Reading Notes 12.1 Jataka Tales, Part A

Part D of the Jatakas

Bibliography: Jataka Tales from the Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie Shedlock

The Crow That Thought It Knew

• Brahma-datta reigned as king in Benares, the Bodhisatta became a marsh crow (Viraka)
• famine in Kasi, no food to feed the crows...they are flying away into the woods
• Savitthaka, who lived at Benares, took with him his lady crow and went to the place where Viraka lived, making his abode beside the same pool
• Viraka let Savitthaka serve him and gave him some of the fish he caught
• Savitthaka let his pride come in the way and said he would catch future fish on his own...Viraka warned that it wasn't for him, but still Savitthaka dove into the water and got caught in the weeds and could not breathe
• Lady crow returns to Benares after learning that her mate has perished

The Judas Tree

• Charioteer takes the 4 sons of the King to show them Judas Tree
• he showed them each separately, thus each had a different version
• "All four of you have seen the tree. Only when the charioteer showed you the tree, you did not ask him, 'What is the tree like at such a time?' or 'at such another time?' You made no distinctions, and that is the reason for your mistake."

River-Fish and the Monkey

• Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta was born in the family of a landed proprietor
• younger brother is a thief wanted to keep the money for himself so made a box similar to the one his brother had put the money into and filled is with gravel thinking he wold trick his brother...
• brother fed left overs to river fishes pleasing the river goddess
• she would return the favor and she did that by having a fish swallow the money containing box thrown overboard by the younger brother
• younger brother thought it had been the gravel containing box that was thrown over and so his heart shriveled when he discovered that what he brought home was the gravel box
• fishermen catch the fish, market price is 1000 + 7 annas, for the Bodhisatta on 7 annas
• The Bodhisatta understands the message..goddess says do not give to younger brother, but he still send 500 pieces to his brother

The Dreamer in the Wood

• Sakka comes to woods to test Buddha's will
• Divine being asked to be free of three things: malice, hatred and greed
• Sakka tells him to ask for another boon
• Buddha, "Grant that in the woods where I live alone, no disease may mar my peace, or break my ecstasy."
• boon granted

The Rice Measure

• King was covetous
• wanted a new valuer thinking he would be soon drained of his riches if the current practice continued
• peasant appointed as new valuer
• valued 500 horses as a measure of rice
• bribed by the horse man and now appraised all of Benares as a measure of rice
• laughed at by the people of the court and Bodisat appointed as valuer

The Poisonous Trees

• Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born a merchant
• mangoes resembled poisonous trees
• some who had previously journeyed through had died, on this caravan trip leader prevents some from eating and some who have ate he reverses the effects via emetic and 4 fruits

The Well-Trained Elephant

• King Magadha was ruling in Rajagaha in Magadha, the Bodhisatta was born an elephant
• made state elephant because of his beauty
• was white all over
• elephant passed all the tests that the king had wanted to try.. stand on three legs, two fore, two hind, and fly
• all passes the mahout treated elephant like son
• he divided his kingdom into three portions, and made over one to the Bodhisatta, one to the mahout, and one he kept himself

The Wise Physician

• Kisagotami married only son of a wealthy man 
• a son who died when he was able to run alone
• goes house to house for a potential medicine - no luck
• The Teacher tells he to get him  mustard seeds from a place where no son, husband, parent, or slave has died
• she discovers many have died, few are alive
• she became a disciple and entered the first Path

The White Elephant

Reading Notes 11.1 Jataka Tales, Part A

Part C of the Jatakas

Bibliography: Jataka Tales from the Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie Shedlock.

 The Merchant Who Overcame All Obstacles

• Buddha born in merchant fam
• sand was so hot during the day no man could walk on it to traverse the desert
• thus at night they traveled and during the day they set up an awning 
• one time a merchant had thought that they would cross the remaining desert in a day...had all supplies that were used during the camp out thrown away
• Merchant leading carts fell asleep because he was tired and at day break they were back where they had started but their supplies they had thrown out weren't
• oxen steered back around instead of going forward
• saw a patch of grass and dug and discovered water spring 
• when sun set they put a flag and finished the journey to the market 
• sold their merchandise, Bodisat lived a good life and passed away 

