Mahabharata Reading Notes D


Pg: 133-179


Image Details: Draupadi, Source: Wikimedia

Yudhistira tells Krishna that he does not want to fight the kauravas as they are his kinsmen and family. Krishna tells Yudhistira that he will visit the kauravas and try to broker peace between the pandavas and the kauravas. The pandavas warn Krishna to be careful when he goes and visits Duryodhana as he is evil and vicious. Also, that Duryodhana will not hesitate to insult Krishna for siding with the pandavas. However, some of the brothers did not want peace as they feel insulted by the actions of Duryodhana. Furthermore, they feel guilty about what happened to Draupadi in Duryodhana's court. They felt that the only way they could attain justice was by killing Duryodhana. Draupadi agrees with them and tells Krishna that she wants the kauravas to feel her wrath and the pain that she has endured. Krishna comforts her and tells her that she will get her justice.

Krishna goes to Hastinapura and meets with Dhritarashtra. Dhritarashtra tries to bribe Krishna into siding with the kauravas by bringing him expensive items like clothing, jewels, etc. Vidura tells Dhritarashtra that this is an impossible feat as Krishna came to try to foster peace between the pandavas and kauravas. Furthermore, Vidura tells Dhritarashtra that in order to win over Krishna, they need to try another technique that does not involve bribing him with wealth. Duryodhana agrees with Vidura and decides to keep Krishna prisoner in Hastinapura as this will cause the pandavas to collapse without their leader and guide. Dhritarashtra tells Duryodhana they cannot do that as it is immoral and Krishna is coming to their kingdom as their guest.

Krishna visits Kunti and tells her that she will be reunited with her sons and that the kauravas will be defeated. Duryodhana invites Krishna to dine with him, but Krishna refuses him as he does not wish to share his hospitality which insults Duryodhana deeply. Vidura warns Krishna that Duryodhana cannot be defeated that easily as his hatred for the pandavas runs very deeply. Krishna tells Dhritarashtra that he must control Duryodhana and cripple his power before it is too late. Dhritarashtra tells Gandhari to talk with Duryodhana, but the attempt becomes futile as Duryodhana refuses to listen. Before Krishna leaves he asks Karna to accompany him, which Karna accepts. Krishna tries to tells Karna to leave the kauravas and join the pandavas.

However, Karna refuses to join the pandavas as he believes that he is indebted to Duryodhana. Krishna tells Karna that his loyalty towards Duryodhana is destructive and unnatural. Kunti visits Karna and tells him of his origin and that he should fight with the pandavas. Karna tells her that he respects her, but that she has no authority over him as a mother as she had abandoned him from his birth. However, he promises her that he will only fight with Arjuna and not with any of the other brothers.

Bibliography: R.K. Narayan, Mahabharata: A shortened modern prose version of the Indian epic, 1978. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Introduction of a Future Psychologist

Image
Hi everyone! My Name is Rachana Rajala. I was born in Saskatoon, Canada; however, both of my parents are from India, particularly from a region known as Andhra Pradesh. I moved to the United States when I was two years and have been in Oklahoma since then. I am a currently a Senior at the University of Oklahoma. I am a psychology major and I am hoping to be a clinical psychologist who specializes in developmental and behavioral psychology. I think that the best class that I took last semester was a cognitive psychology course because it was really interesting and actually had to do something with my major. My biggest accomplishment was probably giving a five minute speech in one of my classes last semester. Since I was a kid,  I have had terrible social anxiety and have hated public speaking. However, last semester I was able to compose myself and be able to give a somewhat decent speech, so that would be my biggest accomplishment. Over the winter break I really didn't do any...
Read more

Comment Wall

Image
I have created a Storybook on the new google sites. I plan on doing a storybook about the one of the most ill-fated hero's of the Mahabharata, Karna.                                                                   Image Details: Karna, Source: Wikimedia Here is the link .
Read more

Week Story 5: Sita's exile

Image
                                                                    Image Details: Sita, Source: Wikimedia It was a foggy Friday morning. Lakshmana and I had to leave early in the morning so that the tabloids wouldn’t see us sneaking out of the house. He came into my room last night and told me that I had to leave with Lakshmana in the morning to go meet some constituents that could help him in the election. “Why me? Why not send Hanuman?” I looked at Rama intently. He never sent me anywhere by myself and especially after the rumors about the affair; we decided it would be better if I didn’t make any public appearances for some time. Rama ran his fingers through his hair, “I need Hanuman here, Sita. He needs to rally up the rest of our followers for the speech. Besides, the people adore you. Maybe not right ...
Read more