Famous Last Words: No Sleep, Just Naps

Wow has this week been busy! I had this coding homework that was due today and spent most of my nights working on it. It's also time for midterms so I've been studying.

I'm hoping next week is a little more laid back but it's college. I've learned to accept that in college you don't get to sleep, you only get naps.

I'm also hoping to get some good news on my study abroad status. I've still been waitlisted but I should be getting and update some time next week.

Today has been a great day thanks to the weather. I came back to OKC to hang out with my family but today was a little different. I came home and hung out with my dogs outside and then when I finally got in the house to get settled, my parents gave me some sad news.

If you've seen my introduction I mentioned having a pet bird, her name was Tootsie. Unfortunately she passed away yesterday but I just learned about it today. What's even more crazy was that I had a dream about this just last week. I remember calling my parents and asking them if she was okay since the dream was practically a nightmare and she was doing great.

It's been a little hard today going near her cage since she's not in there anymore. Everytime I'm near it I look in it expecting her to be there only to remember she's not. However, I also know she is in a better place and was glad to know she went peacefully. I had her for at least 8 years and of all the pet birds I've had, she's probably one of the only few that has liked food as much as me.

Here is a picture of her:

Personal photo of Tootsie

Week 7 Storytelling: Duryodhana & Karna vs. Arjuna et. al

Several people chattered and argued in the courtroom as they waited for my arrival. As I enter the courtroom everyone went silent. 

KARMA: "Well if it isn't Duryodhana and Karna, the troublemakers. To what do I owe this pleasure?"


DURYODHANA: "Karma, you have to help me, the Pandavas are after me. They're trying to kill me! They need to be arrested."


KARNA: "It's true your Honor, they tried to kill me too, Arjuna broke the rules during battle."


KARMA: " First of all, do not call me Karma, it's your Honor . Secondly, why should I help you of all people Karna?  I watched the battle between you and Arjuna, and saw you break the rules as well. You also let your sister-in-law be ridiculed in public, not to mention you ganged up on and murdered your own nephew. Your the last person that needs to be talking about rules, so why don't you just take a seat and shut up."

"As for you Duryodhana, I believe there is more to this story so I am going to ask you again, are you sure that is all that happened?"


DURYODHANA: "Positive!"


KARMA:"Very well then. Pandavas, why don't you tell me your side of the story?"


ARJUNA: "Your Honor,  Karna disrespected our wife, He also killed my boy! During our battle, I was trying to fix my weapon and he continued to attack me instead of pausing like the rules said. What kind of father would I be if I let all of that go? ""

"Duryodhana has continuously harassed me and my brothers after we asked him to stop. Before we got here he stHe also took away our kingdom. He tricked us and made us go into exile and then sent his men to come kill us.


KARMA: "I see. Duryodhana you this was your chance to take responsibility and yet you still lied to my face. It also sounds like you neglected your dharma as a king in your fit of rage and jealousy. Unfortunately for you, I will not grant the order nor will anyone be going to jail. In fact, I'm going to set both you and Karna free. "

DURYODHANA: "But you can't do this! Your suppose to protect us."


KARMA: "Actually, no Duryodhana, my dharma is to make sure everyone gets what they deserve based on their actions. And it looks like based on your actions, you need to be taught a lesson. Good luck, your going to need it. As for you Karna, you abused your powers so I am taking them away from you. Although what your mother did to you was unfair, that does not excuse your actions."


I banged my gavel with finality.


DURYODHANA: "They'll have to catch me first!"


KARNA: "Me too!"


Both Duryodhana and Karna ran out of the court.


KARMA: "I am ordering the Pandavas children be put in protective custody immediately and keep them in custody until Duryodhana is caught. Pandavas, what are you waiting for? Go after him!"


The Pandavas brothers quickly run out of the courtroom to pursue Duryodhana. I sighed. I knew this was going to happen. I took this case because the children needed to be protected. I know the brothers will slay Duryodhana and his men but he has a whole army after the Pandavas and the children have also come in harm's way. This was the only way to protect them. I know they will catch him soon but for now, I can only wait and watch.  I admit, Arjuna hasn't been the best father but the love he has for his children is obvious. He was nearly broke at the mention of his son. 

