Births and Epics

               I am interested in the story of the different births that have taken place up to this point. The question posed is whether or not I read the events of the births as literal or symbolic. I am going to have to say that I believe it is a little of both. We are reading about an epic tale that is taken as truth for many people. I think relating this to the bible story would not be a far reach. I do not know very much of the bible but I am aware of the tale of Adam and Eve. I also know that many people take these stories as the literal truth. I think to properly answer the question who would have to say that it depend on what you have faith in and what you believe in your heart. It is interesting that Panchaali and Dhri were both born from fire at the age of 5. They did not come out as infants. It is also interesting that they both remember it well. So clearly they have no mother or do we think that since they were born of the Gods that maybe a form of Vishnu would be there mother? I wonder about this.
          What is even more fascinating than the birth of Panchaali and Dhri by the fire of the Gods is the birth of the 100 Kaurava brothers and 1 sister that were born of Gandhari:

"Perhaps the frustrated king berated her, or perhaps the fact that he'd taken one of her waiting women as his mistress drove Gandhari to act of desperation. She struck her stomach again and again until she bled, and bleeding, gave birth to a huge, unformed ball of flesh...But luckily a holy man showed up. He cut the ball into a hundred and one pieces, and called for vats of butter, one for each piece. He sealed the pieces in the vats and cautioned that they shouldn't be opened for a year. And that is how Duryodhan and his brothers--and their sister Duhsala--were born." (77)

    Now do I believe this as literal or symbolic? Well, what is the meaning of the butter then? Is it the richness, the saftey? Maybe it is a substitue for the fat and nurishment of Gadhari's uterus?
       There is a lot of speculation to be had in regards to these events. I will say that I read the first section last night in one sitting. It is like a noir fairy tale. So far for me it has been engrossing and full of wonderment. I feel for Panchaali but also wish she would forget about her destiny and find Karna her true love. By going to see the sorcerer I believe he sealed her fate even more (which I am a true believer in--fate, not necessarily sorcerers). If she had hear the three hints to help her sway her destiny maybe she would have happened upon that path naturally instead of trying to locate those moments and try to brush away the path herself:

He said, "But I'll give you some advice. Three dangerous moments will come to you. The first will be just before your wedding:at that time, hold back your question. The second will be when your husbands are at the height of their power: at that time, hold back your laughter. The third will be when you're shamed as you'd never imagined possible:at that time, hold back your curse. Maybe it will mitigate the catastrophes to come." (40)

       If I knew I had the power to change my destiny, and I knew what I had to do, it would make it that much more difficult and confusing to live my life. Wouldn't that be all you are thinking about? She even mentions the moment about her wedding later. She knew exactly when she shouldn't have asked the question about Karna's father but she did anyway--fully knowing that it will be a great war, many deaths, and shame to herself:

"On my wedding day, I would see him in the marriage hall, seated at my father's right, his placement revealing an importance I hadn't guessed at. He'd gaze at me, blinking mildly, as though he'd never seen me before. When I'd make my first great mistake, his expression would remain unchanged, so that I wouldn't realize the enormity of what I had done until it was too late." (43)

     Is anyone else curious as to why all the king's started to attack in the wedding hall after the brahmin (Arjun in disguise) shot the arrow at the fish and won Panchaali? I wasn't sure about that. I felt they were about to attack if there was no winner, but indeed there was. I would like to hear your thoughts on this point, leave a comment. Happy Reading! I know I am!