Spring 2018 Indian Epics

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. "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, ...

The shrine itself was unremarkable, but its visitor was not. Vidura's annual pilgrimage was easier now than it was in the old days. The rush to return to the city was no longer necessary since he had stepped down as prime minister, and each year he enjoyed stretching his journey out longer. The hermit greeted him each year in silence, but always offered him tea and food. Neither knew the other's name nor spoke, but each ate together near the fire each night. Vidura had tried to offer his own provisions in the early years, but the hermit always refused. Each year Vidura approached the shrine, and each year he began his vigil. The incense came first, six bundles carefully placed in the basin below the weathered statue. He did not know who the statue was supposed to be, and it did not matter to him. This was not a rite of devotion, but of penance. He chose the shrine forty years ago for its isolation, and it was here their remains were buried. Their names he never learn...

There were a few places in this reading that almost felt like informercials to me. The first few tales, including Arjuna's encounter with Shiva, his curse of five year's worth of dancing, and Bhima's encounter with Hanuman all feel like they could be advertisement blurbs in the back of an ancient magazine or subway ad (should such things have existed in that time frame). Breatharianism , as endorsed by the mighty Arjuna: "Are you searching for the ultimate cleanse? Have supplements and fad-dieting just brought you closer to giving up? Look no further, for Arjuna himself endorses the incredible inedia lifestyle approach referred to by hermits and Rosicrucians as "The last diet you'll ever need!" In fact, the sun diet worked so well for Arjuna that his purity levels and internal electric rhythms skyrocketed within only four months, permitting an ascension to the revered Shiva-level of the exclusive members-only Breatharian Brethren. Valuable prizes ...