Reading Notes: Epified Mahabharata Part B
This is a continuation of the Karmic Revolution rendition of the Mahabharata I have been reading for this course.
Episode 9: We learn about Kunti's dark secret. She was a smart girl growing up and very loved by her uncle. Durwasa was intimidating to some but not Kunti- when he left the court, he allowed her to summon a God of her choice. She chose the sun god and was given a child. However, this child being out of wedlock would make it difficult for her to keep the child. She placed the child in a basket and led him down a river.
Episode 10: Pandu goes to the woods with his wives. Some of the neighboring villages think they are gods. Pandu begins hunting in the forest but shoots at a hermit couple hugging each other. The hermit was angry and punished him by casting a curse on Pandu. The curse was that Pandu would die if he desired for a woman. This is obviously a difficult thing to avoid despite his current wives so he tells the kingdom he won't be returning. Kunti tells Pandu she can summon a god to help with the child part.
Episode 11: Kunti is able to summon Yama, a god of truth and death. He gives her a child valuing patience and virtue, Yudhishthira. He would remain calm in during trying times, being a source of reason and comfort. Kunti summons a second god, Vayu of the wind, who grants her a child of speed who she named Bheem. The last one she summons is King of Devas who grants her a son destined to be one of the best warriors known to man, who she named Arjuna. Kunti helped Madri have twins. Pandu is still under the curse and dies in a heated moment with Madri and Madri ends up leaving, so Kunti is left to take care of the Pandavas (5 children-between Madri and Kunti).
Episode 12: The wife of Dhritrashta, Gandhari, has a painful pregnancy. She unfortunately ends up giving birth to putrid dead flesh. She orders it to be caste away in a forest. Ved Vyasa brought his prophecy to life. He didn't allow the dasi to harm the flesh, assured the queen his word will not be in vain, she will have 100 sons. Vyasa divided the lump into 100 pieces and did a procedure to bring it to life. There were bad omens during this and the oldest son exuded evil, but the queen was blindfolded so she could not see.
Episode 13: Everyone loves the Pandavas, and Bheems seems especially loved by Bhishma. Duryodhana is jealous because he feels left out. He even challenges Bheem to a wrestling match but was no match, and it hurt him inside and out. He watched Bheem's life in the palace and adoration for Bheem by others grow. He did not speak of this hate, so it continued to grow more vicious. Duryodhana's mentor instilled in him this idea that unless he defeats the Pandavas, they will take the kingdom away. He organizes a retreat and puts sleeping-inducing herbs in the food to make them vulnerable, and pushes Bheems into the lake.
Episode 14: Snakes bit Bheem so he wakes up and unties himself. He is in a serpent world and finds out he is related to Vasuki. Vasuki protects and loves Bheems. The magic he uses makes Bheems very strong. Bheems also realizes he has to fight the danger around him and his brothers after he swims back to the normal world.
Episode 15: Bheem is okay which makes Duryodhana mad. Bheem lies about not remembering what happened, but he very much did. The two brother clans begin learning weapons and war at the request of their grandfather. Drona is the teacher and liked by Bhishma as he is a good man and good at helping the boys.
Episode 16: Drona continues to teach the boys about war. The story describes the specific talents Drona witnesses from the boys. An important one was Ashwatthama's ability to use weaponry, which is shown to the most worthy. Some of the skills are strength, weaponry, archery, charioteer, etc. Arjuna notices Drona has another plan.
Episode 17: The Pandavas were in the forest when their dog was barking. While following to find the source of the sound, the dog had enough arrows shot just right that his mouth was full enough to stop barking but not hurt. Arjuna realized he wasn't the best archer, and the boys found out Ekalavya was behind the arrows. He was not a warrior, just a hunter, and very humble. They asked where Ekalavya learned his skill and he said Drona. They confronted Drona for teaching a mere hunter but Drona did not remember or know who this hunter was. The hunter reminds Drona that he met Drona many years ago and begged to be his student, but Drona refused, but Ekalavya practiced to be the world's best archer. Drona made him cut off his finger so he would no longer be the best archer.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Title: Epified Mahabharata Part B
Author: Epified
Source Link: HERE
(Photo of Eklavya (right) giving his thumb to guru Drona (left). Eklavya essentially developed his talent through his own perseverance. His talent being stripped away due to a social heirarchy without intending any malice makes it one of the most sad aspects of the Mahabharta, hence why I chose this image. Photo can be sourced here).
