According to Hindu Pundits there is a problem in teaching and spreading Hindu dharma amongst those born into Hindu religion and even to those who wish to convert to Hinduism because of a huge number of scriptural books and two epics “Ramayana” and “Mahabharata” containing thousands of verses. And worse, they are in Sanskrit, a language no longer in vogue in people's day – to - day life.

In contrast, other religions like Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism etc., are based on a single holy book which could easily be translated into the believers' respective languages.

This is one of the reasons why I have not been able to read completely from cover to cover the original Ramayana and Mahabharata not to speak of other scriptures like Puranas. Students have easy – to - read books called “guides” to help them avoid reading the original textbook and prepare them only for the examinations. Similarly, we have our Upanishads, Vedas, Epics and Puranas in abridged forms written by great men and savants like Shankaracharya and in recent times Dr. Radhakrishnan, C. Rajagopalachari, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, the famous English novelist R. K. Narayan (who wrote the Kambaramayanam of the original Tamil in English) and their number is legion. Surprisingly, the complete and unabridged translation with the original slokas of all Hindu scriptures are as rare as hen's teeth.

As far as Kannada is concerned, there are some efforts made in this direction but they seem to be lacking in both creative quality and production quality. However, the consolation for those who are thirsting to delve deep into some of these scriptures and epics is in the fact that there are some books available.

Recently, I was able to get Ramayana published by D. V. K. Murthy Publications, Mysore, and Mahabharata published by Bharatha Darshana Prakashana, Bangalore. The publishers claimed it to be an easy Kannada translation of Mahabharata by Vyasa Maharshi, the original author.

While browsing through the book of many volumes, I opened the 27th volume which began with the Anushasana Parva. It deals with Yudhishtira's questions to Bheeshmacharya who is waiting for his death lying on the bed of arrows after the Kurukshetra war of Mahabharata. The book gives the original question in Sanskrit and also in Kannada. I do not know whether it was an innocent, innocuous question or a naughty, mischievous one from a man who has had sex with one of the most beautiful women who were found in Mahabharata’s Draupadi.

The question was: Venerable grandpa, please let me know that in coming together of a man and a woman sexually who experiences greater intensity of ecstasy. Please enlighten me and dispel the doubts I have on this subject.

Bheeshma responds to Yudhishtira: In the matter of this subject, in the past, the Pundits used to give the example of the enmity that aroused between Bhangaswana and Lord Indra which is an epic story. I will also tell you the same story. Please listen.

Oh, you tiger among men, listen. There once lived a benevolent King, Philosopher (Rajarishi) by name Bhangaswana. He was without children and, therefore, he performed a Yajna (offering to Fire God Agni by way of prayer) for begetting children. This Yajna known as Agnishtutha was anathema to Lord Indra who considered it as not important. However, that Yajna was meant for human beings to atone for their sins by way of repentance and also to beget children. Unhappy with Bhangaswana's Agnishtutha Yajna, Indra decided to find some misconduct in the Rajarishi Bhangaswana so that he could punish him. But, Lord Indra could not find any wrong in the conduct of the good King. However, a vindictive Indra was biding his time to get at the good King and make his life unhappy and miserable.

Some years passed by. The good King by then had begotten one hundred children and was leading a happy life. One day the King went out alone for hunting in the forest. Lord Indra thought it was the opportune time for him to take revenge against the King for performing a Yajna that he did not like. Indra, using his powers, caused mental imbalance to the King who was riding a horse and made him lose his way.

Roaming around in the forest, hungry and thirsty, he was tired and then suddenly the King saw a beautiful lake with water to the brim.

Dismounting from the horse, he bathed the animal and allowed it to drink the water and then tethered it to the nearest tree. Thereafter, he also drank the water and got into the lake and had his bath. As he emerged from the lake, he found himself metamorphosed into a woman. When he noticed this change in his physical form, he felt ashamed and his heart was disturbed. Both in mind and body, he began to experience a different feeling.

The book gives the feeling of Bhangaswana in its original Sanskrit. He asks himself: How can I mount the horse now? Can I go to my city? As a result of performing the Agnishtutha Yajna I was able to get one hundred healthy and strong children. After going to the city what will I tell my children? How can I deal with my wives? How can I deal with my friends, the near and dear ones? Even with my folks in towns and villages? How can I interact with the saints (Rishis)? They have known the essence of dharma and they have said being soft, weak and affectionate are the three qualities of women. Courage and physical strength are the qualities of men.

Now I have lost my manliness for some unknown reason. I have now become a woman. Since I am now possessed of a woman's quality, how is it possible for me to mount the horse and sit on it?