Reading Notes Part C: Mahabharata

Draupadi carrying drinks in Keechaka's court, Wikicommons

Mahabharata:

• Dhritarashtra has spies that tell him what the Pandavas are doing and that they have powerful weapons. Duryodhana decides then that he should create a camp that is next to Pandavas so that he can humiliate them. Dhritarashatra and Duryodhana both act out of spite of who the Pandavas are, its motivated by jealousy. 
• Speaking true to their values the Pandavas help to release Duryodhana when he is captured by gandharvas.
• The fact that heavenly beings were sent by the gods to thwart Duryodhana and help the Pandavas is testiment to how they are the prevailing force of good in this story. This idea is reinforced by the Pandavas freeing enemy
•  The story of the brahmin and the elusive deer is an interesting one. The fact that the Pandavas all almost die at the hands of their own father is strange, but in the typical sense of the role of heroes they are resurrected due to the fact that the last brother, Yudhishthira, follows instructions
•  The exile term ends and then the Pandava brothers must fulfill their thirteen years of disguise. The brothers take on a variety of roles and positions.
• Draupadi is raped by Kichaka the brother of Queen Sudeshna. Draupadi is avenged when she trades places with Bhima and Bhima chokes Kichaka to death when he attempts to rape again. This causes an out-roar in the kingdom and Draupadi is exiled
•  Duryodhana acting on the death of Kichaka plans to steal cattle from him. Word of this plan is passed on and both sides begin to prepare for a war. There are no major losses, but there is some upset feelings. Virata gets angry and throws dice at Yudhishthira and draws blood, this in turn reveals the identity and Virata is flustered. Virata gives his daughter Uttara to Arjuna's son Abhimanyu to appease Yudhishthira.
• The wedding causes a greater divide between Duryodhana and the Pandavas as it is suggested that Duryodhana gives half of his kingdom to the Pandavas for the wedding. This causes a war to start to mount for both sides. They gather their allies and sides are chosen.
• The preparation for the war is a nearing critical mass. The Pandavas state that war can be avoided if Duryodhana just provides one village per Pandava, 5 in total. 
• Dhritarashtra pleas for Duryodhana to not go through with this war, and many others tell him the same
• Duryodhana has too much pride and hubris and is confident that his armies will defeat the army of the Pandavas.
• Even Duryodhana's mother warns that it is ill-advised to go to war, but this is also ignored.
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