Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata Part A

(Santanu seeing Ganga for the first time)

Vysa is a sage who is supposed to be telling the story to Ganesha. I read earlier in some of my research that Ganesha is the god of wisdom. I am, admittedly, very confused by the beginnings of this tale. I can tell little of the characters other than that a large portion of their life is colored by odd circumstance.

In researching for my project, I read an alternative story as to why the eight Vasus were to be born on earth. They had stolen something of Indra's. He cursed seven to exist on Earth only briefly, but the last to live a full life without marriage or children.

I wonder why the fisherman will not allow his adopted daughter to become the king's wife. It seems strange that he should demand more.

I like the theme of love and loyalty. It's very interesting that Devavrata should make such an outrageous vow.

I very much oppose the treatment of women as tourney prizes but acknowledge that this is sometimes how things were done in the ancient world. One thing that is somewhat noteworthy to me is that Bhishma won three brides for his young brother.

I think the theme of vengeance misplaced is one that makes for excellent stories. You really get to delve into the pain that Amba must have felt and the love that she still carried for King Shalwa when you consider who she chose to blame for her misfortune. Love leads to strange choices sometimes.

I find the process of Satyavati attempting to find some way to bring forth an heir interesting. She is only ruler by marriage. The King's line will die off regardless of what else may occur at this point. Why do they then care so much about bloodline? They should attempt to find some relative to take the throne.

This part of the story reminds me vaguely of the story of Moses. His mother placed him in a basket because she could not keep him and floated him down the river where he was received by a caring woman who took him in and raised him. He was later destined to do great things.

This story involves a lot more explicitly mentioned and discussed sexual activity. I wonder how Pandu will die.

The image of her burning to death on her husband's corpse is horrifying to me. However, I acknowledge that, in a certain way, to die in such a manner is a show of great devotion.

The motif of poor parenting choices is one that I don't generally play with, but I believe that if I retell this part of the story I may well take it up. It's something that bothers me greatly, and I would have no trouble chastising allowing children to become monstrous and cruel. 

I very much like the idea of bad parenting being the source and cause of an actual sinister plot.

Drupada is extremely stuck up for someone raised by a holy man. Drona's awesome [training montage]. 

It seems that a great many enemies are lining up early in the story, Duryodhana and Drupada among the chief of them.

Men are so prideful in these stories. It's actually quite exhausting.

I feel like the Mahabharata so far is like a dark, edgy Ramayana. Where the Ramayana was about love and devotion and, to an extent, revenge. The Mahabharata is about hate and jealousy and vengeance and vows that are effectively hateful blood oaths.

I think this will be a more difficult set of stories because I'm not so used to writing about intrigue and dark plots and vengeance. It should be a fun exercise, though.

Bibliography: Public Domain Edition Mahabharata