Reading Notes: Public Domain Mahabharata, Part D

Drona in Command
Brishma is slain and Drona takes over the armies.

Abhimanyu and Jayadratha
In this sad scene, Abhimanyu becomes stuck surrounded by enemies and is painfully slain. The Pandavas try to help him but are unable. His death was very sad.
Arjuna finds out that his son is dead and is devastated. He seeks revenge and successfully beheads his son's killer.

Ghatotkacha
Bhima's son is killed and the Pandavas are heartbroken again.

Death of Drona
Drona's son is killed, meaning that Drona can now perish. He is killed.

Bhima and Duhshasana
Bhima completes his oath and kills Duhshasana and drinks his blood. This freaks people out...understandably so.

Duryodhana in the Lake
Duryodhana contemplates asking for mercy, but decides this isn't an option because of what he has done to the Pandavas. He hides underwater, then fights Bhima, who kicks him in the head.

The Night Raid
Ashwatthaman sets out to kill the Pandava sons in their sleep.

Ashwatthaman Cursed
Draupadi requests Ashwatthaman's head, but settles for the gem in his head that protects him from harm. I like the idea of this gem. I think it would be interesting to make a story about it. But instead of a gem, maybe something else.

King Yudhishthira's Horse/Horse Sacrifice 
In these scenes, there is another horse sacrifice. I think the use of animals throughout this scene and others is very interesting.

The Mongoose
I like the way that the folktale was put into the story. I thought it was a fun storytelling method. I think it would be interesting to make my own story that followed a similar pattern.

The Forest and its Ghosts
Vyasa says magical words and the ghosts of all who had died rise. It was touching to see them reunite with their loved ones. I can't imagine what that would feel like...especially when you have to say goodbye again. I think it would be interesting to write a story from the perspective of someone who lost a loved one and what it felt like to see them again.

The Pandavas Depart
I thought it was interesting that all of the Pandavas and Draupadi decided to leave earth together. They are very committed to each other. I thought it was very fitting to the story that their time on earth ended this way.

(The ghosts coming together at the river. Source)

Source: Public Domain Mahabharata