Reading: Mahabharata Part C
In the Mahabharata Reading Part C, we see the continued struggle between the Pandava brothers and the Kauruva brothers. The eldest Kauruva Duryodhana tries time and time again to triumph over the Pandavas out of pure jealousy. He challenges the Pandavas to a game of dice, with the stakes of the loser being sent to exile for 12 years. As we know from Part A and B, Duryodhana is not an honest man, and uses loaded dice to win the game, and the Pandava brothers are sent into exile with Yudhishthra's wife Draupadi.
In the forest, Draupadi becomes increasingly angry at Yudhishthra for not protecting her, and constantly insists that Yudhishthra must take action to succeed in taking the kingdom back. But Yudhishthra refuses, remaining honest and insisting against violating the exile. In the first part of their journey in the forest, they are blessed by brahmins, who also tell them tales of people who have learned much from exile.
After a little while, a god visits the group and advises Arjuna to journey alone to the Himalayas to fast and pray by himself so that he can be given strength from the gods. First, Arjuna is visited by Shiva, who gives him a divine bow. Then, he is visited by other gods who give him more celestial weapons, and his father Indra. Indra takes Arjuna to his palace and teaches him how to wield his new weapons, the art of song and dance, and gives him valuable lessons. Finally, Arjuna returns to Draupadi and the rest of the Pandava brothers. During Arjuna's absence, the group is blessed by more brahmin and Yudhishthra learns the skill of dice.
Meanwhile, Duryodhana stays with his father, King Dhritarashtra in the palace. Duryodhana decided to spy on the Pandavas but gets imprisoned in the process. The Pandavas learn of this and rescue the humiliated prince. This stokes his anger even further. He goes to the forest in shame with the intention to die, but is offered aid by the demons.
I really enjoyed this section of reading. I got to see the humility of the Pandavas basically displayed against Duryodhana's evil heart. Just the fact that the demons are so read to help him shows Duryodhana's true nature.
"Life in the Forest" by Donald A. Mackenzie, from Indian Myth and Legend. Web source.
"Arjuna and Indra" by Donald A. Mackenzie, from Indian Myth and Legend. Web source.
"Duryodhana and the Gandharvas" by Donald A. Mackenzie, from Indian Myth and Legend. Web source.
In the forest, Draupadi becomes increasingly angry at Yudhishthra for not protecting her, and constantly insists that Yudhishthra must take action to succeed in taking the kingdom back. But Yudhishthra refuses, remaining honest and insisting against violating the exile. In the first part of their journey in the forest, they are blessed by brahmins, who also tell them tales of people who have learned much from exile.
After a little while, a god visits the group and advises Arjuna to journey alone to the Himalayas to fast and pray by himself so that he can be given strength from the gods. First, Arjuna is visited by Shiva, who gives him a divine bow. Then, he is visited by other gods who give him more celestial weapons, and his father Indra. Indra takes Arjuna to his palace and teaches him how to wield his new weapons, the art of song and dance, and gives him valuable lessons. Finally, Arjuna returns to Draupadi and the rest of the Pandava brothers. During Arjuna's absence, the group is blessed by more brahmin and Yudhishthra learns the skill of dice.
Arjuna Receives Divine Bow From Shiva
(source)
Meanwhile, Duryodhana stays with his father, King Dhritarashtra in the palace. Duryodhana decided to spy on the Pandavas but gets imprisoned in the process. The Pandavas learn of this and rescue the humiliated prince. This stokes his anger even further. He goes to the forest in shame with the intention to die, but is offered aid by the demons.
I really enjoyed this section of reading. I got to see the humility of the Pandavas basically displayed against Duryodhana's evil heart. Just the fact that the demons are so read to help him shows Duryodhana's true nature.
"Life in the Forest" by Donald A. Mackenzie, from Indian Myth and Legend. Web source.
"Arjuna and Indra" by Donald A. Mackenzie, from Indian Myth and Legend. Web source.
"Duryodhana and the Gandharvas" by Donald A. Mackenzie, from Indian Myth and Legend. Web source.
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