Ganges on a clam day
Image: WikiCommons
Once the battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas was over, Krishna's work here on earth was done. He helped Arjuna fight his own blood for justice. It was time for Pandavas and Krishna to leave earth. Out of all five brothers only Yudishthira agreed to go with Krishna as the rest of the brother claimed they still have to finish up some of their business here on earth.
Krishna and Yudishthira decides to get going on the journey to the river Ganges. They planned on uniting with their past loved ones by walking into the holy river. Once they reached to the river, they performed mantra with the sage they brought from Hastinapur. Suddenly, Ganges appeared from the river.
Ganges: Why have you came to disturb me?
Krishna: We are here to depart this land and unite with our fellow friends and family.
Ganges: Who are you all?
Sage: This is Krishna and Yudishthira, who have fought in the great war and now are here to leave their body behind.
Ganges: Oh, so you are the great heroes! Before you walk into me I will unite you to your loved ones for the last time as you may or may not see them ever again.
The waves started getting bigger, there was lightning and thunderstorm and the wind was rustling the leaves off the trees. Krishna and Yudishthira saw their family's ghost walk out of the river. They saw them for few seconds as it was time for them to go. First Krishna walked in, while following his father. Later, Yudishthira walked in following his brothers. Slowly, they both were out of sight and everything went back to normal as if nothing had ever happened here.
Krishna walked into clouds full of light and shine. He reunited with other gods, as he took his original form of Lord Vishnu. He was happy to see Krishna's family and he looked for Yudishthira, but he was nowhere to be found. On the other side, Yudishthira walked into a different world, where he was blood river on the side and skulls everywhere. He saw Kauravas, whom he hated as they were the reason behind most of his misery. He prayed to lord Yama and he appeared, he asked to be with his wife Draupadi and his companions who was on his side. Lord Yama saw his loyalty to people who did him right and vanished all the illusion. Yudishthira was taken back to Ganges, where his soul was cleansed and sent to heaven. He united with Lord Vishnu, his wife, and all the others who he knew from earth.
Bibliography: PDE Mahabharata
Author's Note:
Originally Lord Krishna was killed by a hunter, who had mistaken him for a gazelle and shot him in his right foot. The arrow hit a spot that injured him mortally, killing him. I did not like the way he was killed as it was so easy and not dramatic. I made him choose his death in this story and united him with Yudishthira. They both died died together in more of a dramatic way. I also wanted to include Ganges in the story as she is the holy river, where most of the after life rituals are performed. I also incorporated some of the similar scenes from Mahabharata like the heaven and hell scene. I ended the story in a similar way as the original. Yudishthira is sent to hell, but he is then later sent to heaven for his loyalty and his good deeds for human kind.
I have to say, this is a really beautiful story! I can tell you already have a grasp of the epics and their tales, and I love how it shows in this story with your understanding of the gods and Ganges. It makes me want to learn more myself, since I still have much to read and learn. I thought your storytelling was very dramatic and lovely!
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, you put the image title as "Ganges on a clam day" and I think you meant to put "calm."
I think it is really interesting that you decided to take one of the stories and flesh it out with further Indian cultural references than the original had. Making it more dramatic was something that also helped a lot. I feel as if the story as a whole reads by itself much better than the original version which is meant to be read with the rest of it's stories around it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a vey beautiful story, Urvi! I really like the fact that you made it more dramatic than the original. In fact, it resembles the way the Ramayana ends in a few ways; Rama also surrenders his body to a river (the Sarayu River), so that is an interesting parallel. I also thought that your version was much more satisfying than the original. Good job overall!
ReplyDeleteHey Urvi! I loved reading your story! It was very well written and the fact that you made it super dramatic drew me in as a reader. I also thought the way Krishna died by the hunter was a bit off and doesn't capture the essence of his character as much, so I loved that you allowed him to choose his destiny. I also liked how you incorporated Ganga into the story; it connected everything really well. Good job on the story, can't wait to read more of yours!
ReplyDeleteHi, Urvi!
ReplyDeleteLike the others said, this is a beautiful story! I really like your imagery of what happened as Krishna and Yudhistira crossed over. The hell or equivalent that the Kauravas, and briefly Yudhistira, are in seems fitting for all of the pain and suffering they caused on the earth. I also like the inclusion of Ganges; it brings everything back in a full circle. Great job!
Urvi, I really liked your version of the story! The way you incorporated dialogue and how you separated who was talking to who allowed for a clearer read. The way you explained in your author's note that you decided to change the way they both died was really great. It was a lot more light-hearted and melancholic. I liked the way you explained heaven and hell as well, it was super interesting. Great story!
ReplyDelete