Epic Things

Bibliography : "Mahabharata Online: Public Domain Edition" by Laura Gibbs.  Web source . Draupadi has grown up all her life dealing with everything from her brother, Dhrishtadyumna, and her father, Drupada. She was forced into marriage with the Pandava brothers, Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. Just when she thought her life can't get any worse, she and her husbands were sent into exile. Living with five husbands became a living hell for her and she would do anything to escape.  One day, a nice king appeared named King Jayadratha. He glimpses at Draupadi and immediately wants her. However, all Draupadi wants is to escape so she makes an offer.  "If you take me away from the Pandavas, I will lay with you for a single night", she says. This surprises king Jayadratha as this was not the innocent demeanor she initially had. King Jayadratha agrees and takes her with him into his chariot. On the road, king Jayadratha spots the Pandava brothers coming...

Focus Story:  Drona's Death The one-story I read in the Mahabharata that stands out and I can never forget is Drona's death. It was such a tragedy that he died thinking that his son was dead. When in reality, it's all a gambit to trick him. Bhima killed the Elephant (Source:  Wikimedia ) Notes from Part D : As Drona is still undefeated, Bhima devised a plan to trick him. Drona's one weakness is his love for his son. So, Bhima used this in his plan. What is sad is that Bhima used to be one of Drona's pupils. Drona trained Bhima into the great warrior he had become. Bhima killed an elephant with the same name as Drona's son (Ashwatthaman). Then, he screamed saying "Ashwatthaman is dead" over and over again so that Drona would hear it Drona did not believe Bhima so he asked Bhima's brother Yudhishthira who is incapable of lying.  Cleverly, Yudhishthira was able to state "Ashwatthaman is dead" while whispering "the elephant" under h...

Focus Character: Draupadi Draupadi (Source: Wikimedia ) Notes from Part C : Draupadi is the daughter of King Drupuda of Panchala. She has a twin brother Dhrishtadyumna,  Draupadi lived with the Pandavas in the forest for 12 years. King Jayadratha, king of Sindhu kidnapped her but was found by the Pandavas. In Virata, Draupadi had to disguise herself as a handmaid to the queen. The queen initially feared Draupadi's beauty. During her time in Virata, the queen's brother, Prince Kichaka tries to violate Draupadi, but she was saved by Bhima. Thoughts and Ideas :  I think Draupadi is such an interesting character. She holds many resemblances to Sita from the Ramayana. Although she is married to multiple men of the Pandava brothers while Ramayana's Sita is more devoted to one person, Rama. It's really sad there were multiple attempts to violate her. She had to endure so much during her lifetime. As a storytelling idea, I am hoping to twist the ending of Kichaka's murder ...