Week 7 Reading Diary Continued: Epified Mahabharata

This is a continuation of my viewing of the Epified Mahabharata by Karmic Revolution. Like last week, this version left me wanting more. Here is a couple of my favorite moments from this portion of the viewing:

I thought the episode: Bhima Kills Bakasura was a really great story idea. I can envision a back story of Bakasura and how he came to be such a terror for his village. What I like most about this story is that Bhima is just waiting on Bakasura to come and collect his food, but Bhima eats the entire cart full during his wait. I bet he did that just to enrage the terrible demon, but then again, Bhima seems like a never ending pit when it comes to food.

Bhima Slays Baka the Asura

(illustrated Mahabharata).

Another story that I enjoyed was the Creation of Indraprastha. I mostly like this story because it gave me some themes to possibly use in my storybook. This story has Vishvakarman, the god of engineering and architecture, who creates Indraprashta in the image of Indra's celestial city. I think I will make a story about how Vishvakarman is instructed to build Indra a palace after he defeats Vritra.

Week 7 Reading Diary: Epified Mahabharata

For this week's reading, I chose the Epified Mahabharata written by Vijayendra Mohanty. This was an amazing version of the Mahabharata that made it much easier for me to understand. I was captivated the whole time I was watching! My favorite moments from this portion of the video series are listed below:

I really enjoyed the episode: Drona Trains the Pandavas. This episode caught my attention because it showed the preparation for the war that was to take place later on. I liked how Drona quickly found out what each of the Pandava brothers were most likely to excel in and then crafted their training to make them experts. I especially liked that Drona chose Arjuna and Ashwatthama to wield the celestial weapons.

Another favorite moment was the episode: Ekalavya's Story. It was incredible to see that Ekalavya had gained such skill as an archer by just practicing in front of a figure of Drona. Ekalavya was so skilled that he was the superior of Arjuna, who is supposed to be the greatest archer that ever lived. I was mortified by the devotion that Ekalavya showed to Drona when he cut off his own thumb when Drona asked him to. If he did not cut his thumb off, there could have been a whole new hero in the Mahabharata. This story will most likely be my inspiration for this week's storytelling.

Image source: Ekalavya cuts off his thumb and presents it to Drona

Tech Tip: Reverse Image Search

I just used the reverse image search tech tip instructions to find a larger version of the sample images posted. It turns out that this technique brought me to the PDE Ramayana that I read earlier in the semester. This was a really cool tip and it could prove to be useful for me in the future. Here is my image results:

     Ravana tricking Sita and then abducting her.

Tech Tip: Sidebar Box

I just added an HTML/Javascript box to my blog. This is a very useful tool and I am choosing to use it to display a quotes that I find uplifting. Check it out!

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.