Bhagavad-Gita The Second Teaching

Once again I read a rather confusing chapter but tried to come up with the best out of it.

What I understood was that Arjuna was filled with pity but Krishna tried helping him by giving Arjuna helpful advice, such as to stop being such a coward. Only this led to Arjuna explaining some more on why they should not fight and why he felt uncomfortable fighting. Then Krishna started talking about how death is nothing to worry about and neither is killing. Everyone will be reincarnated at some point. So Krishna tells Arjuna to once again go out there and kill everyone in his path like an evil maniac, only this time he takes forever to explain something that can be said so much simpler. Then Arjuna asks a few questions and Krishna answers back with a whole lot of examples of wisdom. Amazing isn't it?
Argh!
I can't read this story anymore!!! I'm going to end up tearing my hair out!
Please help me, whoever is out there!
Oh, and apparently the story takes place in India, not Rome or Greece. My bad.

Bhagavad Gita The First Teaching

A great battle is happening in the field of Kuru between the sons of Dhritarashtra and the sons of Pandu. It also seems as though the reason the battle is happening is because Drupada is intent on revenge. Only, why does Drupada want revenge? What did Dhritarashtra's sons do?

I also understand that apparently Dhritarashtra is dead and up in the upper world. Why else would his son Duryodhana be King and whoever Sanjaya is be narrating the battle?

When I head the line, "Dupada, your sworn foe on his great chariot," I came to the conclusion that this must be taking place in perhaps Greece, because people only used chariots in certain generations. I suppose this is why all of the people's names are so difficult, because the names are in Greek.

I at first thought the story was mainly about Dhritarashtra because it started out with him asking Sanjaya about his sons, but the story seemed to have switched to Arjuna who was on the other side of the battle field with Pandu's sons. I wasn't too upset about this though because Arjuna's opinions about the battle interested me. He didn't want to fight. He didn't want to take revenge. He referred to everyone as his family, even the men on the other side of the field who apparently are his family. He called Dhritarashtra's sons his cousins in the line, " Honor forbids us to kill our cousins, Dhritarashtra's sons." It was rather brave of Arjuna to lay down his bow and arrows.

All that still arose my mind to the question, "Why are the two Kings battling against each other?"

Gilgamesh Tablet XII

The ending chapter is actually a little confusing to me. Was the first part of it but a dream? Was Enkidu back, then died once again, and then came back again? What about the drumstick? What was it exactly? And why does this chapter end so sadly?

I cannot not answer all of these questions correctly or without being confused, but I can answer them in what I think the puzzling chapter is about.

The first part was not a dream, but nor was it reality. It was the past brought up again, but said and explained in a different way. The drumstick was the quest Enkidu and Gilgamesh had embarked on to kill Huwawa. And when Enkidu arrived at the gate to the Nether world, dressed in the opposite way of what Gilgamesh told him and the cry of the dead took him, was when the gods decided Enkidu must die so he did. And at the end, Gilgamesh is finally able to arise Enkidu back from the dead and Enkidu explains all that was happening in the underworld. The good people didn't have such a bad afterlife and the bad ones didn't make it so well.

And there was one line, "the Drum and Drumstick that I had have fallen down through a hole into the Nether World," that made me think of Alice in Wonderland. Only in the actual Alice in Wonderland, Alice is the one that falls in, not the drumstick. And what I realized was that Nether World sounds almost like "Another World" which sounds like it's referring to the world Alice arrives in. I just found that interesting how I automatically thought of the book Alice in Wonderland.

So it was a confusing end of a book. One that I still don't get but can make assumptions on.

Gilgamesh Tablet XI

Utnapishtim's story of how he became immortal I found very interesting. His sounds almost like Noah and the Ark only there's a few differences such as the setting, different gods, the orders he was given is slightly different, and there are others I won't name. Did the original author of Gilgamesh get the idea from the story of Noah I wonder?

Something interesting I found was how the New Year's holiday was known to the people of Shuruppak. I only thought of it as being a more modern holiday. I never imagined the people of Shuruppak would celebrate this. Unless the New Year's holiday is a translation or a better explained name for a holiday they celebrated that was similar to the festival. Hmm.

What I don't understand is why after the god said to Utnapishtim to not bring what he possesses or his riches and only worry about his life but still brought them anyways (his gold and silver). Why the gods did not become angry? He disobeyed them yet they still helped him save his life. Maybe the meaning of riches is different and means something else?

The plant called How-the-Old-Man-Once-Again-Becomes-a-Young-Man is a very original and strange name for a plant I say. I question who placed the flower at the bottom of the sea and named it that very long original of a name. And how does a flower survive under all that pressure from the water? It must again be another thing that was created by the gods for quest purposes.
I feel sorry for Gilgamesh. The strange flower was only a sign to abandon his quest. He has gone through many things, but now he is back to Uruk and will again take his place as King and rule the people. As for the boatman, why did he come back with Gilgamesh? Is he going to become the King's new brotherly companion?

