SwaSan OS: Dyuta Parva/ Karna Parva Day 16.

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Cogito_Ergo_Sum

@Cogito_Ergo_Sum

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 9 years ago

#271

Originally posted by: misaki
Unres'd on page 36
As promised, I am so glad I was able to read and give my feedback for the second one as well, off to read the third one!🤗

Ohh late again! But A Very Happy New Year to you too Viji. May this one be everything that you have hoped for!🤗

Thanks a ton Geethu 🤗 🤗

Will reply on both tomorrow.

Hope you like chapter 3 as well.

Have a great 2016, and may you find your Sanskaar this year. 😃

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Cogito_Ergo_Sum

@Cogito_Ergo_Sum

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 9 years ago

#272

Originally posted by: misaki
Res🤗I hate that I can't read it right now
Unres

Viji🤗🤗 - So very happy that I am finally getting to read this wonderful, absolutely brilliant piece of work in peace!

I actually want you to know that my reply to this one is written as I go through it. I hope the reply doesn't confuse you.

Dyuta Parva-

Part 1 -

Firstly, do you know how happy you made me by finally giving exploring Ram Prasad Maheshwari. I seriously have always been so disappointed with the lack of importance given to his character on the show. I have always wanted to know more about him - since obviously he was Sanskaar's dad. This again reminded me of Shruti's letter from Sanskaar to his dad. How he explained that though he did not hate that he never really stood up for him, understood why he couldn't do it was still disappointed that his dad (who is supposed to be every child's hero) never came out. So to have you finally.. finally explore the guy who clearly sees and hears everything, understands everything with complete clarity, ( we can definitely see where Sanskaar's gets his amazing gift of perception and understanding from) yet always remains mum for reasons of course understood made me so very happy. He being Lakshman to DP was completely understandable and so very obvious that it most of the times made me sometimes wanna smack him, just to wake the "pita" up from within him. So to know that he has time and again realized how unfair and hypocritical his "bhaisa" was when it came to Sanskaar had me doing a whoop in the air! 😆

Also you me and everyone else(I guess) , knew how completely illogical and stupid that maalkin track was. How does that even happen?! But you know what infuriated me more? The fact that Mr. Durga Prasad Maheshwari (I adored the guy before you know. Now I can't stand the guy!) actually handed over everything over to Ragini including what was clearly ONLY Sanskaar's right! Who gave him the rights to do that? To ruin himself is fine it was his son in question, but to give away what is not yours? Especially for a guy that did nothing but cause trouble and give pain to my Sanskaar?! How dare he!😡

So to read that our RP also caught on to that made me do a happy jig on my seat!yayayayyy!!!

The last line- "Ram had finally had enough of playing Lakshman's role" ---- Finally!!!!🥳

Part 2-

Viji - I wish I could take a picture of myself right now and send it to you - tears in my eyes , I've got tears in my eyes! The happy kind too. Oh My gosh Viji seriously, I don't think I can say anything that would express how much I loved reading this part !

I will try of course - those two absolutely beautiful and amazingly true quotes! Definitely have a new top 5 among the quotes that I have read about love. So very very beautiful!

Obviously enjoyed the fact that it was Swara's POV - but my favourite part of this one has to be when Sanskaar explains to Swara why he doesn't believe or rather cannot bring himself to believe her "love" for him. I understood why he did what he did on the show when she confessed to him for the first time, but it was what they made him do afterwards that kinda did not sit well with me. There had to be a better and far convincing explanation to his indifference towards his wife so of course I wasn't in the least bit surprised that you managed to add so much more into it and completed it in way.

I know that Swara is a brave girl anyone that is able to forgive someone as easy as she does has to be.(though that trait of hers irritates me to no end yet I can see how that makes her special) We also know that she's broken and craves family. Her wish for a perfect family sometimes almost borders on obsession. Her enthusiasm to play perfect family whether it is her own or her husbands is not healthy and clearly something she needs to see. All of our wishes came true when madam finally realized that if there is one person that deserves her love and attention - it is only sanskaar. Yet again however, the circumstances demand the "bahu" in her before the "biwi" could do anything about it. So to see our Sansku react the way he did , completely understandable.

The last quote is what we have been time and again discussing about - you can't just say ILU to anyone and expect them to believe you because clearly your actions speak way louder than your words do! The quote was so bang on that it made me grin like a crazy person. Loved it!

Part 3 -

I just want to say one thing - I hate Indian Telly logic ! Sucks big time! If only we could have more sensible plots and more believable tracks especially when it comes to legal stuff. The whole divorce drama - divorce on proxy and then the whole transfer of ownership of a huge company without the consent of any shareholders and partners. I absolutely love it when Sanskaar shows why he clearly became the businessman that he has. My man is so dam brilliant! So proud of you my love!

Of course leave it up to the well-informed writers of the forum to handle the situation like pros! Seriously, I always go ROFL when I think about how we would react given the same kind of situations on the soap! Only Sansku can get daadi to shut up! Had so much fun reading it. Sanskaar handling the situation like a boss! The way he would have on the show if the writers had used even a part of that thing called brain that they seem to be unaware of most of the times!

