- The story for how the Pandavas built their palace was a bit more fleshed out in this version. It includes a magical architect Maya that Arjuna saves when they burn down the forest. In gratitude, he helps them design and build the Palace of Illusions. I had no idea that they had somebody else help them build it! How was he able to do all of the illusions that were in there?
- So I think Draupadi was around 15 or so when she was first married to the Pandavas and it says that she spends a decade in the Palace of Illusions before Duryodhana visits. That means she's still only 25! And she already has 5 sons!
- I'm a little surprised that she doesn't seem to care much about her sons. I mean I suppose in the Mahabharata she's not really mentioned in connection with her sons, but still I would have thought she would love them more.
- I don't like her kind of jealous and vengeful attitude towards the other wives. I guess it's understandable to want them to all love her, but I wish she would work with them more rather than thinking she needs to control all of her husbands. And her "fights" with Kunti too! I wish they would get along better.
- It's so funny hearing them talk about Krishna like oh he's just a normal guy, minor king, haha. Narad says that Krishna is the incarnation of Vishnu and none of them can believe it! I suppose it would be like hearing one of my friends was actually a god, but I just think it's hilarious that none of them really notice that he's divine.
- I like how Draupadi's love for Karna makes some of the decisions and things she does make a bit more sense especially with some of the things like going to see Duryodhana for the game.
- Speaking of which, I can kind of understand why Draupadi froze up when Duryodhana fell into the lake but still! I would think that kind of response would be automatic after practicing at being courteous all the time.
Indraprastha. Web Source.
Bibliography: The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Reading Guide.
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