Mahabharata

This article is about the Sanskrit epic. For other uses, see Mahabharata (disambiguation).

Mahabharata
Manuscript illustration of the Battle of Kurukshetra
Information
Religion	Hinduism, Jainism, Indonesian philosophy
Author	Vyasa
Language	Sanskrit
Verses	200,000

Krishna and Arjuna at Kurukshetra, 18th–19th-century painting

The Mahābhārata (US: /məhɑːˈbɑːrətə/, UK: /ˌmɑːhəˈbɑːrətə/; Template:Lang-sa, Mahābhāratam, pronounced [məɦaːˈbʱaːrət̪əm]) is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Rāmāyaṇa. The title may be translated as "the great tale of the Bhārata dynasty".

The Mahābhārata is an epic legendary narrative of the Kurukṣetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and the Pāṇḍava princes. It also contains philosophical and devotional material, such as a discussion of the four "goals of life" or puruṣārtha (12.161). Among the principal works and stories in the Mahābhārata are the Bhagavad Gita, the story of Damayanti, an abbreviated version of the Rāmāyaṇa, and the story of Ṛṣyasringa, often considered as works in their own right.

Traditionally, the authorship of the Mahābhārata is attributed to Vyāsa. There have been many attempts to unravel its historical growth and compositional layers. The oldest preserved parts of the text are thought to be not much older than around 400 BCE, though the origins of the epic probably fall between the 8th and 9th centuries BCE. The text probably reached its final form by the early Gupta period (c. 4th century CE). According to the Mahābhārata itself, the tale is extended from a shorter version of 24,000 verses called simply Bhārata.

The Mahābhārata is the longest epic poem known and has been described as "the longest poem ever written". Its longest version consists of over 100,000 śloka or over 200,000 individual verse lines (each shloka is a couplet), and long prose passages. At about 1.8 million words in total, the Mahābhārata is roughly ten times the length of the Iliad and the Odyssey combined, or about four times the length of the Rāmāyaṇa. W. J. Johnson has compared the importance of the Mahābhārata in the context of world civilization to that of the Bible, the works of William Shakespeare, the works of Homer, Greek drama, or the Quran. Within the Indian tradition it is sometimes called the Fifth Veda.

Textual history and structure

Modern depiction of Vyasa narrating the Mahābhārata to Ganesha at the Murudeshwara temple, Karnataka.

The epic is traditionally ascribed to the sage Vyāsa, who is also a major character in the epic. Vyāsa described it as being itihāsa (history). He also describes the Guru-shishya parampara, which traces all great teachers and their students of the Vedic times.

The first section of the Mahābhārata states that it was Gaṇeśa who wrote down the text to Vyasa's dictation.

The epic employs the story within a story structure, otherwise known as frametales, popular in many Indian religious and non-religious works. It is first recited at Takshashila by the sage Vaiśampāyana, a disciple of Vyāsa, to the King Janamejaya who is the great-grandson of the Pāṇḍava prince Arjuna. The story is then recited again by a professional storyteller named Ugraśrava Sauti, many years later, to an assemblage of sages performing the 12-year sacrifice for the king Saunaka Kulapati in the Naimiśa Forest.

Sauti recites the slokas of the Mahabharata.

The text was described by some early 20th-century western Indologists as unstructured and chaotic. Hermann Oldenberg supposed that the original poem must once have carried an immense "tragic force" but dismissed the full text as a "horrible chaos." Moritz Winternitz (Geschichte der indischen Literatur 1909) considered that "only unpoetical theologists and clumsy scribes" could have lumped the parts of disparate origin into an unordered whole.

Accretion and redaction

Research on the Mahābhārata has put an enormous effort into recognizing and dating layers within the text. Some elements of the present Mahābhārata can be traced back to Vedic times. The background to the Mahābhārata suggests the origin of the epic occurs "after the very early Vedic period" and before "the first Indian 'empire' was to rise in the third century B.C." That this is "a date not too far removed from the 8th or 9th century B.C." is likely. Mahābhārata started as an orally-transmitted tale of the charioteer bards. It is generally agreed that "Unlike the Vedas, which have to be preserved letter-perfect, the epic was a popular work whose reciters would inevitably conform to changes in language and style," so the earliest 'surviving' components of this dynamic text are believed to be no older than the earliest 'external' references we have to the epic, which may include an allusion in Panini's 4th century BCE grammar Aṣṭādhyāyī 4:2:56. It is estimated that the Sanskrit text probably reached something of a "final form" by the early Gupta period (about the 4th century CE). Vishnu Sukthankar, editor of the first great critical edition of the Mahābhārata, commented: "It is useless to think of reconstructing a fluid text in a literally original shape, on the basis of an archetype and a stemma codicum. What then is possible? Our objective can only be to reconstruct the oldest form of the text which it is possible to reach on the basis of the manuscript material available." That manuscript evidence is somewhat late, given its material composition and the climate of India, but it is very extensive.

The Mahābhārata itself (1.1.61) distinguishes a core portion of 24,000 verses: the Bhārata proper, as opposed to additional secondary material, while the Aśvalāyana Gṛhyasūtra (3.4.4) makes a similar distinction. At least three redactions of the text are commonly recognized: Jaya (Victory) with 8,800 verses attributed to Vyāsa, Bhārata with 24,000 verses as recited by Vaiśampāyana, and finally the Mahābhārata as recited by Ugraśrava Sauti with over 100,000 verses. However, some scholars, such as John Brockington, argue that Jaya and Bharata refer to the same text, and ascribe the theory of Jaya with 8,800 verses to a misreading of a verse in Ādiparvan (1.1.81). The redaction of this large body of text was carried out after formal principles, emphasizing the numbers 18 and 12. The addition of the latest parts may be dated by the absence of the Anuśāsana-parva and the Virāta parva from the "Spitzer manuscript". The oldest surviving Sanskrit text dates to the Kushan Period (200 CE).

According to what one character says at Mbh. 1.1.50, there were three versions of the epic, beginning with Manu (1.1.27), Astika (1.3, sub-parva 5) or Vasu (1.57), respectively. These versions would correspond to the addition of one and then another 'frame' settings of dialogues. The Vasu version would omit the frame settings and begin with the account of the birth of Vyasa. The astika version would add the sarpasattra and aśvamedha material from Brahmanical literature, introduce the name Mahābhārata, and identify Vyāsa as the work's author. The redactors of these additions were probably Pāñcarātrin scholars who according to Oberlies (1998) likely retained control over the text until its final redaction. Mention of the Huna in the Bhīṣma-parva however appears to imply that this parva may have been edited around the 4th century.

The snake sacrifice of Janamejaya

The Ādi-parva includes the snake sacrifice (sarpasattra) of Janamejaya, explaining its motivation, detailing why all snakes in existence were intended to be destroyed, and why in spite of this, there are still snakes in existence. This sarpasattra material was often considered an independent tale added to a version of the Mahābhārata by "thematic attraction" (Minkowski 1991), and considered to have a particularly close connection to Vedic (Brahmana) literature. The Pañcavimśa Brahmana (at 25.15.3) enumerates the officiant priests of a sarpasattra among whom the names Dhṛtarāṣtra and Janamejaya, two main characters of the Mahābhārata's sarpasattra, as well as Takṣaka, the name of a snake in the Mahābhārata, occur.

Historical references

See also: Bhagavad Gita § Date and text

The earliest known references to the Mahābhārata and its core Bhārata date to the Aṣṭādhyāyī (sutra 6.2.38) of Pāṇini (fl. 4th century BCE) and in the Aśvalāyana Gṛhyasūtra (3.4.4). This may mean the core 24,000 verses, known as the Bhārata, as well as an early version of the extended Mahābhārata, were composed by the 4th century BCE. A report by the Greek writer Dio Chrysostom (c. 40 - c. 120 CE) about Homer's poetry being sung even in India seems to imply that the Iliad had been translated into Sanskrit. However, Indian scholars have, in general, taken this as evidence for the existence of a Mahābhārata at this date, whose episodes Dio or his sources identify with the story of the Iliad.

Several stories within the Mahābhārata took on separate identities of their own in Classical Sanskrit literature. For instance, Abhijñānaśākuntala by the renowned Sanskrit poet Kālidāsa (c. 400 CE), believed to have lived in the era of the Gupta dynasty, is based on a story that is the precursor to the Mahābhārata. Urubhaṅga, a Sanskrit play written by Bhāsa who is believed to have lived before Kālidāsa, is based on the slaying of Duryodhana by the splitting of his thighs by Bhīma.

The copper-plate inscription of the Maharaja Sharvanatha (533–534 CE) from Khoh (Satna District, Madhya Pradesh) describes the Mahābhārata as a "collection of 100,000 verses" (śata-sahasri saṃhitā).

The 18 parvas or books

The division into 18 parvas is as follows:

Parva	Title	Sub-parvas	Contents
1	Adi Parva (The Book of the Beginning)	1–19	How the Mahābhārata came to be narrated by Sauti to the assembled rishis at Naimisharanya, after having been recited at the sarpasattra of Janamejaya by Vaishampayana at Takṣaśilā, modern-day Taxila, Pakistan. The history and genealogy of the Bharata and Bhrigu races is recalled, as is the birth and early life of the Kuru princes (adi means first).
2	Sabha Parva (The Book of the Assembly Hall)	20–28	Maya Danava erects the palace and court (sabha), at Indraprastha. Life at the court, Yudhishthira's Rajasuya Yajna, the game of dice, the disrobing of Pandava wife Draupadi and eventual exile of the Pandavas.
3	Vana Parva also Aranyaka-parva, Aranya-parva (The Book of the Forest)	29–44	The twelve years of exile in the forest (aranya).
4	Virata Parva (The Book of Virata)	45–48	The year spent incognito at the court of Virata.
5	Udyoga Parva (The Book of the Effort)	49–59	Preparations for war and efforts to bring about peace between the Kaurava and the Pandava sides which eventually fail (udyoga means effort or work).
6	Bhishma Parva (The Book of Bhishma)	60–64	The first part of the great battle, with Bhishma as commander for the Kaurava and his fall on the bed of arrows. (Includes the Bhagavad Gita in chapters 25-42.)
7	Drona Parva (The Book of Drona)	65–72	The battle continues, with Drona as commander. This is the major book of the war. Most of the great warriors on both sides are dead by the end of this book.
8	Karna Parva (The Book of Karna)	73	The continuation of the battle with Karna as commander of the Kaurava forces.
9	Shalya Parva (The Book of Shalya)	74–77	The last day of the battle, with Shalya as commander. Also told in detail, is the pilgrimage of Balarama to the fords of the river Saraswati and the mace fight between Bhima and Duryodhana which ends the war, since Bhima kills Duryodhana by smashing him on the thighs with a mace.
10	Sauptika Parva (The Book of the Sleeping Warriors)	78–80	Ashvattama, Kripa and Kritavarma kill the remaining Pandava army in their sleep. Only 7 warriors remain on the Pandava side and 3 on the Kaurava side.
11	Stri Parva (The Book of the Women)	81–85	Gandhari and the women (stri) of the Kauravas and Pandavas lament the dead and Gandhari cursing Krishna for the massive destruction and the extermination of the Kaurava.
12	Shanti Parva (The Book of Peace)	86–88	The crowning of Yudhishthira as king of Hastinapura, and instructions from Bhishma for the newly anointed king on society, economics and politics. This is the longest book of the Mahabharata. Kisari Mohan Ganguli considers this Parva as a later interpolation.'
13	Anushasana Parva (The Book of the Instructions)	89–90	The final instructions (anushasana) from Bhishma.
14	Ashvamedhika Parva (The Book of the Horse Sacrifice)	91–92	The royal ceremony of the Ashvamedha (Horse sacrifice) conducted by Yudhishthira. The world conquest by Arjuna. The Anugita is told by Krishna to Arjuna.
15	Ashramavasika Parva (The Book of the Hermitage)	93–95	The eventual deaths of Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti in a forest fire when they are living in a hermitage in the Himalayas. Vidura predeceases them and Sanjaya on Dhritarashtra's bidding goes to live in the higher Himalayas.
16	Mausala Parva (The Book of the Clubs)	96	The materialisation of Gandhari's curse, i.e., the infighting between the Yadavas with maces (mausala) and the eventual destruction of the Yadavas.
17	Mahaprasthanika Parva (The Book of the Great Journey)	97	The great journey of Yudhishthira, his brothers and his wife Draupadi across the whole country and finally their ascent of the great Himalayas where each Pandava falls except for Yudhishthira.
18	Svargarohana Parva (The Book of the Ascent to Heaven)	98	Yudhishthira's final test and the return of the Pandavas to the spiritual world (svarga).
khila	Harivamsa Parva (The Book of the Genealogy of Hari)	99–100	This is an addendum to the 18 books, and covers those parts of the life of Krishna which is not covered in the 18 parvas of the Mahabharata.