Loved RP-Swara team up! Go RamSwaSan go!😆

Part 4 -

This was such bliss! I still cannot stop myself form grinning. It looked so weird that one of my office friends actually sat here with me to read what was making me go all awww! Haha!

Of course she doesn't get it. No one really does apart from us of course! ;)

My favorite bit in this part was when you explain how Sanskaar never had and never would do anything in halves. Whether it was now- his love for Swara or in the past - the revenge for Kavita. So when he says how he would never be OK with anything less from her, I could completely relate. It I think is how I have always understood and seen love. Anything other than complete submission to love - in way that it become completely consuming and constant presence that outweighs anything else in your life including you. So to hear him say and demand the same from her. It was only just! Absolutely loved that bit Viji .

RP was so sly about the whole "she signed the papers and was looking for you" thing. Intelligent man! :P After everything he said and did , Sanskaar clearly is terrified of her actually doing the deed. Seriously! Such a stubborn ass. Both of them in fact - drive me insane with their stubbornness. Of course I will be partial here and say that Sanskaar's stubbornness , I have always been able to understand and bear however I can't say the same thing when it comes to his better half. (I am however enjoying her stubbornness now. You go girl! Make him see how much you absolutely adore him. )

Coming back to the story , I loved how we could clearly see him finally realize that may be , he had pushed her way too far. That heart break when you realize that you might have actually put an end to your own life by being a stubborn ass was so real and intense! And the relief that is clearly visible when he realizes that his worst nightmare had not come true! Beautiful Viji.

I have to tell you, I was so happy to read how you used Sanskaar's very lines against him like that. Honestly, it was such a pleasant surprise. Made me so so happy to hear her say that. What better way to make a man listen to you than to quote him back to him. Bravo Swara! Finally living up to her name , Mrs. Sanskaar Maheshwari!

We are left with a confident and determined Swara smiling at her husband while showing him how happy she was being "his" while Sanskaar looks on as his wife "marks herself as his" , through the sindhoor. Yayy! Now to the next update! 😃
Can I add the fact that you related mythology ( I really love exploring our Indian Mytho - as much as you read them, there seems to be one or another story in there that remains to be yet read especially when it comes to the Mahabaratha" It's my favorite among the two obviously two being - Ramayan and Mahabarath.) to the scenario on the show right now. Bravo! I mean of course all of us have at least read or heard of the stories but it takes a special one to relate it to real life or in this case - a soap ! I 'm not surprised though that it was you😊

So sorry this is coming so late Viji - finally released from the project so now I'm finally getting on to every story and PM that I have yet to reply
I will obviously get to commenting on the next update now.😊

Geethu my dear!!...🤗 🤗 🤗

First of all, dozens and dozens of jhappis for this amazingly insightful and detailed comment yaar. I was so touched that you literally took it up Part by Part, putting down your impressions, and what you liked in each! Made me really feel on top of the world that you liked it so very much.. 🤗

Seriously yaar, I was wondering at the start of the idiotic malkin track, how on earth could Durga Prasad have just handed over the entire family wealth, business and home to Ragini? By what right? I mean, Sanskaar became the total bakra here. He just merged his Karma & Co., with Maheshwari & Sons, and then his bade papa hands over the entire firm, without so much as a by your leave, with his brother and nephew.

That really reminded me of the Dyuta Parva in the Mahabharata, where Yudhishthira gambles everything and everyone dear to him on Shakuni's instigation--to the extent that he even gambles his brothers' and his freedom, and even their wife!

Thanks for all those lovely words about how I'd correlated the Mahabharata to the scenario in Swaragini, dear. The Mahabharata is absolutely my favorite epic, I must have read it dozens of times, various versions like Rajaji's "Mahabharata Retold", Devdutt Pattanaik's "Jaya" (Please, please read this Geethu, if you haven't yet---its a priceless gem!!!), and Shri Bhyrappa's "Parva". So I couldn't resist drawing some analogies and parallels. 😊

I did want to explore Ram Prasad's character in detail for this OS series, apart from of course, focusing on my darlings---SwaSan of course. 😉 I seriously feel Ram has a lot more depth and layers to his character than they show in the serial. He is Sanskaar's father after all! And I do feel, that he would have seriously regretted not being able to stand by Sanskaar, be what a father should be, during that time of crisis 5 years ago. And I would like to think, that in the present, he has resolved to ensure Sanskaar gets the happiness and peace of mind to which he is entitled, and that the family stops taking him for granted. He's still in awe of his brother, who was almost a quasi parent to him, but he's had enough of playing Lakshman's role. 😊 He wants to be an equally good Dad now, as he is a brother.

