Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata, Part D
What are the laws of combat?
I found myself wishing during the later parts of the Mahabharata that there was a copy of the rules of battle somewhere. At several instances throughout the story, (Arjuna and Karna, Bhima smiting Duryodhana's knee) these rules are cited as being disobeyed. However, none of the participants in these battles seem to care enough to follow them. The night raid's moral ramifications (and consequences) seemed to be nothing more than a barter transaction through Shiva and Ashwatthamann just prior to the slaughter.
Why don't dogs go to heaven?
The story of Yudishthira's eventual arrival to Indra's celestial heaven has a very sweet moment; as each of his companions fall aside on the way to Mount Meru, the loyal dog Yudishthira refuses to abandon even at the urging of Indra transforms into Dharma, the god of justice. I adore this, and I think that The Departure was my favorite selection of the last of the Mahabharata readings.
Yudhishthira's Trials
The happy ending, achieved at last for Yudishthira, took a very long and "Pilgrim's Progress" styled route. He goes through just about everything imaginable, watches his entire band of family and companions basically die, and then finds himself in a city ruled by his enemy (the Kauravas heaven). More torture awaits, and not until he has at last given up does he attain entrance of Indra's celestial heaven, where at long last he is reunited with those he loves.
Bibleography
Arjuna and Karna, Durhodhana in the Lake, The Night Raid, The Pandavas Depart, The Afterlife, Indian Myth and Legend, Donald A. Mackenzie
I found myself wishing during the later parts of the Mahabharata that there was a copy of the rules of battle somewhere. At several instances throughout the story, (Arjuna and Karna, Bhima smiting Duryodhana's knee) these rules are cited as being disobeyed. However, none of the participants in these battles seem to care enough to follow them. The night raid's moral ramifications (and consequences) seemed to be nothing more than a barter transaction through Shiva and Ashwatthamann just prior to the slaughter.
"Yudishthira and his dog, ascending" - Nanda Lal Bose, c. 1913
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Why don't dogs go to heaven?
The story of Yudishthira's eventual arrival to Indra's celestial heaven has a very sweet moment; as each of his companions fall aside on the way to Mount Meru, the loyal dog Yudishthira refuses to abandon even at the urging of Indra transforms into Dharma, the god of justice. I adore this, and I think that The Departure was my favorite selection of the last of the Mahabharata readings.
Yudhishthira's Trials
The happy ending, achieved at last for Yudishthira, took a very long and "Pilgrim's Progress" styled route. He goes through just about everything imaginable, watches his entire band of family and companions basically die, and then finds himself in a city ruled by his enemy (the Kauravas heaven). More torture awaits, and not until he has at last given up does he attain entrance of Indra's celestial heaven, where at long last he is reunited with those he loves.
Bibleography
Arjuna and Karna, Durhodhana in the Lake, The Night Raid, The Pandavas Depart, The Afterlife, Indian Myth and Legend, Donald A. Mackenzie
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