#antraatman

[kiriti-savyasachin]

Character exploration post 2:- Exploring Arjun’s journey in Antraatman.

Hi, everyone! Thank you for your amazing responses to my previous posts! The post about Antraatman is quite long and rambling in different directions, I feel, to put it in a single post. Hence, I split it into two, or three parts, something I’ll come to know when I polish out the remaining parts. This post is like an introduction to Arjun’s character in Antraatman, chronicling, somewhat concisely, the journey of his life, until this point in the work, with some hints at the future, as well as his emotional and character development. In tomorrow’s post, we will discuss Arjun’s external relationships with people in his circle.

[Image ID: A collage of six images. Top-left, a dark-skinned baby with black eyes is gurgling, holding on to his mother, whose smile is visible at the top of the picture. Top center, an image of a painting depicting ancient Indian war is present, the details too fine to completely represent in words. Top right, two hands are either reaching for each other, or one hand has just let go of the other. Bottom left, two boys are playing and their silhouettes are shot against the sunset. Bottom center, a dirt path traverses dense forest greenery. Bottom right, a young man with dark hair and dark eyes, looking sad and pensive, his chin in his hand, is facing forward. At the bottom of the bottom right image, the banner of PICCOLLAGE is seen. In the center of the collage, in bold white font, the words ‘Arjun’s Journey in Antraatman’ are written. End ID]

Moving on to the post proper! This is the longer of the two posts about Arjun in Antraatman, so I am putting this under a read more option, after the basic introduction.

 This is the work that discusses Arjun in his natural setting in the most depth, and yet, in a way, the least, for we are seeing Arjun through his eyes alone, but for a short scene in which he is seen through his mother’s eyes. We are with Arjun, I, as the writer, am my version of !canon Arjun! when I write this work, as we traverse, with Arjun, the carefree innocence of childhood in exile, for that is all he has known, the sudden upheaval that leads to them going to Hastinapur and the changes in his life that follow, from little things like ‘useless ostentation’ to the deeper changes in status, to Arjun being the stellar student he is known for being to this day in the Gurukul, to his first exposure to war and bloodshed, to assassination plots, and, finally, compromises to his principles, as far as the work has been written. We will also trace Arjun the emerging politician and commander, the General of the armies, the man who sees the big picture in the direst of circumstances, to the man who undertakes exiles and missions alone, who deals with a variety of situations that I dare not reveal completely lest whatever suspense might still exist is lost to the wind.

We don’t just see what happens around Arjun and how he reacts to it. We also see the evolution of Arjun’s relationships, as his idolisation of his elders slowly fades, as he realizes that they, too, are not infallible. We see his growth from ‘one of the children to be protected’ to one of the two powerful warriors who protects. We are privy to his doubts and his decisions, the ramifications they have, the justifications he has for taking the decisions he does. We observe how his circle of trusted people sometimes expands, sometimes contracts. We look at the parts of himself he is comfortable to show the world and the parts he learns to keep to himself, we are with him as he interacts with the outside world armed, sometimes, with increasing support and knowledge, sometimes facing dire situations alone. Last but not the least, we follow him as the events of his life change him and his principles, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. This is just chronicling his journey.

As a character, there are traits he sheds slowly, like a childish innocence, which is replaced, perhaps not completely, by a slowly dawning awareness of what is called ‘the ways of the world’ and his own role in his family structure. I personally think that Arjun has many defining character traits. His curiosity is one of the more striking ones, which leads him to question the status quo, even if he is not in a position to outright defy yet. He is someone who is open-minded, who recognises the fallacies in his thought process if he has the opportunity to. He is a person whose thought process is at once that of someone who tries to feel what the other person is feeling and of someone who wants to find a solution to any problem, which, I feel, need not be exclusive to each other. He is analytical and emotional at the same time, the way I write him. His intense focus is famed, and rightfully so. At the same time, he, too, is flawed and fallible. He, too, feels insecure and resents certain decisions he feels he is forced to take. He has a way of both coveting and feeling shy with attention (which is a trait, yes, but can be taken as a flaw or a virtue, as the reader wishes).  These are traits he consciously shows.

There are many traits !my! Arjun unconsciously exhibits, for example, an easy charm that’s part of his nature, making him easy to talk to and trust. He comes to the fore at need. He has a tendency to put those he loves before himself, resentment or no. He will mature into a fine leader and, more importantly, a young man who does not balk at treating ‘lesser’ people ‘equal’ to their betters, who appreciates others’ virtues and works on improving his own.  