Part 2-- "Love, Actually" 😉 was my attempt to show Swara going all out to win Sanskaar's trust back, convince him of her deep love and faith in him. Those two quotes about the meaning of saying "I Love You" to somebody, and how one has to earn the right to say those magic words, were nice, na? I really loved the too, and was so happy to know you liked them enough to enlist them in your top 5 love quotes. 🤗

I don't blame Sanskaar for having difficulty believing her, either. She had spent so much time telling him clearly she could never feel for him more than a friend. Then she went and doubted him of being involved in that silly kidnapping, on the flimsiest of proofs, when all he was doing was burning evidence which could implicate her. All she had to do was ask him, but she went about those investigations in such a roundabout manner, Sanskaar was bound to feel hurt at her doubts. And he might now have felt, that Swara was saying she loved him, more out of guilt for having hurt him, than genuine Love. Of the intense, potent variety---practically an adoration, a worship---which he feels for her.

I wanted to make her resolute and determined to win his trust back. She is not Swara Sanskaar Maheshwari for nothing! She will win her hubby back! 😳

As for Part 3---Oh Geethu, I just Loved the way you described their team as RamSwaSan. 😆 😆 Too Good!! You know, there are so many legal provisions that would enable the Maheshwaris to prevent Ragini from taking sweeping control of their firm. I mean, businesses are governed by partnership or company law! You can't just go about these things in such a half baked manner. 😆 And I for one, refuse to believe that a sharp, strategic thinker like Sanskaar, would not be able to run circles around Ragini's wily tactics. He has the will of iron, the steely resolve to make both Dadi and Ragini shut their nonsense! 😉

And Part 4--"From here to Eternity": You really hit the nail on the head there, Geethu, about what I wanted to convey. Sanskaar doesn't do anything by halves. He loves intensely, with every fibre of his being, with a potent, deep adoration. And he would expect the same emotion from Swara. Settling for less, would seem to him like a cheapening of his love, a mockery of it.

In a sense, he was stubborn, yes, in the way he kept pushing Swara away. But as you said, one can understand it even if one gets irritated by it, because he is fundamentally unsure if she's going to break his heart again or not. He really wants to go back to trusting her again, but he can't bear it, it would literally annihilate him, to have her doubt him again, or take him for granted again.

But when Ram informs him that Swara has signed the papers (smart man, Ram---he was referring to the property release papers, but he doesn't see why his son can't meet his daughter in law in person, to ask her, na? 😛), Sanskaar literally has his heart stop beating for a few seconds. He fears that the unthinkable has finally happened--she is actually going to exit his life. Suddenly, the reality confronts him---how is he going to learn to live without someone who has seeped so deeply into his heart, mind and soul? How is he going to forget someone who has become as essential to him as his breath?

Imagine the agony with which he berates himself for pushing her that far, for breaking her heart by disbelieving her fervent affirmation of her adoration for him. And then---the glorious, profound relief, when he realizes that the papers aren't the divorce papers at all---and in fact, she has torn those up and consigned them to the trash can ages ago! 😉

I am so very happy you liked that Sindhoor scene, Geethu. I wanted Swara to take the initiative here with that very romantic symbolism. They haven't breached all the walls of Sanskaar's doubts yet, so to ask him to fill her maang might be premature, Swara knows he might refuse. So she fills her parting with sindhoor, gazing at his reflection in the dressing mirror, smiling joyously at him with determination and avowal, that she is his. Only his, Always his.

And Sanskaar, feels the burning embers of hope again. There is a gradual, steady rapprochement between them now, a dawning of hope in his heart, that Swara does love him after all, will always put his interests and feelings first, just as he does for her. 😊

Once again, I loved that you loved this, Geethu! 🤗 Catch you in my reply to your comment for the next chapter on this thread!

Loads of Love,

---Viji

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Cogito_Ergo_Sum

@Cogito_Ergo_Sum

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 9 years ago

#273

Originally posted by: misaki
Unres'd at page 12 for the first update of the OS
I'm resi-ing this one for the next update which I promise you will update today , in fact I am going to start on it as soon as I am done typing here😛.😃

Sorry that it took so long Viji🤗
Unres - Okay I take all my sorries back 😛

Part 1-

Awww! The famous and adorable Garden makes a comeback! You know Viji, I truly believe that there have hardly been any scenes in the show that were real yet completely adorable. Garden scene was one of the few that make the exception. It was such a big and very very pleasant surprise on that SwaSan-ilicious Maha-Episode. I am honestly telling you, I have never been a fan of the Maha-Episodes on other shows, seeing as nothing really happens on them , seeing as the TRP's (I believe) don't really count for the week's TRPs, so I was very surprised that when it comes to SR , this belief of mine is always broken by them. ME means we get a lot of SwaSan(or at least Sanskaar) so I always look forward to them.

Coming back to the update, I guess it's no surprise how much I enjoyed the garden part between hubby and wife. Sanskaar remembering Swara as he looks at the Cattleya Blooms while she reprimanding him for not using the gloves while he was gardening and of course not forgetting to get him, his now favorite adrak and elaichi chai. It really are those very small things that matter. It was such bliss watching them be so hubby-wifey!

