Reading the Mahabharata by the Tungabhadra - Day 7#
As I read the Mahabharata today, a British lady came up to me to ask me about Hampi. She was wondering if the heat had something to do with global warming. I assured her that it has always been this hot here. It’s why Krishnadevaraya built so many pushkarinis, and why the landscape is filled with mantapas for weary travellers to rest as they walked in the hot sun.
Indeed, even the trees seem to be growing where travellers can find shade. Even the trees want to help travellers rest.
As I sat under such a tree and looked at the place where the Monkey God Hanuman was supposed to have been born, I read of Bhima’s encounter with his half brother, and of Markandeya’s words to Dharmaraja. I read the words of Droupadi to Satyabhama, her answers regarding the duties of a wife. I also read of the reunion of Partha with his brothers, as he descended Indraloka with the weapons of the gods.
Today, I went to read the Mahabharata by the Tungabhadra, and I did. As I read, I could hear the wind blow down from the Anjanadri Parvatha, and I wonder if Vayu was listening as I read how Bhima defeated Jatasura.