Tagging my usual taglist! @ambitiousandcunning​ @medhasree​ @shaonharryandpannisim​ @hindumyththoughts​ @spockswh0re​ @ashsnipes​ @annlillyjose​ @seekerbrave​ @avakrahn​ @a-confusedmess​ @arachneofthoughts​ @paneerlajwanti​ @vishnupada​ @bookdragonfanish​ @iamnotthat​ @lordeacoustic​ @shellweed​ @will-die-without-chai​.

[ambidextrousarcher]

Hi 😁, 10,16,17 and 24 for the unique writer asks

Hey, @starsailororastronaut!

10. What scene was the most fun to write for you and why?

Oh, this is easy! In Antraatman my first person Arjun PoV novel, the scenes which were the most fun to write for me are two. One is a canon scene, the other is a non canon scene. 

Note that each ‘I’ is Arjun, the narrator.

The non-canon scene occurs first.

Here it is: 

Can one person have two best friends? Mine are my parents, my Mata and Pitashree. But they are my parents, can they also be my friends? I file that question away, waiting to be asked, and instead think of my lesson, drawing the string past my ear as smoothly as I can. The arrow speeds unerringly toward the target, striking it dead center. I felt a hand ruffle my head and look up. It’s Pitashree! I grin, my hands automatically going around his waist. He’s seen my archery and likes it. “Good work, Arjun! My little boy is on his way to become a formidable warrior, hmm?” I nod as hard as I can. “Not so hard, little Krishna. Your head is like to fall off.” Pitashree says, a smile in his voice. And then I’m flying, the wind whooshing beneath me. I had missed seeing Pitashree’s quick hands as they throw me in the air, but I know he’d catch me. And he does. “Off to bed, Krishna,” says he. “I’ll teach you tomorrow’s archery lesson.” Oh, he is really pleased, then. Pitashree’s archery lessons are a special treat, just for me. How my brothers would be jealous! I was Pitashree’s favorite, and I reveled in it.

This is one of the first scenes of the book, a tie in to when Arjun calls Bhishma father later on. Note that Arjun’s father is canonically said to call him Krishna.

The canon scene is the Rangabhoomi scene. This is a longer scene. 

Here it is:

I expect the herald calling my name. Instead, I hear Gurudev’s voice. “Now you will see the skills of Arjun, dearer to me than my own son.” I hold my breath. “Parth is the son of Indra, and a master of every weapon, like Lord Vishnu’s younger brother himself!” Dearer to me than my own son. I am still in a state of absolute shock, when I actually hear my name called by the herald. “Rajkumar Arjun!” I step into the fray. The sand of the rangbhoomi is churned, clear evidence of a brutal fight. Surya Narayan’s bright rays fall on my head as I step out of the shadows. The cheers are deafening. I cannot make out what is being said, save for my name. There is a thrill in my blood, a thrill raw and radiant, as I pay my elders the customary respect, fingers itching to take the bow in hand. I shoot arrow after arrow with practiced ease. After the ritual shooting of the target, I move on to the easier divyastrs. The Agneyastr, Varunastr, Vayavayastr, the Parjannyastr, the Bhaumastr, the Parvayastr, and finally, the dispeller of the earlier illusions, the Antardhan. Slowly walking around the arena, I shoot arrows into every target in front of me. The cries of the people grow ever louder. This time, I understand them. “The Queen Kunti’s son, so graceful!” “The third Pandav, the middle one, such a great warrior!” I grin. Of course, there are empty words that follow, words of hollow praise, but I pay them no mind. I am my mother’s son, and my father’s. This is my first step towards being the warrior I was born to be. I smoothly shift stance, picking the sword, gently setting the longbow aside. I perform the stances by memory, followed by the intricacies of gaddha-yuddh. This would be better if one of my brothers were with me. There is a soothing hush around me as I bow to the crowd slightly, thankful for their acknowledgment. This day is perfect. Crash! All heads turn to the gates, where there is tall man standing in sunlight. Everyone stares at him, and he takes his time making an entrance. It is Vasusen. Well, it does not matter. After all, I can defeat him easily, as I have done scores of times in the Gurukul. He sketches a bow to Gurudev and Guru Kripacharya and turns to me. “Parth, I will better every feat of yours in front of this crowd, and you shall be as astonished as they.” I say nothing. I try arranging my face into inscrutability, but I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks. He nods at Gurudev, who looks at me with confidence, nodding back. I meet Gurudev’s eyes. He is of no consequence. Yet, there is a childish voice inside my head railing against the injustice of what happened, even as Vasusen copies me to near perfection. Why did he have to ruin even this perfect day? The crowd, fickle as ever, begins to cheer that hanger-on. I feel my triumph drain out of my hands. I take a step forward, but Bhraata Yudhisthir’s hand on my shoulder stops me. He shakes his head and I subside. Bhraata Duryodhan hugs his minion like some long-lost friend, applauding him loud and long. I try to tune the noise out. I snap back to attention when I hear the words “…challenge Arjun to a duel.”   “Victory is yours, old friend.” Bhraata Duryodhan, watch me prove your words wrong. I draw myself to my full height, managing to look down at the older man. I will not let you humiliate me, Vasusen. “Vasusen, yours will be the fate of unwelcome intruder and the uninvited speaker. Your death will be at my hands.” My voice takes myself by surprise. I am not used to feeling such rage, such hatred. I do not pay attention to what he says in reply; instead, I turn to my brothers. They file towards me. “Be careful, Arjun,” says Jyeshth Bhraata, low-voiced and worried. “You do not need to worry, Bhraatashree,” says Bhraata Bheem. “Arjun will prevail.” I smile at him, nodding at Jyeshth Bhraata. Head held high, I stride to the fore, pausing to pay my respects to Gurudev. Vasusen stands across me. Before either of us do anything, rainclouds gather around the horizon. Thunder rumbles, accompanied by flashes of lightning and the Indradhanush is above my head, defiantly sparkling. Surya Narayan makes a feeble effort to break through the barrier, but He is foiled by the Lord of Rain. I breath in the sharp scent of fresh rain, already present before the first drop has touched Prithvi. The twang of my bow feels almost like thunder itself, as I face off against my childhood irritant.

