Reading Notes: The Deadly Feast (Monday)

Sadya, a traditional ceremonial meal (one variation shown here) in the Indian state of Kerala

1. The king recognizes the innate good qualities of Aushadha and gives him an important position. People are (apparently) usually born great.
2. Aushadha is not the only person working to help his king.
3. Kevatta is also trying to ensure his king’s prosperity and security. Will Kevatta do something unvirtuous and lead to the ruin of his own king?
4. Aushadha understands the animals and treats them with respect. He is rewarded for this. 
5. Kevatta’s plan to poison the other kings at the feast will lead to his downfall. Although Aushadha had spies infiltrate the other kings’ courts, he didn’t try to kill these rulers using underhanded means. In fact, he seems to use them as merely a means to gain information.
6. Although Kevatta’s plan leads to his king’s successful invasion of the other kingdoms, he will ultimately fail.
7. Intelligence will ultimately win over strength of arms.
8. His respect for animals allows Aushadha to ally himself even with the animals of enemy kingdoms.
9. Ultimately, Aushadha’s cleverness wins out over the deceitfulness and anger of Kevatta and his king.

Bibliography

Yagya Sharma. "The Deadly Feast." Amar Chitra Katha, volume 665.