Story

Bhishma-the great

Shanthanu the successor of King Bharata married river Ganga and produced 8 sons. Ganga dipped 7 elder sons into her river and took 8th son away from Shanthanu. His name was Devavrata (later became popular by Bheeshma). Ganga asked Parashurama to teach Bhishma. Bheeshma learnt all kind of war strategies, ministry, archery etc. Bhishma was the favourite student of Parashurama. After Bhishma becoming adult; one day Shanthanu saw a lady whose occupation was to catch fish. She was very much beautiful and soon Shanthanu fell in love with her. Her name was Satyavati. Shanthanu proposed to marry her. She came with some conditions that her children will become the successors of Hastinapur. At the same time, Bhishma was present at the situation. Immediately Bheeshma made promise that he will never take the throne of Hastinapur. On being questioned by Satyavati, Bhishma took an oath that he won’t marry at all so that his children may not quarrel for the throne of Hastinapur. Seeing this, gods from heaven became so impressed and granted a boon that Bhishma could die if he wishes. Later Shanthanu married Satyavati and Vichitraveerya, Chitrangana are produced as the union of Shanthanu, Satyavati. Chitrangana died before getting married. His death made Satyavati to make marriage plans for Vichitraveerya. At the same time, a swayamvara was going on for the princess of Kampilya Kingdom. Bhishma defeated the Kashi-king who won the contest. Then he took the entire 3 princess to Hastinapur. Satyavati opted Ambika, Ambalika as her daughters-in-law leaving Amba alone. Amba returned to Kashi king. Then he rejected her telling that she was owned by Bhishma. She immediately approached Bhishma to marry her. But Bhishma told her that he wouldn’t marry any-one as per his oath. Then Amba approached sage Parashurama and asked help without telling the story. Parashurama gave her aid without knowing the reason behind her asking Parashurama the aid.

Bhishma V/S Parashurama

After giving aid Parashurama came to know that he is going to fight with his beloved student. As per his word; Parashurama attacked Hastinapur. Bhishma came in defense and the war began. Both of them started using celestial weapons. Bhishma didn’t attack his teacher but just used astras to defend himself from the violent attacks of Parashurama. Nevertheless Parashurama used Brahmastra finally. To defend his kingdom, Bhishma also used the same. Lord Shiva appeared before the possible destruction. As per Lord Shiva’s order, both of them withdrew their weapons. Lord Shiva granted a boon to Amba that she would initiate the death of Bhishma but in her next birth. Bhishma also added that he would quit all his weapons just after seeing her in front of him. Later Amba was reborn as Shikhandi as the daughter of Drupada.

Successors

Vichitravirya died before giving birth to any successor. Seeing this, Satyavati requested Bhishma to marry and have sons for the sake of Hastinapur. Bhishma told that he would never withdrew his promise. Satyavati then approached Veda Vyasa for help. Veda Vyasa then ordered Ambika, Ambalika to appear in front of him. Ambika closed her eyes out of fear. As a result of which, a blind son (Dritharashtra) was born to her. Ambalika approached with shaking hands and her face became white. As a result of which, a son with pale white colour and less physical strength (Pandu) was born to her. To get a perfect son, a servant was sent. She got a son (Vidura). They all grew under Bhishma’s tutelage. Dritharashtra became famous for his physical strength. Pandu became good archer. Bheeshma taught his entire ministry to Vidura. Soon Dritharashtra was married to Gandhari with Shakuni’s (Gandhari’s elder brother) unwilling. At the time of crowning, Vidura opposed Dritharashtra to be the king of Hastinapur since he was blind. Pandu was made the king of Hastinapur.

Kunti’s boon

Kunti was the princess of Madhura. Sage Doorvasa granted a boon to Kunti that she can have her sons of desired qualities of any of the 30 million divine gods’ one at a time. To test whether her boon was real or fake, she made an attempt and wished a son having qualities of god Surya (the Sun god). Karna was born as a result of it. She then left the baby as people would mistake her as one can’t have babies before marriage. After this a swayamvara was held for Kunti. Pandu attended Kunti’s swayamvara. Kunti opted Pandu as her life partner. Pandu had a bane that he would die if he would involve in sex with his life partner. Boon and bane together was good combination for the couple. Later Pandu also married Madri (princess of Madra). After receiving bane; Pandu quit Hastinapur and started leading life as sage. Kunti then had 3 sons as per their wish. 1st Yudhishthira with traits of god Yama- the judge of sins. He never violated dharma (justice). 2nd one Bhima- the son of god Vayu- the air god. Bhima had immense physical strength & also 2nd most powerful person on the Earth after Lord Hanuman in terms of physical strength. 3rd one is the hero of the Mahabharata- Arjuna. Arjuna was the son of Indra – the king of all gods. After Yudhishtira was born Gandhari broke her stomach by hitting against pillar since Yudhishtira would become heir of Hastinapur. She was pregnant at that time. The foetus broke into 101 pieces. With Vyasa’s super powers, all the pieces became individuals with eldest piece being Duryodhana who was born just after Bhima. Dushyasana being 2nd and the last 101 being a girl child- Dushchala. Kunti shared her boon with Madri who gave birth to twins Nakula & Sahadeva. They are the sons of goddess Ashwini- the divine doctor. No matter, the mothers were different but all the sons were united as 5 Pandavas.

Shakuni's punishment

Soon Pandu died as he involved in romance with his 2nd wife Madri. Madri also died as per previous customs. Kunti returned to Hastinapur with her sons. From the first, Duryodhana and his 99 brothers were hatred to Pandavas. One day all the princes were playing a game. Bhima and Duryodhana fought with each other for some reason. Duryodhana called Bhima- a son of the widow. Bhima called Duryodhana- a son of widow who married donkey. Duryodhana came to know that his mother was 1st married to a donkey which died after marriage. Immediately Duryodhana arrested all the members of Gandhara kingdom. The punishment was very severe that each of the family members was given only one rice grain of the food. All of them sacrificed their grains by giving entire fist hand of grains to Shakuni. Shakuni explained the reason behind marrying Gandhari to a donkey. According to horoscopy, her 1st husband would die after marrying her. That’s the reason behind this entire story. Shakuni’s words attracted Duryodhana. Then Shakuni was freed from prison. Shakuni now became angry on Duryodhana and planned to destroy entire clan of Hastinapur since his entire clan got eliminated.

Bhima’s Boon

Being jealous on Bhima’s strength, Duryodhana poisoned his food and had thrown him in the sea. When he reached area of Nagas, the godly snakes bit him and he was cured as poison kills poison. Snakes biting worked as anti-dote for the poisoned food. Then king of Nagas gave him a heavenly drink which he drank and as a result became as powerful as 10,000 elephants. Here Naga-king also granted a boon to Bhima that whatever the food he would eat that gets digested irrespective of poisoned or non-poisoned.

Drona – the teacher

One day, when the princes were playing a game, they lost their ball in a well. When the rest of the children gave up the ball as being lost, Arjuna stayed behind trying to get it. A stranger came by and extracted the ball for him by making a chain of "sarkanda" (a wild grass). When an astonished Arjuna related the story to Bhishma, Bhishma realized that the stranger was none other than Drona. Bhishma asked Drona to become the Kuru princes' teacher. Seeking refuge from Panchala, Drona agreed. Under Drona's tutelage, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, along with the princes of Hastinapur's allies and vassals, learned weaponry. Arjuna became Drona's favorite and most accomplished pupil; specifically, he became a master in using the bow and the arrow. In a famous incident, Drona deemed that out of all his students, even his own son Ashwatthama, none but Arjuna had the steadfast focus to shoot the eye of a bird on a tree; he was proven right. One day, on being questioned by Ashwatthama; why was Drona being partial to Arjuna, Drona replied Arjuna that he was not being partial to any-one but his favorite was Arjuna. His intention was very clear that he loved Arjuna but didn't ill-treat anyone. He ordered Ashwatthama to gather all of his students including Ashwatthama to assemble at nearby lake that evening. They did as Drona told. Drona was taking bath; suddenly a crocodile appeared attacking Drona. Nobody except Arjuna was daring to enter into lake. Arjuna then jumped into lake & began attacking the mighty crocodile with bare hands. Suddenly crocodile disappeared. Drona told everyone that the crocodile was just illusion and created by himself to test all the princes & Ashwatthama. Drona also scolded the rest that they were not ready to save their teacher except Arjuna. Thus Drona proudly declared that Arjuna was his favorite and pet student.

Karna as Parashurama’s student

Karna became interested in the art of archery and approached Dronacharya, an established teacher who taught the Kuru princes. But he refused to take Karna as his student, since Karna was neither a Kshatriya nor a Brahmin. Karna then challenged Drona that one-day he would become greater than all of his students. Drona replied Karna that Arjuna would become the greatest. Karna challenged Drona that he would become greater than Arjuna. After being refused by Drona, Karna wanted to learn advanced skills of archery & become greater than Arjuna and hence he decided to learn from Parashurama, Drona's own guru. As Parashurama only taught Brahmins, Karna appeared before him as a Brahmin. Parashurama accepted him and trained him. On a day towards the end of his training, Karna happened to offer Parashurama his lap so his guru could rest his head and take a nap. While Parashurama was asleep, a bee stung Karna's thigh. Despite the pain, Karna did not move, so as to not disturb his guru. When Parashurama woke up and saw the blood oozing from Karna's wound, he at once deduced that Karna was not a Brahmin. Enraged, Parashurama accused Karna of stealing knowledge, and cursed upon Karna that he would forget all the knowledge required to wield the Brahmastra. Parashurama told that it was not actually curse but a fact since Karna learnt archery to become greater than Arjuna but didn’t treat education as a sacred donation.

Skill exhibition & Arjuna’s superiority

After complete schooling the princes were given task to show their skill. First fight was between Yudhishtira & Duryodhana. Duryodhana won & Bheema entered. Bhima injured Duryodhana heavily which was against rules of competition. So Bhima was eliminated out of contest. Then Arjuna came & blocked Duryodhana. Karna rescued Duryodhana introducing himself as sootaputa- the low caste member who was deprived of archery rights. Duryodhana then made Karna-the king of place Anga. Arjuna & Karna started fighting. In this mini battle Karna failed to defend from arrows but his sun-shield protected him. Seeing this Kunti came to know that this boy was her son. Just before sunset Karna became excited to defeat Arjuna & Arjuna remembered dialogues of Drona that it is not only one’s own strength is the fact due to which he/she wins but also opponent’s weakness. Arjuna observed that Karna was little excited and makes this as opportunity. Karna used simple astras & failed to defend himself. At last Arjuna broke Karna’s bow & bound him with chain and Karna agreed his defeat. Later Drona insulted Karna and declared Arjuna as the world’ best archer. It is Arjuna who won the day.

Gurudakshina

There was a query of whom among Duryodhana; Yudhishtira would become the crown prince. Dronacharya came and told that whoever would give him Gurudakshina; he would become the crown prince of Hastinapur. Dritharashtra asked what Drona wanted. Drona ordered that his students should defeat king Drupada. Before next day morning Duryodhana with his 99 brothers went to attack & got trapped in chakravyuha. Drona told Pandavas that Drupada & Drona were good friends & students of Drona’s father Bharatwaja. After long time, when Drona had approached Drupada for help, Drupada insulted him. Then Arjuna along with 4 brothers entered chakravyuha & started destroying it. Only Arjuna knew how to destroy chakravyuha. So Arjuna played a key role in the war. Finally Arjuna arrested Drupada, dragged him & threw him on the feet of Drona. Arjuna dedicated the victory as collective team work & declared that Yudhishtira was true heir for Hastinapur.

Killing Kalyavana

After victory over Drupada, Arjuna returned Hastinapur. At same time, Subhadra (sister of Krishna, cousin to Arjuna) planned return journey to Dwaraka. On knowing the clutches of Kalyavana, Kunti asked Arjuna to accompany Subhadra till Dwaraka. In middle of the journey, Kalyavana captured Subhadra & threw her into the lake nearby. To save her Arjuna dived into lake. Krishna entered the place & saved them with his magic. Arjuna’s arrows didn’t injure Kalyavana. 3 of them started running away. They entered a cave. There was sage namely Muchitha in the cave. Kalyavana saw the sage sleeping & thought that it was none other than Krishna. He woke up sage & his vision fell on Kalyavana leading to death of this demon. Krishna explained that this was only way that would lead to death of Kalyavana. Sage Muchitha had worked hard throughout his life & gained lot of power, which was restored in his eyes. On opening them Kalyavana died.

Krishna - Rukmini marriage

Krishna, Subhadra & Arjuna went Dwaraka. Krishna told both of them that he had lot of pending work. On being asked Arjuna agreed to help Krishna. Krishna explained the situation that Vidharba’s princess Rukmini had loved him & her marriage was decided with Sishupala by her brother Rukmi, she didn’t want any kind of harm caused to her brother. So Krishna & Arjuna visited Vidharba in different getups. Arjuna in female getup approached Rukmini & took her to Krishna. Seeing this Rukmi ordered his soldiers to attack on Arjuna. Arjuna started fighting with the Vidharba’s army with Balarama (Krishna’s elder brother) assisting him. Rukmi scolded Krishna & Rukmi. Out of control; Krishna used his Sudarshana chakra but as per request of Rukmini, Krishna just cut hair of Rukmi leaving him behind the insult. In everybody’s presence Krishna married Rukmini & thanked Arjuna.

