Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part A

For the reading over Mahabharata, I chose the version written by R.K. Narayan. This version is similar to the one of Ramayana that I read in that it is a shortened modern version of the Indian Epic. I found myself enjoying these versions better because they are easier to follow and comprehend for me. I will be taking notes over some of the most interesting subparts in part A.

Part 1. Shantanu and Ganga.

• Shantanu is a king who rules over Hastinapura
• He fell in love with a woman who he met by the river
• She agreed to marry him under one condition: that he never questions her actions
• She proceeds to drown each one of her newborns in the river
• He began to protest by the eighth child
• She explained that she was the river Ganga reincarnated
• By drowning the babies she returns them back to heaven
• She took the eighth child with her and ran
• She returned back to. her husband when the child was grown
• His name is Devavrata, or also known as Bhishma.

Part 3. Shantanu and Satyavati.

• Shantanu then fell in love with a fisherman's daughter named Satyavati.
• He wanted to marry her but her father objected due to Bhishma being his successor
• His son revokes his future position and even the ability to have kids of his own
• Shantanu and Satyavati get married and have two children Chitrangada and Vichitravirya.
• Chitrangada becomes king
• He dies soon after and Bhishma rules for the younger son

Part 5. Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura.

• Vichitravirya dies without having any sons
• Satyavati begged Bhishma to have sons with Vichitravirya's widows Ambika and Ambalika
• He declines due to vowing to celibacy
• Satyavati proposed that the widows can sleep with her son Vyasa
• Ambika is repelled by Vyasa's appearance and closes her eyes
• They, therefore, had a son named Dhritarashtra who was blind
• Ambalika turns pale with fright when she sees Vyasa
• Pandu, their son is born looking very pale
• The servant liked Vyasa and reacts to him positively
• Their child, Vidura was born flawless

Part 21. The escape from the fire.

• Dhritarashtra had designated Yudhishthira as his heir
• Dhritarashtra is surprised with Yudhishthira's popularity
• Duryodhana and his brothers are not as popular with the people as the Pandavas
• Duryodhana urges his father Dhritarashtra to exile the Pandavas
• Duryodhana then builds this fake house of joy for the Pandavas
• This house was built out of oil and resin so that it could catch fire quickly
• The Pandavas are warned of this trap
• The Pandavas set the house on fire and escaped through a tunnel
• Everyone thinks they are dead

Bibliography. R.K. Narayan, Mahabharata, pp.1-39

(Image of Shantanu and Ganga)