Reading Notes - Mahabharata (D)

(Image Information: The brother's and Draupadi's last journey; Draupadi drops first; Source: Wiki)

61. Bhishma Falls by Donald A Mackenzie
Krishna speaks the fate of Bhishma to Arjuna and Yudhishthira
Bhishma is supposed to fall
Bhishma could not fight against Shikhandin b/c he was born a she
Karna hates Arjuna
Bhishma dies

63. Abhimanyu and Jayadratha by Donald A Mackenzie
Abhimanyu (Arjuna's son) dies by being hit with a mace in the head
Arjuna vows to slay Jayadratha
Arjuna cut off Jayadratha's head with the assistance of Krishna (who covered the sun to trick them)

64. Ghatotkacha by Donald A Mackenzie
The battle continues on into the night
Arjuna calls for a truce
Drona says that "Arjuna will fall or Drona will on the morrow"
Ghatotkacha, who is the son of Bhima, is killed and the Pandavas mourn for him

65. Death of Drona by Sister Nivedita
If Ashwatthama, who is the son of Drona, lived on then Drona would not die
Bhima slaughters an elephant named Ashwatthama and goes about yelling on the battlefield that he is dead
Drona goes to ask Yudhishthira if his son is truly dead b/c he can't lie
Yudhishthira says that he is dead, but after saying Ashwatthama's name, he would say "the elephant" softly
Drona doesn't hear the elephant part so he lays down his weapons
Before Drona is killed, his soul descends
Dhrishtadyumna beheads Drona and throws the head into the middle of the fight
The soldiers depart to their quarters in sorrow

66. Bhima and Duhshasana by Donald A Mackenzie
Bhima breaks Duhshasana's back, cuts off his head and then drinks his blood

67. Arjuna and Karna by Donald A Mackenzie
 Brother is killed by brother

69. The Night Raid by Donald A Mackenzie and Romesh Dutt
Duryodhana (dying) is visited by Ashwatthama, Kripa and Kritavarman
Ashwatthama was given permission to slay the Pandavas in their sleep
Shiva appears outside the Pandava's gate to protect them
Ashwatthama withdrawals and then gives offerings to the god
Having nothing to offer, Ashwatthama casts himself onto the fire
Due to this sacrifice, Ashwatthama is protected by Shiva and allowed to go into the camp
Duryodhana dies happily because Ashwatthama is successful with his slaughtering

70. Ashwatthaman's Jewel by Donald A Mackenzie
Draupadi mourns her five sons and her brother who had been slain by Ashwatthama in the camp
Draupadi wants Ashwatthaman's jewel since he values it as much as his life
Arjuna retrieves the jewel

72. The Pandavas and Bhishma by John Mandeville Macfie
****IMPORTANT MESSAGE - reread

74. King Yudhishthira's Horse by Donald A Mackenzie
Arjuna is slain and then brought back to life by a jewel

77. The Forest and its Ghosts by Donald A Mackenzie
All those who had loved ones die in the great battle were able to see them rise from the Ganges and spent time with them for one night
Those that were widows were allowed to join their deceased husbands by jumping in the Ganges
Dhritarashtra, Kunti, Gandhari and all those who lived with them in the forest perished in a fire

78. Death of Krishna by Donald A Mackenzie
Krishna dies and is cremated
The end of the power of the Yadavas

79.  The Pandavas Depart by Donald A Mackenzie
The Pandavas' time ends and so they take the clothes of hermits
First to fall is Draupadi
Last to fall is technically Bhima
Yudhishthira makes it to Indra
All of the brothers and the princess have passed on
Yudhishthira will not pass on without his hound who transforms into Dharma

80. The Afterlife by Donald A Mackenzie
Yudhishthira experiences Hell before he goes to Heaven
He sees everyone he loved on Earth in Heaven

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