave (on purpose or not), is the portrayal of Sita as a ‘physically’ strong women with scars as opposed to the delicate nature deserves a thumb up. We all know Sita is a strong character, but here Amish pushes the envelope by appointing her the prime minister of Mithila. Even the reasoning why Dashratha was devoted to Kaikeyi, and later forced to grant her, her wish is ratiocinating.     

 At times, the narrative of the book feels like Tokiens. There are points where the creative brilliance shines bright. The description of the city of Mithila is breathtaking. The author jots down minute details about the skills of Archery or the muscular movement in swordsmanship. Also philosophies and ideas from his previous books is also sprinkled here and there.   

Many of the well known characters of the fable gets a bit of makeover. Here Bharat is presented as something of a “ladies’ man”, a foil to the stoic Ram. Vishwamitra, the sage, becomes a conspiring sarcastic leader of a clan and Jatayu becomes a Naga and so would any other characters too with any resemblance to other animals. Ravana loses nine of his heads in Amish’s version and gets a horned helmet instead. The story is told entirely on third person objective and most of the inner struggle faced by the Maryada Puroshottam by the strong resolve abide by the laws is Lakshman’s respect and love for his elder brother Ram, Sita’s strong character, the mutual respect & trust between Sita and Ram etc. has been presented to the readers.But on an overall basis the creative genius of Amish is at play. The books clearly creates a parallel Ramayana and many interpretations of known beliefs are intriguing. All in all this is a light read and interesting book. The first paced narration will keep you occupied for hours. The twisting and the interesting characters sets a strong stage for the remaining books. The book is a pure enjoyment and will leave you refreshed and wanting more.

[prabhupadanugas]

Shri Yudhishthira Maharaj said, "Oh Janardana, what is the name of the Ekadashi that occurs during the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) of the month of Jyeshtha (May-June)? I wish to hear from You the glories of this sacred day of Hari. Please narrate everything to me". Lord Shri Krishna said, "Oh king, your inquiry is wonderful because the answer will benefit the whole human society. This Ekadashi is so sublime and meritorious that even the greatest sins can be erased by its purity. Oh great saintly king, the name of this unlimitedly meritorious Ekadashi is Apara Ekadashi. Whoever fasts on this holy day becomes famous all over the universe. Even such sins as killing a brahmana, a cow, or an embryo; blasphemy; or having sex with another man's wife are completely eradicated by observing Apara Ekadashi. Oh king people who bear false witness are most sinful. A person who falsely or sarcastically glorifies another; one who cheats while weighing something on a scale; one who fails to execute the duties of his varna or Ashrama (an unqualified man's posing as a brahmin, for example, or a person's reciting the Vedas wrongly); one who invents his own scriptures; one who cheats others; one who is a charlatan astrologer, a cheating accountant, or a false Ayurvedic doctor. All these are surely as bad as persons who bears false witness, and they are all destined for hellish punishments. But simply by observing Apara Ekadashi, all such sinners become completely free of their sinful reactions. Warriors who fall from their kshatriya-dharma and flee the battlefield go to a ferocious hell. But, Oh Yudhishthira, even such a fallen kshatriya, if he observes fasting on the Apara Ekadashi, is freed of that great sinful reaction and goes to heaven. That disciple is the greatest sinner who, after receiving a proper spiritual education from his spiritual master, turns around and blasphemes him. Such a so-called disciple suffers unlimitedly. But even he, rascal though he be, if he simply observes Apara Ekadashi, can attain to the spiritual world. https://www.instagram.com/p/CeA-ZURgjXV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[alyxeris]

You have good taste in music. 21 for the asks.

oh shit. these are gonna be all over the place, but...

01. last days of magic - north by north

02. bottom of the barrel - lung

03. other people’s songs - the sarcastic dharma society

04. fable cry - fable cry

05. always a good reason - rose hotel

06. life is ruff EP - dollar signs (bonus album because these boys are gigantic sweethearts and i’m constantly blown away by how talented and caring they are.)

so that sarcastic dharma society album is actually how i first discovered AJJ and fell in love with them. i’m also incredibly fond of the meyercord cover on there because it’s super cheeky and fun.

[older-and-far-away]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8jQAM8JIz4)

[thesarcasticdharmasociety]

come at me, bro.

social. effing. media. fucking ask me shit, dude. ferreal.

http://thesarcasticdharmasociety.com/ask

-mat

[kpsupdx]

As part of our ongoing partnership with Kelly's Olympian KPSU is also hosting monthly showcases spotlighting emerging Northwest bands and artists. The Lineup: - The Sarcastic Dharma Society  Mat Vuksinich has been making music under the name The Sarcastic Dharma Society, both by himself and with the help of others, since 2003. They can be found writing, recording, and regularly performing in the rainy city of Portland, Oregon. - Whitney Ballen  "Whitney Ballen’s voice isn’t for everybody, but for those who love a quirky tone that’s both sharp and sweet, it’s lovely. Inspired by her hometown of Fall City, Wash., this sophomore release explores both personal struggles and roving adventures through the forests of the Pacific Northwest. Layered over fuzzy guitar, explosive yet controlled percussion, and calculated reverb, the result is a dreamy, at times atmospheric collection of tracks that resonate with the heart."    -Seattle Weekly - Golden Hour  This new Portland trio is a recent addition to the lineup and we're excited to have them. Their four track EP has been one of the best local releases of the year and is reminiscent of some of the best and most authentic textures of the early works of Sleater-Kinney, The Thermals, and Gossip.

