Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata (Part D)

Yudhishthira ascends to heaven.

Artist unknown (n.d.). Source.

1. Although Abhimanyu dies, his death is given valiant descriptions. What happens to him after he dies?
2. Arjuna’s promise will come true. Only bad things happen to those who break their vows.
3. Arjuna’s anger may get him into trouble. Right now, he seems as though he’s doing pretty well in battle.
4. Arjuna does fulfill his vow. While he attempts to fulfill it, Krishna uses his powers to help Arjuna. He still needs celestial assistance to win.
5. Duryodhana is a dastardly and sinister character. He would rather kill his opponents in their sleep than follow through on promises or fight honorably.
6. Drona sees just how terrible and just Duryodhana’s fate will be.
7. Karna probably wasted that dart. He’ll likely suffer for a lack of it.
8. Drona has seemingly lost his will to live. Will he return in some other form? He doesn’t seem to have been killed in an honorable way.
9. Bhima is pretty intense about his vows.
10. Karna end is just. He is also a hypocrite, in that he attacks dishonorably but wants others to treat him honorably.
11. Duryodhana seems incapable of accepting fate. How would he have been treated if he faced the Pandavas himself?
12. Will such an act of war be punished by something more?
13. All of this sorrow and bloodshed seems like it could have been avoided. What would have happened if there had been a peaceful solution before the battle or shortly after it had begun?
14. Krishna helps Ganga to accept the fate of her son. Acceptance of fate and predetermined position continues to be one of the most important virtues.
15. Given how many ceremonies they perform and how many sacrifices they make, this will likely prove a good reign.
16. They don’t just ignore the mongoose. Paying attention to talking animals (such as Hanuman) is an important virtue.
17. Maybe that reign won’t turn out well. At least, the enemies that attack them will be overwhelmingly strong.
18. The Pandavas return to their status as hermits. Perhaps this suggests that each person will be made humble in the end, no matter their social status.
19. Yudhishthira is extremely devoted to his family, even though it means facing horrific places.

Bibliography

Various authors. Mahabharata (public domain). Source.