The Elephant That Was Honored In Old Age

• Buddha = PM for King
• once there was a she-elephant who rendered great strength and capabilities...fought battles and won also pulled many carts and was able to travel 100 leagues in a day 
• once she grew old her honors were all stripped away from her
• she roamed the forest and ate grass unprotected
• one day chief Potter had not enough oxen to yoke to the carts, thus King says to strap the she-elephant...
• elephant comes to PM to get help in trying to plead her case to the king
• PM does and says to the King why insult her once you've stripped her of her honors...she-elephant restored to her former glory..king realizes mistake

The Faithful Friend

• Brahma-datta was reigning in Benares, the Bodisat became his Minister
• elephant and dog became really good friends
• once a peasant came and bought the dog...elephant grieved at the loss would not eat, drink, or bathe
• King confused sent the pandit to find out what was wrong...discovery was the loss of the dog
• dog is back and both are happy

Hawk and the Osprey

• shores of a natural lake, a Hawk on the south shore, a She-Hawk on the west shore, on the north a Lion, the king of beasts, on the east the Osprey, the king of birds, in the middle a Tortoise on a small island.
• Hawk asked the She-Hawk to become his wife...she asked do you have any friends..he said no..she said go make some and he did with the others
• group of countrymen come about and hear the cry of the baby hawks...she-hawk sends mate to great osprey...osprey is getting tired near midnight putting out fire after fire
• tortoise is recruited and he drags the men into the water
• lion is asked to come and help he says not to worry to the hawk and men run away upon seeing the lion
• friendship between the unlikely was a savior for all their babies

Grandmother's Golden Dish

• Bodisat was a dealer in tin and brass ware = Seriva
• wealthy family reduced to abject poverty
• only grandma and granddaughter remained didn't know they had a plate made of gold since nobody had ate out of it in a long time and it was covered in a layer of dirt 
• avaricious hawker was selfish wanted to take the gold plate offered in exchange for the water pot with out having to give them the water pot so he threw it on the floor and walked out
• another seller, Seriva comes and says that the plate is worth 100,000 and told them he doesn't have nearly enough to give them in exchange
• so he gave them 1000 and they were happy and he left and went to the dock
• Hawk comes back only to discover that the family and discovered the truth and runs to the dock but the boat is already gone....his heart bursts from hatred and he dies

The Elephant That Spared Life

• Bodisat = nobleman's son
• "Magha the young Brahmin"
• stick to the five commandments
• nobody doing anything wrong
• a person who used to profit off of people's wrongdoings is angry goes to king saying there are people robbing the village
• king doesn't inquire he sentences them to be tramped by elephants..elephants won't comply
• King had confidence in them, and gave them all the property in the house of the slanderer, and made him their slave; and bestowed, too, the elephant upon them, and made them a grant of the village

How the Antelope Was Caught

• King of Benares had a gardener named Sanjaya
• antelope had a habit of frequenting the garden but fled upon seeing the gardener
• king gives gardener honey to lure him into the palace
• smear honey on patch of grass frequented by the antelope..lust bound
• antelope gains confidence in encounters with the gardener
• one day gardener smears a path all the way to palace..doors closed, antelope is frightened
• released into the forest by the king

The Pupil Who Taught His Teacher

• Buddha was re-born in a Brahmin family and was known as Dhamapala or Law Keeper
• goes to learn from teacher at Takasila
• Head teacher's son dies, he was young
• Head master to journey to Dhamapala household to learn the way of life to live a long life
• Head master tries to tell the Dhamapala household dad that his son is dead, doesn't believe it
• Headmaster asks why, father says they do not die young since 7 generations because:
• We walk in righteousness. We speak no ill. We flee from things that are evil. We take no heed of the foolish. We follow the counsel of the wise. We delight in giving gifts. We feed the hungry. We are faithful in our marriage vows. We are versed in sacred knowledge. Therefore, the young amongst us never die

The Man Who Told a Lie

• four divine beings made their appearance on the Earth to attend a festival of the Gods
• flowers to only be worn by men possessing certain qualities
• a false priest lied just so he would be believed and get the flowers
• confidence grew with the lies
• gods looked down on him and as soon as they left after bestowing him the flowers he was in pain
• he was being weighted down and poked by the flowers, confessed and begged the gods to remove the flowers
• rebuked him in the presence of the people, they removed the flowers from the head of the repentant man and returned to the abode of the Blest

Hawk and his friends

Reading Notes 10.1 Jataka Tales, Part B

Part B of the Jatakas:

Bibliography: Jataka Tales from the Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie Shedlock.


