Author's Note: This story derives from the Public Domain Edition of the Ramayana, featuring multiple authors. The story is based on the first three episodes, entitled King Dasharatha, Dasharatha's sons and Rama: Avatar of Vishnu
Updated version: Little Accidents
Long ago, in the heart of central India, there were two kingdoms living in harmonious prosperity. One was called Koshala and was ruled by King Dash, and the one was called Mitha and was ruled by king Jana. Koshala's capital city was filled with beautiful construction and architecture, containing castles, temples and scenic gardens. Surrounding the city was rich forest terrain with many creatures living in peace. Birds flew happily over the land, hunters and fishermen were never hungry, and fruit and vegetables grew untainted off the capital border. King Dash was of the "sun" people, and lived in a very sturdy castle with guards and animals protecting every corner. The king was happy with his three wives, never wanting anything else to tarnish their perfect existence. He feared children and clutched his power with every fiber of his being.
One day, the king heard of a traditional horse sacrifice, meant to provoke infertility in himself and his lovers. When he told his wives of this ritual, they glowed with happiness for they, too, did not want a child to eventually take their power. Then, under a full moon, the king gathered his wives and many loyal subjects to witness the sacrifice. King Dash, however, made the ignorant mistake of ignoring the ritual, sacrificing birds and reptiles rather than horses. As the people of Koshala lit each sacrificial post on fire, King Dash heard the gods cry out. Maybe it was for their desire of horse, or perhaps their hatred for useless death. In any case, the gods erupted into a furious spell, swearing to King Dash that he would be given not simply one child, but four SONS fit for the throne.
The children were born nine months later at the same time, meaning one of the wives bore twins. Of the four male children, the first born twin, Ramo, was particularly beautiful and shone like a holy light across the land. Ramo was said to exhibit the mark of the mighty god, Vishnu, and would surely take power over Koshala. Overwhelmed with frustration and anxiety, the king and his wives fled the land with their new, undesired sons. The people of Koshala adopted democracy, marking the sacrifice as the worst decision a king has ever made.
Bibliography: M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder, PDE Ramayana, PDE Ramayana
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Map of Old India Displaying Koshala
Koshala
Updated version: Little Accidents
Long ago, in the heart of central India, there were two kingdoms living in harmonious prosperity. One was called Koshala and was ruled by King Dash, and the one was called Mitha and was ruled by king Jana. Koshala's capital city was filled with beautiful construction and architecture, containing castles, temples and scenic gardens. Surrounding the city was rich forest terrain with many creatures living in peace. Birds flew happily over the land, hunters and fishermen were never hungry, and fruit and vegetables grew untainted off the capital border. King Dash was of the "sun" people, and lived in a very sturdy castle with guards and animals protecting every corner. The king was happy with his three wives, never wanting anything else to tarnish their perfect existence. He feared children and clutched his power with every fiber of his being.
One day, the king heard of a traditional horse sacrifice, meant to provoke infertility in himself and his lovers. When he told his wives of this ritual, they glowed with happiness for they, too, did not want a child to eventually take their power. Then, under a full moon, the king gathered his wives and many loyal subjects to witness the sacrifice. King Dash, however, made the ignorant mistake of ignoring the ritual, sacrificing birds and reptiles rather than horses. As the people of Koshala lit each sacrificial post on fire, King Dash heard the gods cry out. Maybe it was for their desire of horse, or perhaps their hatred for useless death. In any case, the gods erupted into a furious spell, swearing to King Dash that he would be given not simply one child, but four SONS fit for the throne.
The children were born nine months later at the same time, meaning one of the wives bore twins. Of the four male children, the first born twin, Ramo, was particularly beautiful and shone like a holy light across the land. Ramo was said to exhibit the mark of the mighty god, Vishnu, and would surely take power over Koshala. Overwhelmed with frustration and anxiety, the king and his wives fled the land with their new, undesired sons. The people of Koshala adopted democracy, marking the sacrifice as the worst decision a king has ever made.
Bibliography: M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder, PDE Ramayana, PDE Ramayana
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Map of Old India Displaying Koshala
Koshala
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ReplyDeleteHey Hunter!
ReplyDeleteI liked the twist that King Dash and his three wives did not want children so they performed a sacrifice to provoke infertility. I thought it was genius that King Dash got the opposite of what he wanted because he sacrificed the wrong animals. I wonder why did King Dash fear children? I think if you include a short encounter between King Dash and children such as a baby throwing poop in his face would be comical and informative as to why he feared children.
Your classmate,
Joanna Yoon
Hi Hunter, I enjoyed reading through your short story! I also enjoyed your re-telling of King Dash and accidental sons. I like how you went with accidental sons, because in the real Rama Dash was very desperate to have kids. This in an interesting twist to the story! I wonder how Dash will handle giving away his thrown to his four children one day? Anyway, I enjoyed reading your short story again, and look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteHi Hunter!
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to lie, I had to read your story twice to fully understand it. However, I liked the idea that everything was reversed. But why did King Dash and his wives leave with the son instead of just giving him to someone else to raise? Why would the King leave his post if all he desired was power? I did enjoy how he sacrificed reptiles and birds. However, was it purely to anger the gods so that they would not provide sons? Or did he not really know if they would get angry or not?
Hi Hunter!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the twist that you put on your story from the original. King Dash getting karma from the gods for ignoring the ritual and getting four sons fit for the throne was funny. It's funny looking back and reading your story after reading the rest of the Ramayana and knowing what happens after this. I also think that the map was helpful in visualizing India and the regions where the wives fled.
Hi Hunter! I really liked how you added your own little twist to the story. I really enjoyed reading it. I had to reread it two times because there was one part that I was a little confused on, but I finally got it when I reread it. I loved the details and how you described everything. I never would have thought to put a twist like this on a story because I am not creative, but it was a fun read!
ReplyDeleteOoh I like the direction you went with this story. I can definitely see how a King's child could be a threat to his throne. He didn't want any children but ended up getting four sons. Isn't it funny how often times our worst fears come true? It is important that when this happens we react in a positive manner. Unfortunately, like many do, Dash ran away from his problems. I really appreciate this underlying theme.
ReplyDelete