Oct 3rd, 21+, $5. RSVP on FB Here.

[ambidextrousarcher]

Sarcastic StarBharat Reviews: Episode 6: Bhishm’s self-choice ceremony

Tagging @avani008, @butchcaroldanvers, @chaanv, @medhasree, @ratnas-musings, @iamnotthat. Anyone else who wants to be tagged, please comment.

Thanks to @avani008 for the reblog with the amaze tags! Thank you, Avani didi!

The episode begins with an elaborate naming ceremony, complete with a ringing hymn. This generation of babies has naming ceremonies, the next one, on the Pandavas’ side, anyway, doesn’t. I don’t really remember the Kauravas, but man, imagine 100 freaking naming ceremonies in the span of a few days. Ouch. I feel pity for the pandits in that case. The part of the precap dealing with Dhritrashtra’s naming plays. Next, it is Pandu who’s named. CANON FAIL. Pandu is not named for the glow on his skin, he’s named for his paleness. When Ved Vyas um, copulates with Ambalika, she turns pale with fear, which is why Pandu is born pale, canonically. Satyavati instructs the Mahamantri to give Dakshina to the Guru. “Rajmata!” Ah, it’s Mr. Paragon of Perfection. Whatever this guy is going to do, please don’t think it’s canon, alright? He has a baby in his hands, clearly, it’s baby Vidur. “The ritual is not complete. The naming of this child is still left.” There’s a woman standing behind Bhishm, I think it’s Vidur’s mama. She’s silent. Satyavati is livid. “But he’s a servant’s…he’s Parashrami’s child.” Apparently, she is too regal to say ‘dasi-putr’ in open court. “He’s not just her child, he is the gift Ved Vyas gave us. He will grow together with the Princes as their younger brother. All three ladies look pissed, like they’d rather be somewhere else, but Bhishm doesn’t give them a choice. Satyavati reluctantly holds Vidur, as the Guru gives the baby his name. (BTW, isn’t honey harmful for babies younger than 6 months?) The ladies still look pissed, but Bhishm is smiling. Camera focuses on Psycho Princess walking through water. Then it switches back to Hastina, where Satyavati is giving daan after the naming ceremony, when she notices Psycho Princess. She has a “Oh, shit, not her again…” expression on her face. Ikr, Satyavati, really. This psycho Princess has a thing of turning up smack dab in the middle of happy events and ruining them, no? First a coronation, then a naming ceremony. Idk how she gets past Hastina’s sentries into the palace. Something is wrong with your sentries, Bhishm, go train them better! Everyone moves away from her (so would I, frankly. She looks crazy, plus like she hasn’t bathed in days, at the very least.) She reaches Satyavati and says that she’s here to give daan to Bhishm. What will he choose? Marriage or death? Wow. I’d choose death, and so shall Bhishm, especially if I’m supposed to marry a psycho who literally wants me to go to hell. Right now, he stands silently, as Satyavati ostentatiously asks psycho “What do you want? We’re still ready to welcome you into the family. Why do you choose this destructive path, instead of the happiness you can have as a member of Kuruvansh?” Okay, this does not happen in canon. By the way, how can she become a member of the family, by marrying a baby who’s her nephew? What the…this makes no sense to me. “What happiness did you give my sisters? The terrible experience of Niyog? An incomplete child?” Good question, also non-canon. Canon Amba never mentions her sisters, so this is kinda a good change. “I am looking forward to the true pleasure of Bhishm’s pride breaking in front of me. My heart is beating in the anticipation of that golden moment.” Alright. Peacock feather makes an entry and I poise my finger over the skip button. It’s yet another sermon on desire and revenge. Skip. Skip. Camera focuses on Bhishm galloping on a horse. He reaches Parashuram, who’s taking a weird spin effect now. Psycho Princess is behind Parashuram. How the heck did she reach there before Bhishm? Bhishm dismounts and moves towards Parashuram. “Stop!” “I wish to touch your feet, Gurudev…” Ah, I’m so getting Arjun vibes here. Okay, I need to stop Arjun fangirling, stat. He doesn’t exist yet. “I need to find out for myself if you are worthy of my blessings. Because the man who blesses a sinner sins himself.” Why am I reminded of Bhishm refusing to bless Arjun in the future after he marries Subhadra? Okay. No, this is not Arjun I need to talk about. Bhishm rather dramatically says that the meaning of his existence is to fall at Parashuram’s feet. Alright, why is this man so very much a drama queen all the time? Even Arjun would not say that, for all that he adored Drona a lot. “As for sinning,” continues Bhishm, “The very fact that you doubt me is enough of a sin for me. If I were not bound with Hastina’s responsibilities, I would have sought death this instant.” Goodness. Faced with this much fawning drama, Parashuram does a volte-face. “When did I say I doubted you, son? However, to settle this maiden’s doubts, I wish to take your test. War with me, Bhishm. If you are following Dharma properly, you will not be defeated by my hand.” “Then, would my Guru be defeated by my hand?” He sounds like he’s gonna cry. No, Nila. Don’t think about Arjun. No. Parashuram scoffs. “A Guru gets victory if he is defeated at a student’s hand. War against me! Just like a small blot dirties a white cloth, similarly, the smallest of complaints can dirty a man’s principles in front of the society. Lift your weapons and destroy the accusations.” Parashuram causes thundering with a hand movement, creating a bow. A fight commences, fireballs moving towards Bhishm as psycho Princess grins psychotically. Bhishm’s arrow explodes the fireballs, turning them into flowers. “Pranaam, Gurudev,” says he. Seriously? Parashuram pushes Bhishm twice, leading to him toppling off a cliff. Parashuram leaps after him, punching him. They land inside water. Don’t ask me how they can breathe in water, let alone run around and do fancy moves, and that too in armor in Bhishm’s case. Parashuram clocks an uppercut, landing Bhishm in a forest. “You are cheating, Bhishm!” “I cannot attack my Guru.” Be still, my heart. The melodrama is too much, I know. “You are disrespecting your Guru. Do you not believe in your Guru’s strength that you will attack and he will be defeated? This Parashuram is not that old yet!” Bhishm unknots his hands as Parashuram throws a tree trunk at him, which Bhishm punches into two. Bhishm tune plays. I repeat, canon is NOT this over dramatic Precap: Ganga is asking Shiv for help because the two warriors, Parashuram and Bhishm have lifted their weapons. Shiva makes a cameo. Camera focuses on a sleeping girl, her room filled with diyas. The diyas flicker out due to wind, making her start awake. “Sukhdha!” she calls.

