Reading Notes: Mahabharata PDE, Part A

        I like the idea of Ganga telling her husband not to go against her or she'd leave him. I don't think it's fair that she didn't explain why she was doing what she was doing to the babies. I could write a story about a man who does not understand that the things his wife does are all for him. He might try to question her or make her stop because he doesn't see. In my version, however, the wife would explain instead of leaving.
        I really enjoyed Karna's birth story. I'd like to write about a woman who's impregnated by an other worldly being. I'm not sure if I'd have her keep the child and slowly see the power he possesses from his father, or if she'd be forced to give up the babe like Kunti was. I like that a young woman who is unable to care for her son gives her child to a family who desperately wants a baby and is able to take care of it.

        I found it interesting that Dhritarashtra's wife chose to blindfold herself around her husband because he was blind. I could write about a woman who blinds herself so that she might feel closer to her blind husband. I'm not sure if he would be upset about this or happy that she'd made the sacrifice for him.
        I'd like to work with the story of Drona and Drupada. Two close friends in childhood who grew apart in adulthood. One becomes very successful and wealthy while the other becomes poor. The wealthy man is proud and unkind despite the memories they share. I could do a gender flip and/or a modernization of this.
        I could continue the previous idea with the poor but kind old friend coming to the other's rescue. This is not exactly what happened in the Mahabharata, but Drona did spare Drupada's life. I like the idea of a rekindled friendship better than the resentment that lingered in the original story.



Image Information: Baby in a Basket, Source: Pexels

Bibliography: Mahabharata PDE by Vyasa