Episode 9: We learn about Kunti's dark secret. She was a smart girl growing up and very loved by her uncle. Durwasa was intimidating to some but not Kunti- when he left the court, he allowed her to summon a God of her choice. She chose the sun god and was given a child. However, this child being out of wedlock would make it difficult for her to keep the child. She placed the child in a basket and led him down a river.
Episode 10: Pandu goes to the woods with his wives. Some of the neighboring villages think they are gods. Pandu begins hunting in the forest but shoots at a hermit couple hugging each other. The hermit was angry and punished him by casting a curse on Pandu. The curse was that Pandu would die if he desired for a woman. This is obviously a difficult thing to avoid despite his current wives so he tells the kingdom he won't be returning. Kunti tells Pandu she can summon a god to help with the child part.
Episode 11: Kunti is able to summon Yama, a god of truth and death. He gives her a child valuing patience and virtue, Yudhishthira. He would remain calm in during trying times, being a source of reason and comfort. Kunti summons a second god, Vayu of the wind, who grants her a child of speed who she named Bheem. The last one she summons is King of Devas who grants her a son destined to be one of the best warriors known to man, who she named Arjuna. Kunti helped Madri have twins. Pandu is still under the curse and dies in a heated moment with Madri and Madri ends up leaving, so Kunti is left to take care of the Pandavas (5 children-between Madri and Kunti).
Episode 12: The wife of Dhritrashta, Gandhari, has a painful pregnancy. She unfortunately ends up giving birth to putrid dead flesh. She orders it to be caste away in a forest. Ved Vyasa brought his prophecy to life. He didn't allow the dasi to harm the flesh, assured the queen his word will not be in vain, she will have 100 sons. Vyasa divided the lump into 100 pieces and did a procedure to bring it to life. There were bad omens during this and the oldest son exuded evil, but the queen was blindfolded so she could not see.
Episode 13: Everyone loves the Pandavas, and Bheems seems especially loved by Bhishma. Duryodhana is jealous because he feels left out. He even challenges Bheem to a wrestling match but was no match, and it hurt him inside and out. He watched Bheem's life in the palace and adoration for Bheem by others grow. He did not speak of this hate, so it continued to grow more vicious. Duryodhana's mentor instilled in him this idea that unless he defeats the Pandavas, they will take the kingdom away. He organizes a retreat and puts sleeping-inducing herbs in the food to make them vulnerable, and pushes Bheems into the lake.
Episode 14: Snakes bit Bheem so he wakes up and unties himself. He is in a serpent world and finds out he is related to Vasuki. Vasuki protects and loves Bheems. The magic he uses makes Bheems very strong. Bheems also realizes he has to fight the danger around him and his brothers after he swims back to the normal world.
Episode 15: Bheem is okay which makes Duryodhana mad. Bheem lies about not remembering what happened, but he very much did. The two brother clans begin learning weapons and war at the request of their grandfather. Drona is the teacher and liked by Bhishma as he is a good man and good at helping the boys.
Episode 16: Drona continues to teach the boys about war. The story describes the specific talents Drona witnesses from the boys. An important one was Ashwatthama's ability to use weaponry, which is shown to the most worthy. Some of the skills are strength, weaponry, archery, charioteer, etc. Arjuna notices Drona has another plan.
Episode 17: The Pandavas were in the forest when their dog was barking. While following to find the source of the sound, the dog had enough arrows shot just right that his mouth was full enough to stop barking but not hurt. Arjuna realized he wasn't the best archer, and the boys found out Ekalavya was behind the arrows. He was not a warrior, just a hunter, and very humble. They asked where Ekalavya learned his skill and he said Drona. They confronted Drona for teaching a mere hunter but Drona did not remember or know who this hunter was. The hunter reminds Drona that he met Drona many years ago and begged to be his student, but Drona refused, but Ekalavya practiced to be the world's best archer. Drona made him cut off his finger so he would no longer be the best archer.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Title: Epified Mahabharata Part B
Author: Epified
Source Link: HERE
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