Varnavart

Dritharashtra declared Yudhishtira as his heir & crown prince of Hastinapur. Under Yudhishtira’s rule, people felt that they were comfortable. Purochana requested Pandavas to stay in Varnavart for some time. Pandavas were given Lakshagruha (the house made up of wax, oils, ghee etc.) to live. This house was made up of special mirrors that can reflect moon light in all directions and create visibility. Since if Pandavas would have light up any lamp to avoid darkness, it would burn down entire house. Upon prodding by his uncle Shakuni and Karna, Duryodhana goes forward with a plot to kill the Pandavas through treachery, apparently succeeding, and Duryodhana plotted many evils plan against Pandavas to burn the wax & collapse the house. Here Purochana poisoned the food and supplied to Pandavas & Kunti. Bhima ate before all of them. But Nakula found it was poisoned and immediately stopped all of them before having. Bhima’ stomach could also digest poisoned stomach. Vidura comes to know this & arrange an underground tunnel for escape of Pandavas. Pandavas escaped from the house after knowing all the evil plots. During escape, the house was burnt. Bhima killed Purochana, his wife and their 4 sons by throwing them into the house. The next day, Bhishma collected all the 6 skeletons and assumed that Pandavas & Kunti died. He also noticed the weapons of Pandavas and came to conclusion that Pandavas & Kunti died. Bhishma became so angry that he wanted to kill Duryodhana & Dushyasana but couldn’t because Hastinapur’s fate would come to an end without its heirs. Pandavas & Kunti started living in forest as per Kunti’s advice. Krishna visited them and told Kunti nothing to worry. Karna won a contest to own Bhanumati; he then married Bhanumati with Duryodhana.

1 year anonymity & Bhima’s Heroism

Killing Bakasura

During their stay in the forest, they a reached a place Ekachakra or kaiwara (presently in Karnataka). Here they came to know of a demon, Bakasura, who troubled people by eating members of their village and their provisions. The people lost entire food as they went on giving to the demon. Then some of them lost their lives in satisfying hunger of Bakasura. Seeing this Kunti asked Bheema to kill Bakaasura. As per Krishna’s advice, Bheema with a chariot full of food reached Bakasura and challenged him that Bheema would give Bakaasura the food if and only if Bakaasura would defeat Bheema. Soon Bakaasura & Bheema engaged in fierce duel. Both of them fought with each other in intensely. But Bheema killed Bakaasura finally. People were very much gratuitous to Bheema & Kunti for killing Bakaasura.

Birth of Draupadi

Drupada lost to Arjuna as a result of which Drona took half of his kingdom and made Ashwatthama the king of the place. Drupada strongly believed that a son would be better to gain victory since Shikhandi failed to defeat. He performed a yaga and a son along with daughter was born. At the time of choosing traits, he chose that his daughter would face many insults despite of following justice. Immediately he declared war on Drona. Krishna came & rescued Drona. He tried to kill Drupada with his chakra which failed after Draupadi came to rescue her father. Krishna counseled Drupada and soon he realized the greatness of his daughter & friend Drona. Drupada asked Drona & Draupadi to forgive him.

Killing Hidimba

After killing Bakasura, they started moving towards a deep forest. After they had entered, they came to know that it was a magical forest. Hidimba & Hidimbi (brother & sister) were the rulers of the forest with Hidimba being their king. Hidimba sent Hidimbi to trap the Pandavas & Kunti so that they become food for all the demons. But Hidimbi fell in love with Bhima & revealed the entire plan. Without fear Bhima ordered Hidimbi to take them to the presence of Hidimba. She did as he directed. Soon Hidimba fought with Bhima. Bhima killed Hidimba. Hidimbi requested Bhima to marry her since she would become an orphan. Krishna suggested the same. Then Bhima married her. Kunti conditioned that she and her children should never enter Hastinapur. Hidimbi also requested them to stay till a child is born to her. After 9 months a son was born to Bhima & Hidimbi. Krishna named the boy as Ghatothkatcha. With supernatural powers the baby turned as adult- since the demons required new king. As per agreement, Pandavas & Kunti started leaving the place.

Draupadi swayamvara

Drupada wanted Arjuna as son-in-law as Arjuna defeated him by breaking great chakravyuha. Krishna advised Drupada to conduct Swayamvara in such a way that world’s greatest archer can win it. Krishna also suggested fish-machine would be the best. He also demonstrated that only 4 people would in the world were eligible for that. They were Bhishma, Drona, Krishna (himself) & Arjuna. However Bhishma won’t marry & Drona could treat Draupadi as his daughter since she was daughter of Drupada- friend of Drona. Krishna also told them that he always treated Draupadi as his little sister (equal to Subhadra). As news spread that Pandavas were dead in Varnavart, Drupada asked Krishna how Arjuna could come to the contest since he was dead. Krishna promised Drupada that he would bring Arjuna to the contest. Krishna then proceeded as he told Drupada. Pandavas were disguised as Brahmins and attended contest in part ways. The contest was started. The contest was to lift the divine bow and hit the eye of fish created in the sky by seeing its reflection from the water on the ground. A person could lift the bow with the 3 following conditions. 1) The person should be confident on skills. 2) The person should treat education as sacred but not for selfish aims. 3) the person shouldn’t have any jealous, anger over others. Soon many kings started participating. Matsya king Virata failed to lift the bow since he was not confident on his own skills. Like that many kings failed. Even Shalya failed. Sishupala didn’t enter because he knew that he was completely jealous on Krishna for marrying Rukmini. Then Karna entered. Draupadi stopped him by calling him sootha putra and she didn’t want to marry a sootha. Duryodhana came into defense that he would marry her if Karna would win the contest. As per the rules the contestant wish can be accepted. Karna immediately accepted his friend’s wish. But Karna failed to lift the divine bow since he treated education as a weapon to defeat Arjuna and was completely jealous on Arjuna. Finally Rukmi entered and successfully lifted the bow but failed to hit the eye of the artificial fish. Seeing Rukmi’s failure, rest of the kings didn’t dare to participate in the contest. Then Krishna announced Brahmins could take part. Sishupala & Rukmi asked Krishna to participate and they also humiliated him that Krishna was scared of the consequences. Balarama raised his weapon but Krishna stopped him and declared in front of everybody that Draupadi is always his sister. Shakuni understood entire plan. Arjuna as disguised Brahmin successfully lifted bow, hit the eye and won the contest. Shakuni recognized Brahmin as Arjuna and provoked all the kings to attack Drupada, his children and the Brahmin by telling all of them that this contest was planned to humiliate all the kings on the earth. Seeing this Balarama raised his weapon. Krishna stopped Balarama. Arjuna requested Drupada to be cool. Arjuna challenged all of them that it was his responsibility to protect Draupadi since she was his wife then. Karna became so jealous and told that the contest was fake and intentionally planned to humiliate him. Thus Karna challenged Arjuna to fight with him. Arjuna fought with Karna but his arrows didn’t damage Karna’s body since his body was protected by natural amour. Arjuna realized that it was impossible to injure Karna. Hence, Arjuna broke Karna’ bow and ego. Arjuna then blocked Karna with the rope created by arrows. Karna then requested Arjuna to free him by appreciating Arjuna and comparing his skill with Lord Indra. After being freed, Karna still tried to attack Arjuna but Arjuna observed that and broke his one more bow. Arjuna threatened Karna which made Karna flee away from battlefield. Krishna suggested the kings not to attack after seeing this. Then all the kings made a plan of joint attack. Bheema then broke a pillar and placed in front of everyone. Then the kings cooled down and accepted their defeat. When the brothers returned with Draupadi, Pandavas joked to his mother that they had brought alms. Dismissively, and without looking because she was preoccupied, Kunti asks him to share it with his brothers. Holding his mother's orders as a divine command, he requested his elder brother to accept Draupadi. Draupadi had to marry all five of the Pandavas. She didn’t accept first but after being counseled by Krishna, she accepted it.

Khandavaprastha

After Dushyasana’s marriage, Dritharashtra came to know that Pandavas were alive and ordered Bhishma to bring back Pandavas. After Pandavas entered Hastinapur, Kauravas humiliated Pandavas that they were shameless to share a wife. Disputes became more & situation led to the division of kingdom with Bhishma on being side of Kauravas i.e. Hastinapur. Kunti was also supposed to stay in Hastinapur. Pandavas were given a huge land to construct their own palace. Soon Pandavas with Draupadi left Hastinapur to construct their own palace. Krishna came to help them. They were performing yaga to remove the toxicity of the soil. Krishna asked Arjuna to accompany him to estimate the area of the land. Soon they started roaming. God Agni (God of fire) as a disguised Brahmin appeared in their way and asked for their help. Arjuna gave him word since helping Brahmins was justice of Kshatriya. Krishna asked Agni what he wanted. Agni revealed his identity and told his story that he was suffering from digestive problem since his stomach was upset due to consumption of oils, ghee etc. used in yagnas. He then approached Brahma for help. Lord Brahma suggested burning down entire Khandava forest to satisfy his digestion problem. But Takshaka seeked Indra’s help to save himself from clutches Agni. God Indra promised that Takshaka & snakes wouldn’t be harmed. If Agni would have proceeded, then Indra would start fighting against him due to which other divine gods also would fight against Agni since Indra is the king of the gods. Krishna & Arjuna promised that they would fight against any-one.

Arjuna + Krishna vs divine Gods

After giving promise; Arjuna requested Agni to present him & Krishna some celestial bows as Arjuna’s normal bow was not capable of bearing Arjuna’s speed but Arjuna required that speed since he was supposed to fight against god Indra. Agni immediately presented Kodanda to Krishna and Gaandeeva to Arjuna. Sharanga was the divine bow of Lord Vishnu (also used by Lord Rama) & Gandiv was created by Vishvakarma, used by god Varuna (water god); specialty of this bow was one who possessed this bow in his hands was invincible. Already Arjuna was best archer and none could break his bow, he also had speed in archery. With this bow Arjuna became invincible. Agni then started burning the forest. Indra with his gods appeared and requested Krishna-Arjuna to go back. They replied no which culminated in the war between them. Krishna started fighting with all the gods and Arjuna with god Indra. The divine gods knew that Krishna was 8th incarnation of lord Vishnu. So they accepted their defeat. The battle between father (Indra) & son (Arjuna) became so intense and Arjuna gained upper hand. Finally Indra used his Vajra an Arjuna used Brahmashirastra. Krishna stopped world from being destroyed because of conflict between to deadliest destructive weapons. Indra became happy seeing his son defeating him. Later Takshaka and all the snakes were out of the forest but the forest got burnt down completely. In their demolition, Krishna and Arjuna had saved one demon, Mayasura. In this way Indra’s word of saving snakes was fulfilled and Krishna-Arjuna’s promise to Agni stood good. Indra blessed all the Pandavas, Draupadi & Krishna. Agni deva presented Nandaka (divine sword of Lord Vishnu), Koumodaki (divine mace of lord Vishnu) to Krishna & Agneyastra, AKSHAYA THRUTHIYA (unlimited supply of arrows) and Shvetavahana (milky white chariot with 4 pure white horses) to Arjuna as gratitude.

Indra prastha

Indra then ordered Vishvakarma (the divine gods’ architect) to construct the palace for Pandavas & Draupadi. Soon a huge palace with beautiful gardens was constructed. As Mayasura was a great architect of the demons, he soon constructed the Maya assembly hall – a gigantic palace for the Pandavas, filled with ancient books, artifacts, and jewels. This hall was famous for visual illusions. In Indra-prastha all the Pandavas framed some rules according to which Draupadi would be with one husband throughout the year and others shouldn’t enter her province which disturb the privacy of Draupadi and one of the Pandavas whoever turn it was. Pandavas also promised that Draupadi is only their queen. One night Takshaka attacked Indra-prastha and kidnapped all the cows. Arjuna required Gaandeeva which was in the room of Yudhishtira & Draupadi. He then entered their room to take his Gaandeeva and went to bring back all the cows. Arjuna successfully defeated Takshaka and brought back all the cows. Despite the understanding of all and being forgiven by both Yudhishtira and Draupadi, Arjuna accepted the punishment agreed with Narada and set off on a one-year tirtha-yatra. According to Narada, Arjuna must retire to forest and pass his days as Brahmin. So, Arjuna retired to forest for 1 year.

Arjuna’s forest life

Ulupi at Nagaloka

One day Arjuna was taking bath in nearby Ganga river flow. Suddenly a current in the river pulled down Arjuna. He fell through regions and reached a place. As soon as he opened eyes, he saw a beautiful woman standing in front of him. The woman introduced herself as Ulupi-the princess of Nagaloka. She also told Arjuna that the current was created by her in order to drag Arjuna to her land because she loved Arjuna very much as Arjuna was the greatest archer and extreme handsome person. Arjuna explained his situation. Ulupi told him that she knew everything. Soon Ulupi married Arjuna and he set-out to finish his pilgrimage. A son, namely Iravan was produced as the union of Arjuna and Ulupi. Later Iravan went heaven and learnt warfare techniques through Indra

Chitrangada at Manipura

Arjuna visited other Tirthas in India, including Kalinga and the ashrams of the Saptarishis, Agastya, Vasishta and Bhrigu. He reached the palace of Manipur. Here he met King Chitravahana's daughter, Chitrangada. After seeing the beauty of Chitrangada, Arjuna fell in love with her hence he asked that the king let them marry. The king accepted Arjuna's proposal because Arjuna was extremely handsome, intelligent and attractive. According to customs of Manipura the son of the princess would become the King of Manipura. It was mutual benefit for Arjuna since Draupadi didn’t want other woman equal to queen in Indra prastha. Soon a son was born to them namely Babruvahana.

