Storytelling for Week7: The Mahabharata-Under the Sea

Author's Note. For this week's storytelling, I decided I'd like to do a retelling of another scene in the epic, focusing on the part during the battle where Duryodhana takes refuge from the final battle by hiding in the lake thanks to his powers. The style of storytelling I've decided to use is a 'beneath the sea' theme. I will be using our most beloved sea creatures, Marlin (Nemo's dad) and Dory, to retell the story from their point of view. My goals in using this sort of storytelling style is to be able to see this part of the epic through another pair of eyes. We can see how the sea creatures were viewing how the battle was unfolding and who they were rooting for. I loved Finding Nemo and really loved the characters in the movie, so I think they will be able to provide some comic relief in this rather tense part of the story. For those of you who have not watched the movie, Dory has short-term memory loss and is a very hyper little fish. Marlin is the serious, focused one of the pair. For the sake of flow through the scenes, where Dory and Marlin explore in the sea will lead them through a deep underground channel that connects to the lake near where the battle is happening. Also, everyone in the sea knows of the great and powerful Kauravas and Pandavas. I hope you enjoy!!


~Under the Sea~

Marlin and Dory were swimming through the sea, trying to find a new adventure for the day while Nemo was away at school.

"Hey Marlin, do you ever think back to our adventures of finding your son, Fabio. That was cool. I wish we could do it again. I mean not lose him. But go on an adventure. Meet different creatures. Travel from sea to sea. I love to travel. You know my family used to travel a lot. They loved going on adventures. My family. Hmmm...where are they?"

Marlin could only chuckle at Dory. He had gotten used to her ramblings and ever-forgetful mind. But like Dory, was ready for a new adventure.

"Hey Dory, what do you say to exploring the sea today?”

Dory readily agreed and they began their spontaneous trip. They swam for half the day before they reached a pair of swordfish. Marlin went and asked for directions to the best places they could explore. Meanwhile Dory waited behind, coming across a group of shrimp swimming nearby. They overheard Dory and Marlin's plan of exploring.

"Hey you. Fish in the blue. Yea, you. I heard you were going exploring. There are some pretty nice places around here, but whatever you do, don't go through the tunnel with the markings around it, okay? It leads to a lake on the other side and there's a battle going on around there above the sea. You got it?"

Dory listened intently and nodded before the shrimp continued on her way. Marlin came back from talking to the swordfish and told her that he had learned there were some nice areas of the sea farther ahead. They swam a bit more before coming to an interesting looking tunnel with markings.

"Hey!! This looks like the doorway to adventure. What do you say, Dory? Let's go through it!"

Dory stared at the tunnel before answering. "You know Marlin, there's something about this tunnel. I really, really don't think we should swim through it. There's something weird about it. We should just go around it and see what else there is to explore."

Marlin really wanted to explore the tunnel so he used his best tool to convince Dory: distraction. 

"Hey Dory, look, a pearl!"

Dory looked around quickly, failing to see what Marlin was talking about. "I don't see it."

Marlin knew success was right in front of him. "Ohhh, I think another fish just stole it and swam through the tunnel. Let's follow it."

Dory, successfully distracted and oh so forgetful, excitedly followed Marlin.

After swimming for a bit, they came across a wide blue lake. There were no other sea creatures around them for as far as they could see. As they hesitantly swam further, they saw the outline of a man in the distance. Marlin instantly recognized the mighty Duryodhana. Above, they could hear the sounds of battle. Marlin instantly regretted his decision to swim through the tunnel, realizing what they had just swam into: a war--and a very powerful, violent war at that. The fish couldn't take their eyes off of what was happening.

"Dory, I heard about the battle that was happening, but I didn't think we'd swim right into it. I'm so sorry, you were right about not going through the tunnel. The Kauravas and Pandavas are fighting viciously. I personally am siding with the Pandavas. Those brothers are so strong and powerful. I think they may have the edge in the battle right now. Why else would Duryodhana be hiding in the ocean?"
Dory could not recall if she had every heard of these people and why there were fighting. All she knew was that it was about to get bad, and very soon. The fish swam to the surface to see what was happening.

Up above, Yudhishthira, Sahadeva, and Bhima were fighting their enemies, slaying them one after another. Bhima powerfully killed all of Duryodhana’s comrades before looking around for him. Dory and Marlin could only watch in awe as the mighty Bhima looked around with anger in his eyes, not leaving a rock unturned, searching for Duryodhana. At last, he discovered that he was indeed in the lake. He spotted the fish and asked them for confirmation.

“You, fish. I need your help. Is my enemy under the lake?”

Marlin could barely retain his composure that the amazing Bhima was addressing him before quickly remembering the question he was being asked. He quickly nodded and indicated where Duryodhana was hiding. Bhima silently thanked Marlin. Duryodhana, finally realizing he was spotted, came up and told his rivals to take the kingdom and leave him be. The Pandava clan quickly rejected the suggestion. To regain his pride at being so quickly stumped, he made a bold suggestion--proposing a one-on one battle. Bhima was on the edge of losing his patience, screaming at Duryodhana.

“If you do not come out of there right now, I will dive in and drag you up here myself.”

Duryodhana emerges from the lake (Image Source).

Duryodhana knew their one on one battle was inevitable. He got out of the lake and the two mighty warriors went at each other with such power. Dory and Marlin watched in amazement, Marlin quietly whispering his support for Bhima. After more vicious tumbles and blows, Bhima finally struck his enemy on the knee and kicked his head. Victory was his. He stared at his fallen rival and looked around at his fellow fighters. “Draupadi is avenged. Good job, my brethren.”

Marlin was ecstatic that Bhima was victorious. Dory, clueless as ever, joining in his celebration. As they made their way back to the sea and back home, Marlin explained all about the history of the Kauravas and Padavas to Dory. Although she thoroughly enjoyed the story Marlin was telling her, she forgot it all before they reached home. Marlin eventually made his way back to his anemone, seeing his son was back from school.

“Nemo!!! You will not guess what I saw today..”


~The End~

Bibliography.

Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). Web Source: Mahabharata PDE.

Finding Nemo by Pixar Animations (2003)**[Some quotes and scenes were taken from/similar to the movie]**