My Journey

As many of you know I was raised by the great Kunti, Drona, and Bhishma who wished for a son who was known for his might. Before my birth my mother, Kunti, wished upon the god of wind Vayu who told her that I shall be named Bhima and known for my strength. Pretty cool birth story right!!

Only ten days after I was born would my might be tested. One evening I was lying on my mother's lap when she got up to fend off a tiger that had approached our campsite. As she got up I fell from her lap and onto a boulder. What happened next you should ask? The boulder broke into pieces! After this day I knew I was special.

As the years went on, there were more chances for me to display my dominance. For example, every time we would play with the hundred Kauravas I would domiate them easily and this led them to develop a deep hatred for me, one that would come back later to haunt me.

The Kauravas and many others plotted to take my life over the years but were ultimately unsuccessful. I guess it is true that some people would rather see you dead then see you doing better than them. Throughout the years I continued to pray for people like this as I was saddened that they had chosen such a negative approach to life. I do not like to mention names but cough* cough* Duryodhana and Shakuni cough* cough*.

As I grew older more responsibility was placed on me such as when Arjuna asked me to accompany him on military expeditions that would would take us to distant lands in the eastern kingdoms. Ultimately, I would go on to defeat several hundred warriors in battle and take over countless kingdoms alongside my best friends Arjuna and Krishna. I tell you this not to brag or gloat but to remind you that companionship is what keeps one grounded and focused on the right path. Without my friends Arjuna and Krishna I would be nowhere and would be simply just a strong man with no vision. I am grateful for the friends and family support I recieved in my adolescence as it made me the mighty warrior I can be proud of today. I implore all who read this journal to appreciate those close to you and show your gratitude to them as you do not know what will happen tomorrow. My strength comes from those around me and my bravery derives from the powerful figures who raised me, such as my beautiful mother Kunti.

Author's Note: In this storybook entry, I decided to continue with Bhima sharing his life experiences and lessons he learned as he grew into a man. Specifically, this period in his life makes him appreciate the support he got from friends and family on his journey. I am someone who really values companionship and relationships so I thought it would be important to tie this in with Bhima's upbringing. The point I aimed to get across was that although we might see Bhima as this strong and god-like figure on the surface, he is a complex and caring individual who truly appreciates those who have helped him become the man he is. In the next and final story of this storybook I will share with you the journal entry of Bhima in present time while he is on his death bed reflecting on his adventurous life. As Bhima completes his journal and bids his farewell, themes such as forgiveness and selflesness will be stpales of Bhima's life. In the final entry, I will speak on these themes and why they were so important during the time of Bhima as well as in today's society.

Bibliography- Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). PDE Mahabharata, source