Reader's Paradise discussion

Yuganta studies the principal, mythical-heroic figures of the Mahabharata from historical, anthropological and secular perspectives.

Current participants :
Rahul
Gorab

Rahul,
How much you've read? I'll join you tomorrow evening onwards.

Just around 15% mark, hop on.

hi guy..
wats first impression Rahul? Are u reading translation?

I havent read anyrhing on Mahabharata since Parva. I will see if I get this book in library.

Good luck, guys:)

15%... and its a small book.
Ok I'll hop in right away (ie after I'm hooked off GR)

Regarding interpolations :
I've always believed that Vyasa being narrator, has intentionally put himself as the real ancestor of Kauravas and Pandavas! The way he sneeked into the picture with Ambika, Ambalika and the maid.

He might be one of the major major interpolators!!

Have read the first 20 pages, and reminds strongly of Jaya.

Also the introduction says it took place about 1000 B.C. But many notable interpreters have cited it at around 3500 B.C.

I know for sure that Geeta was told about 5000 years ago. so u calculate.

Oh, wow, that's interesting.
Finally a thread where I will learn something:P:P
Continue your research guys:D

Gorab: " Regarding interpolations :
I've always believed that Vyasa being narrator, has intentionally put himself as the real ancestor of Kauravas and Pandavas! The way he sneeked into the picture with Ambika, Ambalika and the maid.

He might be one of the major major interpolators!! "

Mahabharata is history. He witnessed everything that happened right from Satyawati's marriage to the war. He played very important role in everything. Krishna used to discuss everything with him. Sadly, He was kind of forgotten, maybe he was narrator so he didnt give himself much imp.
Drapudis marriage was his idea. He suggested Pandavas to go to Draupadis swayamvara. He encouraged Pandava to get ready for war when they were in Agyatwas etc etc

Arpit wrote: "Oh, wow, that's interesting.
Finally a thread where I will learn something:P:P
Continue your research guys:D"

you mean another thread to spam!! ;p

Aarti wrote: "I know for sure that Geeta was told about 5000 years ago. so u calculate."

That comes to 3000 BC appx :)
The timelines are still not clear. Many researchers have worked hard on it.... and still it remains inconclusive. See this : Historicity from Wiki

It has traditional dating, scholarly datings, vedic and archaeological dating, puranic dating....

So the "dating" culture is not that modern afterall ;) ;)

Aarti wrote: "He witnessed everything that happened right from Satyawati's marriage to the war. He played very important role in everything."

Agree with all that. But that's the very reason he could have interpolated. I'm not saying he did for sure... but can't rule out he didn't.....

Pranjali wrote: "you mean another thread to spam!! ;p"

:D :D
I should also put a signboard on top *Don't Spam Here* :P

RT, your turn. Use any special weapon.

@Pranjali, forget spamming. Let's create a Mahabharata here, and have our share of fun.

Aarti, attack na:P

I wonder where is Rahul, and in which team he is?

I can imagine the Kurukshetra with meditated special arrows colliding (multiple kisses actually :P) in mid air!
"Main Samay Hoon" from DD1 was is epic!!!!

Ooops sorry. I just forgot it was a BR and completed it :p

Gorab wrote: "Have read the first 20 pages, and reminds strongly of Jaya."

Yup Jaya is kind of more intrstng read. Your thoughts??

Gorab wrote: "I can imagine the Kurukshetra with meditated special arrows colliding (multiple kisses actually :P) in mid air!
"Main Samay Hoon" from DD1 was is epic!!!!"

The fights felt more realistic than Ramayana where the arrows took whole episode to reach the enemy^-^

Oho finished so early :D No problem. You can still join in the discussions.... I know there won't be any spoilers ;)

Jaya is way more crisp and much more informative.
At 62 pages into Yuganta, so far it exceeds my expectations on many fronts.
Bhishma's chapter was brilliant. The way his age was derived! And mainly the analysis on why he didn't retire on so many opportunities! Still haunts me!
Gandhari's essay was below par at most. Nothing much.
Kunti's was again very nice.

