Topic Choice
I will be doing a storybook on “Vishnu’s Favorite Ashtamangalas”. Vishnu is depicted in sacred Hindu texts with four arms holding a lotus flower, mace, conch, and disc. In my storybook, each of these objects will represent an Ashtamangala: lotus, conch, dharmacakra, and the dhvaja. Each of the eight auspicious signs of religions point to qualities of enlightenment. |
| A depiction of Vishnu holding the disc, conch, lotus flower, and mace. (Ramanarayanadatta astri) |
Research Topic
Conch: The conch reflects the sound of the dharma, which awakens disciples from the deep slumber of ignorance. It encourages them to accomplish their own welfare and that of others. Vishnu’s shell bore the name Panchajanya, which means “having control over the five classes of beings”.
Lotus: The lotus flower is contrasted to the muddy waters in which it floats. The water represents attachment and desire, while the lotus flower represents purity of body, speech, and mind.
Dharmachakra: The wheel of law represents the teachings of Dharma. It means different things in different religions, but it essentially that the behavior of an individual can be good or bad. That behavior either adds or takes away Dharma.
Dhavaja: The victory banner was a military standards of ancient Indian warfare. There are eleven different forms of the victory banner, which represent the eleven specific methods for overcoming defilements.
For the story interpretations, I plan on using the Ramayana for a reference to Vishnu’s avatar Rama. After browsing through some comic books, I think the Dasha Avatar: The Ten Incarnations of Lord Vishnu, and The Churning of the Ocean (specifically the tale of Kurma and Mohini; there is also the appearance of the disc!) the are good options for inspiration. I am looking for different stories from the different avatars of Vishnu, so these three give me several stories to choose from.
Inanimate Object As Storyteller
Having four objects as the foundation for my storybook, having them tell their own stories could be quite interesting. This could work especially well since they sit in the hands of Vishnu, and so they have a front-row view of his life. They could “talk” about how they played vital roles in different re-incarnations of Vishnu. Perhaps the conch played an important role in waking up a disciple of Vishnu (Hanuman comes to mind from the Ramayana.)
Object in a Museum
Again, this style would work because of the different objects. They could easily be in a museum, as they play an important role in Vishnu’s life. I can see it now, set up the intro with a child running through a museum, but then an immaculate display stops him in his tracks – he is captivated by these four different objects. He asks the nearest curator to tell him all about the lotus flower, mace, conch, and disc.
Wisdom Tale
Another way I could go is with a storyteller, which could work because Vishnu plays a vital role in Indian religions. It could be set up with a strange man just looking for something to eat (not necessarily homeless, but he looks like he has travelled a far distance). Two girls (I have a sister, so that relationship would come natural in writing) timidly go up to the man and offer him some soup. He graciously accepts and asks if they will hear his tales – they say they will. He goes on to tell about the four objects in relation to Vishnu tales. The conch is the last story, because it represent a disciple being called to action, much like how the girls were called to give the stranger some food.
And the Moral of the Story is...
The final style that I am considering is presenting the moral/message of each object (i.e. lotus = purity). I think this could be done with any of the above styles as well, but it could be nice to focus solely on the message, and not have the fanfare that the other styles have (simple and sweet). I would probably have an easier time with the creative approaches of the other styles, but this could offer a nice challenge.
For the story interpretations, I plan on using the Ramayana for a reference to Vishnu’s avatar Rama. After browsing through some comic books, I think the Dasha Avatar: The Ten Incarnations of Lord Vishnu, and The Churning of the Ocean (specifically the tale of Kurma and Mohini; there is also the appearance of the disc!) the are good options for inspiration. I am looking for different stories from the different avatars of Vishnu, so these three give me several stories to choose from.
Brainstorming Styles
Having four objects as the foundation for my storybook, having them tell their own stories could be quite interesting. This could work especially well since they sit in the hands of Vishnu, and so they have a front-row view of his life. They could “talk” about how they played vital roles in different re-incarnations of Vishnu. Perhaps the conch played an important role in waking up a disciple of Vishnu (Hanuman comes to mind from the Ramayana.)
Object in a Museum
Again, this style would work because of the different objects. They could easily be in a museum, as they play an important role in Vishnu’s life. I can see it now, set up the intro with a child running through a museum, but then an immaculate display stops him in his tracks – he is captivated by these four different objects. He asks the nearest curator to tell him all about the lotus flower, mace, conch, and disc.
Wisdom Tale
Another way I could go is with a storyteller, which could work because Vishnu plays a vital role in Indian religions. It could be set up with a strange man just looking for something to eat (not necessarily homeless, but he looks like he has travelled a far distance). Two girls (I have a sister, so that relationship would come natural in writing) timidly go up to the man and offer him some soup. He graciously accepts and asks if they will hear his tales – they say they will. He goes on to tell about the four objects in relation to Vishnu tales. The conch is the last story, because it represent a disciple being called to action, much like how the girls were called to give the stranger some food.
And the Moral of the Story is...
The final style that I am considering is presenting the moral/message of each object (i.e. lotus = purity). I think this could be done with any of the above styles as well, but it could be nice to focus solely on the message, and not have the fanfare that the other styles have (simple and sweet). I would probably have an easier time with the creative approaches of the other styles, but this could offer a nice challenge.
Bibliography:
"The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic" by Narayan (1972).
Source: Narayan's Ramayana.
"The Churning of the Ocean" by Anant Pai (2010). ACK, Volume 538.
Source: ACK Comics
"Dasha Avatar: The Ten Incarnations of Lord Vishnu" by Anant Pai (2010). ACK, Volume 10002.
Source: ACK Comics
"The Churning of the Ocean" by Anant Pai (2010). ACK, Volume 538.
Source: ACK Comics
"Dasha Avatar: The Ten Incarnations of Lord Vishnu" by Anant Pai (2010). ACK, Volume 10002.
Source: ACK Comics
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