Ah! Of course there had to be more to it - Ragini! This girl! You know by now, that I really did enjoy her character and could understand and relate to her more than Swara. But when it comes to the whole maalkin business , I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would ever do that. I mean seriously, become maalkin and boss everyone around? Are you for real? It sounds like a game that 7 year olds would like to play. "Im going to be your maalkin and you guys are going to be my slaves! Yayy so much fun" ! Bleh! They have completely ruined her for me on the show! It makes me so angry. I don't even want to start on what they are currently trying to do with my Sanskaar. Which idiot's idea was it to bring back Kavita ? *major facepalm* *headdesk* Urgh! - that discussion is for another day altogether!

This Ragini again, though is not very hard to understand. All that hate seems more convincing than the one on the show , especially because this one never seems to have enjoyed being the good girl that daadi clearly wanted and groomed her to be. She did not like the fact that she wasn't allowed to wear what she pleased, speak the way she wanted to and more importantly love as she desired. Laksh trying to kill her was the last strand that held the mask that she had on for so long, with that gone she is now "just her". This is the real Ragini, the one who doesn't forgive or forget, the one who believes in eye for an eye, the one who would destroy anyone for spite, or is that the real her? I don't know anymore. This girl clearly has had her share of problems too. I can so imagine her looking at her then neighbor , Swara - seeing how independent and free she was , how lucky she was to have such understanding and amazing parents. So I can completely understand why she despises her now half-sister and her new found happiness. Why should she be the one who gets everything, while she has always been deprived of it? And so when she saw that Swara and Sanskaar were not getting along, she was happy that her sister was experiencing the same kind of pain that she had and has been enduring. She sees it being the ultimate price that she will have to pay for taking away the one thing that was meant solely for her - her Lakshya and his love. Or is my perception of her her all wrong? 😆

I of course loved the part where Swara not only stands up for Sanskaar (while he is obviously taken aback and little hurt by Ragini's taunt) announcing how he will be "the first", to her but also warn her sister to never insinuate that "her husband" is not important or insult him in any other way! *Sigh* I keep dreaming up hundred such scenarios in my mind Viji, where Swara would declare her love and always stick up for him no matter who it was on the other side, so this part made me very very happy!

Part 2 -

Wow!

When you said the story was not going to follow the story line from the soap, I did expect you to change it when it came to Ragini and SwaSan but RP? But I should have seen that coming huh? Since you already told us you would be exploring RP as well. RP , cheating on Suju? Now no matter how illocgical and dense and highly irritating she can be, I seriously doubt RP doing that to her. Maybe he is covering up for DP ? No ? Then an ex- lover perhaps? One before his marriage to sujata? You know it was very intriguing , this part. I'm sure if it wasn't for that last bit of Swasan I would have more theories to share with you, but right now all I can think of is that last bit! Still reeling in the SwaSan land.❤️ I especially loved how it came about. The moments that built up to it. The way Sanskaar and Swara always seem to be connected with each other(it is something I love about them on the show too- their cosmic and surreal connection ), looks that they exchanged, the way Sanskaar realizes that "his wife" never seemed to miss a thing. (proud hubby) , and the last bit where she confesses to him that she was staying under the same roof as him no matter what cz it made her feel better to be under the same roof as him and him acknowledging how much that meant for him. (I really really want to see Swara always be this way, putting him ahead of anything and anyone , including his own family. He really needs her to be "his" first and the rest later)

That part where Sanskaar confesses his biggest fear regarding the whole RP-Kaveri mess, him doubting his own identity! Made my heart go out to him. It made me remember another one of my favorite heroes of telly world - Mr. Asad Ahmed Khan. This guy was running away from love and it infuriated us to n ends. We all believed he was being an ass and he was doing it because he thought he was better than the heroine but when we found out why he was actually doing it, I felt so guilty for having been so angry at him. The guy grew up in a broken home - his father left his mother for another women and he had to quickly grow up in order to help his Ammi. What we did not know was that, his father leaving his mother had had a bigger and far worse effect on him - it made him honestly believe that since he shared the same genes as his father did, he was eventually going to cheat on his love too for another women. He was running away only because he wanted to protect his love from the same pain that he saw his mother go through. So I knew all too well what that felt like when Sanskaar questioned himself and his identity. The pain on Swara's face and the way she felt on hearing it - very very relatable. So when Swara consoled him and drilled some much needed sense into his brain while clearly citing her own father as an example all I could do was sit and mentally pat her on her back. Her choosing to kiss away his tears, it again is one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite Live - Action movies and mangas from Japan. SO to actually have it happen between my OTP! Best scene ever! 🤗🤗x1000 for making it happen* and of course do I have to explain how much I loved what came next! Absolute bliss!

What a way to end my day at office! Haha!😆😆

Geethu my dear pal...my cup of joy is running over, literally with reading your amazing, beautiful, detailed, analytical, splendid comments...need I describe them more? 🤗 🤗 🤗 Love you loads for this---actually I love you anyway, but still! 🤗

That gardening scene was a favorite of mine too, Geethu. It showed so many traits of Sanskaar's character. His ability to patiently nurture, to give his care, love and attention to watch something flower and bloom to its full potential, its full beauty. His qualities of patience, dedication, focus.

In many ways, his hobby reflects the person he is, and these traits are reminiscent (especially the sheer dedication, focus and patience), of Arjuna from the Mahabharata.