Bull That Demanded Fair Treatment

• Bodisat = bull, called Nandi Visala by the Brahmin who had brought him up
• Bodisat tells Brahmin to go bet on his strength
• a hundred carts (small wagons made for two bullocks) with sand and gravel and stones, ranged them all in a row, and tied them all firmly together, cross-bar to axle-tree
• Brahmin calls Bodisat a wretch...bet lost
• Bodisat tells Brahmin that the loss was his fault since he sat down and called him a wretch for no reason, tells Brahmin to go bet again
• Bodisat pulls all 100 with encouragement and support of Brahmin

The Bull That Proved His Gratitude

• Bodisat = bull, raised by old woman
• known as "The old woman's Blackie"
• Bodisat wants to earn money so the "mom" doesn't have to work
• He pulls 500 carts, caravan people thought they could trick him, but he was smart and did not move out of their way until he was rewarded the promised amount
• went to mom and she was delighted, but also inquisitive as to why he would exhaust himself that his eyes were bloodshot
• the women bathed, fed, and comforted the bull
• at the end both passed away together

Horse That Held Out to the End

• Buddha = horse
• made THE HORSE = King's Destrier 
• King of Benares is threatened to either give up kingdom or to fight by 7 kings passing Benares
• Destrier was taken by the Knight to help in the capturing of the seven kings, each one was brought back and made prisoner.
• at 6th camp horse was wounded and the knight took off the armor of the horse to suit up another one
• horse was determined to not let his king down and told the knight to suit him back up
• 7th king captured and brought back
• Horse requests the king of Benares to bind the other kings by oath and let them return home instead of killing them
• the horse passed away after he had requested the king while his armor was being removed
• King returned the other kings to their respective homes and ruled with justice and righteousness until his death

The Monkey That Saved the Herd

• Buddha = King of Monkeys
• trees in this forest that are poisoned, and lakes that are haunted by ogres. Eat no fruit and drink no water of which you have not already tasted without consulting me
• water-ogre saw that they were not invading his domain he appeared in the form of a terrible monster with a blue belly, a white face, and bright red hands and feet
• Orge gets power via those who drink the lake water
• King tours the whole forest via hollowed cane
• monkeys drank via cane...ogre leaves in rage since he could not get the monkeys to fall under his control

The Mallard That Asked for Too Much

• Buddha = Brahmin 
• married, 3 daughters
• after death born again as Golden Mallard
• feathers = gold, goes back to give wife and daughters each a feather so that they may live in comfort
• soon they are wealthy and mom gets greedy 
• tried to convince the girls that who knows if and when their "dad" will come back so the best thing to do is to pluck him clean
• girls refuse...mom does against the Golden Mallard's wishes
• feathers turn to crane feather
• new feathers aren't gold they are white and he flies away never to come back

Golden Mallard

Reading Notes 10.1 Jataka Tales, Part A

Welcome back everyone!

For the next two weeks I am reading through the Jataka Tales from the Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie Shedlock.

The Hare That Ran Away:

• Buddha born as lion to help fellow animals
• Hare: nervous, dreadful of something bad happening
• Started running - "the earth is falling in" when she heard the rustling caused by a falling fruit 
• she tells her brother who tells another hare soon...
• deer -> sheep -> wild boar -> buffalo -> camel -> tiger -> elaphant
• Lion stops then and asked where the info came from...takes the hare to the original site and explains nothing is happening

The Monkey and the Crocodile:

• Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta, came to life at the foot of Himalaya as a Monkey
• lived by the River Ganges
• New crocodile fam in town..wife hungry for the monkey
• husband goes to the monkey and offers a ride across the river
• croc tells the monkey why his wife sent him
• Monkey is smart, tricks croc by telling him that monkey hearts are not inside instead hang on trees
• Croc goes back without the hear for his wife

The Spirit That Lived in a Tree:

• Buddha was re-born as a Tree-Spirit
• King of Benares says he will build a palace resting on only one column
• in the King's Park was a lordly Sal tree, straight and well grown, worshiped by village and town, and to this tree even the Royal Family also paid tribute, worship, and honor to be cut down
• King gets a visit from the Tree Spirit and is shown why the trees can't be cut down...King tells that they won't be cut

The Hare That Was Not Afraid to Die:

