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| A gory and shameful waste for the sake of pride |
I don't believe that the original version I read included the part of the story where Kunti recieves the mantra to summon any god as a result of her good cheer and kindness, but I really like that. I think it's a lovely way of highlighting her good characteristics and fleshing her out as a character. She was indomitably happy. She marries Pandu knowing that she has a son who is part god somewhere in the world.
Pandu's Curse
I think it's interesting that this version of the story makes it out such that Pandu simply mistakes the hermit couple for prey rather than them actually being transformed into prey. I also find it telling that they choose to call his hunting a way of appeasing his soldier's instinct. There are some interesting ways I could play with that.
Sons of Pandu
This version makes it much easier to follow which sons belong to which gods and what virtues they are meant to embody. Yudhishthira is the son of Yama and embodies virtue and patience. Bhima is the son of Vayu and is the embodiment of strength and indomitability. Indra sired one of the greatest warriors of all time - Arjuna. Madri bore two sons, and when Pandu died making love to Madri she followed him into his funeral pyre. After that, Kunti was left to care for the Pandavas, and she took them back to Hastinapur.
One Hundred Sons
This whole giving birth to a giant steaming lump of flesh business is making me somewhat uncomfortable, and I have no intention of writing about it. It makes sense that that would result in a hundred demon babies.
Hate and Hurt
In this version it was actually just a sleeping potion that was put into the food that Bhima ate. I also didn't realize that they were all supposed to be so young at this point in the story. I think it's very telling that Duryodhana was trying to murder his cousin at such a young age. Usually at that age you worry if they're pinning and dissecting live animals. He's actually attempting murder - and nearly succeeding.
The Magic Potion
In this version, the daughter of the king of the snakes does not fall in love with Bhima and save him. Rather, the king himself hails Bhima as a relation and showers him with gifts, including the potion that gives him incredible strength. I like the characterization of this moment as the turning point in Bhima's life in which he must learn to be a hero.
Drona
It's clear that Drona knew he was destined to teach the Pandavas and their cousins to be warriors. He is a sage man.
Drona Trains the Pandavas
Yudhishthira was trained as a charioteer because his wisdom and patience gave him skill at navigating the battlefield. Madri's sons were swordsmen. Arjuna is OP. No achilles heel. No weaknesses. Only Arjuna and Drona's son Ashwathama could be taught to use divine weapons. Arjuna trained these children to commit them to his vengeance mission.
Ekalavya's Story
What Drona did to Ekalavya was cruel, and I do not respect him because of it. I don't think that the pride and ambition of a prince, even if he is the son of a god, are worth the price this boy had to pay. He did not owe anyone that thumb but himself, and he did nothing wrong.
Bibliography: Epified Mahabharata
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