Reading Notes: Epified Mahabharata Part D

(Arjuna and Subhadra)

Draupadi's Swayamvar

This simply outlines how Arjuna strung lifted and fired a divine bow in an insane challenge to win Draupadi's hand.

Karna's Humiliation

Given this new focus on Karna, it's even easier to understand how he could come to fight for such heinous people. Everyone including Draupadi insults him simply because he was not raised a prince. People are cruel to him and inconsiderate without good reason. Krishna's presence is interesting because it indicates that the gods are somehow waiting for this, wanting it to happen as it will.

Draupadi's Husbands

So they have to share her because their mother instructed them to do so. Draupadi's brother is more upset about this turn of events than Draupadi herself. It is his blind rage that helps to further turn Drupad against the Pandavas.

Return to Hastinapur

Bhishma is the levelheaded one who believes in justice and honesty. Accordingly, he suggests that the Pandavas recieve a portion of the kingdom. Vidu is sent to fetch the Pandavas from Panchal, and Yudhishthira recieves a kingdom.

Creation of Indraprastha

Kandavprast (the Pandava's new land) was barren. Krishna traveled with them. A divine architect designed their palace or them. Maybe instead of being jealous and pathetic all the time, Duryodhana should do something cool himself so he has something to be proud of rather than just whining that his cousins have nice things. Their seemingly undearned luxury does seem to justify some envy, but not this much.

Narad visits Indraprastha 

I think that this story helps illuminate the brothers' willingness to agree to their odd conditions. Take turns with Draupadi, and no one shall intrude on the others' turns.

Arjuna's Exile

If nothing else, this story shows that Arjuna has an immense dedication to honor and justie such that he will abide by the punishment he promised to accept even if his brother has forgiven his sin.

Arjuna's Journey

While he is away, Arjuna first gives into temptation and falls in love with Ulupi. Next he falls in love with Chitrangada. I don't understand why honor calls for Arjuna to leave his wife behind when he goes back to Hastinapur.

Arjuna Reaches Dwarka

This is when Krishna meets with Arjuna one on one. Arjuna is determined to marry Subhadra, Krishna's sister. Krishna suggested that Arjuna woo and then immediately /abduct/ his sister. This seems like a weird tradition and I'm not quite sure how to reconcile my feelings about it. At least they loved each other.

Bibliography: Epified Mahabharata

Story Planning: Karna's Storyline

(Karna's death)

I am going to try something different by actually taking a week to plan out my story this time. Next week, my story will be a perspective piece centered around Karna because I think he’s a very interesting character forced by circumstance to take the short end of quite a few different sticks. I want to keep the details of the Pandava’s story the same but really get into what Karna feels about everything that happens to him and all the different slights he is forced to endure because his mother did not keep him when he was born.

Specifically, the thing I think is so interesting about Karna is that his whole life seems to slowly build up to his death. From the moment he is born, he is set up to have to fight for and consequently lose the things he wants most. That, I would argue, ultimately leads to his demise.

Karna is essentially a very moral character and doesn’t seem interested in the power or glory that should honestly be his birthright since he’s the son of a princess and the sun god. I want to show that he doesn’t sin in a way that merits the disrespect and scorn he receives when he attempts to interact with the princes and brahmins he meets.

I also specifically want to use his unique perspective to show that the Pandava’s actions can be construed in a variety of ways. They are neither inherently nor entirely good. Karna is an excellent character for exploring this perspective because he is more morally grounded than Duryodhana and also suffers slights from the Pandavas that he doesn’t earn.

Specifically, I would like to highlight a couple of their interactions. I want to see the scene where Draupadi insults Karna. I would also like to write the scene where the Pandavas attempt to battle Karna only to end up mocking him for his simple origins and lack of proven royal blood. As a sister piece, I may consider writing from Kunti’s perspective later so I can imagine how she may have been invested in Karna’s actions and choices without directly involving herself. I would love to explore her thoughts on the situations Karna faces.

Bibliography: Edified Mahabharata

Reading Notes: Epified Mahabharata Part C

(A look ahead at Karna's death)

Karna's Quest

Recap: Karna is Kunti's secret son. I don't remember discussing Karna's guru in depth in the original story. It should be an interesting journey to meet this character who will teach the art of war to a member of the wrong social caste.

The Kshatriya

Parsharam kills members of the warrior/prince caste? What a terrible curse to lay on someone for literally being kind to you. Parsharam seems fickle to me.

Karna Becomes King

Duryodhana makes Karna king of Ang(spelling?) a kingdom under his rule. I like that this story is exploring Karna's role in the story more.

Drupad humiliates Drona

So Drupad and Drona trained together. They became great friends. Drupad promised him half his kingdom after he became king. Once Drona got older and had his son (Ashwathama). Drona believed that Drupad would be true to his word and be generous and willing to give him part of his kingdom. The drama here is rich.

Wax Palace Conspiracy

This section just outlines Duryodhana's jealousy and his plot to burn his cousins alive.

Pandavas Escape

Vidhur sent a miner to rendevous with the Pandavas. I think it's very telling that /all/ of Duryodhana's brothers also celebrated what they thought to be the Pandava's demise. This is where they escape to the forest.

Bhima's Day

Bhima is really carrying the group on this one. I think it's interesting to note that he is acting as both their physical and emotional support.

Bhima Kills Bakasur

This story of Bhima going to kill the demon that's essentially holding the village hostage in order to provide himself with copious amounts of food is really indicative of the kind of appetite Bhima has for battle. He's an extremely pugnacious man, always ready for a fight.

The Birth of Draupadi

Draupadi emerged from holy fire at her birth. I forgot that there was a prophecy that she would cause the death of many prince/warriors.

Bibliography: Edified Mahabharata

Reading Notes: Epified Mahabharata Part B

A gory and shameful waste for the sake of pride

Son of the Sun

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