Reading Diary A: PDE Mahabharata

4. Devavrata's Vow - What I don't understand is why Devavrata didn't marry Satyavati instead of vowing not to have children or take the throne.  It seems like it would have worked better for everyone if the two married.  That way, Devavrata would have still become king and the line would be continued.

5. Bishma at the Swayamvara - Bishma demonstrates his mighty power by capturing the three princesses.  His skill also makes me wonder why he took the vow; he could easily have been a powerful ruler.  It seems like Bishma tries to do right, but instead just makes more trouble for himself.  First vows not to be king, and now he captures the princesses.  Because of the trouble with Amba, Bishma will be slain by her.

Bishma abducts the three princesses

Image from Images and PDE Epics

9. Pandu and His Wives - It seems like ancient kings really need to be more careful when they go hunting.  It is really a bummer for Pandu that he is doomed to die in the arms of one of his wives just for the small mistake that he made.  It seems that in many stories, the main troubles are caused by small mistakes.

18. The Arrival of Karna - It seems like Arjuna and Karna could have resolved their differences to their benefit if they had not been overly prideful and refused to back down.  I wonder how it would have changed their reactions if they knew that they were brothers.

19. Drona's Revenge -  I wonder if Drona will later regret taking out revenge on Drupada.  While Drona is happy with the settled score, it seems like Drupada wants to get revenge of his own.