Enjoying it so far. Now that you're done already, I'll read it more leisurely and will take atleast a week to savour and think about it.

Yup will join discussion anytime. :D

Gorab, are the Serious Men waiting halfway?

I dont think u got my point about Vyasa, Gorab

anyways

Who is ur fav character from Mahabharata?

I like Bhishma alot. He was a great warrior. The only thing I dont like about him is he put his personal principles before his Kingdom or duty as a Kaurava. He should have broken his oath and saved Hastinapur. His people needed him most. He was capable and he owned it. I know he ruled Kingdom, but not as a King. He could have saved everything and everyone.

Krishana alwayz said ur Dharma is greater than anything even ur principles.

Aarti wrote: "I dont think u got my point about Vyasa, Gorab

anyways

Who is ur fav character from Mahabharata?"

Karna number one

Aarti wrote: "I like Bhishma alot. He was a great warrior. The only thing I dont like about him is he put his personal principles before his Kingdom or duty as a Kaurava. He should have broken his oath and saved..."

Bhishma, is like those rulers who held on to power a long time and was followed by no worthy successor

Serious Men last few pages remaining.... almost done.

My favorite character is Bhima... especially after MTV Nair's version.

@Aarti : Only "sh" different from our fav characters :D

I like Bhima and Karna.

but I love Krishna.

Gorab wrote: "My favorite character is Bhima... especially after MTV Nair's version."

That was an awesome one. heard about plans on a movie based on it.

Father and Son : Dharma and Vidura... no new info... nothing new to ponder.
Heading to the essay on Draupadi. I've read palace of illusions and found it shallow. I hope this one would be interesting.

Aarti wrote: "I like Bhima and Karna.

but I love Krishna."

Try Ajaya: Roll of the Dice, a totally different pic of Krishna painted.

Even in Jaya, he is portrayed as a shrewd politician. Me too love Krishna... and Karn.
In between all these lovable folks, which character do you hate??

I hate Dritarashtra

I dont like to read anything negative about Krishna.
Ajaya potrayed him negative?

I liked Asura: Tale Of The Vanquished by Neelakantan. Might give this one a try too. But on my hitlist of Mahabharata related stuff are currently :
1. Parva (english translation)
2. The Difficulty of Being Good : On the Subtle Art of Dharma
3. Mrityunjay (english or hindi translation)
I'll put this on 4th in queue. And I don't like reading them back to back within a couple of months atleast.

Hey, may I come in?

Ahh...I don't hate Dritarashtra. I think he was just a normal father. Every person loves his children. Blood is blood after all.

If I were Drit., I would have done the same thing I guess.

Arpit wrote: "Hey, may I come in?

Ahh...I don't hate Dritarashtra. I think he was just a normal father. Every person loves his children. Blood is blood after all.

If I were Drit., I would have done the same th..."

Yup, helpless guy. Further weakened by a wife who revolted getting blindfolded.

Gorab wrote: "I liked Asura: Tale Of The Vanquished by Neelakantan. Might give this one a try too. But on my hitlist of Mahabharata related stuff are currently :
1. Parva (english ..."
We can BR anytime as I haven't read those too. Asura: Tale Of The Vanquished I left halfway bcs of Ramayana overdose in a short span. Will pick up from where I left in some time.

You don't need to justify. Anyways its a never ending discussion. Throw is justifications and counter arguments... and you won't believe where it heads to!

@Aarti : The beauty of Jaya is that it never tries to talk in positive or negative tones about any character. You'll interpret it the way you feel about that character.

@Arpit... don't be a kindergarten kid "Teacher teacher may i go to toilet?"

@Rahul : Surely we can BR. And I will double remind you this time :P

Haha, thank you.

I used to hate different characters at different times. Initially Duryodhan... (then he became kind of a hero)... then Shakuni (and later read of his justifications too in Jaya)... then Dhrit...

And that's the beauty of Mahabharata... Villains become heroes and vice versa!