Meeting Hanuman

From there Arjuna travelled to south visiting present Kerala’s Shabari, Tamil Nadu’s famous Murugan temple. In middle way, he saw a monkey-man reciting name “Rama”. He challenged that he was greater than Rama. The ape didn’t accept it & questioned Arjuna in what way he was greater than Rama. The ape was none other than lord Hanuman. Arjuna asked ape if Rama was great, he would have built bridge with his own arrows rather than using rocks of mountains. Hanuman replied that bridge couldn’t sustain the strength of crores of monkeys. He also challenged Arjuna that a bridge constructed by arrows can’t sustain his alone weight. Arjuna told Hanuman that if the bridge constructed by him could bear Hanuman’s weight then Hanuman should stop reciting lord Rama’s name in contrary he would sacrifice himself to fire. Hanuman accepted the challenge & Arjuna constructed an arrow-bridge which collapsed with Hanuman stepping on it. Arjuna prepared for his death. Then a Brahmin appeared and had advised both to trail once more thinking about one’s well-wisher. Arjuna thought about Krishna & repeated the same & this time hanuman failed to break the bridge. Hanuman felt disappointed & fell in dilemma that whether his devotion towards Rama was pure or not. Arjuna & Hanuman started thinking that the Brahmin was not some ordinary but some powerful person. The next minute the Brahmin appeared as lord Rama for Lord Hanuman & Krishna for Arjuna. Then Krishna told that he was Rama in Tretha Yuga & Krishna in Dwapara Yuga. Arjuna asked Hanuman to forgive for not recognizing ape as Lord Hanuman & apologized both Krishna & Hanuman for being overconfident. Hanuman told Arjuna that he would accompany Arjuna whenever Arjuna needed his help.

Marrying Subhadra

Balarama arranged marriage between Duryodhana & Subhadra but Subhadra loved Arjuna very much. Arjuna moved to other Tirthas & finally reached Dwaraka as per Krishna’s advice. Krishna was wishing to further tie their families, knew that Subhadra loved Arjuna and devised a plan to arrange their meeting. Krishna told Arjuna to disguise himself as a Yati and stay at Krishna's palace. Arjuna did as Krishna directed. Krishna introduced Arjuna as a sage to Balarama. Arjuna told Balarama that bride was not interested in marriage. Balarama understood that sage was more powerful as he was able to describe the situation in Dwaraka as if he had seen it but Balarama didn’t know that the sage was actually Arjuna & Krishna already described the situation. Balarama requested Arjuna to be in his palace till marriage & make Subhadra show interest on marriage. Krishna took Arjuna to Subhadra & Arjuna revealed his identity. Arjuna also fell in love with Subhadra. On knowing that Arjuna was beside her, Subhadra became happy & Balarama thoughts that there were no more obstacles in marriage. The day of marriage came & Krishna let Subhadra-Arjuna go away from Dwaraka. Knowing this Balarama declared war on Arjuna. Krishna gave clarity that it was Subhadra who actually took away Arjuna as she was riding chariot. Duryodhana felt lot of humiliation since Subhadra left him & preferred Arjuna as her husband. Duryodhana & Dritharashtra announced war but Krishna told everybody that if they’ve announce war, then they should’ve accepted Indra-prastha as independent kingdom. If not you should’ve accepted Arjuna-Subhadra marriage. Dritharashtra agreed that & accepted them as couple. Then Subhadra-Arjuna returned back. Everybody blessed the pair but Bhishma refused & scolded them that was injustice. Krishna explained that this was itself justice. Even a woman must have her choice of marrying a person. Krishna also told that rules were made for comfortable human life. If rules are not giving happiness to a man, then such rules are to be furnished. Draupadi didn’t allow Arjuna, Subhadra to the palace. But after Krishna counselled her, she allowed them.

Krishna – Arjuna war

Gaya, a Gandharva king, while moving across the skies, spitted the pan down his divine plane. It fell into the open palms of Sri Krishna, while he was offering prayers to Sun god Surya. Sri Krishna got very angry and vowed to kill him. Gaya was a great devotee of Krishna. Krishna could not take back his vow. Narada advised Gaya to approach Arjuna and first seek his assurance of protecting him, before revealing about the person set to take his life. As per Narada's advice, the king took Arjuna's promise for his protection before revealing Krishna's vow to kill him. Arjuna sticked to his word. Both Arjuna & Krishna felt very sad about the situation that each of them was going to fight against the most beloved ones. Any number of dialogues between both sides made no dent in the situation. Intervention of Subhadra, Narada, Rukmini, Satyabhama and others failed resulting in direct combat. War breaks-out & Krishna v/s Arjuna archery-duel started. Both of them went into fierce fight. The weapons & astras used by both caused heavy destruction. Because Krishna had Kodanda & Arjuna had Gaandeeva. Both of them were undefeatable and none of them got injured. Finally Krishna used Sudarshana chakra & Arjuna used Vaishnavastra. Lord Brahma appeared before them and asked them to withdraw their respective destructive weapons to prevent disaster to the world. Krishna explained the intention behind fighting against Arjuna. Many of people including Balarama complained that Krishna was being partial to Pandavas. Through this he proved that he was not partial to any-one but to justice. Also he meant that Krishna & Arjuna were equal & the same. He meant that Pandavas were right followers of justice and that's the reason why he loved them.

Subhadra Pregnancy

Subhadra soon became pregnant & Arjuna took her to Dwaraka. Here Arjuna started demonstrating the ways to destroy chakravyuha. Subhadra soon fell asleep but foetus-Abhimanyu started listening & replied by grunting. Arjuna thought that Subhadra was just closing her eyes but listening. Krishna came & told Arjuna that Subhadra had fallen sleep but just grunting in unconscious. Arjuna stopped teaching. He taught till the point how to penetrate into the chakravyuha & stopped there. Abhimanyu kicked with leg in mother’s womb but Subhadra was in so deep sleep that she couldn’t feel the kick of Abhimanyu.

Rajasuya Yaga

Pandavas came to know that their father’s soul was in hell and it could be possible for soul to heaven if and only if they performed Rajasuya yaga. They started this massive campaign with Jarasandha. As per Krishna's plan, Arjuna, Bhima & Krishna disguised in different getups and entered Jaraasandha kingdom. But Jarasandha recognized all of them through their postures. He recognized Bhima & Arjuna as some kings and identified Krishna. Krishna gave Jarasandha choice of fighting with any of the 3 desired. Jarasandha rejected Krishna by calling him as a shepherd and also rejected Arjuna stating his age as 55 years- too young. Jarasandha opted Bhima since he was solid in appearance. Jarasandha fought with Bhima for 13 days. Bhima tore Jarasandha into 2 pieces and started throwing in the same direction. Krishna showed Bhima the way to kill Jarasandha by tearing the grass into two and throwing in the opposite directions. At the end, Bheema tore Jaraasandha into two and threw the pieces in opposite direction leading to the death. After killing Jaraasandha all of them reached Hastinapur and happy news for everyone was Abhimanyu born. Then Yudhishtira ordered Bhima to go east, Arjuna-south, Nakula-north & Sahadeva-west. There were few kingdoms in west & north. Everybody was successful in their campaign. Bheema defeated Dasarnas, Sishupala, Sarmakas and the Varmakas, etc. Arjuna defeated great Rukmi and other south regions. Finally Pandu’s soul reached heaven. Then Pandavas happily spent 3 years with their children. Draupadi had 5 sons one each from each of the Pandavas.

Dice Game

After Shakuni won a game of dice by trickery, Draupadi, now queen to all five Pandavas, was dragged into the court by Dushyasana. Duryodhana and his brothers attempted to strip her. Dushyasana pulled off her saree but Krishna supplied her unlimited supply of saree. Bhima made promise to break Duryodhana’s thighs and would squeeze Dushyasana’s heart by drinking his blood. Draupadi also added that she would dress her hair with Dushyasana’s blood. Karna insulted Draupadi by saying that a woman with more than one husband is nothing but a whore. Arjuna took an oath to kill Karna for insulting sacred lady Draupadi by commenting her as whore. Sahadeva sworn to kill Shakuni. Pandavas were forced to be in exile for 13 years, which included one year in anonymity.

Exile

Draupadi handed her children to her father. Krishna took up the responsibility of Abhimanyu & Subhadra. Pandavas started living in forest.

Killing Kirmira

Right at the start of the exile, in the woods of Kamyaka, the Pandavas encountered the demon Kirmira, the brother of Bakasura and a friend of Hidimba. A fierce battle ensued between Bhima and the demon, where the two equally matched fighters hurled rocks and trees at each other. Bhima went on upper hand; eventually Bhima emerged victorious by killing dangerous monster. None other than Bhima could kill Kirmira.

Fight with Chitrasena

One year later, Duryodhana planned to humiliate Pandavas by showing them the luxuries enjoyed by all Kauravas and Karna. So all of them had set to forest where Pandavas were living. In the course of Journey Duryodhana abducted a lady without knowing that she was a Gandharva. Then Gandharvas attacked entire Kauravas and Karna. Karna tried to run away from battle after getting defeated by Chitrasena. At last Gandharvas captured all the Kauravas and Karna. On knowing this, Yudhishtira asked Arjuna to free them since its Hastinapur which would be insulted. Arjuna followed his eldest brother’s order and defeated Chitrasena. During the fight with Chitrasena, Arjuna had performed extremely impossible feats as he killed 10 lakh Gandharvas (4.5 akshouni) in single shot by using Agneyastra. Apart from Arjuna, no warrior ever achieved these impossible feats even in dream. Immediately Chitrasena granted Sammohana astra to Arjuna after being impressed by him.

Test for Yudhishtira

After victory over Chitrasena, Yudhishtira suggested vacating the place since kauravas might come again and it would cause disturbance for them. They started moving to other place. They reached a place and took a halt there. They decided to stay there till forest life gets completed. Soon everybody became exhausted and thirsty. Nakula thus ventured out to fetch water and found a beautiful lake. The lake was devoid of any living creature except a crane (Baka). When he attempted to take water from the lake, the crane spoke, "O Nakula! The water of this lake will turn into poison if you take it without satisfactorily answering my questions." Nakula, in arrogance, did not pay heed and hurriedly took water from the lake. Upon drinking the crystal clear water, Nakula instantly died of poisoning. Nakula's twin Sahadeva, coming in search of his brother, also found the same lake, saw Nakula dead, and was warned by the crane. But Sahadeva too ignored the crane and died after drinking the water. In the same manner, both valiant Arjuna, and powerful Bheema met the same fate. Since none of the brothers returned with water, Yudhishtira engaged in search of them. Upon following the same path, Yudhishtira came across the lake and found his brothers lying dead. Before searching for the killer of his brothers, Yudhishtira decided to drink some water from the lake. But when the crane warned him, Yudhishtira realized that the crane held the answer to the turn of events. The virtuous Yudhishtira proceeded to answer the questions put forth by the crane. Before putting the questions to Yudhishtira, the crane revealed itself as a Yaksha. The Yaksha asked 18 questions with philosophical and metaphysical ramifications. Yudhishtira asked all the questions perfectly. Yaksha became impressed with Yudhishtira and granted a boon that Yudhishtira could revive one of his brothers with his choice. Yaksha also suggested Bheema (he could defeat anybody, was 2nd most powerful after Hanuman) & Arjuna (world’s best archer & invincible- no one could defeat him). But Yudhishtira chose Nakula by telling Yaksha that he was the son of Kunti who was alive then but none of the Madri sons were alive. So Yudhishtira asked Nakula to revive. Immediately Yaksha transformed into Yama and revived all the other Pandavas. He also told that this was test to his son Yudhishtira. Being very much impressed by his son, Yama granted a boon to Pandavas that they could change their get-ups at any stage of life (only once i.e. changing & reverting back get-up). Finally Pandavas reached their temporary place with water.

Doorvasa visit

Once Doorvasa visited Pandavas and asked them to supply food for him and other sages who accompanied him. Pandavas didn’t have anything. But Doorvasa gave them some time and started reciting some god’s name. Krishna came and asked Draupadi to give the vessel which contained nothing. With Krishna's magic, a rice grain was created in the empty vessel. Immediately Krishna took it out & showed it to Draupadi. He then had it. Suddenly all sages including Doorvasa lost their appetite and started feeling that their stomachs were heavy. They then left them and proceeded forward. Krishna advised Arjuna to start penance for Pashupatastra as they still had 10 years of forest life + 1 year anonymity. Following Krishna's advice Arjuna left for penance. Soon only 5 started leaving together.

Bhima meeting Hanuman

One day, Draupadi asked Bhima the Saugandhika flowers which were very special and rare. They were obtained so easily. Bhima went in search of them. Bheema went in search of the flower and ended up at Kubera's palace. He was stopped in his tracks by the demons called Krodhavasas, but he defeated them all and reached the lotus pond. He also slew the demon Maniman a wicked demon, which had in the past, incurred a curse from Rishi Agastya by spitting on his head. He then proceeded till he obtained them. He saw a monkey keeping its tail by blocking the way. It asked Bheema to lift the tail if he could. Bheema failed and recognized the monkey as his elder brother Hanuman. Hanuman gave Bheema the Saugandhika flowers which Bhima later gave them to Draupadi.

Killing Jatasura

Jatasura, a rakshasa disguised as a Brahmin abducted Yudhishtira, Draupadi and the twin brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva during their stay at Badarikasrama. His objective was to seize the weapons of the Pandavas and to ravish Draupadi. Bheema, who was gone, hunting during the abduction, was deeply upset when he came to know of Jatasura's evil act on his return. A fierce encounter followed between the two gigantic warriors, where Bheema emerged victorious by decapitating Jatasura and crushing his body. All bones of Jatasura were crushed as powder by Bheema – which was impossible for anyone.

