Indian Epics

The Pandavas and Kunti were wandering around looking for shelter. How did they get here you might ask? Well you see, Duryodhan tried to kill them by planning to set the house they were staying at on fire. Luckily, Vidura warned the Pandavas about the scheme and the Pandavas were able to escape. It was not an easy journey. The Pandavas were walking through a dense forest. They were so hungry and so thirsty. Finally, they arrived in the city of Ekachakra. They disguised themselves as brahmins and begged for food on the streets. It seemed like their misfortunes were over once a scholar offered them shelter. The Pandavas and Kunti were able to relax a little. They got to eat, sleep, and rest. However, one day Kunti heard the scholar scream. She hurried to him. Kunti said, "What is the matter? I heard a loud scream coming this way. Was it you?" "Yes. I am very sorry, but something terrible just happened! It is Bakasur," said the scholar. "Who is that?" sa...

For this reading I would would like to write about Draupadi suffering humiliation. Her husbands were in the court. Yudhishtir also called Draupadi to come out of her chambers. She did not come so someone named, Dushasan, drags her out. In the court, Karna said that since the Pandavas and his wife were slave they did not need the clothes or jewels they had on. He started to pull on Draupadi's clothes. The Pandavas did nothing but watch in defeat. Draupadi began calling out for Krishna's help. Luckily, he heard her prayers because Karna kept pulling on her skirt, but to no avail. It seemed like there was no end to her skirt. Bhim finally got fed up and said something. He said that he would avenge for Draupadi's humiliation. Bhim said he would kill Duryodhan. Duryodhan laughed and slapped his legs telling Draupadi to take a seat in his lap. The Pandavas all grew angry and vowed they would take revenge. This story stood out to me because Draupadi has five husbands and they did ...

For this reading note, I would like to dedicate it to the theme of violence. To set the scene Yudhishtir was planning on performing a Rajasuya Yagya. He did not want to do it, because it may cause a revolt. Yudhishtir sought for Krishna's advice.  Krishna advised him to do it because it was tradition in becoming an emperor. He also suggesting in slaying Jarasandha for the Rajasuya Yagya. Jarasandha was an emperor from a powerful kingdom called Magadh. Therefore Yudhishtir's brothers went forth to Jarasandha's kingdom disguised as brahmins. That's when the brothers challenge Jarasandha to a fight. Bhim and Jarasandha fought forever. Bhim thought it was over when he tore Jarasandha. However, Jarasandha came back to life when his body came back together magically. It was when Krishna threw a hint a Bhim that he was able to kill Jarasandha. Krishna had a leaf that he tore and threw the two pieces away from each other so that was what Bhim did to Jarasandha. Bhim tore Jarasa...