 I'm not too worried about Karna since his powers have been taken away. He was also just another one of Duryodhana's cronies. I can't help but feel a little bad for him. I'm sure if his mother hadn't abandoned him and if the injustice of the caste system hadn't limited his abilites , he would've turned out to be a great man. Despite his actions though, I made sure to give everyone who has wronged him their karma as well. Kunti lost her husband and suffered with her sons as a consequence of abandoning him. Drona got his before he even met Karna when his best friend rejected him, and then again when he was killed. It's was the least I could do for the poor guy.

All of a sudden my phone beeped and I smirked at the image. I knew they wouldn't go very far. 

Image sent to Karma's phone
(Wikimedia Commons)

Author's Note: I rewrote the story based on the Arjuna and Karna and Duryodhana in the Lake. Since Karna has been loyal to Duryodhana I thought I would show that in this story when Karna vouches for Duryodhana about the Pandavas trying to kill him. In the original story of Arjuna and Karna, Balarama is the one who confronts Karna about all the things he has done after he says the battle is unfair but in this story I had Karma ask him those question instead. I also wanted to put the Pandava brothers' kids in protective custody because it was never their battle to begin with but they ended being drawn into it.

The I called the brothers Pandavas since that is what they've been referred to throughout most of the Mahabharata and let Arjuna represent them because since he had battled with Karna and Duryodhana.

Duryodhana never directly takes responsibility for his actions which is why I had him lie to Karma. In the story his wife Krupi told him to try and make peace but he did not feel the need to because he had done so many bad things which is why Karma mentions giving him another chance. He had several chances to fix things with the Pandavas but never did. His defiance is demonstrated in this story when he talks back to Karma. Although the theme is the same as most of my other stories, this one is a little different because there were more than two parties arguing, not to mention one them openly defies karma.

Week 7 Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata, Part D

Bhishma Falls

Amba is reincarnated as a warrior named Shikhandin and Bhishma recognizes her reincarnated form and doesn't attack him because he still sees her as a woman. Arjuna takes advantage and kills Bhishma because he tried to kill Krishna. After he dies Karna decides to battle his brothers since he already hates them. 

After Bhishma's death, Drona takes command and vows to make Yudhishthira his prisoner while Arjuna vows to protect his brother. 

Abhimanyu and Jayadathra - Dharma & Karma

Jayadathra breaks his promise of being Yudhishthira's slave and kills Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu. Arjuna vows revenge and succeeds with Krishna's help. 

Gatokacha

• Bhima's demon son and the Pandavas nephew

He can create illusions but it didn't work on Karna and he ended up being killed by him. 

Death of Drona

The Pandavas trick Drona into think his son is dead and kill him.  Karna now takes command of Duryodhana's army.

Bhima and Duhshasana - Karma

Bhima gets revenge for Draupadi. Before exile Dushasana had not treated Draupadi right at the gambling event and karma has finally caught up to him. 

Arjuna and Karna - Karma

The brothers battle each other and Arjuna tells Karna to pause because it's unfair to allow him battle someone whose unarmed but Karna continues to attack him. Karna is now at a disadvantages and tells Arjuna to pause and tell him it's unfair to attack a helpless enemy. 

Krishna makes Karna eat his words by asking him about whether all the things he did was manly.

• Not pausing for Arjuna
• Letting Draupadi get ridiculed
• Murdering Arjuna's son with six other men 

Before Karna got to answer Arjuna killed him when he heard his son's name. 

Duryodhana in the Lake

Duryodhana is now using his powers to hide in the lake while that Kauravas fled.  Duryodhana is advised to try and make peace but insists on continuing war since he has gone in to deep. 

Shalya is now the commander of the army. During the battle Duryodhana fled and hid in the water.

Duryodhana neglected his dharma.

Duryodhana surrenders and tells them they can have the kingdom and to leave him alone so he can go into the forest to meditate. 

He tells them he will fight only if he can fight them one by one and the Pandavas agree but he still won't come out of the water until Bhima threatened to drag him out and kill him. Despite being outnumbered, he is still confident he will win. 