Glad you liked the steady, growing rapprochement between them, the restoration of Sanskaar's trust in her, and the fact that they are thinking of themselves as husband and wife. 😉 Their friendship is indeed very robustly back on its feet, and they are both very keenly aware of their deeper, underlying feelings for each other. Taking off from the quotes in the previous chapter, Swara has been displaying her love through her actions. She has been showing her deep love and care, her steady trust and support; and Sanskaar has been steadily getting more and more reassured about the genuineness of her love for him.

You've interpreted Ragini pretty much the way I saw her and wanted to convey her character in this OS series. She's been so stifled by her cossetted, orthodox upbringing, at her Dadi's relentless pushing towards achieving perfection, that something just snapped inside her. The fact that Lakshya did not love her back, was for her a huge blow. She had been shown a boy and been told--"This is the man who will be your husband", and true to her stifled upbringing, she cloaked Lakshya in the imaginary robes of the Prince Charming of her dreams. When the supposed prince fell in love with her half sister, well, she just could not, and would not take it.

I think Ragini has reached a level where she has pushed herself beyond any real remorse or redemption, at least, in this OS series. She's imagined herself as the victim, and all others are persecuting her, stealing her happiness. She is so busy seeking revenge for imaginary wrongs, imagined slights, she doesn't even realize how much she has contributed to her own state.

And yes, she just can't bear that Swara and Sanskaar could be happy when she is not able to get the happiness she feels she deserves with Lakshya. In her mind, they have no right whatsoever to find joy and togetherness. She is really, quite vile in this story. 😕 But I wanted to make her a formidable, cunning and dangerous antagonist. Not the silly "I will throw a glass of water and a wash cloth on you" type! 🤢

The Swara here is a total Sherni. 😆 😉 I wanted her to realize that Sanskaar comes first for her, and then his family. Which is the way it should be. So if someone tries to hurt or slight him, Swara would slash that person to ribbons! I was very happy writing this scenario too, Geethu! 😉

As for Part 2: Well, you know by now, having read the succeeding parts, what the suspense was, whether Kaveri was really involved with Ram Prasad or someone else! 😆 But I wanted this suspense, since even the people who overhear them--SwaSan--conclude that its Ram who has had a past with her. And Sanskaar is deeply, truly hurt. His sense of identity, his belief in the qualities he inherited from his Dad, take a beating. Like he says, the kids all looked up to Durga Prasad, he taught them to soar, to dream big. But it was Ram who kept them grounded, and his integrity, his straightforwardness, his honesty, meant a whole lot to Sanskaar.

Thanks for all the lovely words about the SwaSan interaction in the farmhouse, the way Swara comforts him, and stands like a rock by him. What I wanted to show here was, that Sanskaar initially tries to isolate himself, thinking that he would deal best with his pain in solitude. But Swara wants to be there for him, and she says she wants to be under the same roof, ready to listen and lend a shoulder, in case he wants to talk. And this gesture means a Great deal to Sanskaar. Like Swara tells him, heredity or genetics only takes one so far. Sanskaar fears that he may have inherited some of those cheating genes, since he thinks Ram might have cheated on Sujata. But Swara counters with the example of her own spineless Dad, who certainly hasn't had any impact on her character. What matters is the goodness of one's heart, the sincerity of one's conscience. She is very sure of Sanskaar's love and fidelity, and she's certain that would never change.

When he breaks down in his intense sorrow, and she comforts him, the whole stage is set for the next stage in their relationship. ☺️ 😳 They already adore each other to bits, and now they both know they'll be there for each other, no matter what. So what follows is a beautiful culmination, a flowering of their love for each other.

I am so glad again, Geethu, that you loved this so much! Made my day, dear! 🤗 🤗

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1025621

Hibernated

Posted: 9 years ago

#274

Wonderful os
thanks for the pm.
Keep writing more 😊

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Cogito_Ergo_Sum

@Cogito_Ergo_Sum

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 9 years ago

#275

Originally posted by: rayab_rajpoot
Wonderful os
thanks for the pm.
Keep writing more 😊

Thanks a lot, dear. 🤗 Really very glad you liked it.

The next OS in the series "Karna Parva---Day 17" and the Epilogue "Shanti Parva" are already up. Had sent you the pm for that thread as well. Do read when time permits and let me know what you up thought. 😊

Cheers

Viji

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Shivani Priyam Kumar

@Meself

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 9 years ago

#276

Dyuta Parva: Day 16

"Certainly a great war took place and succeeding generations looked upon it as marking an end of an epoch."

A.L. Basham

Mahabharata possibly the greatest epic that has been written with carefully interwoven plots and human nature that till date holds relevance. One can condense it saying it was nothing but a property dispute gone ugly...but that would be such a crass blasphemy. It is something that showed what human life is all about, a canvas that is always covered in grey; there are no distinct boxes of black or white because this is who we are and this is what our life revolves around.

I have to give you mighty credit for being gutsy enough to draw parallels between something as mundane as SR and something as feisty as the Mahabharata itself.