PASHUPATASTRA

Arjuna reached the mountain Indra keeladri (now presently in Vijayawada) as per Krishna’s advice. Arjuna sat in meditation in the name of Lord Shiva. A wild pig started scaring people; Arjuna then killed it through his arrow. Shiva disguised as hunter told Arjuna that it was his arrow which killed wild pig. Debate about the arrow lead to fight between Arjuna and Shiva. Arjuna defeated remaining hunters who were actually different forms of Lord Shiva including Veerabhadra. Arjuna fought at an intense battle with lord Shiva but failed to defeat Lord Shiva. Soon Arjuna realized the hunter as lord Shiva and admitted that he was not eligible for Pashupatastra since he failed to recognize his opponent was lord Shiva. Indra then transformed from dead wild pig. Shiva conveyed same to Indra. Indra told lord Shiva that Shiva was the judge to decide whether Arjuna has eligibility or not. Arjuna asked lord Shiva that whether he had come because of Lord Indra’s request. Lord Shiva replied Arjuna that Arjuna managed to please him by his severe penance in just months because his penance generated so much intense heat that was unbearable to all living creatures of earth which ultimately forced him to come to earth. Lord Shiva then granted his Pashupatastra to Arjuna.

Arjuna’s visit to Heaven

After Shiva left, Indra then invited his son to his palace in heaven. Then Arjuna asked Indra to let him tell the same to his brothers & Draupadi. The next second, Arjuna & Indra were in front of them. Krishna was also present and suggested Yudhishtira to send only Arjuna to heaven. Everybody obeyed Krishna and Indra with Arjuna went to heaven. There Arjuna was very pleased to see his father Pandu, step-mother Madri and son Iravan. In heaven, dancers like Urvashi, Tilottama, Rambha and Menaka entertained him & taught him the dance. There was a huge banquet serving different varieties of heavenly dishes. Indra then taught him some divine weapons & ordered his rest of the divine gods to give Arjuna celestial weapons. Arjuna obtained almost all celestial weapons in heaven. Indra then, asked Arjuna to defeat his enemy as the price of his training. Arjuna was taken to the palace of the Nivata-kavachas, a tribe of demons who had a magnificent palace under the oceans. Arjuna used the Mohini-astra and the Madhava-astra to demolish these demons. He was also taken to Hiranyapura, a palace in the sky created by a witch Puloma and his asura tribe of the Kalakanjas. Here Arjuna uses the Raudra-astra and annihilates the demons. Urvashi was strongly attracted to Arjuna because Arjuna was extremely handsome & victory over demons (who can’t be defeated even by god Indra) made Urvashi so impressible about Arjuna. Indra also noted that his son was also bewitched by Urvashi’s beauty. So Indra took it upon himself to offer Urvashi to Arjuna. Having received Indra’s instructions, Urvashi reached Arjuna’s room one night. But Arjuna did not have any intentions of making love to Urvashi. Instead he called her the “mother” as she used to entertain god Indra. Urvashi felt insulted, now that a mere mortal was able to resist her. She cursed him that Arjuna would be a eunuch for the rest of his life, who could only sing and dance with other women. Later on Indra’s request, Urvashi curtailed the curse to a period of one year. There were some conditions that he would become eunuch for the year he desired. Once he became eunuch, he had to be a eunuch throughout the year and becomes male automatically after stipulated time.

Jayadratha humiliation

One day, during the time the Pandavas were in exile, the Pandavas needed to gather samitha and darbha (holy grass) for rituals and to gather food. They left Draupadi alone at the ashrama and requested Sage Trunabindu to watch over her. On that day Jayadratha saw Draupadi and sent his minister Kotikasya and asked him to inquire as to who she was. Kotikasya went over to her and after learning about her identity, informed Jayadratha that she is Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. Jayadratha in spite of learning her identity went to Draupadi and proposed to marry her. Initially welcoming him as their Pandavas brother-in-law, Draupadi vehemently refused the proposal. Infuriated, Jayadratha abducted Draupadi and started moving towards his kingdom. The Pandavas returned to their ashrama & had witnessed Jayadratha forcefully carrying Draupadi away. They tried to save Draupadi but Jayadratha’s chariot caught speed and escaped away. Arjuna observed this while he was coming from heaven. Soon Arjuna defeated Jayadratha and brought Jayadratha to the place where Pandavas were staying. Yudhishtira asked for Jayadratha to be pardoned and not killed, in order to prevent Dushchala from becoming a widow. She suggested that he be treated like a slave. So, Bhima shaved Jayadratha's head leaving him with just five spots of hair on his head, before setting him free. Arjuna told entire story to his brothers, Draupadi & Krishna. The last day of their forest life came.

Jayadratha’s boon

Jayadratha desires to avenge his humiliation from the Pandavas by defeating them in the battle field. So, Jayadratha performs a rigorous tapasya in order to please Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva appears before him, Jayadratha in turn asks for the ability to defeat the Pandavas. Shiva replies that such a boon is impossible, as the Pandavas are too mighty. However, he gives Jayadratha the ability to check the advance of the Pandavas and their forces for one whole day. However, Shiva warns Jayadratha that Arjuna is an exception to this boon. Later, this boon was utilized in killing Abhimanyu.

Anonymity

As per Krishna’s advice, Pandavas chose Matsya kingdom as their place for final year. They used god Yama’s boon and changed their getups. Arjuna gave his boon to Draupadi since she was not present at the time of granting of boon. Arjuna used the curse of Urvashi & turned as eunuch. Draupadi used the boon to change her get-up. Yudhishtira assumes the name of Kanka, Bheema of Valala; Arjuna as Brihannala, Nakula as Granthika, Sahadeva as Tanti Pala and Draupadi as Sairandri. Yudhishtira became chief advisor of Virata king. Bheema became the cook to keep his hands fit by exercising in cooking food in very large quantities. Arjuna became dance teacher to Princess Uttara and started teaching dance that he learnt in heaven. Nakula became horse-keeper while Sahadeva became shepherd.

Bhima- the ultimate HERCULOUS

One day Kichaka, and the commander of king Virata's forces, happened to see the Draupadi. He was filled with lust by looking at her and requested her hand in marriage. Draupadi refused him, saying that she was already married to Gandharvas. She warned Kichaka that her husbands were very strong and that he would not be able to escape death at their hands. Later, he forced his sister, the queen Sudeshna, to help him win Draupadi. Sudeshna ordered Draupadi to fetch wine from Kichaka's house, overriding Draupadi's protests. When Draupadi went to get wine, Kichaka tried to molest her. Draupadi escaped & explained the things happened. Bhima told Draupadi to be patient (Since if Bhima had killed Kichaka, Kauravas would spot them since only Bhima could kill Kichaka). Daily Kichaka started torturing Sairandri by asking her to offer herself one-night. Draupadi then cursed Kichaka with death by her husband's hand. Laughing it off, Kichaka only doubted their whereabouts and asked those present where is the Gandharvas were. Later one night, Arjuna consoled Draupadi, and with Bhima, they hatched a plan to kill Kichaka. Draupadi met with Kichaka, pretending to actually love him and agreeing to marry him on the condition that none of his friends or brothers would know about their relationship. Kichaka accepted her condition. Draupadi asked Kichaka to come to the dancing hall at night. Bhima fought with Kichaka and killed him. After killing him, Bhima changed the dead body so ugly. He removed intestines of Kichaka and arranged as garland. He placed hands in place of legs and vice-versa. He put the dead body of Kichaka in the borders such that everybody would see it. It took 3-4 days for Kichaka’s death news to reach Hastinapur and their calculations were right. Draupadi was kidnapped by 100 brothers of Kichaka. They thought of killing Draupadi but Bhima killed all of them and saved Draupadi from their clutches.

Fight with Susharma

Hearing about the death of Keechaka, Duryodhana surmises that the Pandavas were hiding in Matsya. A host of Kaurava warriors attack Virata, presumably to steal their cattle, but in reality, desiring to pierce the Pandavas' veil of anonymity. Duryodhana ordered Susharma to attack Matsya kingdom so that King Virat & his army could engage in war with Susharma & trigartas and Duryodhana could spot Pandavas’ identity. News reached king Virat that Susharma is ready for the war who already kidnapped cattle of Virata kingdom. Yudhishtira in the form of Kanka suggested Matsya king to stay in the palace and defend the kingdom by sending entire army with Valala (Bhima), Granthika (Nakula) and Tanti Pala (Sahadeva). Virata king did as Kanka directed. Bheema captured Susharma but spared his life.

Virata war & ONE-MAN show

Another news came that entire Hastinapur army was ready to fight. Virata king thought that this all was happening because Keechaka was killed & no-one dared to attack Matsya kingdom in the presence of Kichaka. Draupadi then suggested prince Uttar to defend his land. Virata king didn’t agree. Uttar told everybody that he could defeat Bhishma with right hand & Drona with left hand. Arjuna became angry bot spoken softly. He requested Uttar that he would accompany Uttar as a charioteer to see his warrior skills. Arjuna’s anger was little cooled down after seeing Bheeshma & Drona. On seeing the army of Hastinapur, Uttar lost his conscious and asked Brihannala was that an army or a sea. Then Arjuna drove the chariot towards grave-yard and asked Uttar to collect a box which was placed on a tree. It appeared as the dead-body. Uttar did as Arjuna directed. Arjuna picked up his Gaandeeva, tied thread to the other end so that it becomes activated & told Uttar that it was Gandiv. Uttar didn’t believe and asked Brihannala to prove. Arjuna simply asked Uttar to lift it. Uttar failed but Arjuna lifted it. He then simply dragged & released thread tied to both ends which made a heavy sound. Uttar recognized Brihannala as Arjuna. After sun-rise his gay get-up disappeared & he became male automatically. Duryodhana told Arjuna that he had spotted Arjuna before their exile. Arjuna showed the sun-rise & they were now eligible to participate in war. Huge army started marching towards Arjuna but Arjuna killed all of them who tried to attack them. All the warriors including Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Kripa and Ashwatthama together attacked Arjuna to kill him but Arjuna defeated all of them multiple times. During the battle Arjuna also killed Sangramjit, the foster brother of Karna and instead of taking the revenge of his brother; Karna took heroic flight in order to save his life from Arjuna. Karna tried to fly away from battle-field but he couldn’t because Arjuna blocked Karna’s chariot with his arrows which surrounded him by making fire. Arjuna then invoked Sammohana astra which made entire army fell asleep. He asked Uttar to collect clothes of Duryodhana (red), Karna (pink), and Ashwatthama (blue) for Uttar's dolls. Arjuna refused to kill them because he would get bad name for killing them when they were in sleep. This is the war in which Arjuna proved that he was the best archer in the world at the time of Dwapara Yuga.

Abhimanyu’s marriage

After their exile completed; Pandavas returned Hastinapur & asked for their rights. But Duryodhana told that still they had time but they were identified; so they were supposed to go back again for 13 years. The confusion arose because Duryodhana followed lunar calendar & Pandavas followed solar calendar-which was actually correct. None of them agreed & finally Yudhishtira & Duryodhana fixed the date for the war. Arjuna had set to visit Dwaraka. Before him, the evil trio consisting of Duryodhana, Dushyasana & Shakuni visited Dwaraka for alliance with Duryodhana since Duryodhana’s daughter was married to Samba (son of Krishna & Jambavati) and Balarama was teacher of Duryodhana. Sri Krishna surrounded them with army & told them that they were at the center of chakravyuha. Krishna asked them to come out from that. Duryodhana, Dushyasana & Shakuni accepted that they were not eligible. Krishna told them that a 16 year old boy could easily penetrate into middle of chakravyuha. On being asked by Shakuni; Krishna told them that he was none other than Abhimanyu-son of Arjuna-Subhadra. Krishna showed them Abhimanyu entering into chakravyuha. Duryodhana told Abhimanyu that he defeated Drupada by entering chakravyuha. Abhimanyu replied the thing happened really & told them that he had learnt this art when he was in his mother’s womb. Arjuna came to Dwaraka just after this incident & understood that somebody practiced art of destroying chakravyuha by seeing footprints of soldiers who were standing in positions of chakravyuha. On seeing sand he noticed that someone has reached into the center of chakravyuha but stopped there itself and then he learnt that his son was actually the one who did it. He became extremely delighted. Abhimanyu met his father, standing at the same place & explained how he learnt this. Arjuna became extremely delighted & emotional on seeing Abhimanyu with bow. Later Arjuna met Subhadra; she advised Arjuna to request Balarama. Being requested by both; Balarama refused to participate in the war. Later Krishna told both of them that he would be going to be on one side & his total army would be on the opposite side + he also told that he won’t use any single weapon. Duryodhana took Krishna’s army but Arjuna chose Krishna as charioteer. Arjuna told the main reason behind visiting Dwaraka that he wanted his son to marry Uttara. Draupadi & Pandavas met Upa-Pandavas. Krishna, Rukmini, Satyabhama; Balarama, Revati, Arjuna, Subhadra & Abhimanyu reached Matsya kingdom for Abhimanyu’s marriage. Later Abhimanyu married Uttara. Except Krishna all the members of Dwaraka set-out for pilgrimage after Abhimanyu’s marriage. Krishna took a promise from Arjuna that Arjuna wouldn’t use any of the celestial weapons obtained in heaven. Arjuna agreed this because he knew that these all celestial weapons obtained in heaven were gained without hard work.

