Reading Notes: Epify Mahabharata Video, Part A

I really like these videos. They reminded me of a lot of the cool stories before the Pandavas came along.

I particularly forgot about King Shantanu and his sons with the goddess of the Ganges. I can only imagine what the citizens of Hastinapur were thinking of their queen throughout this time. If they knew, I'm sure there were vicious rumors of insanity and evil manipulation of the king.

There were also new aspects to the stories that the public domain didn't include like Amba going in search of a sage to fight for her. It is crazy to think that Bhishma could be locked in battle for twenty- three days!

Speaking of Bhishma, I'm thinking about giving his story a twist so that I can somehow include him on my dating website. He just seems like such an admirable character. It's a shame that he dies the way he does without ever knowing romantic love.

I do really enjoy the love story of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra. I think it's so romantic that she not only knew she would marry a blind man, but devoted herself fully to  him despite her father and brother's disapproval. I think they would make a lovely testimonial story for my project.

Bibliography: Epified Mahabharata Videos Part A, Web Source
Image: Ghandari explains to Dhritarashtra, Wikimedia Commons

Wikipedia Trails: From Varna to Nature Worship

As I've mentioned in some reading notes, the Indian caste system really interests me so this week I did some extra research on it. I started by following a link from the Mahabharata to Varna, the Sanscrit word meaning class. This led me to Purusha Sukta, the hymn where varna is first mentioned. However, many scholars like Max Muller believe that the part about the varnas was not apart of the original text. He believed that the Vedas is a form of nature worship which I might agree with concerning earlier Hindu texts, but definitely not the ones that we have been reading for this class.
Image: Pyramid of Indian Caste System, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Public Domain Mahabharata, Section D

This section held many different epic battles. I was disappointed to see Karna waste his celestial dart on someone who wasn't Arjuna. Their fight was interesting though and brought up many moral conflicts within the Mahabharata. A main theme of this text seems to be honor vs morality since these often are not the same thing.

There is so much death and mourning, and Duyrodhana remains a stubborn coward until his end. I do like that a couple of the Kaurava warriors die with dignity though. The Pandavas resort to tricks to kill Drona, but at least his soul ascends before his body is slayed. Bhishma's death is also unique, and it's heartwarming that people from both sides came to speak with him before he died. But why did they leave him lying on the battlefield for so long if they knew he wouldn't die for months?

I was also touched when Vysa reunited everyone, dead and alive, at the Ganges river for one night. I imagine a mystical watery world where everyone feasted, laughed, and sang the whole night.

The story with the mongoose also intrigued me and made me smile. I always loved the fable with Rikki Tikki Tavi, and I have owned ferrets as pets so any story including a weasel or other related animal is so entertaining to me. This mongoose tale is also interesting because it is seemingly random and unwarranted.

Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata, Web Source
Image: Yellow Mongoose, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Public Domain Mahabharata, Section C

This war just seems like the most childish thing ever. No one but Duryodhana wants it, and he only wants to slay the Pandavas out of petty jealousy. I am shocked that he is so prideful that he even ignores the direct warnings from Vishnu himself. Bhima and Karna probably has the worst end of this situation because both of them are compelled by honor to fight on the front lines despite their disillusion to the cause.

Karna's situation reminds me very much of a character from Game of Thrones, Theon Greyjoy. As a boy, his father waged a war against the Stark family and when his father lost, the Starks took young Theon captive. However, they raised him like a fellow son, never causing him harm. When he grew older and the Starks were engaged in a different war, he returned to his own kingdom to ask for aid in their cause only to find everyone, especially his father, rejecting him. The father forced him to make a choice: fight against the Starks(who have been kind to him) in this war or be completely disowned by his family(who treat him like garbage).

Earlier in the story it was nice to see Urvashi try to curse Arjuna with celibacy although I wish he had disliked it more. I also enjoyed reading The scene in which Dharma asks riddles at the river is also enjoyable. It's sad to see Draupadi victimized again, but in a way satisfying to see her get her gruesome revenge.

The Hindu caste system is also something that is very interesting to me, especially since it persisted in Indian culture for so long. I liked reading about history and the vedas from this perspective. I also loved that all this information came from one of my favorite characters, Hanuman!

Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata, Web Source
Image: Theon Greyjoy by Chris, Flickr

Story: The Blind Warrior

Although Bhishma stole two lovely brides for Vichitravirya, they bore no sons until after the king's death. Upon Vichitravirya's death, his mother, Satyavati, was desperately looking for someone to continue her line. Bhishma took an oath to never have children so she called upon her other son Vyasa to give her grandsons.

