Reading Notes: The Kaurava Empire Vol. 2 Part A

Cover Art (Indian Epics: Readings and Resources)

The Kaurava Empire: Vol. 2: The Vengeance of Ashwatthama

Written by, Jason Quinn 

Illustrated and Colored by, Sachin Nagar

Part A is pages 88 and 1-45.

About the Book
This is a graphic novel based on the Mahabharata.  It describes the events before, during, and after he war from the perspective of Ashwatthama.  It is all flashbacks that he tells Governor Aiken, who he saved from an attack.  Conversation occurs thousands of years after the great war.  It tells how war can twist a person, and make them do unforgivable things.  It is a cautionary tale of the evil actions war can cause.

About Ashwatthama

1. he is the son of Drona
2. he has a jewel on his forehead which protects him from harm
3. he becomes jealous of Drona's relationship with Arjuna 
4. he tries to keep the peace between the Pandavas and the Kauravas

Events Leading to the War

Drona driven by a need for vengeance asks both Pandavas and Kauravas to attack his frenemy King Drupada.  Duryodhana jealous of the Pandavas and their wife Draupadi, tries to destroy them.  Shakuni's loaded digi-dice make Yudhisthira lose everything.  Duryodhana refuses to grant them any land, just their freedom.  So this leads to the great war.