Reading Notes: Mahabharata: Karmic Revolution - Part B

Plot Summary

Pandu's Curse

This story was very much like the story of Dasharatha in the Ramayana. By accidentally killing someone, they both cursed themselves. These curses eventually cost themselves their lives and caused trouble for their kingdoms. Despite Pandu's inability to have children the gift that Durvasa had given Kunti allowed the family to have 5 celestial children. Three were born the Kunti, and two to Madri

Gandhari's Children

By watching the video for this section it painted a much crueler picture for the birth of Gandhari's one hundred sons. It seeing the lump of flesh was visually disturbing. The growth of the children in pots was more so like a child factory than anything else. This horrid birth laid in the hands of Vyas. A man who had cursed many others already.

Vyas giving the 'gift' of 100 sons to Gandhari (source)

Tragedy of Ekalavya

This was a sad part in the story that I did not really pick up on in the original reading of the Mahabharata. It focuses on the impacts of class differences in the time period of the story. Ekalavya was not accepted as Drona's pupil simply because of his birth status. Regardless, Ekalavya practiced himself and became the best archer in the world. Despite Ekalavya's devotion and will to learn, the spite of Arjuna and Drona prevented him from ever achieving anything.

Bibliography

YouTube Playlist - Videos by Epified