Vyasa complied with his mother's wishes, but because he had lived as a hermit in the woods for so many years he was not the most attractive to the young brides. Ambilika actually turned pale from fear while she lied with him, causing her son, Pandu, to be born with a very pale complexion. Ambika closed her eyes the entire time she was with the sage, so her son, Dhritarashtra, was born blind.

Satyvati desired a son with no defect so she also sent Vyasa her handmaiden, and their son was named Vidura.

All three of these children were raised by Bhishma, the acting regent. They each were taught the laws and trained as warriors. Bhishma was an excellent and patient teacher, but trying to teach Dhritarashtra soon became a burden too heavy to bear.

One day during a particularly difficult fighting lesson, Bhishma became overwhelmingly frustrated with young Dhritarashtra and yelled at him, "Teaching a blind boy is pointless! You will never become anything. You might as well go wander through the jungle until you are attacked by a beast."

Poor Dhritarashtra fled away with tears in his eyes. He stumbled and bumped his way around the palace until he collapsed in the prayer room with his head in his hands, crying and pleading the gods to either cure his deformity or end his life.

"Oh please! If you will not heal this crippling affliction, then do my family the favor of easing their burden for I will never be able to accomplish any honorable feats in this world. I will remain a disgraceful hardship on my mother, uncle, and brothers throughout my entire life!"

Durga, the warrior goddess, heard this young boys cries and pitied him. She decided to help him and spoke gentle words to calm his fit.

"Dhritarashtra, I have heard your pleas for healing and death, but I will give you neither. You have a strong heart and shall to prove to be a brave warrior with my help. From this day forward I will be your eyes. At any moment you are on the battle field facing your foes, I will serve as your third eye, looking over your shoulder and whispering in your ear."

Durga kept her promise and helped Dhritarashtra become a legendary warrior. Initially, Bhishma and his brothers were doubtful that such a fierce goddess would ever bless a blind man with such a powerful gift. They were shocked at his sudden improvement during lessons, but soon came to admire his talents. He never lost a battle nor a war with Durga's celestial guidance, and was feared by all his enemies. Yet the memory of that day on which he felt most broken, only saved by the mercy of a kind goddess, always kept him humble.

Author's Note: As I mentioned in my reading notes, my grandpa was blind so Dhritarashtra's story particularly upset me. I thought he actually made a great king until he was corrupted by his son. While reading about his early life, I just wondered how cool it would be if he became a powerful warrior despite being blind. Googling Hindu warrior gods and goddesses led me to learn about Durga, and I thought she would be a perfect match for the yound Dhritarashtra.

Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata, Web Source
Image: Durga Mahisasuramardini, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Public Domain Mahabharata, Section B

The amount of forgotten wives in this section is a tad repulsive to me. First, you have Bhima who is pretty much forced to take a beautiful wife, Hidimba, even though she is in the form of a goddess and is praising him. Then, as far as I know, he just leaves her and their son one day to help his mom and never comes back. What's up with that???

Then there's Arjuna just collecting girls for an entire year and only returns with one of them, the only one who actually forced to marry him. This kidnapping happens with Bhishma too, and I find it very alarming. When Krishnu actually goads Arjuna by saying how honorable it is to steal a bride, I'm shocked. The whole idea comes off as hypocritical. Why is it okay for you to steal someone else's bride, but considered evil when they steal yours?

This cruelty is especially seen between Draupadi and Duhshasana. I can't wait until the Pavanas get their revenge. The story of Draupadi is also very interesting though, and I begin to wonder if her five husbands are truly a gift or a curse.

Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata, Web Source
Image: Draupadi, Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Public Domain Mahabharata, Section A

I really enjoy the story of Shantyavati, the mother of Vyasa. It seems a funny fable that has a happy ending, something I'm starting to realize is unusual for the Mahabharata. I like that Kunti also has a son in the same fashion, and could only imagine if they ever had a conversation about their experiences. Kunti's story does seem eerily similar to the biblical story of Moses except that Karna is born in royalty yet sent to live away while Moses was sent to live with royalty to escape his death from being born into poverty.

The story of Pandu's death curse is very amusing and tragic, although it does give Dhritatashtra a chance to take the throne. The shunning of Dhritatasthra really peeves me for personal reasons. My grandpa was blind so growing up I was always taught that blind people could still accomplish anything that someone else could. Frankly, I'm glad that Pandu dies so Dhritatashtra could prove himself a worthy king... until he lets that punk Duryodhana corrupt him. I think a story about a great blind warrior led by the gods would be quite interesting.

The story of Ekalavya is more disturbing to me because it reminds me of the harsh caste system that India lived with for so long (even into the 19th century!). Drona treats him so cruelly at the end, but this story seems to serve as more of an explanation for a certain region's bow technique than anything else.

Bibliography: Public Domain Mahabharata, Web Source
Image: Ekalavya's Guru Dakshina, Wikimedia Commons