The Night Raid

Drona's son tries to kill the Pandavas in their sleep but fails.  All of Draupadi's kids are dead and she is angry at her husbands and asks them if the exile was worth it now since they were the reason the Pandavas and her went into exile.

In the end Kunti still got to keep her kids but everyone else lost their husbands or kids. 

The Pandavas and Bhishma 

Bhishma decides its time for him to die and explains how to run the kingdom to Yudhisthira how to run the kingdom before he dies. 

It's ironic how Yudhisthira ended up being king of the kingdom again since he was part of the reason they went into exile. 

Parikshit

Although the Pandavas are dead, a miracle happens which saves their family line.  Parikshit had originally been killed in the womb but was brought back to life by Krishna and he was born 5 months later after his father's death.  Uttara, Parikshit's mother wanted to die after he was born so she can be with her husband but Krishna reminded her that her son needed her. 

Krishna's Death

Krishna and his brother both died in the jungle. Krishna was mistaken for a deer and shot in the foot, the only spot where he could be wounded. Balarama died after a snake came out of his mouth. 

Not too long after Krishna's death, it was time for the Pandavas to leave the world as well. 

Draupadi and Krishna
(Wikimedia Commons)

The Afterlife

After the Pandavas enter the afterlife, they find Duryodhana there as well sitting on a throne. They also see the other Kauravas but do not see Draupadi.  Yudhisthira is not happy to see the Kauravas and wants to find Draupadi. 

He is tested when an illusion of hell appears. He tells the celestial to leave him there because he needed to make up for his mistake.

Week 7: PDE Mahabharata Reading Notes, Part C

Life in the Forest - Dharam 

After the Pandavas are set free they go into exile and Draupadi goes with them. At this point, they have lost their kingdom along with everything else and come across a brahmin name Dhaumya, whom they live with for the next 12 years.

Krishna's Visit

The Bhima and Draupadi are still angry at Yudhishirtha. Draupadi mentions his dharma as a husband. Krishna offers to help the Pandavas help them get their kingdom back and explains to Yudhisthira that if he had been their this would have never happened.

Draupadi continues to complain about how she is no longer a queen and is living like a peasant. 

It sounds like Krishna is a mediator and has a little more power over everyone.

Shiva

Lord Shiva, the destroyer and transformer
(flickr)

Meanwhile Arjuna is used to being exiled since he had been before. He is looking for weapons so that him and the Pandavas can fight the Kauravas. He goes to the Himalayas and meets Shiva. Shiva grants Arjuna's wish and gives him weapons. 

Arjuna and Indra - Karma

Arjuna meets his father Indra. Arjuna also meets Urvashi who curses him to become a musician and dancer for 5 years in order to get him under control. While under the curse, he also learns how to use the weapons that Shiva gave him.  Indra trained Arjuna into a warrior. 

The Pandavas and Arjuna reunite. 

Bhima and Hanuman - Dharma

Bhima is Hanuman's half-brother.  Their father is Vayu, the wind god. Hanuman explains the duties of different castes to Bhima. 

Duryodhana and the Gandharvas

Karna is loyal to Duryodhana and is sent to spy on the Pandavas. He wages war with the Gandharvas. The Pandavas are now out of exile and Karna vows to kill Arjuna. 

Karna and Indra - Dharma 

Indra is trying to protect Arjuna by negotiating with Karna. Karna is also a follower of Indra ironically. Indra disguises himself as a brahmin and demands Karna's armor and earrings.  These things are significant because they make him invincible.

In exchange for the armor, Indra gives him a weapon that can slay anyone except Arjuna but he does not mention that. The weapon rebounds if it hits Arjuna.

Karma can take away his armor and earrings as a result of misusing them for evil.

Jayadratha and Draupadi - Karma 

Like in the Ramayana, Draupadi is put in danger in the forest. Jayadratha likes her and kidnaps her.  He is also married to Duryodhana's sister. 

As punishment, he is stripped of his royal position and is declared a slave. 

The Court of King Virata

The Pandavas must spend their final year in exile hiding. The terms of exile:

• spend additional 12 years in exile if discovered by Kauravas

They hid at a kingdom where the king and queen bond with them while they are there. 

