LIST OF SUGGESTED STORY TOPICS FOR WEEK 13:

Sikhandin and Sthuni. Choose to tell you version of the story of SIkhandin and Sthuna, making sure you include one detailed version of just how the gender switch happens. You can focus on Sikhandin (what happens, how does it feel, when Sikhandini becomes a man), or you can focus on the yaksha Sthuna (what happens, how does it feel, when Sthuni becomes a female). Make sure you provide a detailed account of at least one of the gender switches (of course you can describe both switches if you want!).

 

The head of Jayadratha. You have learned bits and pieces of Jayadratha's story along the way, and now you have read the gruesome story of his death - and the death of his father, Vriddhakshetra. Tell the story of the deaths of Jayadratha and his father in your own words, using narrators who are able to provide an eyewitness account (there are many people who can tell what they witness as Arjuna beheads Jayadratha, but you may have to think for a bit to decide who is going to be the observer in the forest who sees the death of Vriddhakshetra).

 

Dhrishtadyumna and the death of Drona. Put yourself in the mind of Dhrishtadyumna as he kills Drona. What are the thoughts that are going through his mind? What does he see? What does he want? How does he understand the meaning of what he is doing? Does he have doubts or hesitations? Fears? Does he feel a sense of triumph and victory when Drona is dead? Think about all the stories leading up to the death of Drona, and imagine how those stories would culminate in the actions and thoughts of feelings of Dhrishtadyumna at the moment that he kills old Drona.

 

Arjuna and the death of Karna . Put yourself in the mind of Arjuna as he kills Karna. What are the thoughts that are going through his mind? What does he see? What does he want? How does he understand the meaning of what he is doing? Does he have doubts or hesitations? Fears? Does he feel a sense of triumph and victory when Karna is dead? Think about all the stories leading up to the death of Karna, and imagine how those stories would culminate in the actions and thoughts of feelings of Arjuna at the moment that he kills Karna (remember: his own half-brother!).

 

Nakula and Sahadeva kill Śakuni. We have not seen a lot of the twins Nakula and Sahadeva in action, but Buck tells us how they were the ones who finally killed Śakuni (p. 297). Put yourself in the mind of Śakuni as the twins come towards him to kill him. What are the thoughts that are going through his mind? What does he see? What does he expect will happen to him? What are the last thoughts of the old gambler before the twins cut him down on the battlefield?

 

Duryodhana in the lake. What do you think about Duryodhana there in the lake. Why has he chosen this as his last refuge? Put yourself in the mind of Duryodhana and tell the story of reaching the lake, descending into the lake, and what he experiences there at the bottom of the lake. Make sure you include his dialogue with Aśwatthaman. What is Duryodhana thinking and feeling as he is rests at the bottom of the lake while the remnants of his army call to him and ask him to come out? Make sure you provide a detailed description of just what it is like for him down there in the lake and how he is making use of the "power of illusion."