Styles Brainstorm: Karma

Topic: The topic I want to focus on for my storybook is Karma. In particular, I want to focus on its connections with reincarnation and Dharma. For my stories, I wanted to juxtapose the values of Dharma and Adharma. For the side of Adharma, I wanted to look at the story of Ravana, particularly his capture of Sita, which led to his downfall. For Dharma, I wanted to take a look at either Krishna or Yudishthira. The story of Krishna's that stood out most to me was the story of Krishna and the Fruit Lady, which demonstrates the value of generousity. Yudishthira has an interesting story of how he wouldn't enter heaven without a dog companion of his, and I think it could be a good mesh to the greed of Ravana. My story choices are based on the relevance of the two sides of Karma within them.

Bibliography:
1. The Ramayana by R. K. Narayan, particularly the sections on Ravana
2. Krishna and the Fruit Lady,  from "The Butter Thief"
I found this story online, but I may find other good stories as I read through the Mahabharata, and I also plan to read the Harivamsha as well.
3. Yudishthir's Assent to Heaven, from the Mahabharata
I read about this on his Wikipedia page.

Style Ideas:

Divine Observer: Yama is the god of death and Dharma, so I think he would make a very good narrator for the stories. He might be using them to explain the concept of Karma to a person who has recently died. He would retell the stories from his point of view and focus on the aspects of Karma demonstrated in them. He might even expand on what happens afterwards. Since Yama is the god of death, this could fall under the Trial in the Afterlife theme as well.

Savitri appealing to Yama
Source

Outer Space: I think this topic would work really well with outer space. I could examine the whole universe as a character, with its own Karma. If I did this, I'd probably want to bring in the creation story and the overall Hindu mythology of the various ages of man. I could look at how the universe maintains its Karma and maybe even take a look at its current balance.

Time Machine / Butterfly Effect: I could have a character travel through time and inadvertently disrupt the universe's Karma. They would then be sent on a quest to bring back balance through some act of Dharma. Along the way, I could explore the sides of Karma.

Interactive Fiction: This style of storytelling works perfectly with Karma. I could give the reader an opportunity for an introspective look into their own Karma. I've been having trouble thinking of a good focus for this style, but it meshes so well with Karma that I had to mention it. I might combine it with one of the others.

Overall, I think I like the idea of using a frametale. Most of the styles I've looked at work well with it. I also think it would give me more opportunities to bring my own creativity into the mix a little more than an anthology.