• Buddha was born a Hare and lived in a wood; on one side was the foot of a mountain, on another a river, on the third side a border village
• three friends: a Monkey, a Jackal, and an Otter
• Hare thought the friends important lessons in the evening
• One time Buddha (Hare) tells that tomorrow is a fast day and to give food from their own store if a beggar comes by
• Next day:
• Otter takes fisherman's fishes...called out but no response from owner
• Jackal takes milk curds and lizards
• Monkey takes mangoes
• Hare has nothing..lies in grass says he will give his own flesh
• Sakka, king of gods, disguises himself as Brahmin to test the Hare
• Hare passes Sakka's test for his virtue...fire was icy cold

The Parrot That Fed His Parents:

• Buddha was re-born in the shape of a Parrot
• father makes son the flock leader
• flock eats rice and leader takes some back in his beak
• farmer fears there will be no rice left despite all of his attempts to steer the parrots away from the rice fields they still end up eating their fill
• farmer goes to Brahmin to get advise
• trap the leader 
• Farmer sets trap..leader thinks if he cries out his kinsfolk will leave foodless
• his cries are ignored by the others and they fly away
• Brahmin questions and hears the story of the parrot 
• paying a debt, storing a treasure
• taking food for parents and chicks who cannot yet fly
• Brahmin moved by the story and the parent was granted full permission and even given a part of the land

The Man Who Worked to Give Alms:

• Buddha was born as a merchant named Vissaya (and being endowed with the Five Virtues)
• had alms halls built at the four city gates
• set on foot alms-giving and every day 600,000 men went forth to beg and the food of the beggar and the merchant was exactly the same
• Sakka, the King of the gods, grew suspicious
• he took away all the goods, money, worker from the Merchant and wife
• Merchant and wife discover that they don't have any money...cut grass to make money
• They aren't able to raise enough to feed people...Sakka sees their determination and restores the wealth

The King Who Saw the Truth:

• Wisdom Child that should in time become the Buddha was born a King
• King decreed to give anything that anyone would ask would get
• He enjoyed giving..his heart is filled by giving to others
• Sakka tests how much truth the King's words hold...
• Sakka comes as a blind Brahmin and requests the king for one of his eyes..
• people question the king and he says he shall not break his vow 
• surgeon does the procedure..few weeks later King's sight was restored to him and allowed him to see perfect and absolute Truth.

The Running Hare

Reading Notes 9.2 Mahabharata, Part B

Here's the second half of this week's reading:

War:

• Duryo once again jealous of Yudi being named king
• While in Virata's court Pandavas try to decide what to do...Balarama says make peace, but Satyaki says war
• Draupada says seek allies and also try to make peace...Krishna on a mission to make peace
• Dritha and Drono like peace, but Duryo is not backing down from the war he wants
• Krishna tell Arjuna that he cannot let his feelings for his family on the other side of the battle cloud what his duty calls for
• Bhishma leads Duryo's armies 
• Battle ensues the second day, Duryo threatens to replace Bhishma with Karna 
• Bhishma says gods aren't on their side
• Many of Duryo's brothers killed by Bhima..battle continues
• Bhishma says he won't fight Shikhandin (born to kill Bhishma) because he is a woman turned man
• Bhishma shot with arrows in the middle of battlefield
• Bhishma wants Duryo to make peace but he doesn't
• Bhishma tells Karna that Arjuna is his brother and the charioteer is his foster dad
• Tells that Karna = 1st born child of Kunti
• Karna still out for Arjuna's blood

Battle Changes:

• Drono = Duryo's new general
• Arjuna vows to not attack Drono
• Drono's attack on Yudi fails
• Duryo threatens again, replace Drono w/ Karna
• The trick with Drono
• Drono's son's name = Ashwathaman = elephant name
• Bhima kills war elephants..."Bhima has killed Ashwathaman" is heard by Drono
• Drono ask Yudi...he doesn't hear the elephant part of the reply
• Draupadi's brother, Dhrishta kills Drono
• Karna takes over as commander 
• Karna take king of Madra, Shalya, as his charioteer
• 2 draws between Karna and Arjuna
• Yudi and Arjuna apologize to each other...Arjuna now to face Karna
• Karna breaks Arjuna's bow...no respite..Arjuna repairs bow somehow
• Karna's chariot wheel gets stuck, asks for respite...Krishna says no respite...Arjuna shots fatal arrow 
• Shalya takes over as commander for Duryo's army
• Yudi kills Shalya
• Duryo runs away to the forest near the lake
• Pandavas find Duryo...Bhima fights hard with Duryo

Sons Killed:

• Pandavas run back to their camp hearing that Drono's son Ashwathaman has killed their own sons. 
• Duryo comes to and then dies upon hearing Ashwathaman
• Kunti tells Pandavas that Arjuna was her son...Yudi recognizes Arjuna's skill and strength

Bhishma's death in battle 

Bibliography:  The Five Tall Sons of Pandu by Richard Wilson, Print.

