Among the several stories in the third part of Mahabharata reading, I found the stories of Pandavas and Draupadi and Arjuna most fascinating. When Yudhishthira lamented about his unfortunate fate, it also made me somehow depressed: "Our kingdom is lost to us," he said, "and our fortune; everything is lost; we depart in sorrow, and must live on fruits and roots and the produce of the chase. In the woods are many perils — many reptiles and hungry wild animals seeking their prey."
It's such a pessimistic outlook on life in that I thought it would only discourage his brahmins.
Although the Pandavas suffered greatly from living in poor conditions of the forest, I thought they also had some good things too: "They wandered in sunshine and in shade; they dwelt in pleasant places, amidst abundant fruits and surrounded by flowers."
Arjuna was a great archer: "Stringing his bow, he shot an arrow and hit the boar." Although he was threatened by the beast, he could easily kill the animal with his archery.
I like how Arjuna and huntsman fought so hard in a nip and tuck manner. They shoot with arrows at each other and wrestled hard to take one down.
The Great God awarded Arjuna mightily for he liked him so much: "Then the Great God gave to Arjuna Gandiva, the divine bow, and, blessing him, turned and left that mountain with its vales and caves and snowy heights, and went up into the sky with all his train."
Besides the Great God, Arjuna was also given special, unique powers onto himself: "Next appeared Indra, king of gods, Varuna, god of waters, Yama, king of the dead, and Kubera, lord of treasures, and they stood upon the mountain summit in all their glory; unto Arjuna they gave gifts of other celestial weapons." I also like Arjuna for a fact that he is so versatile. He obviously had multiple talents such as singing, dancing, and music. Arjuna also was a great fearless fighter who was relentless and determined to win. Arjuna was a fascinating, multi-talented character that I really like. But the Pandavas' perseverance and determination for survival was also admirable as well. The great stories of these characters really caught my attention and led me to understand what traits of Arjuna led to later vicious war with Karna.
It's such a pessimistic outlook on life in that I thought it would only discourage his brahmins.
Although the Pandavas suffered greatly from living in poor conditions of the forest, I thought they also had some good things too: "They wandered in sunshine and in shade; they dwelt in pleasant places, amidst abundant fruits and surrounded by flowers."
Arjuna was a great archer: "Stringing his bow, he shot an arrow and hit the boar." Although he was threatened by the beast, he could easily kill the animal with his archery.
I like how Arjuna and huntsman fought so hard in a nip and tuck manner. They shoot with arrows at each other and wrestled hard to take one down.
The Great God awarded Arjuna mightily for he liked him so much: "Then the Great God gave to Arjuna Gandiva, the divine bow, and, blessing him, turned and left that mountain with its vales and caves and snowy heights, and went up into the sky with all his train."
Besides the Great God, Arjuna was also given special, unique powers onto himself: "Next appeared Indra, king of gods, Varuna, god of waters, Yama, king of the dead, and Kubera, lord of treasures, and they stood upon the mountain summit in all their glory; unto Arjuna they gave gifts of other celestial weapons." I also like Arjuna for a fact that he is so versatile. He obviously had multiple talents such as singing, dancing, and music. Arjuna also was a great fearless fighter who was relentless and determined to win. Arjuna was a fascinating, multi-talented character that I really like. But the Pandavas' perseverance and determination for survival was also admirable as well. The great stories of these characters really caught my attention and led me to understand what traits of Arjuna led to later vicious war with Karna.
Drauapdi and the Pandavas in the Forest. Source: Drauapdi and the Pandavas
Bibliography:
Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913).
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