I’m realizing by this part of the Mahabharata that it’s very
much the classic story of good versus evil. While some seem to represent
virtue, others represent it’s antithesis, vice. The reading in Part C very much
got this ball rolling with the event in which Yudhishthira gambled away
everything, almost even Draupadi. This starts the cycle of vengeance that we
see in Part C. Reading with this mindset of trying to read between the lines
for the moral message beneath has helped highlight for me ways in which to
reinforce the same in my own Storybook. As the characters deal with the
consequences of their choices, I think that certain characters have sort of
been acting as moral compasses which can either be taken or left. I especially
noticed the ethical choice that Karna had with Indra’s celestial weapon which
can only be wielded in perilous circumstances lest it rebound on him as a
result of its misuse. The principle behind this is brilliant. Something told me
that this could be a bit of foreshadowing. His whole energy seems a little cold
and sinister, I want to say it has something to do with his being bitter about being
abandoned at birth. Unless I read this wrong and he is actually just hurt and
conflicted, but sometimes with such huge news it can be a bit of both. Krishna,
who was the one to tell him of his origins, puts a lot of pressure on him.
However, this seems to be purely out of care and concern for him. For Karna to “choose
loyalty,” in this case to go to battle against his brothers because of his
commitment to his service for the sake of Duryodhana, seems backward since his
enemies are his blood relations. He did say he wouldn’t slay them particularly,
but still this tugs at the heartstrings since they are family. Since my Storybook
has to do with brotherhood in it’s closest form, I’m anxious to see what awaits
in Part D.
Bibliography:
Author: Various
Title: Mahabharata
Source: PDE Mahabharata, web
(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
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