Its not easy to paint similar picture if you are not aware of the undercurrent that rules most of the steady flowing waters. And I am truly amazed at this piece of work...mythology and history has been a dire constant in my life and reading a different treat is a welcomed treat!

Day 16 was undoubtedly a massive victory for the Pandavas. Finally the fire that had been charring them from inside was put to rest with the dusk of the day. Yagyaseni was avenged and Dharma had won. But that victory had come at its own pace. Karna had inflicted massive damage to the Pandavas; vanquishing most of their militia but since victory had already allied itself to the mighty five...there was no other way.

I have said this before and say this again that I have never been a fan of Karna owing to his ego that needed satisfying and I would, sorry, but disagree with you in naming Sanskaar as the Karna in this battle of odds. To me he is that Arjun who is suddenly filled with self doubt and is questioning whether should he be a part of this war? Karna and Arjun...were warriors of their own stride. Both had been trained to aim at perfection but the reason why Arjun was addressed as Mahanayak was that he was ever evolving and Karna unfortunately couldn't move beyond that ego that he wanted to justify. In words of Indrajit Bandhopadyay Arjun was greater because he strived for excellence to enhance his personality...Karna aimed at excellence because he wanted to prove to the world that he was better. Karna competed with Arjun in everything to show to the world that he was better than the latter while Arjun competed with himself to become better that what he was yesterday.

It is your gripping scribble that has for the first time made me see both Sanskaar and Lakshya in ways I had never thought possible. I read and re-read the tale so many times and a realization hit me with speed of a lightning bolt. Sanskaar is the quintessential Arjun, he may have his weak moments, he may have suffered losses of unspeakable manner but he strike back not because he is obliged to prove something to someone but because he has to become better than the person he was yesterday. He has surrendered his fate to the almighty but he refuses to shy away from his duty that he knows he has to perform and fulfill. Lakshya on the other hand is Karna. He is good enough can work hard and achieve his goals but he does that to prove his worth to others. He does that to quench his ego that has been on the rise ever since he was refused by Swara. He wants to beat down his cousin so that he can be branded as the better one.

Draupadi had never refused Karna because of his birth( well this is a matter of huge debate, but the Sankrit excerpt that I have read never had her saying she will not wed a Suta rather it was Karna who failed the Shakti Parikshana!) she had refused him because he was noth worthy of woman forged in fire...and Karna had known this fact and kept the seething agony alive in his heart only to insult her later when the dice were thrown.

Another thing that captured my attention was Ragini. She is a sorry excuse for a human being much like Dushassan. People like them know they can never take center stage and have people applaud them. They know they can never be better that others who have already claimed perfection and they know that know will remember them if they don't come up with something drastic to etch a picture they will be lost in the oblivion. I had been watching old episodes of SR and the one fact that made itself clear then and there was Swara had always been the better of the two. She was someone with a voice of her own, someone who wasn't afraid to fight for what she deemed right, someone who could make friends, someone who people admired and someone who could soar high on mighty winds and yet land firmly on the ground beneath.

Swara is that unfathomable ocean of innate goodness and fierceness that makes a righteous queen. Ragini on the other hand is poor shadow who can never attain the status that a queen has. And so she decided that she will go about other road and make, no force people to accept her much like Dushassan. He was a man who knew that he was no match for the Pandavas, not even for the youngest Sahdeva who was blessed with wisdom of the world. He knew that even a comparison with his own brother Duryodhan he would be nothing more than a faint shadow to the mountain of a man he had for his sibling. So what did he do? He tried to carve his name in history by trying to disrobe a woman was charring flame if wronged. And she did burn him alive, not only that she turned his name into an invective of the most disgusting order. Ragini is following the same path. She wants to be known, to be heard, to be loved but that cannot happen...when you have a diamond why would you shower you blessing on a stone pebble?

Ragini might have unleashed a battle thinking she will turn into a warrior but she is forgetting true warriors do not require battles to prove their worth. They are worthy and hence are warriors! Day 16 had begun on a hopeful note for the Kauravas but had ended with Draupadi winning the final throw of the dice. Dushassan had the protection of both Karna and Duryodhan but had to succumb to her fate...here too Ragini has Kaveri but she will have to fall to the ground below when Sankaar and Swara will strike. Arjun might be writhing in self doubt but with Krishnaa on his side this is his war to be won.

P.S. You have a writing style that is unmatched, I can't help but feel envy seeing the way your pen scribbles over the paper in such luscious style! What should I do pull the same in my papers???

Quote

Cogito_Ergo_Sum

@Cogito_Ergo_Sum

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 9 years ago

#277

^^^^ Hey Shivani. ...🤗 🤗

I was so looking forward to your comment, knowing our shared passion for the Greatest Epic of all time, the splendid and incandescently beautiful Mahabharata. Just loved your detailed and analytical take. I shall reply from my lappie tomorrow, as I am frankly bad at typing comprehensive replies from my android.

Loads of Love

Viji

Quote

Cogito_Ergo_Sum

@Cogito_Ergo_Sum

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 9 years ago

#278

Originally posted by: Meself
Dyuta Parva: Day 16

"Certainly a great war took place and succeeding generations looked upon it as marking an end of an epoch."

