Week 7: Reading Mahabharata: Part D
The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic
R.K. Narayan
Yudhishthira does something sensible and makes a plea for peace. Dhritarashtra learns that Krishna is going to be his emissary and wants to put on a lavish reception. Krishna does not want this because he wants peace and justice. Duryodhana rejects Krishna's plea and continues to not listen to his mother Gandhari. Krishna then turns into his divine form and cannot be taken prisoner. Karna refuses to abandon Duryodhana. The battle takes place in the field of Kurukshetra. Krishna than preaches on the doctrine of detachment known as a the Bhagadvad-Gita. After this, Arjuna is ready to fight. Dhrishtadyumna tries to kill Drona, but fails to do so. Arjuna shoots Bhishma in the back and fatally wounds him. Since he is no longer able to fight, then Karna joins the fight. Drona attempts to capture Yudhishthira alive and set up a diversion for Arjuna. Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu, is able to break through the battle line, but is slain by Jayadratha. In return, Arjuna kills Jayadratha. Bhima exclaims that he has killed Ashwatthaman which then paralyzes Drona in despair. In reality, his son is not dead. Regardless, Dhrishtadyumna cuts off his head. Bhima kills Duhshasana and mutilates his body. Arjuna kills Karna with Krishna's permission. Krishna makes it known that the warriors have brought about their own death through their own karma. After the battle, the Pandavas leave. Dhriarashtra crushes a statue who he thought it was Bhima. Yudhishthira tells Narada that he feels no enjoyment of the victory that he has, but he finally agrees to become king. In the end, all of the Pandavas die until Yudhihthira is left. he then departs to heaven.
Bibliography: R.K. Narayan, The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic, 1978
R.K. Narayan
Yudhishthira does something sensible and makes a plea for peace. Dhritarashtra learns that Krishna is going to be his emissary and wants to put on a lavish reception. Krishna does not want this because he wants peace and justice. Duryodhana rejects Krishna's plea and continues to not listen to his mother Gandhari. Krishna then turns into his divine form and cannot be taken prisoner. Karna refuses to abandon Duryodhana. The battle takes place in the field of Kurukshetra. Krishna than preaches on the doctrine of detachment known as a the Bhagadvad-Gita. After this, Arjuna is ready to fight. Dhrishtadyumna tries to kill Drona, but fails to do so. Arjuna shoots Bhishma in the back and fatally wounds him. Since he is no longer able to fight, then Karna joins the fight. Drona attempts to capture Yudhishthira alive and set up a diversion for Arjuna. Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu, is able to break through the battle line, but is slain by Jayadratha. In return, Arjuna kills Jayadratha. Bhima exclaims that he has killed Ashwatthaman which then paralyzes Drona in despair. In reality, his son is not dead. Regardless, Dhrishtadyumna cuts off his head. Bhima kills Duhshasana and mutilates his body. Arjuna kills Karna with Krishna's permission. Krishna makes it known that the warriors have brought about their own death through their own karma. After the battle, the Pandavas leave. Dhriarashtra crushes a statue who he thought it was Bhima. Yudhishthira tells Narada that he feels no enjoyment of the victory that he has, but he finally agrees to become king. In the end, all of the Pandavas die until Yudhihthira is left. he then departs to heaven.
Bibliography: R.K. Narayan, The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic, 1978
(Pandava's meet Vyasa: Wikimedia Commons)
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