Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Reading Notes: Epified: Mahabharata videos, Part A

For this week's reading, I decided to watch the Mahabharata videos. I thought it would be interesting to hear the stories told in a new way and have a visual aid!

Mahabharata Episode 1 - Shantanu the Unfortunate
This explains that the Mahabharata is all about karma. This makes a lot of sense! Now that I have already read a version, I can see how early events come back into play later in the epic.
The story of Shantanu and Ganga (the 8 sons)
Ganga leaves and takes the last son

Mahabharata Episode 2 - Devavrata Returns
16 years after Ganga left Shantanu
Shantanu is reunited with his long lost son! This would be a fun story to write about.

Mahabharata Episode 3 - Devavrata Becomes Bhishma
Devavrata begs the fisherman to allow his father to marry his daughter
Devavrata makes an oath to never marry or father any children, just to make his father happy. This sacrifice and selfless love is inspiring.
Shantanu gives Devavrata a boon that he will be able to choose the time of his death

Mahabharata Episode 4 - Desperation of Bhishma
Bishma acts as a father to his half brothers
One brother dies and he is worried about the other one
Kidnaps princesses to find his brother a wife

Mahabharata Episode 5 - Amba's Ruin
Brings back the 3 princesses
Eldest princess has someone else she loves and leaves (Bishma lets it happen). He refuses Amba and tells her to beg Bishma for marriage, but here the oath comes back around and he says no.
Amba is very angry and blames Bishma for all of her misfortune--she is out for revenge

Mahabharata Episode 6 - Satyavati's Secret
Step-brother dies childless
Bishma is begged to break his vow, but he refuses
Satyavati reveals that Bishma has a brother who promised to appear when she summoned him. He is summoned.
The young women were afraid of the scary looking brother

Mahabharata Episode 7 - Sons of Vyasa
Woman closed her eyes and the son was born blind
Next women turned pale with fear and child born pale with bad health
Servant girl is accepting and loving
The three children are born and grow up under Bishma's wing

Mahabharata Episode 8 - The Blind Bride
Princess marries blind brother; says she always knew her husband would be blind. She blindfolds herself and gives up her sight.
Pandu (pale) marries two wives.

So far, I am loving the videos! They are really helping me to better understand the Mahabharata. Since I have already read the stories once, this new perspective helps me to grasp the details I may have missed the first time. The simple language and illustrations make it fun and easy to watch and understand.

(The doodles in the videos add to the appeal! Source: Pixabay)

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