A.L. Basham

Mahabharata possibly the greatest epic that has been written with carefully interwoven plots and human nature that till date holds relevance. One can condense it saying it was nothing but a property dispute gone ugly...but that would be such a crass blasphemy. It is something that showed what human life is all about, a canvas that is always covered in grey; there are no distinct boxes of black or white because this is who we are and this is what our life revolves around.

I have to give you mighty credit for being gutsy enough to draw parallels between something as mundane as SR and something as feisty as the Mahabharata itself.

Its not easy to paint similar picture if you are not aware of the undercurrent that rules most of the steady flowing waters. And I am truly amazed at this piece of work...mythology and history has been a dire constant in my life and reading a different treat is a welcomed treat!

Day 16 was undoubtedly a massive victory for the Pandavas. Finally the fire that had been charring them from inside was put to rest with the dusk of the day. Yagyaseni was avenged and Dharma had won. But that victory had come at its own pace. Karna had inflicted massive damage to the Pandavas; vanquishing most of their militia but since victory had already allied itself to the mighty five...there was no other way.

I have said this before and say this again that I have never been a fan of Karna owing to his ego that needed satisfying and I would, sorry, but disagree with you in naming Sanskaar as the Karna in this battle of odds. To me he is that Arjun who is suddenly filled with self doubt and is questioning whether should he be a part of this war? Karna and Arjun...were warriors of their own stride. Both had been trained to aim at perfection but the reason why Arjun was addressed as Mahanayak was that he was ever evolving and Karna unfortunately couldn't move beyond that ego that he wanted to justify. In words of Indrajit Bandhopadyay Arjun was greater because he strived for excellence to enhance his personality...Karna aimed at excellence because he wanted to prove to the world that he was better. Karna competed with Arjun in everything to show to the world that he was better than the latter while Arjun competed with himself to become better that what he was yesterday.

It is your gripping scribble that has for the first time made me see both Sanskaar and Lakshya in ways I had never thought possible. I read and re-read the tale so many times and a realization hit me with speed of a lightning bolt. Sanskaar is the quintessential Arjun, he may have his weak moments, he may have suffered losses of unspeakable manner but he strike back not because he is obliged to prove something to someone but because he has to become better than the person he was yesterday. He has surrendered his fate to the almighty but he refuses to shy away from his duty that he knows he has to perform and fulfill. Lakshya on the other hand is Karna. He is good enough can work hard and achieve his goals but he does that to prove his worth to others. He does that to quench his ego that has been on the rise ever since he was refused by Swara. He wants to beat down his cousin so that he can be branded as the better one.

Draupadi had never refused Karna because of his birth( well this is a matter of huge debate, but the Sankrit excerpt that I have read never had her saying she will not wed a Suta rather it was Karna who failed the Shakti Parikshana!) she had refused him because he was noth worthy of woman forged in fire...and Karna had known this fact and kept the seething agony alive in his heart only to insult her later when the dice were thrown.

Another thing that captured my attention was Ragini. She is a sorry excuse for a human being much like Dushassan. People like them know they can never take center stage and have people applaud them. They know they can never be better that others who have already claimed perfection and they know that know will remember them if they don't come up with something drastic to etch a picture they will be lost in the oblivion. I had been watching old episodes of SR and the one fact that made itself clear then and there was Swara had always been the better of the two. She was someone with a voice of her own, someone who wasn't afraid to fight for what she deemed right, someone who could make friends, someone who people admired and someone who could soar high on mighty winds and yet land firmly on the ground beneath.

Swara is that unfathomable ocean of innate goodness and fierceness that makes a righteous queen. Ragini on the other hand is poor shadow who can never attain the status that a queen has. And so she decided that she will go about other road and make, no force people to accept her much like Dushassan. He was a man who knew that he was no match for the Pandavas, not even for the youngest Sahdeva who was blessed with wisdom of the world. He knew that even a comparison with his own brother Duryodhan he would be nothing more than a faint shadow to the mountain of a man he had for his sibling. So what did he do? He tried to carve his name in history by trying to disrobe a woman was charring flame if wronged. And she did burn him alive, not only that she turned his name into an invective of the most disgusting order. Ragini is following the same path. She wants to be known, to be heard, to be loved but that cannot happen...when you have a diamond why would you shower you blessing on a stone pebble?

Ragini might have unleashed a battle thinking she will turn into a warrior but she is forgetting true warriors do not require battles to prove their worth. They are worthy and hence are warriors! Day 16 had begun on a hopeful note for the Kauravas but had ended with Draupadi winning the final throw of the dice. Dushassan had the protection of both Karna and Duryodhan but had to succumb to her fate...here too Ragini has Kaveri but she will have to fall to the ground below when Sankaar and Swara will strike. Arjun might be writhing in self doubt but with Krishnaa on his side this is his war to be won.

P.S. You have a writing style that is unmatched, I can't help but feel envy seeing the way your pen scribbles over the paper in such luscious style! What should I do pull the same in my papers???

