Myths And Folktales In The Mahabharata

 Myths And Folktales In The Mahabharata

Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, The story of Shikhandin from the epic Mahabharata is especially intriguing because it highlights his trans-transgender disposition. Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, Born as a woman child to Drupad the king of Panchal, and named Shikhandini, she goes on to measure the lifetime of a male archer eventually killing the good teacher Bhishma. In Mahabharata Shikhandin’s trans-gender state is attributed to the story of Amba who takes revenge on Bhishma. \

Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, Here is another version that explains Shikhandin’s story of gender transformation. consistent with the South Indian version of Panchatantra, there was king who was childless for several years. Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, After performing many vows and sacrifices, his wife finally bore him children. But to his disappointment all the youngsters were girls and therefore the King longed for a boy. Frustrated the King decided to abandon his queen and remarry in order that he could get a baby boy and therefore the heir to his kingdom. Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, But because the queen was pregnant again with a toddler , his minister pleaded with him to attend till she delivered, because the astrologer had predicated that the heir to the King would change state this point .

detailed essay on the use of fables, myths and folktales in the Mahabharata


Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, The King agreed to attend . But alas! once more it had been a daughter . Myths and Folktaleswithin the Mahabharata, The minister was distraught and worried and he decided to cover the daughter and sent the astrologer to the King with the news that a baby boy was born, but because the birth was during an inauspicious moment, the daddy shouldn't see the face his child for subsequent sixteen years. Else, it might cause grave danger to the King’s life. Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, Thus the daughter grew up within the palace hidden from the view of everyone.

Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, As soon because the prescribed fifteen years passed, the minister approached the King and said” Oh King! Our prince has grown into a handsome young man and that we got to find an appropriate girl for him before he turns sixteen. Please allow me to approach the neighbouring King for his eligible daughter.” Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, The minister then marched to the neighbouring kingdomand asked the King to surrender his daughter for the prince, and therefore the neighbouring King gladly agreed. Meanwhile back at the palace a Brahmarakshasa who happened to ascertain the gorgeous hidden princess fell head over heels in love together with her |along with her" together with her and begged the minister to permit a gathering with her.

Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, The cunning minister said “Well ! Brahmarakshasa, I can allow you to satisfy her but only on the condition that you simply will exchange your manhood with the princess for the approaching six days.” Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, Bhrahmarakshasa agreed and thus Bhrahmarakshasa became woman and therefore the princess became a person . Minister immediately arranged the marriage of the ‘prince’ with the daughter of the neighbouring King.

Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, The six days of the agreement passed and therefore the ‘prince’ had to return his manhood to Brahmarakshasa and take back the womanhood. The Prince with an important heart visited Brahmarakshasa and said “ Oh Brahmarakshasa , here I even have come to return your manhood as we had agreed. you'll turn me back to a lady again.” But to his surprise Brahmarakshasa begged him to continue as a person . “ Oh prince i urge of you to permit me remain in my current female form. Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, i'm now head over heels in love with another man and pregnant together with his child. there's no way I can turn back to a person during this state. So please.”

Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, within the Vanaparva of Mahabharat (280), Sage Vaishampayan narrates the subsequent incident to King Janmejaya, and throws light on the above mystery to reveal why Ravana couldn't achieve taking advantage of Sita. Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, After abducting and carrying off Sita to Lanka, Ravana kept her captive in Ashokavana surrounded by demonesses. The terrifying demonesses threatened Sita altogether possible ways demanding Sita, surrender to Ravana as he was the foremost powerful King. But Sita categorically refused the stress by saying “Besides Rama i might not let any man touch my body”.

Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, to interrupt Sita’s will, these demonesses began to torture her mentally and physically. Only demonesses Trijata, was sympathetic to the plight of Sita. Trijata wasn't only kind to Sita, but she also assured Sita to not fear Ravana’s threats as he would never be ready to touch her without her consent. When Sita, asked the rationale why Trijata was so certain about this, Trijata replied, “Oh Sita, you'd always be protected by Nalakubar’s curse that's holding back Ravana”. “And why did Nalakubar curse Ravana?” asked Sita, and Trijata replied “Once Ravana violated Rambha, the wife of Nalakubar and therefore the daughter of Kuber, without her consent. Myths and Folktales within the Mahabharata, When Nalakubar came to understand of this he became livid with rage. He cursed Ravana that if he ever touches a lady without her consent, his head would splinter into thousand pieces.” Ravana was bound by this curse and will not force himself upon any woman without her consent. Trijata assured Sita that she would be safe as long as she remains steadfast in her devotion to Ram, who would come and rescue her from Ravana’s captivity.


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