Epics of India

NOTE: This story has been revised and added to my portfolio, here . Please read the most up-to-date version in my portfolio. Arjuna is troubled. Overcoming obstacles has never been difficult for him; in fact, he's known for being exceptionally talented at slaying any problem with apparent ease. However, a seed of growing unease about the future took root in the pit of his stomach and began to flower. Arjuna's fear of this looming unconquerable challenge never seems to fully leave his subconscious, but he still cannot think of what the challenge might be or what he can do to prepare himself to face it. Arjuna has spent his entire life confident in his abilities, so experiencing any doubt at all that he will inevitably overcome all future obstacles obviously rattles him, and he grows more and more distracted from his day-to-day activities. He also starts to worry every opportunity he encounters could lead to his insurmountable task and avoids them, thinking he can t...

Ekalavya removing his thumb. By Ramnadayandatta Shastri Pandey [Public domain], via  Wikimedia Commons I'm continuing to summarize the characters and their interactions in the Mahabharata because I found it difficult to keep track of them all when reading the other version. Kunti was nice to and engaged the Sage Durvasa who most people were afraid of.  Durvasa gave her a mantra to summon any god Kunti tried it out on the Sun god, Suryadev, and accidentally bore his child She could not keep the child so she sent him down the river in a basket. Pandu along with his wives Madri and Kunti traveled the wilderness for a break accidentally shoots a hermit couple making love and kills them. Before dying the hermit curses Pandu so that the next time he has sex he will die. decides to stay in the forest and take up sannyasa , and Madri and Kunti stay with him died when he forced himself upon Madri who followed him to death. Pandavas - sons of Kunti and variou...

Bhishma taking his vow  This week while watching Mahabharata: Karmic Revolution I decided to take notes on all the characters to help me keep track of who is who going forward. Shantanu - Bhishma's father, great-grandfather of the Pandavas and Kauravas Ganga - Bhishmas's mother and goddess of the Ganges Bhishma - originally Devavrata, was the eighth Vasu cursed to be born a mortal to the goddess Ganga and Shantanu, and the only one not to be immediated drowned and freed from human life by Ganga.  Granted the ability to live as long as he wishes after taking a vow of celibacy so his father could marry Satyavati Satyavati - Daughter of a king and a nymph but adopted and raised by a fisherman.  Married Shantanu when Bhishma made his vow to relinquish his claim to the throne and to be celibate for his entire life.  Mother with Parashara of Vyasa.  Mother with Shantanu of Chitrangada and Vichitravirya.  Great-grandmother of the Pandavas and...