Week 10 Famous Last Words

This week was certainly a crazy week and an even crazier weekend. Not only did I have a lot of assignments I had to do this week, but also then there was that tornado. I actually ended up staying over at my friend’s house because I did not feel safe at my apartment complex. I feel as though there should be a policy that all apartment complexes should have to include instructions on what to do and locations to go incase of a tornado.

This weekend I actually had to fly to New Orleans, Louisiana because my cousin Sarah was getting married!!! I always love weddings, especially ones in the family, because they bring everyone together to celebrate something that brings all of us joy. Since hurricane Katrina, my family has not been able to get together with each other as often as we used to, and it is even more difficult for me. Every year my mom’s first cousin, Robby, throws a huge crawfish boil at his house for the entire family. Unfortunately for me the date of the crawfish boil always falls on the weekend before final exams, so of course there is not way I am going to be able to fly all the way to New Orleans and then all the way back to Norman just to spend one day with them family and then take all of my exams and make good grades.

Anyway, the wedding was amazing! She had her wedding outside at this huge plantation, which had actually been a real working plantation at one point in time. The alter was located underneath this gigantic tree that was covered in Spanish Moss and it was just beautiful. I was not too hot, but it was not too cold either, and the ceremony was around 6 so it was just beautiful. It was a perfect wedding and was just beautiful. The picture below is actually a picture of me and my cousin Aaron at the wedding. You can see a tree with Spanish Moss on it behind us.

Me and my cousin Aaron at Wedding (personal picture)

Week 10 Storytelling: The Unknown Soldier

Day 1

It was pitch black outside. The only light came from that of the fires burning at the campgrounds as the rest of my unit begin to suit up for battle. With my sword in my left hand and a torch in my right, I walked over to the edge of Kurukshetra Field and just stared. Other soldiers began to join me. I turned around and saw what must have been at least a million men all gathered along the field in anticipation. 

I looked around some more and realized that dawn was growing near. It was not until sunrise that we could begin the battle. The next thing I knew, Arjuna and Krishna were standing five feet away from me in their beautiful gold-plated chariot. I could literally feel my confidence growing. I knew I had made a wise decision in choosing to fight alongside of the Pandavas.

Day 3

Thus far there has not been one clear victor. It has pretty much gone back and forth. Each day the battle commences at sunrise and ends at sunset. I like that everyone has a strict understanding of this because it keeps things fair and honorable and it allows me to get some rest. After everyone ceases fighting at sunset, we normally retreat back to our tents so that we can relax. At night some of the men will play music, sing songs, dance, and generally be merry. Personally, I prefer to sit back and observe the jolliness. I find it best to conserve as much energy as possible. I can have my big celebration after this war is won and the Pandavas are seated in their rightful kingdom.

Day 4

I am hopeful about the outcome of this war. The losses have not been too great thus far and we have been fighting tirelessly. Many of the Kauravas have been slain, while we have only lost a few. My entire unit is still intact! My commander has been wise in his strategies. Our formations have been complex and difficult for the Kaurava's army to counterattack. Our counter-moves have also been strong, especially with Bhima and Arjuna by our sides. Yesterday, as I was engaged in a sword battle, I had the privilege of fighting right alongside of Bhima! Well, it was not directly next to him, but it was pretty close.

Day 7

A devastating blow has occurred to our army. I do not think that even the God of Death, Yama, could have predicted such devastation. In only two days our losses have been thousands. Twenty men from my unit perished at the hands of the Kaurava army. And today I was informed of the death of Nehru, my closest and dearest friend. I feel hopeless to continue. Not even the encouraging words of Krishna can keep my spirit alive.

Day 12

The once beautiful ground of Kurukshetra Field is now soaked with blood and the stench of rotting corpses is almost unbearable. I lie awake at night unable to sleep through the screaming and moaning of mutilated men left behind to succumb to their extensive injuries.

Each day as I head into battle I pass thousands of mangled corpses stained crimson. The mercy of quick death no longer comes to those defeated, only slow suffering and agony. Even the fading colors of the sunset seem to reflect the gore of the battleground.

I could feel the warmth of crimson cascading down the side of my face. The scarlet droplets rhythmically tapping on my shoulder. I did not know whether this warm, ruby liquid was mine or if it belonged to that of my enemy. The faint sounds of gasping and wheezing echoed in my ears as I trudged through the sea of butchered bodies on the long journey back to my tent.