Barbarika’s Power

Barbarika was the grandson of Bhima and the son of Ghatothkatcha. Even in his childhood, Barbarika was a very brave warrior. He learnt the art of warfare from his mother Maurvi. The gods (ashta deva) gave him the three infallible arrows. Hence, Barbarika came to be known as "Bearer of Three Arrows". When Barbarika learnt that battle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas had become inevitable, he wanted to witness what was to be the Mahabharata War. He promised his mother that if he felt the urge to participate in the battle, he would join the side which would be weak & losing. Also as long as he had life, he would participate in the war. He rode to the field on his Blue Horse equipped with his three arrows and bow. Barbarika and Bheema fought themselves after sledging themselves without knowing each other’s identity. Bheema gained upper hand but Barbarika used his magical power and made Bheema to lose consciousness. Then Barbarika took Bheema to their cave. Ghatothkatcha asked who brought his father to this place. Shocked Barbarika replied that it was himself. Immediately Bheema woke up & shocked to see Ghatothkatcha. Barbarika asked Bheema to forgive but Bheema was very much happy that his grandson was powerful. Arjuna found Bheema was missing and sent Abhimanyu to search. All of them reached Pandavas camp and entire camp was happy to see Barbarika & Ghatothkatcha. Krishna asked many warriors the time taken to complete the war. Yudhishtira replied 1 month, Bheema replied 1 fortnight, Abhimanyu replied 1 week, Arjuna replied 1 day. Barbarika replied the time taken to use 3 arrows. Barbarika could finish the war in 3 arrows. Krishna didn’t believe it. Barbarika then showed a demo. Krishna showed a banyan tree having 2 kinds of leaves: green & yellow. Krishna asked Barbarika to destroy all the yellow leaves. Barbarika took 1st arrow and marked green leaves. With 2nd arrow he marked all the yellow leaves and with 3rd arrow he gave target of destroying all the yellow leaves. Krishna stepped on one of the fallen yellow leaves and 3rd arrow pierced Krishna’s left leg and destroyed the yellow leaf. Barbarika told everyone that he could select his allies and neutral with one arrow, enemies with 2nd arrow & destroy enemies with 3rd arrow. Pandavas were very happy because their side was weaker side. Krishna enlightened Barbarika by showing him the consequences if Barbarika would have fought the war. On first day Barbarika would be on Pandavas side, through his 3 arrows he would destroy entire Kauravas army. Then Kauravas’ army weakens with no warrior and Barbarika had to fight against Pandavas. On 2nd day Barbarika would fight with Pandavas and destroy them completely. In any war, it was impossible for Barbarika to be on one side. Because of his promise, he was supposed to fight on both sides and result would be the same in every war - only Barbarika would survive in any war. Barbarika was supposed to kill himself because he promised his mother that as long as he had life; he keeps on fighting in the war. Barbarika killed himself. Ghatothkatcha was inconsolable. As per his promise; Krishna tied the cut head of Barbarika to the tallest banyan tree through which he could see entire war.

Karna – one of the greatest donors

Krishna took a promise from Arjuna that Arjuna wouldn’t use any of the celestial weapons obtained in heaven. Arjuna agreed this because he knew that these all celestial weapons obtained in heaven were gained without hard work. Indra came to know this & asked Krishna the reason. Krishna then replied that Bhishma, Drona & Karna should know the reason behind their deaths (going to happen). If Arjuna would have used the celestial weapons obtained in the heaven; war would end on 1st day itself and result would be Pandavas victory. All the kings & warriors of allies of Pandavas including Panchala, Matsya & Magadha were also supposed to die in the war. This also wouldn’t happen if Arjuna would have used his celestial weapons obtained in the heaven. Indra then hatched a plan of asking Karna the natural armors in the form of Brahmin as donation. Karna couldn’t be killed if he had armors. Surya (sun god) revealed Indra plan but Karna thanked Surya and explained that he was bound by his word and could not send anyone from his door empty-handed. When Indra approached Karna in the form of a Brahmin beggar and asked his armors as alms, Karna revealed that he knew the Brahmin's true identity but assured that he would never turn anyone away. Indra became happy and took his normal form. Karna handed his natural armors to Indra. Indra granted the boon as Vasava Shakti, with the stipulation that Karna could only use the weapon once.

Karna – Birth secret revealed

After the donation of his natural armors, Karna started going back to his palace. Krishna then revealed to Karna that he was the eldest son of Kunti, and therefore, technically, the eldest Pandava. Krishna implored him to change sides and assured him that Yudhishtira would give the crown of Indra prastha to him; even Duryodhana would happily see his friend get the crown. Shaken from the discovery, Karna still refused these offers over Duryodhana's friendship. Karna then took a promise that his birth secret would remain unrevealed until his/Pandavas death. Krishna went to Kunti and asked her to emotionally blackmail Karna by revealing the truth about his birth. According to Krishna, when Karna knew about his real identity it would emotionally weaken him and Kunti could manipulate Karna. Krishna told Kunti that it was up to her to make a decision to choose between Karna and her 5 other sons. As the war approached, Kunti met Karna and in desperation to keep her children alive asked Karna to join the Pandavas. Kunti revealed the truth about Karna's birth. Surya Deva also validated the words of Kunti and Karna was emotionally weakened. His hatred against Pandavas became weakened. But Karna rejected the offer of Kunti again. Kunti asked Karna a promise that Karna wouldn’t kill any of her 5 sons. Karna promised her that he wouldn’t kill 4 Pandavas except Arjuna. He also told that Kunti would have 5 sons after the war i.e. either Arjuna or Karna. Kunti then came to know that Karna would die since Arjuna was superior to Karna + Hanuman & the most important Krishna were on the side of Arjuna. Karna requested his mother to keep their relationship a secret till the end of the war, as Pandavas wouldn’t fight against their own brother in the war if she had revealed the truth to them.

Karna – the ARDHA RATHI

Bhishma was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army. At the tale of Rathis, Atirathis & Maharathis; Bheeshma insulted Karna and declared him as just an Ardha Rathi (Half a warrior) since Karna had a habit of flying away from the battlefield after being defeated. In the discussion, Drona added that Karna flew away from the battle-field after being defeated by Arjuna. Bhishma also removed Karna from the army. When Duryodhana opposed, Bhishma gave Duryodhana option to choose himself/Karna. Intelligent Duryodhana selected Bhishma. Karna was not eligible as General of the Army because of his selfish skills. He used to target only Arjuna & don’t bother about the army. Duryodhana required a good leader who was well expert in leading army. Thus Bhishma was appointed. Even after death of Bhishma, Drona was appointed because of the same reason. The news reached Pandavas camp that Karna was not participating in the war until Bhishma survived. Soon they started analyzing and comparing their strength with Kauravas. As of Arjuna’s knowledge Kauravas had 2 Maharathis : Bhishma, Drona; 3 Atirathis : Kritavarma, Ashwatthama, Susharma; 4 Rathis : Duryodhana, Salya, Dushyasana, Shakuni & Pandavas had 2 Maharathis : Arjuna, Abhimanyu; 2 Atirathis : Satyaki, Bhima; 7 Rathis : Drupada, Drishtadyumna, Virat king, Nakula, Sahadeva, Yudhishtira, Uttar. As of Mahabharata’s knowledge 1 Maharathi = 2 Atirathis, 1 Atirathi = 3 Rathis. As of Arjuna’s knowledge the strengths were equal in terms of warriors but difference was only in foot soldiers (army). Lord Hanuman reached Pandavas camp and blessed all of them. He then transformed into very small tiny form and stayed on Arjuna’s flag which was placed on top of chariot. Thus Arjuna became popular as ‘Kapidwaja’.

Bhagavadgita

On the very 1st day of war before the sunrise, two armies were ready but Arjuna had overcome with self-doubt about the righteousness of the war against his own kith and kin. He was distraught at the thought of having to fight with his friends and family such as his dear teacher Drona and grandsire Bhishma. It was then that Krishna took charge and explained the necessity and inevitability of the war to Arjuna. Krishna showed his Virat swaroop to Arjuna and enlightened him to fight in the war. Krishna also showed that he already killed all the people who were on injustice side & Arjuna was supposed to kill them only for name sake. Arjuna then got boosted up and ready for the war.

The epic war

DAY 1: Pandavas formed Vajra vyuha & started attacking Kauravas. While Bheeshma being chief-commander & general of Kauravas army; formed sarvatho-bhadra vyuha. Arjuna fought with Drona, Bheema engaged with Ashwatthama; Drupada with Kritavarma. Abhimanyu headed to fight with legendary Bheeshma. Soon they involved in archery-duel. The battle was so intense that both of them were almost equal. Bhishma didn't want to kill his great grandson, so he didn't use celestial weapons. When Abhimanyu's arrows injured Bhishma, Bhishma broke Abhimanyu's bow and asked him to get-out from his site. Abhimanyu replied that he was son of Arjuna & the student of Krishna. If he would have escaped due to fear; it would become insult to both of them. Bhishma felt proud on hearing this. Then they involved in sword-duel. Arjuna- Drona involved in fierce battle which created thunders & sparks in the battle-field. Bheeshma defeated Abhimanyu but he was so proud of his grandson because Abhimanyu injured Bhishma. Meanwhile Yudhishtira engaged with Duryodhana. Shakuni asked Salya to kill Yudhishtira. He threw a spade; to save Yudhishtira, Uttar died.

DAY 2: Pandavas executed krauncha vyuha. In counter Kauravas executed sarpa vyuha. Arjuna played main role. First Arjuna attacked Drona; at the same time Abhimanyu attacked Ashwatthama & injured him. Drona on knowing this; escaped from Arjuna & went to Abhimanyu to save his son despite Drona knew Ashwatthama was immortal. Drona –Abhimanyu involved in fierce battle. Arjuna accompanied Bheema to clear obstacles of Bheema. Meanwhile Yudhishtira diverted Bhishma by letting spread a rumor that he was going to attack Hastinapur. But Yudhishtira didn’t have that intention. Arjuna accompanied Bheema till Duryodhana but Kritavarma started fighting with Arjuna. Now Bheema & Duryodhana were left alone. Bheema was about to kill Duryodhana but Bheeshma brought arrested Yudhishtira to battle-field (Kurukshethra) & warned Bheema that he would kill Yudhishtira if Bheema had hit Duryodhana. After the sun set, Duryodhana scolded Bhishma that Bhishma was not following his justice because the situation became so worse that he was about to die. On being questioned about his justice (Dharma) Bhishma gets provoked & took an oath to destroy Pandavas especially to assassinate Yudhishtira.

DAY 3: All the Pandavas astonished on seeing Bhishma attacking their army. Abhimanyu put all of his efforts to just defend the Pandavas & co. He then succeeded in it.

DAY 4-8: Pandavas started losing their army. In these 5 days except Arjuna other prominent warriors including Drupada & rest 4 Pandavas fought with Bheeshma but failed to defeat him. Bheeshma was so ferocious that he could kill his grand-sons. After sun-set Bheeshma spent rest of the time standing in the battle-field without food, water & sleep because he told everyone that he was supporting injustice. This was self-punishment for such kind of activities performed by him. With Bheeshma’s fury Pandavas army fell down from 7 AKSHAVA GANALYA SAINYAM to 2 AKSHAVA GANALYA SAINYAM. On day 8 evening (just few minutes before (sun-set) Bheeshma’s arrows injured Abhimanyu. Arjuna & Krishna were returning camp & they noticed Abhimanyu being cured since his hands and chest was bleeding due to Bheeshma’s arrows which had hurt him. Despite of Draupadi’s warning Abhimanyu stood in front of Bheeshma due to which she became angry. Krishna praised Abhimanyu’s bravery and indirectly criticized Arjuna that Abhimanyu was far better than all the warriors on Pandavas side. Next day Arjuna decided to fight against Bheeshma. Till that moment Arjuna was not ready to raise his weapons against Bheeshma since he had soft corner, love & respect towards his grandsire Bhishma.

DAY 9: Again Abhimanyu stood in the way of Bhishma & started fighting with him. In fight, Bheeshma’s arrow crossed Abhimanyu’s arrow & started approaching him. Suddenly Bhishma's arrow was hit with another arrow & Abhimanyu was saved. The savior was none other than Arjuna. Arjuna told Bheeshma that he came to show his skill as well. Bhishma replied Arjuna in a rough tone that he was not fighting to exhibit or show-off his skill but to follow his Dharma. Krishna questioned his dharma & humiliated it. Bhishma shot multiple arrows on Krishna but Krishna froze the time & enlightened Bheeshma to make him prepare for death. Bhishma declared that if he would see Shikhandi he definitely would leave all weapons. Shikhandi in her previous birth was Amba. In this birth she was born as female. But to participate in the war, she required a male body. Through tapasya, she gained a male body and entered battle-field after the sunset on 9th day.

DAY 10: Shikhandi was finally brought in front of Bheeshma & she shot an arrow. Bheeshma ordered Arjuna to make him free from injustice counts. Arjuna had hit multiple arrows in one-shot which made an arrow-bed. Bheeshma told every-one that he would leave his life after UTTARAYANA comes. Until then he would spend his time on arrow bed till his entire blood leave his body so that his body becomes pure which got contaminated just by eating food of Hastinapur which was under Duryodhana’s rule. He also blessed Pandavas & told everyone that Duryodhana & co will definitely lose the battle.