16. What motives do you give your original characters? What drives them? How much tragedy did you subject them to?

I haven’t used OC’s in Antraatman yet, but I plan to in the future, and motives they might have are their duties and oaths and their own vision of honour, their struggle to honour their friendship, etc. The OC’s I plan to bring in would be close to the protagonist, either as support or opposition. Based on that, what drives them will be decided. The world of the Mahabharata is one where everyone faces a lot of tragedy, so I’d say that they have a fair amount of tragedy coming up for them.

17. Are your protagonists always the “good guys” and your antagonists always the “bad guys” or do you like to do anti-heroes and grey morality?

Well, I believe that morality is subjective. No one is fully ‘good’ or ‘bad’. That said, I think I write my protagonist as someone who tries to be good, in spite of him having to choose between a rock and a hard place sometimes.

24. Do you let your story evolve as you write or do you meticulously plan everything prior to writing the first draft?

I generally have a good idea of the prologue before I start writing. A fair idea of the overall story, but the details are usually hammered out as I write. Inspiration strikes at random times, when I’m bathing, in bed, in the washroom, anywhere.

Thanks for this sweet ask!

[ambidextrousarcher]

🌹

Hi, D! (I’m not sure of using your full name on here)

So, this, as usual, is a cop-out.

Starting off with Antraatman, my Arjun-PoV novel, the blog for which is @ambidextrousarcher

“The pursuit of perfection, Bhraatashree,” I say in my most Bhraata-Yudhisthir-like tone.

Context: Arjun replying to Bheem asking why he is trying to become Savyasachi (ambidextrous)

Next comes Mahabhaagini, my Arjun/Draupadi fic for @ambitiousandcunning.

The two men by my side were also laughing. “Honestly, Arjun! Kriti the son of Indra. Of all the people to say it to…he actually chose you.”

Context: Karn says in Draupadi’s swayamvar that only Indra or Kriti the son of Indra (Arjun) can defeat him in archery. Guess who he says that to?

And last, but not the least, comes Child of Prophecy, my HP/MBH crossover with Arjun as the titular character, for @shaonharryandpannisim.

There are some things that invariably do end in friendship, and I suppose dodging a rogue Buldger together is one of them.  

Context: Arjun thinking on how he and Ashwathama become friends. 

(Try to spot the HP parallel scene, anyone?) 

Thanks for the ask, @enigma-the-mysterious!

[ambidextrousarcher]

Tagged by @mayavanavihariniharini. Thanks, Shubhra di!

Rules: Post the first line of one of your WIPS and tag as many people as there are words

First line: Penance seeking Indra’s boon is tough indeed, but then, what we seek is worth a few months of trials.

This is the first line of Antraatman, the WIP I’m highly invested in.

Tagging @ramzesfics, @chaanv, @ambitiousandcunning, @rippys-chai, @theirrepressiblewriter, @disha-chowdhury, @walburgablack, @queenofmahishmati, @finnreyskywalker, @fandom-is-my-middle-name, @worddiva179, @demonkidpliz, @avani008, @starlightasteria, @carminavulcana, @selkiesstories @glyphenthusiast, @parlegee, @pratigyakrishnaki.

Whoa, seems I wrote a very long first line!