Bhima and Kichaka - Dharma

Draupadi in disguise at the Court of King Virata
(Raja Ravi Varma)

The Pandavas fail to protect their wife once again when the queen's brother, Prince Kichaka, attempts to assault Draupadi. Bhima secretly defends his wife. The queen abided by his wishes. Draupadi tells the king what happened but he just laughs at her along with the rest of the court because he feared the prince. 

Bhima hides in Draupadi's room and slays Kichaka when he comes in. 

The king and queen fail their dharma to protect their people. Why is he a king if he's going to be scared? Kings are suppose to be brave and this one shows poor leadership. 

The Cattle Raid

Despite the king's lack of leadership and integrity, the Pandavas defend him when Duryodhana tries to steal his cattle. The Pandavas brothers' exile is over and the brothers reveal themselves to the king.

Preparations for War

Krishna is trying to help the Pandavas and Kauravas make peace. The Kauravas refuse to give the kingdom back to them. 

Duryodhana and Arjuna both wanted Krishna's help but Krishna saw Arjuna first and gives him the option to choose between an army and him and Duryodhana gets the other option.  

Krishna is not going to participate in the battle but Arjuna is confident he could single-handedly defeat his enemies.

Krishna's Mission to the Kauravas

Krishna continues to try to make peace and goes to the extent of showing his true form as Vishnu.  Duryodhana wants to hurt Krishna now to weaken the Pandavas power but he reads their thoughts and so he goes to the elders.

Krishna and Karna - Karma

Karna still doesn't know that the Pandavas are his brothers until Krishna tells him. Karna confronts his mother and is angry and still chooses to help Duryodhana because they cared for him. He told Kunti that he will not hurt his brothers though. He decides to fight Arjuna only and says its a win-win situation whether he dies or not.

This is Kunti's karma.

The Battle Begins

Bishma is the General of the Kauravas but isn't confident that they'll win. 

Week 6 Storytelling: The States vs. Arjuna

Arjuna has returned from his exile and is greeted with a letter from Karma. He was summoned to her Court. However Arjuna also had this feeling in the pit of his stomach that it wasn't just about the deal. While he was arriving to the court, he tried to think back of his time while he was exiled but came up blank. He hadn't done anything evil or to cause anyone sorrow so why else would she want to meet with him? He was confused but figured it had to do with the deal him and his brothers made with her. 

Karma:"Arjuna, I haven't seen you since I made that agreement with you and your brothers. How is my kingdom doing. Still making sure justice is served?"

Arjuna: "It has been awhile your Honor. As for your kingdom, it is running smoothly. I still don't understand why you chose to hide the fact that true ruler of Indraprastha but I'm glad you appointed me and my brothers to run the kingdom for you. Although it's nice catching up with you, I'm assuming that is not why you called me here."

Karma: "You are correct my dear boy. The reason you are here today is because you have committed infidelity, not to mention abandoned all of your children and wives. From my understanding, you were exiled and ended up marrying 3 women and also having children with them."

Arjuna: "I did not mean for this to happen your Honor, they were just so beautiful and I was frustrated and kind of angry that I had to share my first wife Draupadi with my brothers. It's was not fair to me or my brothers. "

Karma: "So what you're saying is that you did all this as some form of revenge because you had to share your wife?"

Arjuna: "Not at all your Honor. As I said, it just happened. I never meant to leave them. I was planning on going back for them but I had to fulfill my dharma as a king first."

Karma: "Well, I am not going to say that what you did was right, but  I do understand were your coming from. Your circumstance was different from the typical marriages of the gods and goddesses. Although I do not entirely agree with what you did, you have also done some good deeds in the world, so what I am going to do is annul your marriage with Draupadi as well as your other wives but as punishment for your infidelities, I am ordering you to pay child support for each and every one of your children. You need to take responsibility for your actions Arjuna."

Arjuna: "Thank you your Honor." 

Karma: " I wasn't done yet." Karma gives Arjuna a stern look. "Furthermore, when you get reincarnated, you will neither get a wife nor children of your own. You will have to redeem yourself in the next life."

Arjuna: "I accept the punishment and take full responsibility for my actions but how will I redeem myself?"

Karma: "That's up to you but I do recommend adopting some kids and taking care of them. Your a smart boy, I'm sure you'll find a way. I might even take away your punishment and allow you to get married if your prove yourself worthy of having a wife."

