Arjuna accidentally enters Dharma's boudoir while she and Yudhishthira are occupying it.
Illustration by unknown artist (n.d.). Link.
- Vidura proves that wisdom can be found in every class.
- Like Rama, the Pandavas have been forced from their home. Wandering through forests seems a common means by which to redeem or deliver characters.
- There’s conflict between the rakshasas. What else could have happened between the rakshasa siblings to make the sister so sympathetic to humans? Was he always a bully?
- What kind of reception will the rakshasa child receive among humans? Is this an entirely acceptable relationship?
- A woman with five husbands is treated as something of a joke, but a man with several wives is normal, if not esteemed. What if there had been a women’s rights movement during this period? How would they discuss this issue with the king and the brahmins?
- Draupadi is too haughty. This will probably come back to bite him.
- The five husbands seem more of a divine gift.
- Oaths and promises are extremely important. What seems an excessive punishment to me is considered by Arjuna as just. How would the gods have reacted if Arjuna had broken his promise? Would they have kicked him out of the kingdom for even longer?
- Arunja doesn’t do all too bad during his exile. He gets to visit holy places and he has a child with Ulupi (Iravat).
- How could this section on the journey to holy places be expanded? Imagine a story in which Arunja accidentally meditates for a thousand years and wakes up to find the kingdoms completely changed.
- Not only is keeping promises important, but trying to make other people break their promises is cause for punishment.
- Could Draupadi and Subhadra have adventures of their own while they’re drunk? Given the complexity of Indian mythology, they would likely run across a few divine beings.
- That was quite a clever gamble. Duryodhana isn’t as clever as he thinks.
- Draupadi is a proud and courageous woman. Will her refusal lead to war?
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