Reading Notes: The Kaurava Empire Vol. 1 Part A

Cover Art (India Epics: Reading and Resources)

The Kaurava Empire Volume 1: Abhimanyu and The Conquest of the Chakravyuha
Written by, Jason Quinn
Illustrated and Colored by, Sachin Nagar

About the book

It is a graphic novel based on the Mahabharata.  Part A constists of  pages 66 to the end (cast of characters and author's note) and pages 1-32.  This book changes the setting to an outer space environment.  Focuses on the thoughts and feelings of the Kaurava and Pandava families.  Kurukshetra is the battle field where all events take place.  Hastinapura is the capital of the Kaurava Empire.

Charatcers

The two main characters are teenagers:

1. Abhimanyu:
1. Is the son of Arjuna
2. Just as talented with a bow as his father
3. His wife is Uttaraa, preganent, lives in the Pandava battle camp
4. A proven warrior in his own right
2. Durmashana:
1. Is the son of Dusasana.
2. Wants to prove him self a warrior
3. Made fun of by his cousin Laxman
4. trained to use a mase

The Two Heroes  Both are written as heroes of their own story, and they occasionally interact with each other.

1. Abhimanyu's adventure:
1. believes in the Pandava quest for dharma (justice) after the exile of the brothers
2. almost kills Bhishma (commander of the Kaurava army)
3. almost kills Laxman (Crown Prince Duryodahana's son)
4. Almost kills Shakuni (guy with the loaded dice), but the days end of battle horn sounded
5. His state of mind in his own words at the end of part one, "Do I feel fear out here on the battlefield? No. Out here I feel invisible. Out here I feel as if I'm going to live forever."
2. Durmashan's adventure:
1. Believes the Pandavas are lying about the rigged game of dice and the humiliation of Queen Druapadi.
2. Looks for Abhimanyu on the battle field, thinks that if he kills him, he will be a hero
3. Instead he meets Ghatotkacha (Bheema's half deamon son)
4. Ghatotkacha almost kills him, but lets him go, calling him a baby
5. He knows fear and is terrified after the encounter
6. His state of mind in his own words at the end of part one, "No one has faith in me. Why should they when I have no faith in myself?"