Indian Epics by Reid

Preparations of War: Some people want peace, some people want war. The Pandavas send a messenger offering peace, and it's almost accepted, but Duryodhana refuses anything that's not war. The Battle Begins: Arjuna (Pandu) is hesitant to attack his uncle and cousins, but decides to fight. For the first time in this story, Dryodhana is actually winning! Oh no! Day two begins and The Pandavas bounce back. Soon after, Bhima (Pandu) slays many of his cousins, while Duryodhana escapes. Bhisma and Drona Fall: While there is a lack of celestial beings in this story, there is still destiny. Shikhandin was destined to kill Bhishma. The fight was everything but epic. Bhishma would not fight as Shikhandin was born a woman, so after letting his guard down, he is peppered with arrows and the cousins weep over his as he dies. Again, Duryodhana is asked for peace, but STILL REFUSES. After many confusions of a son named the same as an elephant, Drona is then killed in battle. This at last le...

For this week, I've chosen Richard Wilson's version called The Indian Story Book: The Five Tall Sons of Pandu . I chose this as it is a retelling but with no mention of gods or celecstial weapons, so it must portray the brothers as some very impressive warriors! I'm excited to see how this one goes. The Young Princes: Pandu has five sons, Arjuna being the best warrior of them all after training. Pandu's brother Dhritarashtra becomes king with his 100 sons after Pandu dies, and the tension begins to build between the cousins early. To show off their skills and decide the best fighter, a tourney is made and they face off. Bhima (son of Pandu) and Duryodhana get heated and the battle has to be called off. While Arjuna shows off, he is challenged by a nameless stranger (Karna). Karna is able to keep up perfectly with him and out of everyone there, KARNA is chosen to become the new king of Huga (an area controlled by Dhritarashtra). Draupadi's Swayamvara: Yudhishthir...