24 October- Varnavrat Plot Hatched

Disclaimer: This show is regressing from bad to worse. Not only are the directors deviating from the three major texts (Srimad Bhagavatham, Harivamsa, Garga Samhita) but even their attempts at creative improvisations are pathetic. I can barely watch the show, much less write a transcription. So this will be a short update. Forgive me folks.

Vrish,

Thanks for the update.

Vaarali

Thanks for the update. Incidentally, would you like me to leave the daily updates unlocked starting this week, or did you want me to unlock all the daily updates of last week? I can do it either way. Incidentally, the reason I started locking threads was to prevent them from being out of order, since I-F's search is pathetic. Also, I started locking threads after +* DBSK: Episode Discussions *+ was started, since that was the place people can discuss the entire week's episode, or the story in general, w/o keeping it locked to just that day's episode. And since we're in the Mahabharata track, there is also your thread - also glued. But I'm willing to leave it unlocked if people want to comment on individual episodes during weekends.

I didn't exactly get your objections - you stated that it's deviating from Srimad Bhagavatham, Harivamsa, Garga Samhita but didn't mention the Mahabharata? So far, the assassination attempt on Yudhisthir and Krishna's actually meeting them in Hastinapur was the only account that I hadn't seen to date. Also, I've long learned not to depress myself over authenticity in these serials, and nothing that they are showing in this track is more eggregious than what they showed in the first few weeks of this serial, or even incidents like the Tulabharam. I did comment in the episode discussions thread about how they seem to be trying to do the story w/ the minimum number of characters, which I find fascinating. Like notice how Karna is not a part of this story, and imo, is not likely to be shown at all, much like Pradhyumna.

Anyway, comments on the episode - I just love the friction that they show b/w Duryodhan and Shakuni - after everything that Shakuni does, Duryodhan tells him that he'll congratulatie him after and only after Shakuni is successful 👏 This is refreshing, instead of showing the old, usual plots and the mutual admiration society.

I didn't notice Jambavati's hair, but I did notice her absense when Krishna wasn't eating. I liked Krishna's explanation to Satyabhama when she asked why he didn't warn the Pandavas about Shakuni's plans - that Yudhisthir was too naive about the evil things Duryodhan did and that he needed to find out for himself. To an extent, that one defied credulity, b'cos in the incident when they were kids where Duryodhan tried to poison Bhima, Yudhisthir knew about it all b'cos Bhima told them all about it. And Yudhisthira from then on actually was always on his guard.

But the thing I found more incredulous about Krishna's explanation was that he gave it after waking up w/ a start when Kunti told the Pandavas that she too wanted to go w/ them. Obviously, he was reacting that way b'cos of the naive response Yudhisthira gave Bhima. But even taking into account Krishna's desire to let Yudhisthir find out for himself, fact remains that had Yudhisthir been told to do something by Krishna himself, his reaction to it would not be the same as what it would be for Bhima & Arjun. That point particularly crossed my mind when Krishna chose to approach Vidura on this. In the original story, Vidura was the one suspicious, but if they want to credit Krishna w/ saving the Pandavas, it fails logically. Why wouldn't Krishna ask Bheeshma to protect them instead of Vidura? Why wouldn't Krishna approach Yudhisthir directly and warn him?

Reason that this line of action from Krishna wouldn't have made sense is that it shifted power from Yudhisthira, who was the sole yuvraj, to Duryodhan, since Duryodhan got to be the yuvraj briefly, and when the Pandavas did return, the kingdom was divided b/w them. So lakshagriha actually benefited Duryodhan in the end, and had he been content w/ that, he'd never have been punished.

As for what they call each other, I too find bhanje irritating, but given that it's Gufi, what else does one expect him to say? But I did like Yudhisthir addressing Dhritarashtra as tatshree - sounded less deferential than jesht-pitashri, even though he mentions it while describing their relationship. Did you notice one thing - Jambavati finally addressed her husband swami, no more Giridhar, Murlidhar, Kanha, or even Dwarkadheesh. I didn't notice how Satyabhama addressed him, though.

I do wonder whether Krishna will leave for Hastinapur again but not get there in time, as in the Shrimad Bhagvatham?

Oh, and happy Diwali!!! You do seem to have made a handful 😆 Will Bhima be visiting you to sample those, since he didn't get to eat on Friday? 😆

Update ke saath Mysore Pak...yummilicious!😃

the sweets sound yummy

^^^^ As far as Rukmini goes, they've already re-written history. Only her abduction happened authentically in the serial, but after her marriage, her behavior was totally unlike that of the original Rukmini. After Krishna's marriage to J & S, Rukmini's role diminished, and the last time she was seen was after the return of Krishna & Satyabhama from Narakasura. Since then, roles that Rukmini was noted for - the parijat flowers, the tulabharam tulsi leaf and co-hosting Sudama and ensuring that his prosperity began - all these roles were done by J & S. Thankfully, they didn't show Satyabhama give birth to Pradhyumna - just didn't touch Krishna's sons @ all.

Today, when Krishna was back @ Dwarka, it was Satyabhama who entertained him mainly, although Jambavati was also there. So from hereon, it looks like Satyabhama will be Krishna's main wife. Incidentally, Krishna letting Satyabhama do his varan before Jambavati seemed like a breach of protocol - normally, the most senior wives i.e. the one who got married first would get first priority.