Week 7 Planning: The Exile of the Pandavas (and Rama!)

For my planning this week, I will be looking at similarities and differences between the exile of Rama and the exile of the Pandavas. By closely looking at these aspects of their exiles through planning, I think I will be able to create my parallel retelling story in the best way possible. I will look at not only the content of the stories, but also the way the story was told. I think I want to combine the two story types from these stories, or create something completely different. I will be looking at both of these stories from the public domain versions of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

Similarities:

• There are multiple people in both stories who are sent into exile. All five of the Pandavas with their wife Draupadi and Dhaumya are sent into exile in the Mahabharata and Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana are sent into exile in the Ramayana.  
• With all of the people who are sent into exile, not all of them have to be there. While the five Pandava princes are all sent into exile, their wife and Dhaumya follow them, even though they do not have to join them. This is also the same as when Rama is sent into exile. He is the only one that must go into exile, but Sita and Lakshamana follow him.
• These actions show the dedication that these people have to Rama and the Pandavas. They are willing to go into exile when they were not even exiled, because they cannot live without them
• Both the Pandavas and Rama are embarrassed of their exile. They are all aware of their prestige and how bad it looks that they are sent into exile. 

Differences:

• The Pandavas experience in exile seemed a lot more positive than of Rama. The Pandavas visited 'sacred' and 'peaceful' places. I would want to tie this positivity into my retelling where I combine the exiles. 
• There is no discussion between the Pandavas and Draupadi and Dhaumya on why they are willing to join them in exile. It just appears that they go with them. However, there is a lot of dialogue that goes to explain why Sita and Lakshamana want to join Rama in exile. I would like this same dialogue to be shown in my retelling that I do next week. 

Consensus:

After taking a closer look at both of these stories again, I have decided that next week I will be combining the exile of the Pandavas and Rama. Once they are all exiled, they will run into each other in their exile.

Pandavas Exile
Source: Wikimedia

Rama Exile
Source: Wikipedia

Research Links:

• http://blessingsonthenet.com/indianculture/hindugod-hindugodess/articles/65/exile-of-lord-rama
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandava

Bibliography:
Life in the Forest by Donald A. Mackenzie from Indian Myth and Legend.
Rama Goes Into Exile by Donald A. Mackenzie from Indian Myth and Legend.