Reading Notes 9.1 Mahabharata, Part A

Hey all!

So this week I am reading The Five Tall Sons of Panduby Richard Wilson.

Pandu and sons:

• Pandu = father of 5 sons
• Yudi 
• Bhima 
• Arjuna 
• twins: Nakula & Sahadeva
• Pandu dies, brother = Dhrita (blind man) takes over and has 100 sons
• Duryo = oldest
• hates his cousins

Training and Battle:

• Duryo and sibs trained by Drono
• mock battles, but Duryo takes it too far
• Arjuna's talent for archery comes through
• Arjuna challenged by Karna, a warrior
• lineages announced
• Karna doesn't tell his
• Duryo crowns Karna king of Huga
• Bhima outraged/shocked when Karna bows in front of the charioteer
• Duryo defends Karna
• Darkness coming about
• Realization that Arjuna's rival in archery skill = Karna

Who shall be Draupadi's husband?:

• Duryo tries to trap the Pandavas and their mom in a burning house when Dhrita announces Yudi as his heir apparent 
• Draupadi has her heart set out for Arjuna 
• King Draupada purposely set up the archery target so that only a man capable of archery like Arjuna could make the target
• Karna strings the bow and hits the target
• Draupadi rejects him by saying she won't marry a man of such low class
• Arjuna dressed as a hermit strings the bow and makes the target
• Draupadi declares him the winner, unfortunately the other suitors attack him
• attacking stopped by Krishna
• Draupadi is taken home, mom=Kunti says that Draupadi shall be the wife of the oldest = Yudi 

Divided Kingdom:

• Duryo takes richer part of the kingdom along Ganges
• Pandavas get the area around Yamuna
• Preparations to make Yudi king
• Guest of honor = Krishna
• king of Cedi, Shishupala becomes angry and gets beheaded by Krishna

Gambling, Gambling, and more gambling

• Duryo very jealous of Yudi 
• Yudi is invited to a game of dice...can't reject
• With help of Prince Shakuni Duryo wins
• Yudi gambles away everything
• kingdom
• possessions
• himself and his brothers as slaves
• Dhrita says they shall not be slaves instead they shall be exiled
• wife
• Draupadi dragged out of the place and brought to Duryo
• Draupadi granted a wish
• wish = go with the Pandavas into exile

Forest life:

• Duryo comes to taunt the Pandavas but the plan backfires
• Pandavas help save Duryo escape gandharvas
• Prince Jayadratha attempts to kidnap Draupadi - fail 

King Virata:

• Pandavas and Draupadi spend year in King Virata's court
• Yudi = brahmin priest
• Bhima = cook
• Arjuna = dancing master 
• Nakula = stableboy
• Sahadeva = cowboy
• Draupadi = hair dresser of queen
• Near the end of the year Karna, Duryo, and Drono steal King Virata's cattle
• Virata's son: Uttara takes Arjuna as charioteer into battle
• Arjuna takes Uttara to where the Pandavas have hidden their weapons as corpses hanging from the trees
• Arjuna reveals the identities of Pandavas during Uttara's inqusition
• Drono recognizes Arjuna..Duryo escapes 
• Cattle saved and taken to King Virata

Bibliography:  The Five Tall Sons of Pandu by Richard Wilson, Print. 

Draupadi during the gambling match

Week 8 Reading and Writing

Hey All!

Let me start off by saying that the readings in this class are fantastic. They are the perfect length, not too long and not too short. Something that is manageable with all my other classes. My favorite reading I think so far was R.K. Narayan's version of the Mahabharata. I had never read that version before and initially had thought I would hate it, but I ended up really enjoying it. Getting to read for fun has really given me the refresher that I desperately needed from class textbooks.

