The present book forms part of the bigger plan of studying the Mahabharata, from
a different point of view, the Vol. I being Myths from the Mahabharata - quest
for immortality. The various mythical accounts, concerning awkward looking tests
and Supranormal Birth, collected and faithfully preserved by the tradition of
the suta-s with a belief of iti-ha-asa ("This happened so' or "This was so'),
are studied in this volume, taking into account the mythological patterns and
symbols they present. The chapter on "Tests" deals with the tests taken of the
disciples breathing the 'gurukula'-atmosphere as also the tests taken of the
royal personages by the whimsical sages,