Tell me if any of you thinks this beginning is nice, or has any ideas to change it, yeah? I really like talking about this WIP!

[ambidextrousarcher]

🌹

Hey, Aadi! 

I’m copping out. Posting one line each from the three WIP’s I have going on, in each of these asks. 

1. Antraatman: My Arjun PoV novel of the entire Mahabharata. Check out @ambidextrousarcher, that will have more posts in the near future about the novel.

“We’ll come back as warriors. We’ll do you and Pitashree and Mata Madri proud, you’ll see! I’ll be all grown up, taller than you. I’d like that.”

Context: Arjun says this just before leaving for the Gurukul to his mother.

2. Mahabhaagini: My Arjun/Draupadi fic in the PoV of Draupadi, for @ambitiousandcunning

Question upon question arises in my mind, with no answer in sight.

Context: This is after the ‘sharing’ debacle.

3. Child of Prophecy: My HP/MBH crossover, with Arjun as the titular character, for @shaonharryandpannisim

“Scion of the oldest tree of wizardkind, child of love and hopes, born under the shadow of a star…”

Context: Part of the prophecy that kicks off the story.

Thanks for the amazing ask, @will-die-without-chai!

[ambidextrousarcher]

12, 14 and 15 for writing asks!

12. What part is the hardest to write in your WIP?

 Arjun gradually growing up. The transition from a young child, to a teen, to an adult, is tough. Really. And the resulting loss of innocence. (I apparently write Arjun as a very innocent person, but I kind of disagree. Innocence and idealism is a canonical character trait of his, but I’m digressing. Sorry.)

Something else that’s tough is adding detail to something explained away in canon in a line or two and still trying to remain true to canon as possible.

14.  Tell us about an upcoming scene in your WIP that you’re excited about.

Draupadi’s Swayamvar! I’m really excited to write that in Arjun’s PoV. Draupadi’s beauty, her fiery personality, Arjun’s exquisite shot, and that great scene in which Karna literally tells Arjun that only Arjun and Indra can defeat him, gosh, just imagining that scene in Arjun’s PoV is enough to make me laugh anytime.

15. Post a line from a WIP you’re working on.

“Head held high, I stride to the fore, pausing to pay my respects to Gurudev. Vasusen stands across me. Before either of us do anything, rainclouds gather around the horizon. Thunder rumbles, accompanied by flashes of lightning and the Indradhanush is above my head, defiantly sparkling. Surya Narayan makes a feeble effort to break through the barrier, but He is foiled by the Lord of Rain. I breath in the sharp scent of fresh rain, already present before the first drop has touched Prithvi. The twang of my bow feels almost like thunder itself, as I face off against my childhood irritant.”

This is a paragraph, a line would be vastly insufficient to explain this scene. Arjun is facing off against Karn in the Rangabhoomi, this is his PoV of that scene as he faces his childhood opponent. I put in the imagery of the rainclouds, the sun and the rainbow very deliberately.

Thanks for this beautiful ask, @rippys-chai!

[ambidextrousarcher]

13 and 21 for the WIP asks?

13. There was a scene in which Karn insults Arjun, taking a dig at Kunti, basically calling her a whore. For all that I hate Karn, I felt that the scene was excessive. I changed it to Arjun hearing whispers of various sorts and asking about it to Bheem.

21. Haha, I don’t know most of the common writing rules. But you know that the paragraph rule is one I’ve never followed.

Thanks for the ask, @shaonharryandpannisim! 

[ambidextrousarcher]

🌹

Hey there!

I’m copping out. Posting one line each from the three WIP’s I have going on, in each of these asks. 

1. Antraatman: My Arjun PoV novel of the entire Mahabharata. Check out @ambidextrousarcher, that will have more posts in the near future about the novel.

With each arrow, it feels more natural, my body getting the feel of the movement and the distance without the use of my eyes.

I don’t think this line needs context, it’s quite easy to figure it out!

2. Mahabhaagini: My Arjun/Draupadi fic in the PoV of Draupadi, for @ambitiousandcunning

“If not Rajkumar Arjun, then he had the best chance of winning you, or so he himself would say.” Dri whispers to me. 

Context: Drishtadyumn expressing surprise at Karna losing control of the bow in Draupadi’s swayamvara.

3. Child of Prophecy: My HP/MBH crossover, with Arjun as the titular character, for @shaonharryandpannisim

“Do you think I am not aware what he is? He is the Child of Prophecy, and like it or not, he is a weapon, a catalyst to change, something we should be ready to sacrifice, in spite of hurt, and you would do well to understand that!”

Context: This is something Arjun overhears his mother saying about the prophecy that this story revolves around.

Thank you for this amazing ask, can I send you the same?