Epics of India

 The Pandava's The Pandava's, consisting of Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, are the five sons of Pandu. Three of the sons, Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Arjuna, were birthed by Kunti, who mated with three different gods, as commanded by Pandu. The two remaining sons, Nakula and Sahadeva, were born by Mardi, who had the sons with the Ashwins.  These five sons escape from Hastinapura, where Dhiritarashtra is king. Duryodhana, the son of Dhiritarashtra, is very upset to hear the news that the Pandava's are still alive. As for the king himself, he cannot find a reason to dislike them. Dhiritarashtra being the king, he decideds that he would like to see the Pandava's again and proceed to invite them back to Hastinapura. In order to gain the Pandava's trust, Dhiritarashtra gives them a part of the kingdom for them to rule themselves. This part of the kingdom becomes known as Indraprastha.  Yudhishthira is crowned the king of Indrapratha. Many people attend th...

 Notes from reading Yudhishthira wanted to make one last plea for peace but was too scared that Krishna, the emissary, would be captured. He sends him anyways. Duryodhana denies the plea for peace and plans to capture Krishna but cannot do so because Krishna manifests himself in his divine form. By doing this he cannot be taken as prisoner.  Krishna tries to change Karna's mind and switch sides, but she doesn't. Karna promises Kunti that the only son that they will attack is Arjuna, the others will be spared. Yudhishthira makes Dhrishtadyumna, Draupadi's brother, the supreme commander of his troops. The battle takes place on Kurukshetra. Arjuna doesn't like the idea of fighting his own family but Krishna sings "Song of the Lord" and manifests himself in his awesome cosmic form, Arjuna is ready to fight. Dhrishtadyumna tries to kill Drona but fails and he fleas. Bhishma draws blood from Krishna which makes Arjuna mad. Arjuna begs Krishna to not kill Bhishma. Am...

 Here are the notes from Tuesday's reading. Reading Dhirtarashtra hears about what the Pandavas are doing, collecting weapons from the gods. He builds a royal camp near the Pandavas to shame them. The gods don't like this so they send a gandharva to provoke Dhirtarshtra. The gandgarva captures Dhirtarshtra but the Pandavas lets him go. Living in the forest, the Pandavas are approached by a brahmin. The brahmin lost his staff and kindling to a giant deer so the Pandavas try to go after it.  They don't find it so look for water. A voice from the water says they must answer questions before they can drink, but 4 of them ignore and die.  Yudhishthira answers the questions and the brothers come back to life and get a gift of unrecognizability for their 13 years of exile. This was a test and gift from their father. They spend 12 years of exile in the forest and their 13th disguised as the court of King Virata. They all take on different roles. A problem occurs when Draupadi, th...