[prabhupadanugas]

Jyeshtha-krishna Ekadashi, or Apara Ekadashi: Shri Yudhishthira Maharaj said, "Oh Janardana, what is the name of the Ekadashi that occurs during the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) of the month of Jyeshtha (May-June)? I wish to hear from You the glories of this sacred day of Hari. Please narrate everything to me". Lord Shri Krishna said, "Oh king, your inquiry is wonderful because the answer will benefit the whole human society. This Ekadashi is so sublime and meritorious that even the greatest sins can be erased by its purity. Oh great saintly king, the name of this unlimitedly meritorious Ekadashi is Apara Ekadashi. Whoever fasts on this holy day becomes famous all over the universe. Even such sins as killing a brahmana, a cow, or an embryo; blasphemy; or having sex with another man's wife are completely eradicated by observing Apara Ekadashi. Oh king people who bear false witness are most sinful. A person who falsely or sarcastically glorifies another; one who cheats while weighing something on a scale; one who fails to execute the duties of his varna or Ashrama (an unqualified man's posing as a brahmin, for example, or a person's reciting the Vedas wrongly); one who invents his own scriptures; one who cheats others; one who is a charlatan astrologer, a cheating accountant, or a false Ayurvedic doctor. All these are surely as bad as persons who bears false witness, and they are all destined for hellish punishments. But simply by observing Apara Ekadashi, all such sinners become completely free of their sinful reactions. Warriors who fall from their kshatriya-dharma and flee the battlefield go to a ferocious hell. But, Oh Yudhishthira, even such a fallen kshatriya, if he observes fasting on the Apara Ekadashi, is freed of that great sinful reaction and goes to heaven. That disciple is the greatest sinner who, after receiving a proper spiritual education from his spiritual master, turns around and blasphemes him. Such a so-called disciple suffers unlimitedly. But even he, rascal though he be, if he simply observes Apara Ekadashi, can attain to the spiritual world. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPxaQhKrbJm/?utm_medium=tumblr

[alyxeris]

tagged by @saintapathis​ to post 5 songs to listen to when you’re sad, but i like her idea of different moods best. so these are my main moods, i guess:

depressed this little light by two cow garage i am so mad at you by AJJ shit on my heart cover by the sarcastic dharma society never get to know by paul baribeau the mummy’s hand by the mountain goats

anxious bad, bad things by AJJ kiss off by the violent femmes piggy (nothing can stop me now) by NIN 9th and hennepin by tom waits add it up by the violent femmes

manic-angry ty cobb by soundgarden 3am by VHÖL the greatest gift cover by we versus the shark you need satan more than he needs you by future of the left prehistoric dog by red fang

manic-happy landmarks by the ford theatre reunion  come on eileen by dexy’s midnight runners (no seriously) suddenly it’s a folk song cover by we versus the shark insert 90s playlist here, honestly. 

tagging people i’d totally take music recommendations from: @amandavonpanda, @caitlinvsshark, @aplacebothwonderfulandstrange, and @neighborlybutcher! and honestly anyone else who has good music recommendations!

[excuses-and-half-truths]

365 Day Song Challenge: Day 55

Stalker's my whole style and if I get caught I'll deny, deny, deny. 

The Sarcastic Dharma Society - Simeon's Dilemma

[lovecraftinvancouver]

The sarcastic dharma society - Shit on my heart ( by Meyercord)