Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabharata, Section B

Hello World!!

This week we continued to read more of the Mahabharata as our assigned reading. I found that as I kept going I found that while the story was different from the Ramayana I felt the concept to be similar. This made it a bit difficult for me to keep reading the book to be honest. Especially since it all seemed a bit too familiar.

However, there was one part that I enjoyed thoroughly from the reading this week and that was the part about Yudhishthira's coronation ceremony. I have always imagined these ceremony's to be larger than life. I expected it to be transporting you to another place. It would allow for you to feel as though you were there. I was hoping that there would be a more intense description of the ceremony than there was, but I do understand that this was a small part of the story and not its main focus. This is why I am aware that I am asking for too much.

The Coronation, Source: indus-meetindus.blogspot.com

If I could take that part and add details to everything simply focusing on the ceremony and the traditions and culture behind it I would be happy. I wish there was a video clip or even a movie scene that would depict the scene so that it would be easier to imagine.

I was also intrigued by the hall of optical illusions! I enjoy optical illusions very much, and would have loved to be there. It would be like going into a house of mirrors and trying to find your way out! I am not great at it, but I do enjoy it.

All information has come from Narayan's Mahabharata, (link to Reading Guide A)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabharata, Section A

Hello World!!

First of all, I feel that so much happened in the first few pages of the Mahabharata. In my opinion this is a pretty drastic change from the Ramayana. I found the Ramayana to be quite long and dragging at some points especially the beginning, but the Mahabharata so far has my attention. So many characters have been introduced that it is already becoming difficult to keep them all apart. I will probably have to keep a list, but I am hoping it will become easier to keep them all separate as the story moves along. 

The most interesting story I found was that of Draupadi. The part of her story that intrigued me the most was that of her husband and his five disguises. I think that's so interesting! I was curious to know what the five disguises were, and how she knew (if she did) that they were all him! I think that's really a unique story. I also like how the 5 Pandavas were told to share... I'm going to be honest I genuinely laughed a little at that. I'm not trying to be offensive, but it was not was I was expecting for sure!  

Draupadi's Swayamvar, Source: impulsivereflections.wordpress.com

The one character that was very interesting to me was Pandu. The whole making love death was also different. He definitely had some fun before his death. I couldn't believe that his wife, Madri, jumped into the funeral pyre. Did she not think about her children at all? I understand she was incredibly sad and she loved Pandu, but that was very unexpected as well. I am beginning to think that unexpected is the pattern here. Despite any of my views the story is already interesting, and I can't wait to see what happens next! 

All information has come from Narayan's Mahabharata, (link to Reading Guide A)