Mahabharata Reading Notes: Part C

 Mahabharata Reading Notes Part C

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Sources used: Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore.

41. Life in exile in the forest isn't so great. But eventually Yudhishthira prays to the sun god and Surya gives them a copper pot that is always full of food. 

42. Krishna visits the Pandavas in the forest. This upset Draupadi. Yudhishthira says that she should forgive and forget. Bhima says that "battle is the highest virtue".

43. Arjuna goes on another expedition alone. Here, he goes on a hunt and meets Shiva. Shiva gives him Gandiva, the divine bow. 

44. Arjuna continues his solo trek and gains more divine weapons for his brothers. Arjuna clears out the city of Hiranyapura (as it was infested with demons and giants).

45. Indra promises Yudhishthira that he will reign in splendor over all men. The Pandavas reunite with Arjuna at the Himalayas.

46. Bhima and Hanuman (who are half-brothers) meet. They discuss Yugas and castes.

47. Duryodhana is still jealous of the Pandavas. His right-hand man, Karna, swears his loyalty and vows that he will kill Arjuna. 

48. Indra, wanting to help Arjuna in this fight, makes a bargain with Karna. Karna gives his invincible earring and armor and receives a blazing dart that is single use. 

49. Like Sita in the Ramayana, Draupadi faces similar struggles in the forest. She is abducted by Jayadratha. The Pandavas track Jayadratha down, forced him to hand over Draupadi, and made him swear fealty to Yudhishthira. 

50. The Pandavas go to a lake. A spirit voice tell them not to drink the water. They drink it and all but Yudhishthira die. Yudhishthira answers the spirit's riddles and it is revealed that the spirit is Dharma. Dharma grants two boons. Yudhishthira revives the whole party and makes them unrecognizable for 3 years. 

51. The Pandavas are concealed for the last year of their exile. They infiltrate the court of the king and avoid the Kauravas. 

52. Draupadi is abducted again by Kichaka, who attempts to rape her. Bhima defends her and kills Kichaka. 

53. The Pandavas protect King Virata from a raid on his cattle. 

54. War is imminent. Krishna tries to make peace, but the two factions just aren't having it. There will be blood. 

55. Shri Krishna sides with Arjuna, which makes Arjuna happy since victory is certain with Krishna. 

56. Krishna tries once more to make peace. He even shows his form as Vishnu. The factions still aren't having it. 

57. Kunti tells Karna that she is his mother and hence that the Pandavas are his brothers. He swears to only battle Arjuna and leave the others be (has to uphold his vow still).

58. The armies line up on the field of Kurukshetra. 

59. Arjuna faces despair going into battle, but Krishna encourages him to fight. 

60. Bhishma fights on the front lines. He is repelled constantly by Arjuna. Days vary, but the battle largely seems controlled by the Pandavas. Arjuna's son, Iravat, is slayed by six princes of Gandhari. 

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(Hanuman Statue - image credit)