Reading Notes: The Five Tall Sons of Pandu Part A

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Section 1:
I struggled to remember how Duryodhana was related to the Pandavas. This very succinctly reminds us that they are cousins. The matchup between Karna and Arjuna was a great focus in the first rendition of the story, and it is still present in this condensed version. I think it important to note that Karna was mocked for his humble upbringing as though he is somehow less than Arjuna because he was not the son of a king. The difference in social structure is quite evident in this point.

Section 2:
It is made evident that the task to win Draupadi's hand in marriage was so difficult that only Arjuna was to be able to do it. Interestingly, Draupadi becomes the husband of only the oldest brother Yudhishthira because of a different wording in the statement of the Pandavas' mother. Again, Karna's low-born upbringing screws him over.

The five Pandavas and Draupadi

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Section 4:
The entire kingdom is split between Duryodhana and Yudhishthira. Each rule their own part, but Duryodhana wants to rule everything. He cheats to win the kingdom from Yudhishthira. In fact, he wins all of the Pandavas and Draupati. They become slaves. However, Draupati asks for a favor from Dhritarashtra, and they all go into exile rather than become slaves.


Sections 5 & 6:
The Pandavas, disguised, help fight to regain stolen cattle. Draupadi has to convince the prince that Arjuna, disguised as a dance instructor, is capable of driving a chariot. Eventually the Pandavas reveal their identities to the prince and re-take the cattle. Their exile is then over.