Reading Notes: Epified - Mahabharata Part A

 Epified - Mahabharata - Playlist A

I like the aspect of beginning of multiple points, especially when you consider karma. 

I think that Shantanu's trust in his wife Gangana while she disposed of their children is quite admirable. And then he questioned her. This seems like a parallel to Cronos devouring his children due to the prophecy.

Then Shantanu comes back to the River and is greeted by Gangana and his new son, Devavrat. Devavrat then becomes a prince. Shantanu then falls in love with Satyavati. Her father has concerns because of Devavrat's birthright. Ah yes this is when Devavrat renounces his birth because he feels bad for his father. 

At this point, this is when Devavrat becomes known as Bhishma. All this because the fisherman was stubborn. The impact of this oath is not to be understand. He not only gives up his birthright but also swears not to marry or have kids. Bhishma makes a terrible deal but he gets to choose his death. Until he is ready, he will not die. Seems like an interesting trade. 

Bhishma keeps his oath and keeps his promise. He then raises his step-brothers. The new king of Hastinapur was not in good health. Bhishma knows that he needs to get a wife for his brother, so he abducts three women and brings them back to his brother. Vichitraveerya has three princesses waiting his selection. 

The eldest of these kidnapped sisters goes to her beloved, King Shalva. Shalva rejects her because she was abducted by another man (hmm common theme?). She goes back to Bhishma and begs him to marry her. Amba is furious and blames him for all of the misfortune that befell her. Amba set out for revenge. However, most people were afraid of Bhishma. Parshuram tries to convince Bhishma, but this doesn't happen. They fight for 23 days but reach an impasse. Thus Amba's dream can't be satisfied...yet. 

Vichitraveerya dies, leaving Hastinapur without a king or a prince. This is when we learn about Satyavati's Secret. She orders Bhishma to violate his oath. He refuses. She tells him her secret: she has another child. This was Vyas, who was summoned when his mother needed him. The plan was to get Vyas to father the next princes of Hastinapur. His appearance was...offputting to say the least. 

The women both are disgusted and fear Vyas. Then they send in a servant women. All three women get pregnant and each bear a son. They were raised by Bhishma. Dhritrashtra and Pandu have a conflict (competing for the crown of Hastinapur)

Here we have a problem of de facto versus de iure. Gandhari, who is to marry Dhritrashtra, blinds herself to match her new husband. The kingdom has a king and queen. 

(Rendering of Kunti image credit)