And with that I banged my gavel and watched as Arjuna left the courtroom. I could tell he was still trying to figure out how he was going to redeem himself. As for the revelation about the kingdom. Yes, I am the real queen of Indraprastha but I decided to keep it a secret from the people. I did not want them all coming to bother me over little things. I'm a judge, I have tons of cases on a daily basis that need to be resolved. I appointed the Pandavas brothers because to the kingdom to make sure the people are safe and to handle anything that is unjust. 

Despite the fact that he is running my kingdom, I still had to do my job and punish him. I tried to go easy on him considering all the good karma he's collected over the years but what he did was still wrong. Those children deserved to have a father figure in their life.

I know the punishment was a little cruel but he needed to face the consequences of his actions. I annulled his marriage to Draupadi because he was unfairly exiled and still kept his word according to the marriage contract between him and his brothers. Although I told him he will not be married in his next life, little does he know that I have something up my sleeve. If he can prove himself faithful to the woman in his next life, I will definitely allow him to be marry her and have children but if he repeats his mistakes, we'll worry about that later.  All I can say is I don't blame the guy. Love is selfish after all. 

(pxhere)

Author's Note: This story is based on the PDE Mahabharata Part B when he wins Draupadi's hand in marriage but ends up having to share his wife with his brothers. He is then exiled for breaking the rules that he and his brothers made in regards to their marriage to their wife. While he was exiled, he met and married three women and had children with them. He then returned with one of his wives back to the kingdom where he was briefly confronted by Draupadi. 

This part of the story does not mention his wives and children after he leaves them so I got creative and came up with this story. I wanted to see where this story would go and ended up with this. 

Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata, Part B

The Pandavas and Kunti are believed to be dead but are hiding in the wilderness.

Bhima and Hidimbi

Bhima marries a demon that fell in love with him and they have son and name him Ghatotkacha.  He stays with his wife and son leaving Kunti and the rest of the Pandavas to continue their journey without him.

Bhima and Baka

Baka is the king of Ekachakra and protects the people but takes all of their food and leaves them to starve. If they don't give him the food he eats the whole household of the family that didn't pay him.

Bhima kills Baka.

The king failed his dharma and got his karma. 

Draupadi

Draupadi and the Pandavas
(Raja Ravi Varma)

• Drupada's daughter

• Supernatural birth

• Sacrificial fire

• Avenges her father and destroys Kauravas

• Sister of Dhrishtadyumna

• Reincarnation of a woman who prayed 5 times for a husband

Swayamwara

Overview: Her dad announces that whoever can break the bow will win his daughter's hand in marriage and summons the princes and regents. Krishna makes a guest appearance in this part of the story. 

Karna breaks the bow but is rejected by Draupadi because he is not a king's son.

Karna's story can make a good story for a prince in disguise. 

Arjuna breaks the bow and Krishna declares that the bride had been fairly won. 

Draupadi's marriage to five husbands results in karma from her previous life.  It's revealed that in her previous like she prayed for a husband 5 times. The husbands are all incarnations of Indra.

Kunti makes a mistake and all 5 of the Pandavas end up being married to Draupadi. They tell her they brought a gift and she tells them to share it between the 5 of them. She realizes her mistake and basically tells them to sort it out because she can't take back her words.

Indraprastha

Duryodhana knows the Pandavas are alive and became Drupada's ally. The kingdom is run by the Pandavas and they are all about justice and doing the right thing and listen to their people's concerns.

This is a good example of dharma and good karma. Maybe there can be a revelation that it's actually karma that runs the kingdom but she appointed the Pandavas as representation. 

Arjuna and Ulupi

Arjuna breaks the rules while sharing his wife with his brothers and is exiled. He meets Ulupi and she forces him to marry her and they have a child together. 

Arjuna leaves them behind in Nagaloka and continues exploring.

Rules:

• If one brother is with the wife the others need to leave the room

• If a brother enters the room it is intrusion and the punishment is being exiled for 12 years. 

Arjuna entered the weapons room where Yudhishthira was with their wife. He was chasing a robber and needed the weapon to catch him. Yudhishthira tries to defend him but Arjuna keeps his word and goes into exile.

