Mahabharata

BOOK ONE: ANCESTORS

Chapter #1

Chandra's son

Summary of Chapter- Brihaspati and his wife perform rituals for the Devas, to sustain delight on Earth. These rituals provide yagna for the Devas, which cause them to defeat their mortal enemies the Asuras. Brihaspati's wife leaves him and goes to another man, Chandra, and has a son with him. Chandra's son, Budh, is then born and asks who is father is. Once told, chaos is brought upon and things stir.

Subject- Budh

Occasion- Birth of unknown son (Budh)

Audience- People of the town

Purpose- To entertain

Speaker- Janamejaya

Tone- Anxious

Author's POV- Many Gods and Goddesses come together to form our world and everything in it

Connection to course- Involves Gods and Goddesses which relate to our course such as Roman gods and Greek gods (Ex- Apollo, Zeus, Ares, Hera, Aphrodite, etc.).

Chapter #2

A wife for Budh

Summary of Chapter- Budh grew up wondering if he would find anyone to share his life with because he was neither man nor women. Then he met, Ila, who had been man once before but a curse turned him into a woman. Together, Budh and Ila had many children called Ailas, the descendants of Ila.

Subject- Budh and Ila

Occasion- Budh finds someone to marry

Audience- People told story

Purpose- To tell audience that certain things happen for a reason

Speaker- Janamejaya

Tone- Uplifting

Author's POV- Things happen for a reason

Connection to course- Gods can become cursed at any point and Gods find a spouse.

Chapter #3

Pururava's obsession

Summary of Chapter- Pururava, a Chandra-vamsi, fell in love with Urvashi, a river nymph. Pururava wanted Urvashi to become his wife and she agreed as long as he protected her goat and as long as no one but Urvashi saw him naked. This promise became broken and Urvashi left him.

Subject- Pururava

Occasion- Pururava fell in love with Urvashi

Audience- People told story

Purpose- To explain that nothing lasts forever

Speaker- Janamejaya...