Reading Notes Narayan's Mahabharata Part A

Ganga leaves
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 - I had to laugh at the marriage condition that Shantanu's future wife gives him. Its a nice flip from the other ancient stories where the male love interest sets the conditions of the relationship. Also the picture shown above is my favorite image that I have come across for this class so far. I think Ganga's little wave is very funny for some reason.


 - Bhishma reminds me a look of Rama in the scene where he renounces his claim to the throne. Cleary the culture that these epics thrived in promoted children putting their parents above themselves. Both Rama and Bhishma are willing to throw their entire future away to honor their fathers wishes. 

- Another parallel between the Mahabharata and the Ramayana exists in the treatment of Amba. Clearly a woman's word is not given enough weigh to be considered proof of her purity. However unlike Sita, Amba begins to allow her anger to corrupt her. 

 - The story of Kunti setting her son, a very powerful being, adrift in a basket and his subsequent rescue echoes the story of Moses in exodus. I'm curious whether, at the time this story originated, Indian culture had had any interactions with Hebrew culture. 

- I think its interesting that for a society that apparently puts such a high value on female purity and fidelity, everyone seems totally okay which Kunti having children with various gods. I also think it's fascinating that Pandu clearly regards these children as his own and even asks Kunti for more. 

 - I am very intrigued by the similarities between the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The scene where Arhuna strings the bow in order to marry Draupadi is reminiscent of the scene in the Ramayana where Rama strings the bow in order to marry Sita. I'm curious whether stringing a bow to win a brides hand was a common practice in India and the stories are drawing on that tradition? Or, alternatively, if one of the narratives is merely repeating a scene from the other?

Bibliography

Narayan's Mahabharata, Link to Reading Guide A.