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In a well-known story from Mahābhārata, Ṛśyaśṛṅga described his friend as a man, but what if that friend was transgender? In this story, I imagined the origin of Ghaṭotkaca's enemy, Alambusa Ārśyaśṛṅgi.
In a well-known story from Mahābhārata, Ṛśyaśṛṅga described his friend as a man, but what if that friend was transgender? In this story, I imagined the origin of Ghaṭotkaca's enemy, Alambusa Ārśyaśṛṅgi.
Originally posted by: BrhannadaArmour
Yath'aiva tvaṃ tath'aiv'āhaṃ ko vā mā'śvāsayiṣyati
(Just as you are, even so am I; or who would reassure me?)
https://www.indiaforums.com/fanfiction/2448
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/5297713
(This link will work after you use the link in my signature to join the Saṃskṛta Text Discussion Forum.)
This series honestly explores how human characters might imagine themselves, without the deification and anachronistic ideals that encumber ordinary mythological fan fiction. Each chapter is one character's internal monologue inspired by a passage from the Saṃskṛta text of Mahābhārata. Kṛṣṇa worries about his political career. Karṇa reacts to an offer to change his identity. Bhīṣma recalls how he became a famous warrior. I have ideas for more chapters, but I'm also open to prompts from any reader.
I just added a fourth chapter: Arjuna feels the sting of ingratitude.
To the above, I just added a fifth chapter: Yudhiṣṭhira faces the choice to stake either himself or his wife.
To the above, I just added a sixth chapter: Duryodhana misses his friendship with Yuyudhāna.
Originally posted by: BrhannadaArmour
In a well-known story from Mahābhārata, Ṛśyaśṛṅga described his friend as a man, but what if that friend was transgender? In this story, I imagined the origin of Ghaṭotkaca's enemy, Alambusa Ārśyaśṛṅgi.
I just published another LGBTQ+ fan fiction on Mahābhārata, beginning with five Saṃskṛta śloka verses:
Bhaimi-Dauryodhani-dvandvam
The Duel of Bhīma's Son and Duryodhana's Son
यद् इहास्ति तद् अन्यत्र सूत-र्षि-परिकीर्तितम् ।
विषमैः सुलभा ख्यातिः समैर् अत्यन्त-दुर्गमा ॥ १
yad ih’āsti tad anyatra sūta-rṣi-parikīrtitam
viṣamaiḥ sulabhā khyātiḥ samair atyanta-durgamā
What's here is elsewhere, made famous by bards' and sages' recitation.
Easily acquired by heteros, renown for homos is extremely inaccessible.
अत्राप्य् उदाहरन्तीमम् इतिहासम् अतर्कितम् ।
भैमि-दौर्योधनि-द्वन्द्वं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम् ॥ २
atr’āpy udāharant’īmam itihāsam atarkitam
Bhaimi-Dauryodhani-dvandvaṃ tumulaṃ loma-harṣaṇam
Even here they bring up this example, a history unexpected,
The duel of Bhīma's son and Duryodhana's son, tumultuous and body-hair-thrilling.
स्मरन्तौ व्यसनं पित्रोर् वैराय कृत-निश्चयौ ।
मैथुनं चक्रतुः प्रीत्या लक्ष्मणश् च घटोत्कचः ॥ ३
smarantau vyasanaṃ pitror vairāya kṛta-niścayau
maithunaṃ cakratuḥ prītyā Lakṣmaṇaś ca Ghaṭotkacaḥ
Both remembering their fathers' trouble, both determined upon enmity,
Both Lakṣmaṇa and Ghaṭotkaca lovingly engaged in sex.
कृत-वैवाहिकौ वीरौ रमयित्वा परस्परम् ।
ततो बभूवतुर् युद्धे भारते संगमोत्सुकौ ॥ ४
kṛta-vaivāhikau vīrau ramayitvā parasparam
tato babhūvatur yuddhe Bhārate saṃgam'otsukau
Two heroes who had pleasured each other after their wedding rituals were performed
Thereby became eager for an encounter in the Bhārata War.
रत्नेषु वज्र-भिन्नेषु सूत्रस्य गतिर् अञ्जसा ।
कन्था-कृतोऽपि नोत्साहः कथं कथयितुं कथाम् ॥ ५
ratneṣu vajra-bhinneṣu sūtrasya gatir añjasā
kanthā-kṛto’pi n’otsāhaḥ kathaṃ kathayituṃ kathām
In jewels bored by a diamond, the thread's path is direct.
How would even a patchwork-maker not be eager to narrate a story?
These verses serve as a trigger warning. Whoever wants to read the full story may join the Saṃskṛta Text Discussion forum and then access the story. Please comment in my story's topic (not this topic) on my imitation of stylistic features from Mahābhārata, such as Saṃskṛta vocabulary and rhythm, the tendency of Mahābhārata characters to argue ethics and cite precedents, and the elaborate patronymic, matronymic, familial, and dynastic epithets by which Mahābhārata characters address or refer to each other.
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