DAY 11: Karna entered the battle-field. Arjuna-Karna engaged mutually in archery. Yudhishtira fought with Drona. Abhimanyu cleared way for Bheema by killing 1000s of soldiers coming in Bheema’s way. Abhimanyu blocked Duryodhana with fire surrounding him in such a way that he was able to see his brothers being brutally killed by Bheema. After blocking Duryodhana, Abhimanyu went on killing army of Kauravas & killed 1/7th of army on that day. Bheema killed 20 Kauravas. At the same time Arjuna-Karna involved in a fierce battle & Sun had set. Arjuna told Karna that he completed his duty of diverting Karna. Karna came to know what happened.

DAY 12: For a while Arjuna & Karna fought against each other but Drona entered in middle & started fighting with Arjuna. In this time gap Abhimanyu blocked Duryodhana in magical globe & repeated same thing he did on day-11. As per Duryodhana’s order Karna came to fight with Abhimanyu. Karna-Abhimanyu engaged in a stormy battle. Abhimanyu fired on Karna & defeats him but spared him without killing in order to make his father’s oath of killing Karna come true. Before the sun-set Bheema killed 30 Kauravas & makes cumulative of 50 on his account. At the same time Arjuna defeated Drona but didn’t kill him because Drishtadyumna was born to kill him. After defeating & blocking their respective opponents; Arjuna & Abhimanyu showered arrows like meteorites on Kuru army & destroyed their army strength heavily.

DAY 13: Kauravas hatched a plan to trap Yudhishtira. They diverted Arjuna to an end of the battle-field by releasing Susharma & his huge army. They formed chakravyuha at the other end As soon as Abhimanyu entered the formation; Jayadrath utilized lord Shiva’s boon & blocked the other Pandavas, so that Abhimanyu was left alone. Drona gave some places to all the warriors with Duryodhana being at center protected by Dushasana & Drona himself. Other warriors were arranged in subsequent forward rows. Inside the Chakravyuha, the trapped Abhimanyu went on a killing rampage, intending on carrying out the original strategy by him and killing tens of thousands of Kaurava soldiers. Abhimanyu killed many prominent heroes including Duryodhana's son Lakshmana, Salya's son, younger brothers of Karna , and many advisers of Karna, Rukmaratha, Kritavarma's son Matrikavata, Salya's brother, Shrutanjaya, Ashavketu, Chandraketu, Mahavega, Suvarcha, Suryabhasa, Kalakeya (Shakuni's brother), Vasatiya, and rathas from the Brahma-Vasatiyas and Kekaya, King of Kosala - King Brihadbala, King of Amvashtas and his son and many others. Abhimanyu defeated the mighty warriors of kauravas Side including the great Drona, Kripa and Karna. No Kaurava warrior could escape his arrows. Abhimanyu killed all the remaining foster brothers of Karna due to which Karna became angry and attacked Abhimanyu but Abhimanyu defeated Karna easily. Abhimanyu defeated Karna 4 times in the war. Abhimanyu refused to kill Karna because he knew that his father had taken oath to kill Karna. It is said that Karna flew away from Abhimanyu. In this way Abhimanyu defeated all the warriors. Duryodhana became so threatened that Abhimanyu could break Chakravyuha easily. Hence, a strategy was formed and a joint attack on Abhimanyu followed. On Duryodhana's advice, Karna broke Abhimanyu's bow from behind since it was impossible to face armed Abhimanyu. Dushyasana killed his two chariot-drivers, and Kritavarma killed his horses; Abhimanyu took up a sword and a shield but these weapons were cut off by Drona and Ashwatthama. Abhimanyu then took up a chariot-wheel and started fighting with it, but Karna cut the wheel. In this way, many warriors together attacked the 16 year old Abhimanyu when he was unarmed. Abhimanyu's body was pierced by many arrows. But Abhimanyu faced all of the Kaurava warriors and still managed to kill many enemy soldiers. All the warriors stabbed Abhimanyu at once leading to the death of Abhimanyu.

DAY 14: Arjuna took an oath to kill Jayadrath before sun-set. On contrary he would die. Kauravas hid Jayadrath. Arjuna with his brothers started destroying chakravyuha. Bheema defeated Drona. Arjuna defeated Kritavarma, Karna, and Ashwatthama etc. whoever came in his way. Finally reached the end of chakravyuha & found Jayadratha was not there even at the end. Krishna used his chakra to cover the sun. Assuming sun had to set; Jayadratha came out. Then Krishna took his chakra back. Arjuna used Pashupatastra so that cut head of Jayadrath fell into the lap of his father- there was no other way of killing Jayadratha. Thus Arjuna took revenge of his son. For the 1st time after 14 days Kauravas attacked Pandavas during night. Arjuna reminded his brothers that he was still alive despite they lost Abhimanyu. As per Krishna’s advice Arjuna & Bheema invited Iravan & Ghatothkatcha (their sons) respectively. In this night attack, Iravan showed his power by killing princes of Gandhara, sons of king Suvala, and the younger brothers of Shakuni. The brothers Gaya, Gavaksha, Vrishava, Charmavat, Arjava, and Suka attacked Iravan, supported by the whole Kaurava army, but Iravan's army of Nagas slayed all of them. Simultaneously, Ghatothkatcha started killing the army of Kauravas. In the war Alambusha killed Iravan; in revenge Ghatothkatcha killed Alambusha. Duryodhana ordered Karna to use his divine weapon ‘Vasava Shakti’. Due to this Ghatothkatcha died. Funerals were done before the sun-rise.

DAY-15: Krishna told the Pandavas to end Drona’s life. He told that if Yudhishtira would tell Drona that Ashwatthama has died; Drona would leave his weapons & Drishtadyumna could kill him. Bheema killed an elephant named Ashwatthama. Yudhishtira conveyed same but told that it was elephant in a very low voice. Drishtadyumna killed Drona as he quitted his weapons.

DAY-16: The day culminated with death of Dushyasana. Draupadi came to the battle-field. In front of Duryodhana; Bheema killed Dushyasana by separating his two hands from his body. Bheema also cut the legs of Dushyasana with his own hands. Then Bheema hit near the heart region of Dushyasana & squeezed the blood out. Bheema collected the blood & dressed the hair of Draupadi. It is said that Bheema also drank the remaining blood.

DAY-17: Arjuna-Karna final face-off. Karna used Bhargavastra on Pandavas army as a result of which Pandavas army was destroyed heavily. Hanuman on the flag protected Arjuna from this weapons. However Arjuna had many celestial weapons but didn’t use them as he promised Krishna. As per Duryodhana's order; Karna invited TAKSHAKA on his arrow but Krishna saved Arjuna. As the battle intensified, Arjuna pushed back Karna's chariot 10 steps backward every time by the energy of the arrows, but Karna was unable to push Arjuna's chariot. When questioned by Arjuna, Krishna said it was impossible for any human ever to push his chariot backwards because the chariot of Arjuna contained both Hanuman and Krishna, thus holding the entire weight of the universe. Even to shake the chariot is an impossible task. Being pushed back by Arjuna, Karna began coming forward but then Karna's chariot wheel was trapped in the mud as a result of the curse he had received earlier from the goddess Earth. He still defended himself, but at the crucial moment, forgot the incantations to invoke Brahmasthra, as a result of his guru Parashurama's curse. Karna got down from his chariot to free the wheel and asked Arjuna to pause, reminding him of the etiquette of war. In the mean time Krishna froze time & explained Karna the crimes he committed. Karna prepared for death. Arjuna used Anjali-astra. After sun-set Kunti came into the battle-field & took Karna onto her lap. She revealed that Karna was Pandavas’ elder brother. Yudhishtira cursed Kunti that a woman would not hide any secret in future. Pandavas wept a lot. Karna took a promise that his youngest son would be trained by Arjuna in future. Arjuna also promised Karna that he would make Vrishaketu king of Hastinapur. Finally Karna died. Vrushali (Karna’s wife) also died as per previous customs. After sun-set Duryodhana removed dress & went in front of his mother because the exposed body parts of Duryodhana would become diamond harder if Gandhari would see it. Krishna’s interruption made Duryodhana to cover lower part of body with leaves due to which his thighs remained soft. But according to mace-duel one shouldn’t hit on opponent’s thighs.

DAY-18: Bheema became astonished to see Duryodhana having diamond-tough body. But Pandavas succeeded in killing Shakuni. As per oath, Sahadeva killed Shakuni. After this; Duryodhana hid in a lake nearby. On being asked; Duryodhana chose mace-duel, Bheema as his contest, opponents respectively. Duryodhana went into lead as his body became diamond tough. Krishna gestured thighs & Bheema had hit Duryodhana’s thighs with mace. Seeing this Balarama shouted at Bheema & told Bheema that he would punish Bheema because of hitting on thighs was injustice & out of rules in a mace duel. Krishna told Balarama the way Duryodhana killed Abhimanyu & made lot of sins in the past. That night Ashwatthama killed Upa-Pandavas when they were sleeping; thinking they were Pandavas. After seeing Pandavas he used his Brahmasthra to kill Uttara’s foetus. To save his grandchild; Arjuna used Brahmashirastra. Following Krishna’s order Arjuna with-drew his missile. Ashwatthama didn’t agree it. Krishna then used Sudarshana chakra to cut diamond placed on the fore-head of Ashwatthama due to which puss oozed out from his body & lives life-long with that because he was an immortal. Krishna took the effect Brahmashirastra by feeling its pain-only he can do since he is the god Vishnu. Pandavas completed funerals of their children.

Draupadi’s clarification

Draupadi asked reason behind all their deaths. Krishna then explained everything. All kings followed injustice due to which they were terminated. Even her children were part of it including Ghatothkatcha & Barbarika. Main purpose was to unify the lands under 1 king and one rule. He also explained secret behind Abhimanyu’s death. One night moon god Chandra asked Krishna to have his son on the earth as Indra (Vali), Vayu (Hanuman), Surya (Sugreeva) had in Tretha Yuga; also in Dwapara Yuga Indra (Arjuna), Vayu (Bhima) & Surya (Karna). Krishna then replied that it was impossible since no women having boons wished his traits. But Krishna gave an option that it would be possible with 2 different cases : 1) long life but timid person 2) less life with bravery and everlasting fame. Chandra from 1st wanted his son to gain fame. Thus Chandra chose 2nd option. This was different case. Unlike Pandavas & Karna Chandra’s son would be born as a normal child i.e. through mother’s womb. Krishna thus selected Subhadra womb when she was pregnant since Chandra wanted the most powerful warrior as son which could be only possible with traits of Arjuna & Krishna (uncle). Krishna also granted a boon to Chandra that his son would grow under Krishna’s shelter. Thus Krishna took the responsibility of Abhimanyu and also became the teacher of Abhimanyu. A fragment of Chandra in super natural form entered Subhadra’s womb that night as soon as she became pregnant. That’s the reason why Abhimanyu was the most handsome man on the earth at his time. As Chandra wished his son would survive only for 16 years, Abhimanyu died at very young age.

Crowning ceremony

After the war, Dritharashtra was enraged by Bheema's slaying of all his sons. When the Pandavas arrived at Hastinapur to claim the kingdom and pay their respects, Krishna, sensed his anger, placed an iron statue of Bheema in front of Dritharashtra. When embracing Bheema, Dritharashtra crushed the statue into pieces. After crushing, Dritharashtra wept bitterly and told everyone that he already lost 100 sons + one more son then with his anger. He exclaimed how he could repent his son. Then Krishna told that it was Bheema’s statue. Then Dritharashtra happily hugged Bheema. Both of them apologized each other. Gandhari cursed Krishna that Krishna’s clan would end abruptly. Later she thought to withdraw but Krishna told that his clan should come to an end and this curse would be the cause. Dritharashtra accepted Pandavas as his successors. Yudhishtira became the king. Then Pandavas visited Bheeshma & told him the results of war. Bheeshma got disappointed with deaths of Abhimanyu & Upa-Pandavas. UTTARAYANA came & Bheeshma quitted the world. After this Dritharashtra, Gandhari, Kunti & Vidura quitted kingdom to lead sage life as per customs of Hastinapur.

Aswamedha yaga

Pandavas performed Ashwamedha yaga according to which the land covered by horse would come under the king who performed it. Pandavas released this horse. This horse was stopped by Babruvahana. Knowing this Bheema went to fight. Babruvahana used a magical astra due to which Bheema fell unconscious. Arjuna takes oath to either kill the opponent or die on defeating. Knowing Bheema was defeated; Arjuna sent Vrishtaketu-the son of Karna (brought up & cared by Arjuna after the war). Vrishaketu addressed Babruvahana & Babruvahana failed to tell about his father. Further Vrishaketu humiliated Babruvahana which led to conflict between them. Babruvahana defeated Vrishaketu and asked him to bring Arjuna but Vrishaketu didn’t and continued to fight with mace. Babruvahana killed Vrishaketu brutally by beating Vrishaketu with his own hands. Babruvahana defeated Bheema & Vrishaketu without knowing that he was the son of Arjuna. A deadly battle took place between father & son in which Arjuna went on upper hand. Arjuna defeated Babruvahana and went to free the horse But Babruvahana used his divine weapon- given by river Ganga which killed Arjuna when he was trying to free the horse & unarmed. Seeing this Chitrangada told Babruvahana that he had fought with his father. Babruvahana repented for his mistake. He was depressed a lot & tried to commit suicide for such a crime. But Krishna came & asked Ulupi-(Chitrangada’s step) to get the gem called Nagamani which restored Arjuna to life with the help of Krishna. Krishna also restored life of Vrishtaketu. Arjuna then remembered the curse of river Ganga. Ganga was inconsolable after seeing her son Bheeshma on arrow-bed and cursed Arjuna that on one day he would be killed by his own son. Since Arjuna was the dearest one to Bheeshma & killed him, in the same way the dearest one of Arjuna i.e. one of his sons would kill him.