I chose to try our various styles of notes, but found that I liked a combination of summarizing key events and highlighting important traits of characters that I will try to mirror in my own stories. The reading notes are definitely a great way for me to start getting my ideas flowing for the story post that week. While writing my story they serve as a really quick reference for key points.

I am definitely excited and happy about my class project! I am doing Navratri, which is one of my favorite Hindu festivals and cannot wait to share all the different aspects with everyone. What many people think of when they hear Indian holiday or festival is lots of people and food (response of various friends). Many of my friends are always curious about the Hindu culture, so I thought why not share this fun festival that so many people come together for? I know when we celebrate it here in Oklahoma students are encouraged to bring their friends, so that they can ask questions and join in on the fun.

I think so far my biggest accomplishment in this class is improving from the feedback I get. All throughout my middle school and high school career I always had like ten people check over my papers before I submitted anything. It sure taught me how useful feedback was and now I am able to help others. I always struggled to provide clear cut feedback, because I was simply just not good in English, but this has taught me how to give good and clear feedback.

How I feel about books

Reading Notes 7.2 Mahabharata, Part D

Final leg of the Mahabharata:

Krishna's Attempt

• Yudi wants to plea one last time to prevent war
• Dhritara becomes informed that Krishna is coming as an emissary and wants to throw a lavish reception 
• Vidura tells that Krishna doesn't want the reception he only wants justice and peace
• Duryo plans to take Krishna captive
• Krishna updates Kunti of her sons
• Duryo's mom, Gandhari tries to change Duryo's plans - fail
• Duryo realizes he can't capture Krishna once he manifests into his divine form
• Before leaving Krishna speaks with Karna about Karna's parentage and urges him to abandon Duryo, but Karna says NO
• Karna promises Kunti that'll he'll spare her 4 sons and attack only Arjuna

War

• Krishna advises to make Dhrishtadyumna, Draupadi's brother commander of Yudi's troops
• Bhishma is commander of Duryo's troops
• Battlefield = Kurukshetra
• Arjuna not fond of the fact that he is to fight is guru, Drona
• Krishna reminds Arjuna of Bhagavad- Gita saying of duty and detachment
• Krishna manifests to cosmic being 
• Arjuna ready to fight

End of Bhishma

• Dhrishtadyumna attempts to kill Drona, to avenge father's humiliation...Drona escapes
• Arjuna begs Krishna not to slay Bhishma, even though he was mad at Bhishma for attacking Krishna
• Ghatotkacha, demon son of Bhima and Hidimba, arrives
• Amba, reincarnated as Shikhandin, recognized by Bhishma 
• Bhishma can't attack Shikhandin..thus he dies when Arjuna shoots at Bhishma from behind
• Karna takes place of Bhishma 
• Drona = commander of Druyo's army
• attempts to capture Yudi and somehow make Arjuna go away from battlefield
• Arjuna is lead away..Abhi tricked 
• Abhi breaks enemy formation, but doesn't know how to escape..killed by Jayadratha, Druyo's brother-in-law
• Arjuna vows to kill Jaya before next day is over
• Jaya hides all days, but he thinks sun is setting, because of Krishna's illusion
• Arjuna slays Jaya in daylight
• Karna kills Ghatotkachka with an invincible weapon

Bloody Massacre

• Krishna tells of how to kill Drona, through his son Ashwatthaman
• Bhima kills Ashwatthaman the elephant and shouts, " I have killed Ashwatthaman!"
• Drona asks Yudi if it's true, he says yes...but under his breath whispers Ashwatthaman the elephant...
• Drona paralyzed with dispair at losing his son, beheaded by Dhrishtadyumna while in his trance
• Bhima kills Duhshasana, Druyo's bro...drinks his blood
• Karna gets killed by Arjuna, Karna forgets the mantra for utilizing his Brahmastra weapon
• Shalya made commander after Karna's death
• Yudi kills him
• Sahadeva kills Shakuni
• Druyo hides out at the bottom of the lake, emerges and wounds Bhima on his thigh
• Druyo says Krishna killed all of the warriors via deceit...Krishna says no it was karma

