Skip to main content

Week 13 Mahabharata: Part D Epified Mahabharata Videos

 After seeing the storylines in Part D of the Epified Mahabharata videos, I was really excited to see one of my favorite and most intriguing plot within the epic was being illustrated: the gambling match. I remember reading this story in the Mahabharata and was throughout confused as to why the gambling match was considered to be so important. To me it is almost unbelievable that Yudhishthir would be willing to bet all of his belongings and even his wife to the Kauravas. Additionally, why would declining to participate in a gambling match mean so much to the Pandavas? I do not really understand why so much honor is placed on a gambling match, which is ultimately based on luck then really skill like fighting. It seems as if the Pandavas were always destined to have the lower hand in whatever they did against the Kauravas, but I guess since they win in the end, it really does not matter. I also wonder how Shakuni was able to deceive the game. Did he count cards or were his dice cheated? Ultimately it is not surprising that the Kauravas would cheat their way to victory. Though you have to feel for them when later the Pandavas were eventually given everything back. I look forward to seeing that story in Part E of the videos. 

Source: Epified: Mahabharata videos, Part D


File:Gambling Match of Pandavas & Kauravas.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Week 9 Story: Bhima and the Nagas

Duryodhana was a jealous warrior. He could not stand if anybody was better him, no matter the competition. From archery to running to strength training, he saw how his Pandavas cousins performed at the highest marks. However, no made Duryodhana more angry than Bhima. Now Bhima was the best of the spot. He could bench over 300 pounds, squat 450 pounds, and run a mile in less than 6 minutes. No one could match him physically and for this Duryodhana plotted to get rid of Bhima. He knew he could not do it face to face combat, so he decided to poison his food during dinner. He extracted poison from the venomous King Cobra and sprinkled onto Bhima's dinner for the night. As Bhima took his first bites, he passed out and laid asleep on the ground. Duryodhana seizing his opportunity, gagged Bhima and threw into the holy Ganges for him to forever lie. Yet, as Bhima fell into the river it was fated by the gods that he was not to die. His destiny lied far ahead in the future. Thus when Bhima...

Week 14: More Jataka Tales Part B

 For Part B of Week 14 reading, I continued the Jataka Tales. Specifically for the week I read The Elephant and the Dog. What really sparked my interest to read the story was the title. As a fan of dogs and knowing the importance of elephants in Indian culture, I was curious to see how the two animals interacted in the story, and I was definitely not disappointed. I loved the heartwarming story of the dog and elephant's friendship and how they needed each other to live. It is always surprising to me how animals from different species are able to form friendships, but I think it highlights how even in animals, love and friendship has no boundary. If I were to retell the story, I would probably add a personal touch such as replacing the dog with my own dog, Max. He is a German Shepherd who loves to hang out with other dogs, so I think he quickly make friends with the elephant. Additionally, I think adding dialogue between the two animals could help showcase their friendship and add m...

Comment Wall

  Shiva and Parvati with their son, Ganesha  Link to Storybook