Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part C

Life in the Forest by Indian Myth and Legend by D. A. Mackenzie

• I like the inclusion of sages, which is a form of wise men that offer wisdom and knowledge that is useful for the main character to use
• I like the dialogue that the brahmin talks to the heavens, which includes the god's name and title in traditional words of praise, this can be something that I would want to include in my general stories

Arjuna and Shiva, Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita 

• I liked the passage of the adventures of Arjuna in the Himalayas, without any inclusion of quotes. The passage all around, only includes only description about the mountains and forests around him along with his own general description 
• There was also mention of the "Great God" whose name was never included in the beginning; this insinuates a sense of curiosity that is instilled in the readers and makes the readers want to read more about the story and to find out who the "Great God" is or by any other ambiguous names.
• In the concept of weapons, like the project that I was planning to create in class, Shiva gave Arunja the divine bow named Gandiva. Such gifting from an other-worldly source can create a greater origin story of how the weapons are handed on from person to person.

Bhima and Hanuman, The Mahabharata, A Summary, J. M. Macfie

• I like the inclusion of dialogue between Bhima and the monkey, which was an animal. This adds to the fantasy of the myth, even so that it can assume the role of a wise holy man
• I can create a backstory of the animal, maybe he/she was human in a past life and an event happened to make him become the animal that he is.

(The Talking Monkey. Source: Unsplash)