In despair

• Battle is over, Pandavas back in Hastinapura
• Dhritara is furious at Bhima, wants to kill him, squashed the statue Krishna had erected thinking it was the real Bhima
• Gandhari curses Krishna
• Pandavas, Vidura, Sanjaya, Dhritara, and women perform rituals for dead
• Yudi tell sage Narada that he feels no joy over this victory
• Narada tells Yudi of the curses Karna held
• Karna's guru Parashurama cursed him for having deceived him 
• he made him forget the important mantra for the weapon at a crucial time
• Karna once killed hermit's cow
• hermit's curse caused the chariot wheel to be swallowed by mother nature
• Yudi would rather be a begger, wanted to make Arjuna King...finally relented and accepted Yudi became king
• Yudi visits dying Bhishma who tells him about kingship and dies
• Yudi cremates on shores of Ganges
• Dhritara, Gandhari, and Kunti live in forest now
• Krishna's people destroy themselves, Dwarka under water
• Krishna's feet mistaken for birds gets him killed
• One by one Pandavas dies, Yudi is left
• Yudi goes to heaven in his bodily form
• Parikshit, child of Abhi, grows to be king, continuing Pandava line

Krishna on the battlefield

Bibliography. Mahabharata by R.K. Narayan, online pdf.

Reading Notes 7.1 Mahabharata, Part C

Hey all! This is the second half of the Mahabharata.

Plans Backfire

• Dhritara always knows what the Pandavas are up to
• knows about Arjuna's weapons
• Duryo plans to humiliate the Pandavas, at Shakuni's urging
• Gods send a gandharva who provkes Duryo and take him captive, saved by Pandavas

Lake

• Pandavas sought out by bhramin to retrieve his staff and kindling used for sacrificial fires. 
• deer can't be caught
• one by one brothers stop at a lake to drink some water, but before they can drink they are to answer a few questions 
• Nakula ignores the fact that he is to answer questions as does Sahadeva, and Bhima
• Yud answers and survives
• test from father, Yama, Dharma
• Brothers come back to life and get the gift of unrecognizability for 13th year

King Virata

• all five are living in disguise in King Virata's court
• Yudi = king's companion, plays dice
• Bhima = cook
• Nakula = stable boy
• Sahadeva = cowherd
• Arjuna = Brihannala = eunuch in women's quarters
• Draupadi = Sairandhri = haridresser of Queen Sudeshna
• Draupadi is raped by queen's brother, Kichaka, she tells Bhima to avenge her
• Bhima squeezes Kichaka to death
• king and queen alarmed, want to send Draupadi away...she begs for permission to remain at court to finish her remaining days of exile

Battle

• Kichaka's death makes Duryo suspicious 
• Susharman, ally of Duryo, is very happy says that they attack Virata and steal his cattle
• Sush takes King Virata, but Bhima rescues king and captures Sush
• Prince Uttara (son of King Virata) hears of raid and goes into battle taking Brihannala as his charioteer
• Prince is terrified, Arjuna says to take over reigns and he'll fight
• god given weapons to Pandavas are called upon
• Arjuna tells prince to not reveal his aka Brihannala's ID 
• Arjuna shoots arrows which fall at Drona's feet 
• Karna withdraws
• King Virata happy about son's vistory 
• King accidentally draws blood of Yudi in moment of anger via thrown dice
• discovers Pandavas true identity 
• King apologizes to Yudi, gives his daughter Uttara to Arjuna and Subhadra's son Abhimanyu

War Preparation

• Krishna and Balarama attend wedding of Uttara and Abhi
• Krishna wants to send a messenger to Duryo to request 1/2 the kingdom for Pandavas
• Satyaki, Krishna's charioteer says to prep for war against Duryo
• Duryo and Arjuna both go to Krishna for help...
• Krishna tells one will get him and the other will get his million soldiers 
• Duryo = soldiers 
• Arjuna = Krishna
• Shalya serves as Duryo's general because of promise

Hastinapura

• Pandavas want peace..small request 5 villages, one for each of the brothers
• message sent via Snajaya 
• Sanjaya urges Dhritara to not support Duryo
• Vidura pleads to Dhitara to make Yudi heir...Dhitara want's to, but he can't bring himself to do it because he still has a son who has his blood in him
• Duryo says he can beat the Pandavas since he's got a bigger army
• Karna gets Brahmastra from Parashurama 
• Bhishma enrages Karna, making Karna state that he won't fight as long as Bhishma is on the field
• Gandhari denounces war and actions of son, Duryo
• Vyasa tells Dhritara that the war is not going help them

Brihannala (Arjuna) and Prince Uttara as driver

Bibliography. Mahabharata by R.K. Narayan, online pdf.