Originally posted by: Manojie
Stop comparing this Dhiritashtra to B.R.Chopra's Dhiritashtra.
Well this is not a comparision between B R Mahabharat and this one. This is a discussion on the character of Dhritarashtra alone.
If this were a regular soap, we wouldn't have anything to compare and we would just accept what is shown. But here, it is a well known story of which there are many versions. Comparisions between versions are inevitable. Just as you may compare one written book to what is shown on TV, it is natural that the other version shown on TV maybe brought into the context. We are not comparing the actors or who acted better or who is more handsome. We are talking about the character named Dhritarashtra - whether he's a strong character or not. Here are some other versions impying that he was a weak character.
"As for poor Dhritarashtra, he was a wise
man no doubt and he also loved his
brother's sons, but he was weak of will
and dotingly attached to his own children.
For his children's sake the worse became
the better reason, and he would sometimes
even knowingly follow the wrong path."
This is from Rajagopalachari's version.
Below is the translation of the original Mahabharat.
Page 122 says
" Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this, the weak-minded
Dhritarashtra regarded fate as supreme and unavoidable. And the king deprived of reason by Fate, and obedient to the counsels of his son, commanded his men in loud voice, saying 'Carefully construct, with-SABHA PABVA 123 out loss of time, an assembly house of the most beautiful description, to be called the crystal- arched palace with a thousand columns, decked with gold and lapis lazuli, furnished with a hundred gates, and full two miles in length and in breadth the same.' Hearing those words of his, thousands of artificers endued with intelligence and skill soon
erected the palace with the greatest alacrity, and having erected it brought thither every kind of article. And soon after they cheerfully represented unto the king that the palace had been finished, and that it was delightful and handsome and furnished with every kind of gems and covered with many-coloured carpets inlaid with gold. Then king Dhritarashtra, possessed of learning, summoning Vidura the chief of his ministers, said, 'Repairing (to Khandavaprastha), bring prince
Yudhishthira here without loss of time. Let him come hither with his brothers, and behold his handsome assembly house of mine, furnished with countless jewels and gems, and costly beds and carpets, and let a friendly match at dice commence here.'
Hence there is evidence of Dhritarashtra being a weak minded person. The one shown in the present version doesn't seem to be 'weak'. My post was just to know members' views on how they think the transition will take place in future.
Edited by visrom - 12 years ago
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