Reading Diary Part D: Week 6

Like I said in the past reading I am happy that the plot is thickening and the amount of characters in the story is becoming focused. I am excited to see what the climax of the story has to offer.

• Bhishma dies and Drona takes command of Duryodhana's army. The setting is really descriptive and the most entertaining of all the readings thus far.
• There are ups and downs of the fight on both sides for pandavas and the Kauvaras. Many of the warriors lose their sons in battle or future heirs to the throne. Bhima in particular loses his son.
• As in the Ramayana's ending the Mahabharata doesn't end with just the protagonist winning the battle (Arjuna). I am a fan and not a fan of this at the same time.
• The pandavas killing drone seems to give negative connotation to the story. It almost shows a low point of the heroin.
• When Krishna dies the brothers feel it is necessary to depart the earth and leave the kingdom to Arjuna's grandson, Parikshit.
• I found it interesting the parallels between heaven and hell across different cultures and even portayed in these Indian Epics that we read.

Yudhishthira's journey to hell

before ascending to heaven.