I have no way of knowing if I will survive this war.

Indian Soldier Walks Alone (Source)

Author's Note. This storytelling is based solely on page 149 of "The Mahabharata" by R.K. Narayan. That one page gives a very brief introduction of the war, but it had enough for me to think about how the war would have been for a random soldier. Since that page did not go into great detail about the war (unlike the pages to follow) I felt as though my storytelling should reflect just that. I wanted to make the storytelling more about what a regular soldier would have experienced – how he felt, the things he saw, what he smelled – which is why the detailed elements of the Pandavas and Kauravas were excluded. A young, low-ranking soldier would not have know about any of the intimate details of the war unless he was directly involved.

I chose to make each day a different aspect of the war: Day 1 – preparation and anticipation, Day 3 – free time, Day 5 – hopefulness, Day 7 – despair (Day 5 and 7 are descriptions of the see-saw that is discussed on page 149), and Day 12 – the description of what the war looked like. Each day, while representing different components of the page, includes the thoughts and emotions of the Unknown Soldier. Since he was of low rank, he did not know much detail as to what was going on and he only knew the things he could see, smell, and feel. I chose to leave the story open-ended so that the reader could decide the young soldier's fate.

Bibliography. Narayan, R. K. (1978). The Mahabharata

Week 10 Reading Diary B

(pg. 133) Yudhistira had second thoughts about going to war. He does not like being a kshatriya because he does not like the idea of total extermination. He asks Krishna to go talk to the Kauravas. Brim then worries about Krishna's safety. All of the brothers, except Sahadeva, told Krishna to be mild in his approach when speaking to Duryodhana.

(pg. 133) Dhritarashtra wants to give Krishna a ton of gifts. Vidura advises him not and that he should give him what Krishna is coming for: peace and justice. Duryodhana heard Vidura's advise and tells them that he is going to make Krishna their prisoner because he believe once Krishna is confined the Pandavas will collapse and become his salves.

(pg. 140) Krishna spoke at the assembly. Dussasana agreed with Krishna and the elders. Duryodhana spoke, believing he had done not wrong and then walked out. Krishna advised the king not to go to war with the Pandavas and to restrain his son. Gandhari summoned her son Duryodhana and tried to talk some sense to him, but he just walked out while she was still speaking. Duryodhana then spoke to Sakuni, Dussasanan and Karna, telling them that it was time to capture Krishna and make him prisoner. Satyaki told Krishna of this and said that he and his troops would protect him, but Krishna refused and said that they could try and seize him if they wished. Dhritarashtra and Vidura spoke to Duryodhana in attempt to dissuade him from his evil plan.

(pg. 141) Krishna appeared in his god form when they tried to capture him. He told Karna to join him in his chariot on his way back and Karna obeyed. Krishna tried to sway him but Karna told him that he was indebted to Duryodhana.

(pg. 145) The Pandavas chose to make Dhrishtadyumna supreme commander of their army. They are preparing for war.

(pg. 146) Description of Duryodhana's army preparing for war. Their supreme commander was Bhishma. The battle was on Kurukshetra Field.

(pg. 147) Both sides are ready to fight at dawn. Arjuna was in his chariot and saw his kinsmen, his guru, his uncle, grandfather, and cousins and broke down crying saying he could not fight them and that it wasn't worth it. Krishna began to comfort Arjuna and then appeared in his God form and did not return to his mortal form until after Arjuna stated that his weakness had passed.

(pg. 148) Before the battle began, Yudhishtra went up to Drona and Bhishma and bowed before them, touching their feet. After that he returned to his post, pit back on his armor, and gave the signal for attack.

*(pg. 149) Decription/Summary of the battle. Could write this from a soldiers point of view.

(pg. 151) More detailed description of the battle. Abhimanyu fights Bhishma, then Arjuna fought Bhishma. Dona and Dhrishtadyumna were engaged in deadly combat until Bhima came and rescued Dhrishtadyumna.

(pg. 153) Krishna became annoyed that Arjuna was not destroying Bhishma and so he said he would kill him himself. Arjuna pleaded for him not to.

(pg. 154) Description of the battle on the 2nd day. Brim killed 8 of Duryodhana's brothers.