Gilgamesh Tablets IX & X

After Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh wanders into the forest grieving for his friend, only to become afraid of death and have dreams of terror. Because of this, Gilgamesh wanders to the great mountain Mashu, desperate to find a way to cheat death and I must admit it is a brave thing for him to do. I know I could never face the two Twin Dragon Scorpain Beings.

Gilgamesh, as the brave man he is, marches right on through, with permission of course being half god, and travels all twelve leagues of darkness. It must've been hard. The leagues sounded like a discription of the middle or near the bottom of the ocean, it being utterly black, the darkness pressed upon Gilgamesh, and him having difficulties to breath.

He finally comes out into the light of the sun and sees the sea. The way the chapter ended wtih the line, "And beyond the garden Gilgamesh saw the sea," it made the sea sound as though it were important. It got me wondering if Gilgamesh had never seen the sea before or if it took an important part in his journey.

When Gilgamesh is telling the tavern keeper of why he looks the way he does, I can't help but feel sorry for him. He is truly greiving the loss of his friend. This fact erased all my feelings of having Gilgamesh die instead of Enkidu. Gilgamesh may get everything he wants and have almost everything in his way, but he truly does have a heart.

When Gilgamesh arrives to the island where Urshanabi supposedly lives, I became confused as to why Gilgamesh started hacking down the Stone Things. Was it out of anger for his friend's death? And what were the Stone Things? I kept reading on, hoping for the story to tell me but it never did. Although a hint was given when Urshanabi said "With your own hands you made the crossing harder. You broke the talismans, you broke the Stone Things." I had an idea that it could've been a part to the boat only it never said more Stone Things were made to help make a boat. I suppose somes things are meant to come unexplained.

When Gilgamesh finally met the man who could change his destiny at the end, Utnapishtim had said to Gilgamesh that death was just another part of life. Why change it? Now, I'm wondering if Utnapishtim can really make Gilgamesh immortal or if Gilgamesh has changed his mind on no longer being a mortal.

I'll just have to wait and see.

Gilgamesh Tablets VII & VIII

Again the question, "What about Enkidu?" comes to my mind. Enkidu was chosen to die instead of Gilgamesh. Frankly I think Gilgamesh should have died, which I suppose you already know if you have read my last review. I apparently have a grudge against Gilgamesh. Why? I don't know. All I know is that Gilgamesh is a wimp, at least at most times. To me Enkidu was the stronger one, the one who should've lived. I dislike how the gods decided to take away his life instead of Gilgamesh's.

There is one thing I like about Gilgamesh however and that is his kindness and how he isn't afraid of showing his grief. What he did to have Enkidu's name remembered was generous. I kind of now feel a little sorry for him now. He is alone without companion now that Enkidu is gone and he is grieving in sadness and loneliness.

The following clip is of Sherlock Holmes and his partner in crime. The both of them remind me of Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Both pairs of friends are good friends, almost like brothers and watch out for each other.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV883wfeTt&feature=channel

Gilgamesh Tablet VI

Gilgamesh Tablet VI started with the cleaning of weapons and the after event of killing Huwawa. What I found kind of strange in those short few lines was when Gilgamesh placed a crown atop his head and apparently looked as beautiful as a bridegroom. Back then apparently stories and life was a little different. I've never heard a man, especially a half god and mortal be described in such a way (referring in a way towards Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief).

What I don't understand is why everything is always about Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh here and Gilgamesh there. What about Enkidu? What really made me realize everything has to do with Gilgamesh was when the goddess Ishtar fell in love with Gilgamesh, longing for his body. Again, what about Enkidu? I thought Enkidu was just as beautiful as Gilgamesh. They are both half god but Gilgamesh is the only one ever noticed. Not to mention, Gilgamesh is also the one that is recognized for killing Huwawa and the Bull of Heaven, but I don't think that's right. Enkidu is the brave one who always marches forward to do his duty and Enkidu is the one who lead the way to Huwawa, the one who read Gilgamesh's dreams, the one who can survive in the wild where as Gilgamesh cannot. Enkidu should be given most of the credit.

Looking at the gods in Gilgamesh, the only one I'm really liking is Shamash. All the other gods and goddesses don't seem to act like the gods and goddesses they are supposed to be. For some reason they all come to me looking kind of mean and cruel. Where is their care for the mortals? So when the Bull of Heaven is sent down to kill Gilgamesh but in the process kills hundreds of men it proves my point. The gods and goddesses seem heartless, expect for Shamash who is lucky enough to not be on my bad side yet.

After reading the tablets I have so far, I have realized a pattern due to the number seven. Many things in the book "Gilgamesh" has to do with the number seven, or at least there is always objects of seven. I figured that seven must have been a lucky number back then or at least an important number. It's intersting and I'm kean to find out what exactly is so important about the number seven.