Maybe Arjuna broke the rule on purpose because he didn't want to share his wife and be married anymore. It is a unique situation. His good deed of catching a robber is good karma. 

Arjuna and Chitra

Arjuna marries the Princess of Manipur and they also have a son together.  Arjuna leaves his son in Manipur.

It looks like Arjuna is a bit of a playboy and needs to take responsibility for his children. 

Arjuna and Subhadra

Arjuna marries Krishna's sister.  Krishna advices him to take her away by force and marry her because it is looked up upon. Krishna's brother, Balarama wanted her  to marry Duryodhana.

After exile Draupadi is angry that he married Subhadra. Subhadra becomes Draupadi's maid. 

Draupadi Lost

Yudhishthira gets into a gamble match Shakuni and loses the whole kingdom. He gambles his own wife and himself.

This is unfair because she wasn't just his wife. He gambles everything without his brothers' and wife's consent.

Draupadi is furious that she is now a slave to the Kauravas.  She questions why the Pandavas aren't protecting if they're all about justice.  The Pandavas are angry and want revenge.  

Karna explains to her that her fate is determined by her husband. Slaves can't be married.  Bhima gets angry at Yudhishthira but Arjuna defends him. Bhima can't kills his brother so he vows to avenge the kingdom and Draupadi against the Kauravas which the elders applaud him for.

The Second Match

Dhritarashtra learns the truth from his brother Vidura and is angry about what his son did. He apologizes to Draupadi who asks that he release the Pandavas and her. They are exiled.

The Pandavas and Draupadi exiled
( Ramanarayanadatta astri )

Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata, Part A

Vyasa and Ganesha

Vyasa is the author of the Mahabharata and arranged the Vedas.A god tells him that Ganesha would write the story for him. 

Ganesha agreed on the term that his pen does not stop writing.

Vyasa's birth: 

His father is human and his mother is a fish and he has a twin sister named Satyavati who smelled like fish. They were caught by a fisherman. He told the king (Uparichara) who took his son but left his daughter with the fishermen. 

She is courted by King Shantanu and agrees to love him under some conditions:

• She must remain a virgin
• The smell of fish needs to go away

King Shantanu and Ganga

Painting of King Shantanu, Ganga, and Devavrata
by B.P Banjeree 1923

Image Source: Wikipedia

• First wife

• Ganga agreed to be the mother of 7 boys who are Vasus

• A brahmin named Vasistha cursed them to be human because they interrupted his meditation 

• She made a condition that they give some of their powers to her  eighth son. 

Vasistha  with his wife Arundhati and Kamadhenu cow
Image Source; Wikipedia

Ganga meets her husband and agrees to marry him under the condition:

• He doesn't question her actions
• He doesn't insult her
• She's allowed to do whatever she wants

She will have to go away forever if these conditions are broken .

Ganga drowned her 7 children (the Vasus). Her husband breaks his promise and insults her because he couldn't watch her drown anymore children. She leaves her son with him. 

King Shantanu stops Ganga from drowning Devavtra
Image Source: Wikipedia

Satyavati

• Mother of Chitrangada  and Vichitravirya and Vyasa

• Second wife of King Shantanu

Her father would not allow her to get married until King Shantanu agreed to allow Vyasa to be king. Shantanu refused because the throne is supposed to go to Devavrata (Ganga's son).

Devavrata's Vow

• Ganga and King Shantanu's son 
• Later known as Bhishma

He visits Satyavati's father and vows not to accept the throne, get married, or have kids so that the fisherman will allow her to get married to his father.

A god and apsara called him "Bhishma" which means "Terrible" because of the vow he made but they dropped flowers on his head which can symbolize something good. 

The flowers can be a sign of good karma.

Chitrangada became king but got killed by the king of Gandhari three years later for for waging war.  

Satyavati's other son became king but was too young to rule the kingdom

• Devavrata ran the kingdom for a few years. 

Devavrata technically broke his promise but he also made sure to put make his brother king as soon as he was old enough.  

A story can be made about him breaking his promise but because he gave up his rightful place as king and helped his father marry Satyavati, he can get a pass because of his good karma.