(pg. 155) Description of the battle on the 6th day. Arjuna was battling Bhishma when Bhishma fell on arrows. This caused both sides to stop fighting. He announced that the could lie on his bed of arrows for many days until it was time for him to die. On his death bed, Bhishma told Karna to go back to the Pandavas and end their strife. Karen declined the advise. Bhishma died.

(pg. 156) Duryodhana decides that they should capture Yudhishtira and orders Drona to make that a priority. Dona informs Duryodhana that they cannot capture Yudhistira as long as Arjuna is there and suggest that they distract him. They had another chief distract Arjuna by making a suicide squad which was a challenge Arjuna had to accept.

(pg. 158) The 13th day of battle. Suicide squad challenged Arjuna again. Dona created a lotus formation. Abhimanyu was required to break the formation. Abhimanyu attempted to breach the formation but was ultimately killed by the Kauravas.

(pg. 159) Bhima battled Karna and some of Duryodhana's brothers. Bhima killed 12 of Duryodhana's brothers. Karen destroyed all of Bhima's weapons, even his chariot, charioteer, and horses, leaving Bhima basically defenseless. Bhima had to run from shelter to shelter because of this and had to defend himself with whatever article he could lay his hands on. Karen taunted him. The temper of both armies increased. They no longer respected the conventions of war. Fought at night.

(pg. 160) Ghatotkacha was attcking and harassing the Kauravas and caused great damage to their armies. The Kauravas asked Karna to destroy him. Karna used a magical spear and killed Ghatotkacha.

(pg. 161) Krishna declares that they must destroy Drona and that Drona's only weak spot was his son Aswathama. Krishna said that they should lie to Drona and tell them that his son was dead so they could defeat him. Arjuna and the others declined telling the lie and refused to take part in the deceit. Yudhistira said that he would do it. Bhima smashed the skull of an elephant named Aswathama so as to give some truth to the lie. Drona heard Bhima yell that he killed Aswathama and asked Yudhistira about it. Yudhistira said yes. Bhima then told Drona that he had degraded himself because instead of teaching of knowledge and peace like the brahmin he was supposed to be, he acted out of war and violence as a warrior like a kshatriya. This greatly hurt Drona. He sat down in his chariot and Dhrishtadyumna cut off Drona's head.

(pg. 162) Karna was made Commander-in-Chief. Bhima attacked Dussasana. He ripped off his arm, throwing the limb in Duryodhana's face, sucked the blood gushing out of Dussasana's body, thus fulfilling the vow he made when Draupadi was being dragged be for an assembly. Karna then decided to attack Arjuna. Karna's chariot wheel became stuck in the ground. He begged for them to wait until his chariot would work again, but Krishna said that Karna never had any honor so why should they. Arjuna then used the Gandiva and cut off Karna's head.

(pg. 163) Duryodhana was advised to sue for peace but he said no. Salya was made commander in chief. Yudhistira personally led forces against Salya and defeated him.

(pg. 164)Bhima destroyed the last remaining son's of Dhritarashtra. Bhima decided to go after Duryodhana. Duryodhana used mystic powers to hide at the bottom of a lake. Yudhistira and his brothers found him Duryodhana said he was not hiding but trying to cool down the fire within him. He then came out of the water and told him that he would fight all of them one by one and that they must have enough chivalry not to fight him as a pack. Yudhistira then mentioned how the Kauravas all at one attacked Abhimanyu.

(pg. 165) Yudhistira told Duryodhana that he could pick one of them to fight. Bhima and Duryodhana began to fight, both being equally skilled with the mace. Krishna asked Arjuna if Bhima had forgotten that he had vowed to smash Duryodhana's though during the station when Draupadi had been dragged through the assembly. Bhima overheard this and then smashed Duryodhana's thigh.

(pg. 166) They decided to just leave Duryodhana there. As they were leaving, he called out to Krishna but Krishna shut down his insult saying that he brough this upon himself and should use his last minutes to repent. Duryodhana was defiant until the end.

(pg. 167) The Pandavas returned to Hastinapura.

(pg. 168) Gandhari lashed out at Krishna and Krishna told her everything that had happened was fated to happen. The Pandavas, Vidura, Sanjaya, and Dhritarashtra camped outside of the city for 1 month period of mourning.

(pg. 169) Narada and Yudhistira discussed those who were lost in the war and the grid. Yudhistira then discussed his feelings about Karna and asked Narada why the unfortunate events occurred too Karna even though he was really a Pandava.