Again another tablet of Gilgamesh has been read. What's next? Why are the gods having a meeting council?

Gilgamesh Tablets IV & V

I was thinking about what would happen next in the story when I decided to go ahead and take a look for myself. The constant nagging on the corner of my brain would not stop. When I did get to reading it, it started at the point where the two of them, Enkidu and Gilgamesh, both began their journey to fight and kill the demon to the hateful god.
When Gilgamesh started to have the dreams they made me wonder, why him? Why didn't Enkidu get strange dreams just like Gilgamesh? I thought about this and figured it must be because of Gilgamesh's status in life and the way he was more civilized than Enkidu. Even though Enkidu understands the dreams and would probably be more fit to have them himself, Gilgamesh is the King and therefore has more power.
One thing that interested me while reading this was how the great voice bellowed from the sky saying "Seven terrors are the garments of Huwawa. The aura of Huwawa is the terrors. Helpless is he who who enters the Cedar Forest when the demon wears the seven. Hurry, Huwawa has not put on the seven. He wears but one." This got me thinking and I came up with many solutions to what he is saying. First, I came up with the idea of maybe he just woke up from perhaps sleep and wasn't fully awake yet to become all seven terrors or traits of which make him scary. Another idea was that he wasn't in a big enough outrage to hold all seven of his scary traits. Lastly, I thought of these lines talking about what he actually wore. Perhaps he had a seven piece armor suit and only had on one piece of it. Many possibilities and meanings can be interpreted about what these lines really mean.
It was an interesting scene in the story, them going on the quest, but I had expected it to be a much longer journey. Instead their journey felt shortly described. I honestly hope the upcoming scenes in the book will be a little more exciting as of the part I just read did not.

Gilgamesh Tablets ii & iii

Reading Gilgamesh left me a bit surprised. I thought it would be much more difficult to understand but i could not have been more wrong. I was able to read clearly and therefore was able to grasp the meaning of the mythological story.
Many things from this story left my mind to wonder a bit and I realized there were a few things that I found surprising. I found it quite interesting how the temple prostitute was considered almost like a goddess and was not treated like the prostitutes from today. Also, it at first shocked me when on page 15, after Enkidu and Gilgamesh had finished fighting, they had made up with a kiss and walked off hand in hand. But I soon came to quickly realize that they were not gay but it was simply the way it was back then. Doing what they did did not make them gay, it was a sign of showing everything is fine between us.
The story too surprised me in the way that I was intrigued and was always wondering what would happen next. I thought it would be difficult to understand and a little boring, but I was proved wrong. It brought me into the story of Enkidu and Gilgamesh, of adventure and myths.

QUESTions, Comparing Blogs

A. The title of the blog is "Oh Clementine".
B. "Oh Clementine" is written by a teen girl who writes about her everyday life in hilerious ways.
C. I think the title of the blog is appropiate because the author herself is named Clementine and her blog is all about her.
D. The blogger doesn't really offer any helpful or important information, only information about her everyday life and experiences.
E. Compared to another blog, "Oh Clementine" has journal entries compared to the other blog that offers only book reviews.
F. I loved this blog because it was funny (it made me laugh out loud), kept me reading, and was interesting. I found it was a very good blog. I wouldn't change a thing about this blog, the title fits, her posts make sense, and never made you want to stop reading.

The Questions

a. Where did the word blog come from?
According to the author Sarah Boxer, the word blog comes from the two words "web" and "log" combined by Jorn Barger in 1997 (creating weblog). Then in 1999, a man named Peter Merholz, an author of a weblog, split the word like this, "We blog", and therefore the word blog was born

b. Why might the writer, Sarah Boxer, object to a book about blogs? What's the difference between a blog and book?
She might object to a book about blogs because blogs are read on the internet and it wouldn't make sense to write a book about blogs. The differences: A book is tight, a blog is reckless, books are slow, blogs are fast, books invite you to stay in between the covers, blogs invite you to stray, and books worry over copyright, and blogs grab whatever they want.

c. How have blogs changed recently?
I'm afraid I don't know.

d. Why might you read a blog instead of a magazine, book, or newspaper?
Perhaps because you want to read about someone's life on an online journal or read about something else that you cannot find in a magazine, or book, or newspaper.

e. Is there a reason to doubt the objectivity of a blog? Why or why not?
Yes, someone could have written or wrote something that sounded too absurd or was more likely to be unrealistic.

f. If you kept your own blog, what would you title it?
I can't think of a particular name but I would choose something mysterious, fun, or exciting.

g. Find three blogs that mention our summer reading.
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The Beginning

For all those people out there who love to read then you're in the right place!
Maybe you are looking for a good book to read or you're just bored and surfing the web, it doesn't really matter, but if you are looking for a book to read then you can go ahead and take a look at my book reviews I'll be posting sooner or later.
Hope you guys enjoy!
(If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a major booknerd. Can't you tell? lol)