Dear Reader,
This is an extended version of the afterword from The Manhattan Swindle. Those who have already been through the short version may want to skip ahead.
By now, those who know Mahabharata, the Indian epic mythology, will have recognized the core story. A few comments relating to this book and the previous one:
- My thanks to the writers whose works on Mahabharata I’ve enjoyed and learned from and to fellow myth enthusiasts from various discussion groups. Thanks to my friends who have patiently sat through my arguments on various plot points, especially Amrita Talukdar and Preeti Gopal.
- For the purpose of this story, Temple was president from 1979 to 1986. Reagan-Bush (take your pick) from 1986 to 1992. Yes, I realize that doesn’t make it 8 years, but it can’t be helped because I want to end the story the year I want it to end, so Temple’s presidency had to come at this time. Also, I didn’t want Temple identified with either a real president or with one of the political parties. Right now, he straddles Carter (D) and Reagan (R) administrations.
- I did not use real characters except peripherally. That, too, only for things they were actually accused/guilty of doing. For example, Gaddafi did nationalize a lot of oil operations. Noriega is mentioned; he was imprisoned for drug trade and was supposed to have worked with Pablo Escobar.
- I tried to stick to historical facts throughout the story, including the minor details, but some changes were inevitable. From Book 1, I don’t know if Qasr Libya’s church was active at the time, but I gave it both Greek and Arabic services. Tribes named Obeidat and the Puelche exist, but the particular clans mentioned in the books are strictly fictional. Then there is the Saudi prince. He is imaginary. The oil glut of 1985 and the country’s reaction are not, but the delay created by Harry is definitely my invention. If you find any other inconsistencies… hey, it happens to be true only in this universe.
- Masou (I’m told) is a Native American fire god.
- The big question – Why the rape in the first book?
The character of Lilah is based on Panchali, the empress of Aryavarta. She is someone who evokes extreme emotions in people. There are some like me who are in awe of her intellect, her steel will, her enormous capacity to give of herself for the betterment of her fellow humans. There are some who loathe her for what they see as sexual immorality, excessive pride, and warmongering. She was assaulted in what was an attempt to gain power without spending blood and wealth on a physical conflict between kingdoms. The disrobing in the dice hall was only a prelude to what would have happened had she not been freed. She would have been raped as a slave. Arguing with some fellow myth enthusiasts, I was told not to exaggerate what happened to Panchali. Exaggerate? Slaves had no rights, including over their own bodies. Then there are the euphemisms used to refer to the attack—insult, dishonor, and their ilk. These minimize what is a brutal and very physical crime.
I wanted to visually demonstrate how different rape is from verbal insults and dishonor. Plus, there is an incident that happens in Book 3, which is there in the original, but I cannot use the same justification in the modern era. You’ll see.
I would like to think the original Panchali would not mind her name used this way if it ends up changing at least one mind about the crime of rape.
- LexisNexis – database of legal information
MORE NOTES:
Book 1
During the dice game, Yudhishthir describes Panchali’s eyes as the color of autumn lotus leaves. In other words—hazel.
Most of the incidents are inspired by events in Govinda’s childhood and adolescence. I included Lilah in it. Now I have no proof she was a part of his past, but some of the events have a distinctly feminine flavor. The killing of Kalyavan, for example. Then there’s the sudden good fortune befalling the Yadavas that enabled them to relocate to Dwaraka, which would have occurred around the time Panchali and Dhrishtadyumna were adopted by Drupad. And remember, Drupad paid loads of cash to get the twins. Another thing is there is suggestion from non-canon texts that the adopted twins were related to Drupad. Also, Panchal and Hastinapur kingdoms were considered to have legitimate claim on the imperial throne held at the time by Jarasandh. To sum up, Hastinapur and Panchal needed to unite. The Yadavas needed to be involved given their numbers and perhaps because the boy Drupad wanted was biologically a Yadava.
Importantly, Panchali is consistently referred to as Krishna in the epic. How difficult would it have been for later poets to credit the male Krishna with some of what the female counterpart did?
Book 2
Jarasandh did indeed have the eyes of an assassin gouged out and his body displayed publicly. Although Jarasandh was not known for atrocities against women, he definitely did support some thugs who attacked women.
There is a scene between Vyasa and Drupad, detailing how Indra runs into Lakshmi prior to the swayamvar. Taken in a human way, this would have to be Arjun spotting Panchali. Hence the lake scene in The Manhattan Swindle.
While I believe the Pandavas might have been unaware of Bheeshma’s probable role in the Lac House incident, I think there is a good chance Govinda might have been aware. But what he might have agreed to in Aryavarta is not something Harry Sheppard can agree to.
The epic says Arjun was exiled because his weapon was in the room where the king and queen were chilling, and he entered to retrieve it. If anyone believes Arjun’s weapon in their room to be anything but a euphemism, I have a bridge in New York to sell them.
So after Arjun goes to Dwaraka and tells “all” to Govinda, Govinda pushes him into marrying Subhadra. I’ve suggested multiple reasons behind his actions. The reader can pick whichever one he/she likes.
I made Takshak a female because poison is generally considered a woman’s weapon. Takshak’s wife was shot dead though his son survives in the mother’s body. Here it is the machi’s pregnant daughter who dies.
There is a cat who comes to swallow the birds. Here it became El Gato and the dissidents and the baby.
Yudhishthir does tell Govinda to return to Dwaraka, but only because his father wants him back.
Re: Khandavadahana
FACT – Indra and Govinda were enemies. Jarasandh and Govinda were also enemies.
FACT – Indra and Takshak were allies, so were Takshak and Jarasandh
FACT – Indra lived way up north, too far to be present to provide immediate help needed to put out a fire
FACT – Indra came from a distance with a large army, which would have taken time to assemble. Jarasandh lived much closer with a readymade army (presumably).
QUESTION – Why didn’t Jarasandh help instead?
THEORY – The attack on Govinda was pre-planned. Indra was a reliable ally who could be counted on to attack Govinda, but not Arjun. This bit is not used in this retelling, but Indra was, after all, Arjun’s daddy. Sadly for the coconspirators, Arjun’s friendship with Govinda won the day.
A side note – Yudhishthir and Govinda both get action with their respective wives after the burning of Khandava forest, which seemed totally funny to me.
The minor kerfuffle in the office is much less than the ridicule Yudhishthir subjected Panchali to when she dared question him after he lost his empire and his family and his wife in the dice hall. He put her at risk of potential rape and when called on it, labeled her an atheist, which at the time was a capital crime.
Also, I have given a lot of thought to Lilah/Panchali. What prompts a woman or a man to embark on a mission to rebuild society? Dispassion is all well and good, but no one sets off on a path to revolution from being taught by rote. Our experiences make us revolutionaries. For most people, only an extremely personal experience can trigger the urge to recreate. So I began to think something happened to Panchali to make her see the need for reformation. But she never let herself be a victim.
I tried to keep to the historical facts throughout the story, including the minor details. Notable exception is, of course, the presidency. And then the other official positions mentioned like senators, ambassadors, attorney generals, justices, deans.
That’s it for now. If you have more questions about my theories, please direct them to jay@eastriverbooks.com
Sincerely,
Jay Perin
P.S. As always, if you liked the story, do tell others about it. Also, writers thrive on reviews. They help us figure out what worked and what fell flat. They help other readers make up their minds. Please do leave a comment on any of the sites.