Reading Notes: Mahabharata Online, Part C

I continued with the reading of the third part of the online domain edition. I have continued to enjoy these stories and the creativeness they have to offer. I again took notes over the one or two stories that I liked the best.

• I found the Pandavan exile to be much more saddening that Rama's exile
• I think Rama maintained a sense of appreciation and hope
• However, the Pandavan's came across as angry and bitter for what had happened
• This is understandable
• The loss of their kingdom and fortune is devastating
• I think it would be cool to explore the stories not mentioned in the online edition
• I could write about their travels and stories with the different sages in the forest
• The promise of the return of their kingdom in due time is somewhat redeeming
• It ensures that not all hope and drive was lost
• The arrival of Krishna brings about a new fold in the story
• His dialogue is lengthy and contains a lot of detail
• He explains that his next actions to restore the kingdom are not easy
• Draupadi does not have the patience to see her kingdom restored
• She has anger and sadness in her voice as she longs for material possessions once more
• Yudhishthira offers great advice and explains to her that she must forgive
• Anger is never the answer
• Draupadi begins the question the gods and how they could allow such travesty to occur

I think the internal conflict that the exiled group is experiencing is really important. I could write about a section of this and explore this conflict. Yudhishthira is very patient and does not jump aboard the train of sadness and hate.

(A photo of a book. Source: Flickr)

Bibliography: Public Domain Edition Mahabharata, from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie. Source: PDE