Tech Tip: Embedded YouTube

I just uploaded an embedded YouTube video to my introduction post. For those of you who have not seen what field artillery looks like, this will be a great way to see what goes on during a fire mission. By the way, those rounds are about 100 pounds each.

Field Artillery Troopers: Fire Mission M777

Week 6 Storytelling: Breaking News

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Cliff Simon here, reporting to you live from the front-lines of the war between the Pandavas and Kauravas. As you all know this war has been raging on for many days now with no side being able to gain a clear advantage. 

Things are really ramping now, late in this day. Taking a look at the battlefield we see the noble Bhishma plowing through the Pandava lines like a brush fire. There he is on his chariot pulled by a mighty elephant. By the looks of it, it seems like he just cannot be stopped. Yes, this is a very bad sign for the Pandavas. They must get this valiant warrior under control or we could be witnessing the end of the war right here and now!

Oh what’s this now?! It looks like there is another chariot on a direct line to Bhishma. We are now getting word that this chariot is carrying the warriors Shikhandin and Arjuna. This could be a great battle indeed, folks!

They are just about to collide. Oh, I can’t think of a more incredible match up, save the match of Arjuna and Karna. But wait, what’s this? It looks like Bhishma has dropped his arms. What could possibly have brought on this lapse in judgment against such formidable opponents?

It looks like Arjuna is going to take full advantage of this mistake. Yes, there he goes unleashing arrow after arrow at Bhishma. Down goes Bhishma! Down goes Bhishma! Oh, what will happen to the Kaurava troops now without this great warrior?

Bhishma looks to be just barely clinging to life. I don’t think we can expect him to last much longer.

We are now getting word that a truce has been called for the day. Each side is now sending in parties to clear their dead and wounded off the field and we see Karna going out to Bhishma now.

We are going to go in to get a closer look at what will surely be an incredible conversation.

Bhishma

“We must end this senseless slaughter of kinsmen by kinsmen. We should return the lands that the Pandavas seek in order to achieve peace. The Pandavas and Kauravas were once friends and we should strive to return to those days of prosperity.”

Karna

“Please save your breath my friend.”

Bhishma

“Listen to me Karna. Arjuna is your brother. Avenging my death would mean the slaughter of your own blood. I cannot ask you to commit such an act on my behalf and I would urge you to pursue peace instead.”

Karna

“I do not care that Arjuna is of my own blood! He will meet his end at my hand before this war is done! Now rest and know that Arjuna will pay for what he has done.”

You heard it here ladies and gentlemen! Karna is out for Arjuna’s head. Make sure to join us tomorrow for more coverage of the war between the Pandavas and Kauravas. This is Cliff Simon, thank you for joining us and we will bring you updates as we get them. 

Bhishma being struck down by Arjuna. 

(illustrated Mahabharata)

Bibliography:
Bhishma Falls from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913).

Authors Note:

I chose to write this story in the style of a breaking news report. I wanted to show what the battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas may have looked like from the eyes of an enthusiastic onlooker. I kept the plot the same from the story with the only change being the language in the conversation between Bhishma and Karna. 

Week 6 Reading Diary Continued: PDE Mahabharata

This last section of the PDE Mahabharata was all about the war between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Here is a brief summary of my favorite moments:

I liked the story of Ashwatthaman's Jewel from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). This jewel was really special, in that it could revive people from the dead, and it made an appearance when Arjuna just up and dies out of nowhere. It was really strange that Arjuna is suddenly killed off, but it makes sense for the author to use the jewel seeing as it had been introduced earlier. I would like to know why Indra even let his son, Arjuna, die in the first place.

Ashwatthaman deprived of the jewel.

I also really liked the last two stories The Pandavas Depart and Afterlife both from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). I like this story mostly because it involves my storybook topic, Indra. In these two stories Indra acts almost like a gate keeper and takes Yudhishthira into heaven to show him around. It was interesting that Indra still decided to deceive Yudhishthira even after the entire Mahabharata continually praised the virtuous life that he led. Yudhishthira proved his worth once again, choosing to rather go to hell with his kin than stay in heaven without them and his hound. 

Yudhishthira with Indra in hell

I would have really liked to know what Arjuna did in heaven with Indra. Maybe Indra gave him a place as a god.

Week 6 Reading Diary: PDE Mahabharata

This weeks reading portion of the PDE Mahabharata started to get really interesting. Here are some of my favorite moments:

I thought the story of Riddles at the Lake from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913) was a very interesting story. It was interesting that all of the Pandava brothers besides Yudhishthira just ignored the voice, which turned out to be Dharma, that told them to stop before they drank. This story seemed more closely related to the fable genre because it had a moral to be drawn from it.

The god Dharma

I really like the drama that is unfolding between the rivalry between Arjuna and Karna. Karna seems to really hate Arjuna, but it seems like they are both just wanting to fight the other for selfish reasons (the glory and recognition of defeating a powerful warrior).

I also really liked that Indra came to try and get Karna's armor so that his son, Arjuna, would have its protection and to weaken Karna so that he could be destroyed. Karna says the armor is part of his body, but he proceeds to cut it off of his own flesh in exchange for a celestial weapon. The weapon Indra gave to Karna was an invincible dart that could be used only once, which I bet plays a pivotal role later on in the Mahabharata. This is the story was Indra and Karna from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1914).

Karna and Indra.