Week 13 Storytelling - Through Arjuna's Eyes Part 3

It is now the tenth day of war and the battles still appear to be evenly matched. Although many have died, there are still many powerful warriors to defeat. Bhishma, is the best warrior the Kaurava camp has and is essentially the barrier to their impending defeat. Bhishma and I have clashed many times on the battlefield, however I can sense that he shares the mutual feeling of not wanting to have to end each others' life. However, I'm sure after today, that there will be a conclusive ending to this war. 

On the ninth day of war and after my ninth failed attempt at killing Bhishma, Krishna offered a suggestion to my brothers and I. In order to end this stalemate in war, we all visited Bhishma in order come to a solution. Bhishma explained to us that he knew in his heart that we brothers were good men with good intentions. In turn, Bhishma explained that in order to be defeated he must be faced in battle by the opposite gender. 

As I look out across the massive expanse of war torn fields, I ponder what Bhishma must be thinking about on his last day. I feel an immense amount of shame and guilt for bringing a woman onto the dangerous fields of battle in order to kill a man that I never wanted to. 

As I leave my tent I see that Shikandhi has already manned the chariot and soon we are racing off into the center of the battle. I quickly see Bhishma. He is fighting as fiercely as a lion, and is wiping out our soldiers with ease. Shikandhi begins to steer the chariot towards Bhisma. I ready my bow and aim it straight at Bhishma's heart. As we near Bishma's chariot, I close my eyes and feel immense feelings of guilt, and shame. I am so confused at a time where my senses should be completely aware. How foolish of me, I brush the tears out of my eyes and let every arrow in my inventory fly towards Bhishma. He sees Shikandhi and immediately becomes immobilized and drops his weapons. My rain of arrows envelopes and pierces Bhishma's entire body. He falls off of his chariot. Hundreds of arrows lay embedded in the grand, old warrior's body and creates a bed underneath him. 

The many various battles going on across the large expanse of battlefield suddenly stop. 

Suddenly, the skies clear and beautiful white lotus flowers float down across the battlefield. A truly beautiful sight, and an amazing way to honor the death of such a respectable man as Bhishma. 

Author's Note: I felt like I was having such success writing stories through Arjuna's point-of-view that I would revisit the concept for a third time. I wrote this story through the eyes of Arjuna before the death of Bhishma. I left mostly all of the plot the same, and simply added what I think would be going through Arjuna's mind during the events of this part of the the epic. I also personally enjoyed writing the story through Arjuna's eyes so I thought a third time would not hurt. 

Bibliography:

• Buck, William (1973). Mahabharata.  

Bhishma tells the Pandavas how to defeat him

Week 13 - Reading Diary B

Reading the whole story about a gender transfer was something that I would least expect from this type of epic. Especially since Hindu values have very distinct lines and role for men and women. I really like the way that the Pandavas handles themselves and how respectful they are. Also I too would feel guilt fighting my elders like Arjuna felt. There were a ton of deaths, as expected. It was a bit ridiculous that Arjuna shot Jayadratha's head all the way into his father's lap in order to avoid the curse. But all the other powers such as the naga mantra were cool to imagine. I feel like tricking Drona into thinking that his son was dead and then killing him from behind was kind of a let down. I wish there had been an epic duel between pupil and master. The epic battle between Arjuna and Karna was my favorite part of this section and having the god Krishna as your charioteer would be awesome I feel like.

Week 13 - Reading Diary A

This section of the reading felt like a a build up to the great war that is coming in seven days. I enjoyed reading about Bhima squashing Kichaka in a ball of flesh. I didn't even really know how to imagine that but thats what he gets for trying to rape Draupadi. The part where Arjuna takes over for the cowardly prince Utarra was a fun part to read as well. All the cool weapons that Arujuna has at his disposal are awesome. He makes everyone fall asleep which was pretty cool. And then he gladly claims UtarrA. Also it was cool when Krishna cuts off Duhshasana's head. But I didn't really understand why his energy entered Krishna's body. Conservation of energy? Haha, I've been studying too much physics lately.