Reading Notes: The Mahabharata Movie: Part D

Watching this 5 hour film has helped me to better understand the Mahabharata. Right now in the film the 5 brothers are spending their last year in exile and have to disguise themselves as people who will never be recognized. Yudishthira is now a master at dice, Bhima is a master of pots, while Arjuna is seemingly a female in a mans body. I get the twins confused but one is disguised as a great musician. One of Duryodanas generals comes to the camp where the brothers are hiding and they give them suggestions where to find the pandava brothers. The general has suspicions they are the pandu brothers but when he learns Yudishthira doesn't lose at dice he knows its not them.

The general wants draupadi to come visit him and he tries to rape her. She immediately runs to Bhima in fear. Bhima lays under a cover and the general thinks it's her. He ends up easily killing him by crushing him with his arms.

The 13 year exile is over and the true game of thrones is about to begin. Yudishthira is going to get an army ready to battle for what is his.

Arjuna and Duryodanha seek out Krishna to help with their side of the army. Arjuna gets the first choice. He can either have a massive fully equipped army or Krishna himself who won't fight. Arjuna chooses Krishna to drive his chariot.

Krishna seeks peace one last time but Durodana tries to kill him anyways.
Krishna tells Karna that he is the son of Kunti. He doesn't care and vows to kill Arjuna anyways.

(Krishna in this film.

Source: Web)

I didn't realize how big of a role krishna played in this story. He is a huge peace keeper but everyone seems to want to fight regardless of all the knowledge he keeps preaching.

Bibliography: Peter Brook, The Mahabharata
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/06/film-brook-mahabharata.html

Reading Notes: The Mahabharata Movie: Part C

Exile in the forest
Amba seeks out Bhima to kill Bhishma. Bhima declines and Amba proceeds on her way.

Arjuna leaves his brothers and heads into the forest to go find weapons. He is now on his own journey. At the same time Duryodana is back in the kingdom plotting ways he can get away with killing the Pandava brothers.

While Bhishma is on duty for the night watch he encounters a rakshisa named Hidimbi. She instantly falls in love with him and takes on a human form. She wants to marry him and is confused why his current wife has 5 husbands. While the two are talking Hidimbi's brother attacks and a fairly epic battle ensues. It was surprisingly good and I am ready for the war to come towards the end of the film.

Hidimbi ends up getting her way and Bhima is allowed to be her husband. The two have a son seemingly out of nowhere. Hidimbi is flying Bhima around and suddenly the son just randomly appears.

When Hidimbi and the son flees, Duryodana and his goons sneak up on them with sword. Vyasa seems to be some some great god or something. He randomly appears when the pandu brothers are in trouble and need help.

While Arjuna is out in the mountains he runs into Shiva. Before he finds out who he is though he fires about 4 arrows at him. Shiva grants one request to Arjuna and he asks for the weapon Shiva wields.

(Arjuna taking aim at Shiva.

Source: web)

The last few scenes have been really confusing and I have no clue what is going on.

Bibliography: Peter Brook, The Mahabharata
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/06/film-brook-mahabharata.html

Reading Notes: The Mahabharata Movie: Part B

It being about 5 days since I have watched this film I have kind of forgotten some of the characters. But the game of thrones theme is starting. All the sons seem to want to be on the throne. Dhritarashtra wants to stay loyal to his brother who let him be king by letting his brothers children take the throne. But as the sons of the king Duryodana is trying to plot to get the kingdom.

(Dice game.

Source: ice breaker ideas)

The gambling match with dice is about to start and it will be interesting to see how different it is in a film rather than in text. The text didn't really explain how the game was played but now I will get to see how the game is actually played.

All of the sons of Dhritarashtra enter the room where the dice game will be held. It seems like a very formal occasion for all to be entertained by. Yudhishthira is getting in over his head and gambling everything he owns. He knows this man is a known cheater but he still plays. Why would his brothers sit by and let him do all this gambling?

After the dice game it is still unsure how this game is played and what the rules are.

Draupadi is given two requests and she wants all her husbands to be freed. Upon their departure they are told to come back and try to play one last game. Yudhishthira plays saying that it is their salvation, and vishnu will punish them if they are truly cheating. He ends up losing again and is banished for 12 years and an additional 1 year in disguise.

Bibliography: Peter Brook, The Mahabharata
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/06/film-brook-mahabharata.html