Week 12 Reading Diary B: The Pandava's Exile

My favorite character thus far in Buck's Mahabharata is Arjuna. To me he seems to be one of the most manly characters, and is extremely honorable. He is already an extremely skilled warrior, but in this weeks reading he learns musical talents as well as dancing. On top of that Indra teaches him the use of divine weapons, which I think is crazy because Arjuna is already one of the most skilled warriors aside from Karna. He showed that he was honorable by refusing the advances of Urvashi, and she curses him which turned out to be something that would benefit him for his thirteenth year of exile. Arjuna just seems to have everything going for him and is certainly my favorite of the brothers!

Arjuna the Mighty Warrior!

The only other part that I really enjoyed in this reading was the tale of Savitri. It was such an incredible story of love and the bravery that can come from loving someone. She chose a husband that she knew didn't have much time to live, but loved him dearly. When he died Yama came for his soul and Savitri was so courageous that she wanted to follow him. Yama granted her a wish and instead of something selfish, Savitri thought to cure the blindness of her father in law! Then as a second wish she requested 100 sons for her father in law, and as a third she requested 100 sons with her husband. Yama said she would have to forfeit half her days and give them to her husband, which she gladly did. This story was so touching, because not only did Savitri show incredible love and courage, but she was incredibly selfless!