(pg. 170) Narada explains why Karna's chariot wheel got stuck and why he could not shoot the Brahastra.

(pg. 171-174) Yudhistira speaks to Arjuna about his overwhelming grief and need for repentance. He told Arjunato be king and then began to describe his vision of living a recluse life. Arjuna told him that it was his duty to be king. Yudhistira still continued to repeat his vision. Him then became angry about it and told him that if he gave up all his kingly duties the entire war would have been for nothing. The twins gave their opinion. Draped added in by saying Yudhistira should not ignore what she and her brothers have been saying. Arjuna then spoke of the duties of a king and the circle of life. Yudhistira let everyone express their opinions and then rejected them. Vyasa then intervened and told him that he has no choice but to become king. Yudhistira continued to lanentate and grieve excessively. Krishna lost his patience and told him that he needed to get it together for those suffering out of obedience to his orders and to forget his own tried. Yudhistira suddenly realized how reasonable all of their arguments had been and decided to become king.

(pg. 175) They arrived in the city in a celebration. There was a description of how everyone was seated in the palace. Yudhistira announced that they all must still respect Dhsitarashtra because he is still in the head of their country and the whole world belongs to him.

(pg. 176) Yudhistira makes Bhima second in command. Tells what each person is now in charge of.

(pg. 177-179) Yudhistira went and spoke to Bhishma who was still lying on his bed of arrow heads. They spoke about the duties being king for several days and afterwards Bhishma breathed his last breath. Yudhistira cremated Bhishma's body on the banks of the Ganges where his soul was received by the deity and returned to the celestial rely. Yudhistira ruled for 36 years. Dhritarashtra decided to retire into the woods with Ganshari and Kunthi. Yudhistira visited them until one day they died in a forest fire. Krishna's clan destroyed each other in a civil war. Depressed by certain events, the Pandavas decided to leave the world one by one including Draupadi. Vidura merged his should with Yudhistira. Yudhistira is gifted with the power to reach heaven in his physical body. Abhimanyu's child is the only one left and eventually becomes king and continues the Pandava lineage.

Krishna pleading to avoid war (Source)

Week 10 Reading Diary A

(pg. 86) Duryodhana and his accomplices decided to make camp near where the Pandavas were located during their 13th year. A full-fledged fight developed between the armies of the gandharavs and Duryodhana. Duryodhana was taken prisoner along with his allies and was bound in chains. When the Pandavas heard of what happened, Bhima and Arjuna were sent to rescue Duryodhana and were successful.

(pg. 88-92) The 5 brothers went out in search of things that belonged to a brima. One at a time, each brother went out to a lake and drank some of the water and fell dead from ignoring the warning of a voice. Yudhistira went and followed the instructions of the voice and answered all of the voice's questions. He pleased the god, which was the source of the voice, and because of this all of his brothers arose and were alive again. The yacht had been Yudhistira's father Yama, the God of Justive. He has been pleased with Yudhistira's answers and let his brothers live and blessed them with the power to remain incognito.

(pg. 93) The brothers decide on the city to live their 13th year and what they should do while there and what their names shall be. The decide to work in the palace of the King of Virata.

(pg. 97) Draupadi  is assaulted by Kichaka, the brother of the Queen. She seeks help from Bhima and they devise a plan. Kichaka falls for the plan and Bhima kills him. Draupadi explains that he was killed by her gandharva husbands and the citizens then see her as an evil spirit. They seize her and decide to cremate her on Kichaka's funeral pyre. Bhima rescues her and, while doing so, destroys Kichaka's soldiers.

(pg. 100) Duryodhana realizes the Pandavas only have 13 days left until they are free from their exile. His spires cannot find them for they are hidden by the protection of Yama. One of his spies tells him about the events at Virata. They decide to look there.

(pg. 102) Duryodhana decided to attack Virata because he believes the Pandavas are there. He has also chose to attack the kingdom because the general of the army (Kichaka) was dead. Susurman took the king of Virata prisoner. Bhima saved the king. Thousands of Virata cattle were being stolen, so prince Uttara decided to do something about it. He spent most of his time in the women's quarters along with Arjuna. With the help of Draupadi, he decided to make Arjuna his charioteer.

