Casey's Blogs: Indian Epics 4993-995

The Perfect Disguise Out in the middle of the forest, it is silent all except for the rustling leaves with each footstep taken. Five Jedi begrudgingly take each step. The battle has been won, but the losses have been steep; they are the only ones left. With no way to get off the world they are traveling until they can find some shelter. Astonishingly, all the Jedi were brothers and knew that they could get through this trial. The brothers were Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. It was hot outside and even with the coverage of the trees, it was becoming unbearable to stand; shelter needed to be found. Suddenly, an individual appeared out of thin air and began to talk to the brothers. “You are coming upon a town soon, but they do not favor the Jedi at all. You need to disguise yourself if you want to live. After recovering in the town, head north and you will find a ship there to leave the planet.” “Thank you for the advice, but who are you and why are you helping ...

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 th...

The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic R.K. Narayan We pick up again with Duryodhana not trusting the Pandavas. He sends out a spy to see what they are up to. They find out that they have weapons and he then decides to set up camp outside of their kingdom. By doing this, it is a form of humiliation for the Pandavas. The gods see this and they send out a gandharva to provoke Duryodhana. There is a battle and the gandharva's capture Duryodhana, but the Pandavas set him free and further make him feel humiliated. The Pandavas leave and come upon a brahmin. They chase after a deer upon the brahmin's request, but cannot catch it. Nakula dies at the lake because he does not answer the questions before drinking. Yudhishthira answers the questions and all of his brothers come back to life. They are granted the gift of unrecognizability. They spend their thirteenth year in disguise at the court of King Virata. Draupadi is raped and ask Bhima to avenge her...