ABSTRACT
I first summarize the proposed expansion of Dumézil’s trifunctionalism to a pentadic schema and the comparison (Ch. 2) between Arjuna’s journey in Mbh. 1 and Odysseus’ journey in Od. 5–6. The focus is on marriages – the polyandrous marriage of Draupadī and the Pāṇḍavas and the polygynous marital career of Arjuna. Three of Arjuna’s marriages, contracted during his journey, accord with the modes of marriage recognized in the Code of Manu and analyzed trifunctionally by Dumézil; but is Arjuna’s interaction with Vargā and the four other crocodiles in the South interpretable as a paiśāca union (with a female who is ‘asleep, drunk, or mad’)? The crocodiles are in fact not their normal selves: originally nymphs, they teased an ascetic and were cursed to endure temporary punishment as beasts. Thus, the sub-episode is interpreted as F4−.
In the Greek, the crocodiles’ place in the hero’s journey corresponds to that of the Straits Monsters (Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis), and lists are presented of differences and similarities between the two sub-episodes. For instance, cognate verbs are used to describe Vargā writhing in Arjuna’s grip and Odysseus’ companions writhing in Scylla’s.
