Extra Credit Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part D

Just before this reading, the battle is beginning between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. Bhima, as general of the Kauruvas but as a major father like figure to both sides, knows the power that the Kauruvas face. As Duryodhana sees his forces loosing he wants to replace Bhishma with his more faithful right hand man, Karna. At long last we see Amba revenge come to pass, from Part A, who is made a man now, and slays Bhishma. (will come back later, only fatally injured but still gets to decide the day he dies).

Here the writing turns to rhymes and is a little difficult to understand. The new general Drona vows to take Yudhishthira prisoner and leaves tons of dead bodies in his determination.

In another part of the battle, Arjuna's son is trying to defend himself alone while Karna and Jayadratha prevent Arjuna and his brothers from coming to help. Alone, Arjuna's son was slain, which fueled Arjuna's will to fight even more. He found the man who killed his son and with the help of Krishna, prevailed.

The tide of the war swtiches many times in this battle. Bhima sends his son Gatotkacha against the Kauruvas and he does really well. But Karna uses his gift from Krishna and turns the tide yet again. But, using trickery, the Pandavas prevail again by distracting Drona to the point he cannot think of his weapons. Unprotected and fighting with blind anger, Drona is slain. 

Finally, Arjuna and Karna meet in battle. Karna fought unfairly, not allowing Arjuna to regroup when injured but begging Arjuna to pause when he himself was injured. This incurred the wrath of Krishna, who pointed this inequality out to Arjuna. Karna is at last slain by Arjuna, causing Duryodhana to flee.

Bhima Gets Revenge

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Bhima meets Duryodhana in battle and avenges Draupadi. Krishna steps in to justify Bhima's actions against Duryodhana, who had cheated Bhima many times. Even though Krishna called for the fighting against the Pandavas to cease, Drona's son takes vengeance by raiding the Pandava camp at night while Duryodhana lays dying, and slays all of the Pandavas's sons. With the main fighting over, all the women and children mourn for the many slain warriors. King Dhritarashtra is angry that all of his Kauruva sons are dead, but comes to his senses, mourning his sons but happy that his brother's sons, the Pandavas, are still alive.

Bhishma waits for the solstice to die and tells manny stories while waiting. Yudhishthira takes the throne as king to be and askes Bhishma for advice. I thought his advice was very interesting: to take all circumstances and options into consideration, and look at the larger perspective

Overall, I enjoyed the ending and overall story of the Mahabharata. The characters were a little more confusing to follow than the Ramayana, but most of the characters seemed a little more sensible.

"Arjuna and Karna" by Donald A. Mackenzie from Indian Myth and Legend. Web source.