Bhishma at the Swayamvara

• Shantanu dies and his half-brother is king now

• Bhishma was looking for a woman to marry his brother

• A competition between 3 sisters is created. They are princesses of Benares.

1.  Amba

• On the day of the wedding, she reveals to Bhishma that she already likes someone and it would be unfair to marry someone else

This can be considered good karma because she prevented several people from being hurt by admitting  the truth.

• She gets rejected by her lover & blames Bhishma
• She fasts for several days until Shiva appears
• Requests Bhishma be defeated
• Shiva tells her she will be reincarnated as a man and will battle Bhishma 
•  She sets up her own funeral and dies 

She also will get bad karma but her good deed will make karma go easy on her.

2. Ambika
3. Ambalika

Dhritarashtra and Pandu

Bhishma's younger brother is now married but he dies before he has kids. Vyasa is made king.

• Him and Ambika have a blind son because she closed her eyes with horror at Vyasa's appearance

• Dhritarashtra




• Ambalika son is born pale because she was pale at the sight of Vyasa

• Pandu
• Became king 

• He has a son with Ambika's servant

• Vidura
• Dharmas incarnation

Kunti and Her Son

• Pandu's wife

• Krishna's aunt (Vasudeva's sister)

• Mother of Karna

• Father is Surya
• Abandoned in a river 
• Adopted by Radha and Adhiratha

Kunti was granted a wish to have any god's child and out of curiosity she accidently had Karna.

This can be an example of bad karma. The quote "curiosity killed the cat" fits the situation. She failed to take responsibility for her actions and abandoned her son.

Sons of Pandu

Pandu was hunting for deer and accidentally killed a Brahmin and his wife that were disguised as deers  He is cursed to be killed by one of his wives while having intercourse so Pandu becomes celibate.

He didn't have kids of his own but his wives had sons with different gods.  There were 5 sons.

1. Yudhishthira - Dharma's son
2. Bhima - Vayu's son
3. Arjuna - Indra's son 

After he dies the wives argue about who should die with him and Madri wins. She was also Pandu's favorite wife. Kunti was his first wife.

Gandhari and Dhritarashtra

• Husband and wife
• 100 sons
• Duryodhana - oldest
• Evil

Pandavas and Kauravas

Pandu's brother blind brother takes in his family after his death and raises his sons and Pandu's sons who become enemies when they get older.

The Kauravas were jealous of the Pandavas

• Duryodhana kills his cousin Bhima by poisoning his food and throwing his body into the Ganges
• Bhima comes back to life and has super strength

• His father makes Yudhishthira, his cousin, the king because he was the oldest out of all of them.
• He lies to his father about how the Pandavas want to overthrow Dhritarashtra and he believes him 

• He schemes to build the palace out of wood and then burn it all and kill the Pandavas and Kunti.

Vidura learns about the plan and warns the Pandavas. They fake their death by escaping through and underground tunnel and go back to live in the wilderness again.

This story could be turned into a comedy where Duryodhana keeps trying to kill Bhima but fails each time. 

Drona - Example of Bad Karma

• Pandavas and Kauravas guru
• Created by a nymph; doesn't have a mom
• Ex-best friends with Drupada
• Drupada thought he was better than Drona after he became king

Eklayva

• Wanted Drona to be his guru but got rejected because he was a different caste
• Drona asks him to cut his thumb since Arjuna was his favorite 
• Leader 

Karna

• Kunti & Surya's son
• Arjuna's brother
• Duryodhana's friend 
• Adoptive father is a farmer 

• Bhima makes fun of him 

The brothers do not know they are related.

Drona's Revenge

He manipulates the princes into fighting Drupada. The Kauravas go to fight first but lose. The Pandavas defeat the kingdom. 

It looks like Drona was bias between the cousins and trained the Pandavas better since the Kauravas were related to his enemy. 

After Drupada is defeated Drona asks to be his friend and for half of the kingdom which Drupada agrees to. Drupada has a secret agenda and plans to get his kingdom back. 

The Pandavas waged war against neighboring kingdoms and took over those territories.

A great example of karma throughout this part of PDE is how both Satyavi's sons died which ended their royal line. The throne was meant to Bhishma's all along. He had took keep taking over for them.