Hi Shivani 🤗 🤗

First off, a big thanks for all those lovely words about this chapter and my writing. I was extremely moved and humbled by your warm words.

I completely agree with you on the Mahabharat. I would say it is not only One of the Greatest Epics, but is in fact, The Greatest Epic ever written. As you said, with such a majestic sweep of a canvas, exploring the depths and layers of the human nature, the greys inherent in almost every character, and superbly detailed, interwoven plots. I love this Grand Epic, must have read it dozens of times, from Rajaji's "Mahabharata Retold", to Devdutt Pattanaik's "Jaya", Shri Bhyrappa's "Parva" and "The Mahabhrata--A Modern Rendering" by Ramesh Menon.

I remember in your first comment you did say you are not too much of a fan of Karna. 😊 As I had mentioned in my earlier reply, I do not see Sanskaar as quintessentially a Karna, or having exact parallels/ analogies to his nature. Like I said, I do see Sanskaar having some traits of Shri Krishna, Arjuna and Karna.

Like Shri Krishna: For his broad world view and perspective, for his willingness to take difficult, even unpalatable decisions for the greater good; even at the cost of damaging his own interest at times.

Like Arjuna: For his focus, his dedication, his resolve. For always striving for excellence in what he does.

Like Karna: For his courage in adversity, his loyalty. And for the fact that despite his undeniable qualities, he has always been sort of taken for granted, considered an outsider, as it were.

Of course, while I do think Karna has numerous excellent qualities inherent in him, I do not consider him a spotless, blameless character either. His behavior during Draupadi's vastraharan, and later, the part he plays in Abhimanyu's ghastly slaying against all codes of war (in which, incidentally, Guru Drona also plays a major role) will forever remain a blot on his name. I don't see the grays to this extent paralleled in Sanskaar (to the extent one can draw analogies between a serial as, well, mundane as Swaragini, and something as sublime and sweeping as the Mahabharata. 😊)

I liked what you said about the differences between Arjuna and Karna. I do agree with the words of Indrajit Bandhopadhyay, that Arjun was greater because he strived for excellence to enhance his personality...Karna aimed at excellence because he wanted to prove to the world that he was better. This is true, to a large degree.

However, there seem to be some grays inherent in Arjuna's nature as well. In Devdutt Ji's "Jaya", as well as Ramesh Menon's retelling of the Epic, Arjuna is shown to be a Great Man, who nevertheless had bouts of severe insecurity and jealousy at the prowess displayed by others. Eklavya, for one. Apparently Arjuna remonstrates with Guru Drona how Eklavya could be so skilled, when Drona had promised to make Arjuna the Greatest Archer. Leading, of course, to that ghastly Guru-Dakshina demanded by Guru Drona from the lad. Also, Karna's skill at the archery contest organized for the princes (when Karna first makes his entry) so aggravates and disturbs Arjuna, that he repeatedly taunts Karna as being the son of a charioteer.

Perhaps two other instances illustrate Arjuna's pride/ vanity. One, when during their period of exile, he is taught a lesson in humility by Lord Shiva (in the guise of a Kirata), during a dispute over who has killed a wild boar (actually Nandi in disguise, pretending to be killed). And at the very end, during the Pandavas' ascent to Heaven, when Arjuna stumbles and falls, Yudhishthira says that Arjuna could not ascend to Heaven in his mortal coil, since his vast skill made him boastful, proud and disdainful of other Great archers.

Of course, this is not to debate on who was Greater--Arjuna or Karna. I would agree with you on the former. Just that there seem to be very definite greys in both these Maharathis.

I really loved your take on Ragini as having parallels to Dushassan. That was really profound and I was fascinated reading about your rationale. 👏 👏 I do agree with you completely, she has realized she cannot hope to match the innate goodness and spirit of Swara. She is desperate to chart a course for herself, and she has deluded herself to think, that whatever tactics she is following now, will etch a mark for herself, earn her what she desires. She is set for a huge fall, indeed.

Thanks again Shivani. It was fascinating discussing these aspects with you, and I am so very happy I could do so. The Mahabharata is an Epic very close to my heart, and I am overjoyed to find someone who has such superb insights and analyses on this Grand Epic.

Lots of Love,

---Viji

Quote

sujay kumar

@Sujayricky

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 9 years ago

#279

Really a viji this was a challenging and most difficult os
But you have written so perfectly what can i say i am speechless now

Quote

Cogito_Ergo_Sum

@Cogito_Ergo_Sum

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 9 years ago

#280

Originally posted by: sujoyricky
Really a viji this was a challenging and most difficult os
But you have written so perfectly what can i say i am speechless now

Thanks very much yaar Sujay. 🤗 Am really happy to know you loved this OS series. The Mahabharata is my most favorite Epic, and very close to my heart. I wanted to draw some analogies and parallels, to the extent I could, between some plot threads in the serial, and the wonderful wisdom contained in the Epic.

Your warm feedback assured me, that I managed to do justice to this goal which I had for this OS series.

Cheers

---Viji

Edited by CogitoErgoSum - 9 years ago