(pg. 105) Uttara and Arjuna took off in the chariot. The prince told Arjuna to stop and/or slow down once he saw that Karna and Duryodhana were present, but Arjuna did not stop. Instead he sped up. Prince Uttara became very afraid and began to make up excuses, but Arjuna continued on and said that if they did not return with cattle the women would laugh at them. Arjuna told the prince that he intended to fight and that he would still fight even if the prince could not.

(pg. 105-106) Uttara became desperate, proclaiming that he did not care if anything happened. He then jumped off the chariot and ran in the other direction. Arjuna ran after him and told the prince to drive the chariot while he (Arjuna) did the fighting. They went over to a certain tree and got down the weapons Arjuna had hid in the tree earlier in the story. Arjuna then revealed the true identity of himself and the others to the prince.

(pg. 109) Arjuna battles his master, Drona. His battle was friendly, except with Karna. Arjuna mauled Karna. The war was over. Arjuna told Uttara not to reveal who he or the rest of his family really was and to tell the King that it was Uttara who has fought and won.

(pg. 110) The king got mad at Yudhistira and threw dice at him. Uttar scolded his father for doing so. Then he told his father that he did nothing in the battle and that it was the son of a deity who has been successful. When questioned, Uttara said that the son of a deity had disappeared after the war but might appear again in the days to come.

(pg. 113) 3 days after the battle, King Virata found Yudhistira and his brothers sitting on the seats meant for kings whilst wearing costly robes and jewelry. He became outraged and ordered them to leave. Yudhistira announced himself and his brothers and Virata was so overcome that he offered his wealth, cattle, and entire kingdom to them in recompense for treating them as servants. He then offered his daughter to Arjuna, but Arjuna turned her down and said she would be better suited for his son Abhimanyu.

*(pg. 114) The description of Abhmanyu and Uttarai's wedding.

(pg. 115-116) Hall became quiet as everyone looked at Krishna. This signified the starting point of his leadership in the impending conflict with he Kauravas. Krishna addressed the assembly. Balarama spoke to the assembly. They spoke about Duryodhana and how the Pandavas deserved half of his kingdom, as well as the fact that they must be careful and tread lightly around Duryodhana. Satyaki spoke and clarified the dice situation. He then stated that the only way to appeal to the Kauravas would be with arrows rather than words. Drupada agreed with Satyaki and said they must prepare for war and summon their allies. Goal is to reestablish the Pandavas.

(pg. 117-118) Both Arjuna and Duryodhana went to request the help of Krishna. Because Arjuna sat at Krishna's feet and Duryodhana sat at his head, Arjuna was the first to be seen by Krishna and was therefore the first to chose. Krishna said that he could either give his army of a million strong soldiers or himself. Arjuna chose Krishna. Duryodhana was happy to accept the million soldiers and thought Arjuna was a fool.

(pg. 119) Salya, a powerful king, was on his way with his troops to assist Yudhistira. Duryodhana organized receptions for Salya along the way. Sala asked for the person responsible because he wanted to reward him. Duryodhana was brought to him and asked Salya to lead his arm. Sala accepted. He then spoke to Yudhistira and promised him that he would discourage Karna at a crucial moment.

(pg. 121) The priest chosen to be messenger arrived at the Kauravas and spoke to them. Bhishma spike first saying that everything the priest said was true. Karen interrupted him angrily.

(pg. 123) Dhritarashtra ended the discussion and sought the advise of Sanjaya. He said to say nothing to the Pandavas that might be disagreeable or could provoke war (basically be careful what you say). Sanjaya traveled to Virata and spoke to Yudhistira, asking him for peace rather than war. Krishna then spoke about how the universe is a balance between action and reaction

(pg. 125) Sanjaya returns and speaks to Dhritarashtra about his exchange with Yudhistira. Dhritarashtra seeks the advise of Vidura. Voider advises him to give Yudhistira his kingdom and to get rid of Duryodhana because he is evil.

(pg. 129) Duryodhana speaks to his father and tells him that he is confident they will win and defeat Arjuna and the rest of the Pandavas. Dhritarashtra believes his son to be delirious. He believes that his son only wants war because of his companions Karna, Sakuni, and Dussasana. Duryodhana then states that he will not live side by side with the Pandavas and that either they will die or he will die. Karna then says that he will not fight as long as Bhishma is still alive.

(pg. 131) Vyasa assured Dhritarashtra that the Kaurava's end was coming.

Duryodhana and Drona (Source)