Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabharata Part B


  • The Pandavas are still alive
    • Everyone's fighting about what to do with them, but finally Dhritarashtra gives them part of his kingdom
      • They build a city called Indraprastha
        • The sage Narada visits the Pandavas to warn them about possible conflicts that could happen since they're sharing Draupadi as their wife
          • For example, Arjuna intruded on Yudhishtira and D during the year they were exclusive (essentially,) he goes into exile for 12 years...and finds two more wives, Ulupi and Subhadra, so don't feel too bad for him
  • The Dangerous Dice
    • Shakuni suggests to Duryodhana that they can get revenge on the Pandavas via a game of dice
      • Shakuni is really good; Yudhishthira (crowned the king of Indraprastha) is not.
        • Vyasa visits the Pandavas and warns them of the bad omens incoming
          • Vidura comes to invite them to Dhritarashtra's newly built Crystal Palace for a game of dice, and Yudhishthira cannot refuse the challenge so they go to Hastinapura
    • Game 1
      • Shakuni plays in Duryodhana's place; Yudhishthira loses everything he owns
        • Vidura urges Dhrit to put a stop to the game, but it keeps going
          • Yud gambles away his brothers, then himself, then their wife
            • Wifey Draupadi is NOT happy about this, wanting to know how it is possible for Yud to gamble her away if he had already staked himself and lost. Plus, she is on her period and doesn't want to be seen in public
              • She is dragged into the assembly hall and is ordered to undress, so she desperately prays to Krishna. As her sari si pulled off, another replaces it
        • Dhritarashtra gives Draupadi a wish (why? we don't really know) so she wishes that Yud be set free. He gives her another wish which she uses to free her other 4 husbands. She declines the third wish. So Dhrit gives back all the Pandava's posessions and sends them home in peace
  • Weapons from the Gods
    • Krishna pays Yud a visit and promises that Dury and his allies will be punished.
      • Draupadi and Yud are having a bit of a quarrel about forgiveness and patience
        • Vysas teaches Yud a mantra that makes it possible to get weapons from the gods
          • Also teaches it to Arjuna (who's back from his exile)
            • Arjuna rejects an apsara named Urvashi who fell in love with him, so she cursed him to live among women as a eunuch. However, Indra is impressed by his self-control so she tells him his curse will be a blessing later on.
      • Reading Guide for Narayan's Mahabharata Part B, Laura Gibbs (link)

The Ill-Fated Game of Dice (Wikipedia, link)

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