Death of Krishna

Gandhari’s curse gets implemented after 36 years. On one day Kritavarma and Satyaki were drunken and started debating themselves that each of them were right & other one were wrong since both of them fought Kurukshethra war on being different sides. Satyaki told Kritavarma that Kritavarma was responsible for Abhimanyu’s death. Kritavarma asked Satyaki that why Satyaki didn’t enter chakravyuha. The debate led to the dispute between two. Soon the quarrel became big and divided into 2 groups. Krishna intentionally made the grass as swords and entire male Yadava clan came to an end. Balarama understood that the Yuga came to an end & he was supposed to quit his life. Thus he became Aadi-sesha directly. A deer hunter hit Krishna’s toe assuming it as a deer’s ear. Krishna told him that the hunter was Vali in previous birth; who was killed by Rama. This all happened based on previous incidents. Arjuna recollected what Krishna told him long back that Dwaraka would submerge exactly after 7 days of death of Krishna. At the same time Muslims attacked Dwaraka. Arjuna’s Gaandeeva stopped working. This was exactly the start of Kali Yuga. Arjuna took Duryodhana’s daughter (married Krishna-Jambavati-son Samba), 7 wives of Krishna (Rukmini directly became Lakshmi) & Krishna’s dead body for funerals. As per Krishna's wish Arjuna performed Krishna’s funerals. Pandavas were depressed a lot; especially Arjuna was inconsolable after losing Krishna. Pandavas realized that their time was completed. After ruling 36 years successfully; Yudhishtira announced Parikshita (son of Abhimanyu & grandson of Arjuna) as new king of Hastinapur.

Final journey of Pandavas to Heaven

As per customs, Pandavas with Draupadi had quit Hastinapur & started travelling for heaven. At the same time Subhadra transformed back into her normal form since she was incarnation of Yoga-Maya. A dog accompanied Pandavas in their journey. To save that dog Pandavas & Draupadi gave-up themselves. Starting with Sahadeva, Nakula; Draupadi, Arjuna & Bhima scarified their lives. Finally Yudhishtira was alive & the dog transformed into god Yama. Yama took his son Yudhishtira to show him the hell. There Yama showed Yudhishtira his brothers & Draupadi being punished for the sins they committed. Yudhishtira got extremely disappointed on seeing them. Then god Yama replied Yudhishtira that was all illusion & created to punish Yudhishtira for the sin did in killing Drona by speaking incomplete statement. Yudhishtira was then sent to heaven & was the only person to reach heaven directly without dying. All others died because of minor mistakes they committed. Draupadi was partial to Arjuna & loved Abhimanyu the most rather than her own sons. Nakula was interested on his beauty. Sahadeva ate his father’s finger after Pandu was dead. Arjuna was over proud on his skills. Bheema was very furious and angry on his opponents. But Yudhishtira was the person who never violated Dharma. There he met his siblings & wife. Yudhishtira became glad to meet his sons including Abhimanyu. Duryodhana & his 99 brothers gave him warm welcome & asked him to sit in the throne. Yudhishtira did it. They came to know that their eldest Karna mixed with god Surya (Sun god). Yudhishtira was astonished to see Duryodhana, Dushyasana etc. became good. It was then revealed that anybody’s soul becomes pure after their death. All of them started living together happily.

Parikshita’s rule

In the presence of Pandavas, Parikshita married Iravati. Their union produced a son to them whose name was Janamejaya. Parikshita was a successful ruler and ruled Hastinapur for 24 years. During his rule one day he found a man was beating a cow. Parikshita fought with the person and the person was none other than Kali purusha. Parikshita understood that Kali Yuga started. Kali purusha broke a leg of the cow. The cow was none other than dharma & its four legs were 4 pillars of Dharma. It was indicated that one of the pillars was broken. Parikshita spared Kali purusha since it was the time of kali. It is also said that gods & demons’ super natural powers wouldn’t work in Kali Yuga. That’s the reason why people of modern age fail to see the god & gods are invisible. Effect of kali was also shown on Parikshita. One day, Parikshita was on his way to ashrams. There, Parikshita threatened a sage by throwing a snake doll while he was meditating in penance. The sage became anger & cursed Parikshita that Parikshita would die due to snake bite after 7 days of curse implemented. Parikshita didn’t understand why he did like that. Parikshita got scared and started living by closing all the doors. Parikshita got enlightened by Narada that he would die despite of his efforts. Then Parikshita made his son Janamejaya the king of Hastinapur. In 7 days of time Parikshita came to know about entire Bhagavatham through sage Shuka. Bhagavatham was all about 8 incarnations of Lord Vishnu (now all 10) focusing mainly on Krishna avatar. People & new king Janamejaya protected Parikshita by closing all the doors & entrances. They ensured that snake wouldn’t reach the palace from anywhere. Takshaka was granted a boon from Indra that he would kill any person in Arjuna’s line-age. He took this as opportunity. Soon he transformed into the tiny snake form and got into the guava fruit. All were about to make party since 7th day came to an end & Parikshita was safe. Thus they ordered fruits as food. Parikshita then took the guava in which Takshaka was present. As soon as Parikshita cut the guava Takshaka transformed into his normal form & bit Parikshita leading to the death of Parikshita.

Janamejaya – the successor

Janamejaya was inconsolable after seeing his father’s death & planned to avenge his father’s death. Janamejaya bore a deep grudge against the serpents (snakes) for this act, and thus decided to wipe all the snakes out altogether. He attempted this by performing a great Sarpa satra – a sacrifice that would destroy all living serpents (snakes). In this Yaga, Janamejaya killed numerous numbers of snakes including Takshaka by throwing all of them into the fire. After Takshaka’s death, a learned sage named Astika came and interfered. His mother Manasa was a Naga and his father a Brahmin. Janamejaya had to listen to the words of the learned Astika and end the Yaga since the killer of his father was killed. He stopped the massacre of the Nagas and ended all enmity with them. From that time onward, the Nagas and Kurus lived in peace. Janamejaya was also a successful ruler just like his father and ruled Hastinapur for very long time. Janamejaya was responsible for the retelling of the famous epic Mahabharata, a story of Janamejaya’s ancestors from the time of Bharata up to the great Kurukshethra war (later story he knew because of his father) between his great-grandfathers the Pandavas and their paternal cousins the Kauravas. The Mahabharata states that it was recited to Janamejaya immediately after sarpa-satra (snake sacrifice) by the sage Vaishampayana to whom it had been imparted by his teacher Veda Vyasa, after he asked Vaishampayana about his ancestors. Janamejaya was further succeeded by his son Ashwamedatta and then their dynasty came to an end.

Historical context

Further information: Bharata Khanda

The historicity of the Kurukshetra War is unclear. Many historians estimate the date of the Kurukshetra war to Iron Age India of the 10th century BCE. The setting of the epic has a historical precedent in Iron Age (Vedic) India, where the Kuru kingdom was the center of political power during roughly 1200 to 800 BCE. A dynastic conflict of the period could have been the inspiration for the Jaya, the foundation on which the Mahābhārata corpus was built, with a climactic battle eventually coming to be viewed as an epochal event.

Puranic literature presents genealogical lists associated with the Mahābhārata narrative. The evidence of the Puranas is of two kinds. Of the first kind, there is the direct statement that there were 1015 (or 1050) years between the birth of Parikshit (Arjuna's grandson) and the accession of Mahapadma Nanda (400-329 BCE), which would yield an estimate of about 1400 BCE for the Bharata battle. However, this would imply improbably long reigns on average for the kings listed in the genealogies. Of the second kind are analyses of parallel genealogies in the Puranas between the times of Adhisimakrishna (Parikshit's great-grandson) and Mahapadma Nanda. Pargiter accordingly estimated 26 generations by averaging 10 different dynastic lists and, assuming 18 years for the average duration of a reign, arrived at an estimate of 850 BCE for Adhisimakrishna, and thus approximately 950 BCE for the Bharata battle.

Map of some Painted Grey Ware (PGW) sites.

B. B. Lal used the same approach with a more conservative assumption of the average reign to estimate a date of 836 BCE, and correlated this with archaeological evidence from Painted Grey Ware (PGW) sites, the association being strong between PGW artifacts and places mentioned in the epic. John Keay confirm this and also gives 950 BCE for the Bharata battle.

Attempts to date the events using methods of archaeoastronomy have produced, depending on which passages are chosen and how they are interpreted, estimates ranging from the late 4th to the mid-2nd millennium BCE. The late 4th-millennium date has a precedent in the calculation of the Kaliyuga epoch, based on planetary conjunctions, by Aryabhata (6th century). Aryabhata's date of February 18 3102 BCE for Mahābhārata war has become widespread in Indian tradition. Some sources mark this as the disappearance of Krishna from earth. The Aihole inscription of Pulikeshi II, dated to Saka 556 = 634 CE, claims that 3735 years have elapsed since the Bharata battle, putting the date of Mahābhārata war at 3137 BCE. Another traditional school of astronomers and historians, represented by Vriddha-Garga, Varahamihira (author of the Brhatsamhita) and Kalhana (author of the Rajatarangini), place the Bharata war 653 years after the Kaliyuga epoch, corresponding to 2449 BCE.

Synopsis

Ganesha writing the Mahabharata

The core story of the work is that of a dynastic struggle for the throne of Hastinapura, the kingdom ruled by the Kuru clan. The two collateral branches of the family that participate in the struggle are the Kaurava and the Pandava. Although the Kaurava is the senior branch of the family, Duryodhana, the eldest Kaurava, is younger than Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava. Both Duryodhana and Yudhishthira claim to be first in line to inherit the throne.

The struggle culminates in the great battle of Kurukshetra, in which the Pandavas are ultimately victorious. The battle produces complex conflicts of kinship and friendship, instances of family loyalty and duty taking precedence over what is right, as well as the converse.

The Mahābhārata itself ends with the death of Krishna, and the subsequent end of his dynasty and ascent of the Pandava brothers to heaven. It also marks the beginning of the Hindu age of Kali Yuga, the fourth and final age of humankind, in which great values and noble ideas have crumbled, and people are heading towards the complete dissolution of right action, morality and virtue.

The older generations

Shantanu woos Satyavati, the fisherwoman. Painting by Raja Ravi Varma.

King Janamejaya's ancestor Shantanu, the king of Hastinapura, has a short-lived marriage with the goddess Ganga and has a son, Devavrata (later to be called Bhishma, a great warrior), who becomes the heir apparent. Many years later, when King Shantanu goes hunting, he sees Satyavati, the daughter of the chief of fisherman, and asks her father for her hand. Her father refuses to consent to the marriage unless Shantanu promises to make any future son of Satyavati the king upon his death. To resolve his father's dilemma, Devavrata agrees to relinquish his right to the throne. As the fisherman is not sure about the prince's children honouring the promise, Devavrata also takes a vow of lifelong celibacy to guarantee his father's promise.

Shantanu has two sons by Satyavati, Chitrāngada and Vichitravirya. Upon Shantanu's death, Chitrangada becomes king. He lives a very short uneventful life and dies. Vichitravirya, the younger son, rules Hastinapura. Meanwhile, the King of Kāśī arranges a swayamvara for his three daughters, neglecting to invite the royal family of Hastinapur. In order to arrange the marriage of young Vichitravirya, Bhishma attends the swayamvara of the three princesses Amba, Ambika and Ambalika, uninvited, and proceeds to abduct them. Ambika and Ambalika consent to be married to Vichitravirya.

The oldest princess Amba, however, informs Bhishma that she wishes to marry king of Shalva whom Bhishma defeated at their swayamvara. Bhishma lets her leave to marry king of Shalva, but Shalva refuses to marry her, still smarting at his humiliation at the hands of Bhishma. Amba then returns to marry Bhishma but he refuses due to his vow of celibacy. Amba becomes enraged and becomes Bhishma's bitter enemy, holding him responsible for her plight. Later she is reborn to King Drupada as Shikhandi (or Shikhandini) and causes Bhishma's fall, with the help of Arjuna, in the battle of Kurukshetra.

The Pandava and Kaurava princes

Draupadi with her five husbands - the Pandavas. The central figure is Yudhishthira; the two on the bottom are Bhima and Arjuna. Nakula and Sahadeva, the twins, are standing. Painting by Raja Ravi Varma, c. 1900.

When Vichitravirya dies young without any heirs, Satyavati asks her first son Vyasa to father children with the widows. The eldest, Ambika, shuts her eyes when she sees him, and so her son Dhritarashtra is born blind. Ambalika turns pale and bloodless upon seeing him, and thus her son Pandu is born pale and unhealthy (the term Pandu may also mean 'jaundiced'). Due to the physical challenges of the first two children, Satyavati asks Vyasa to try once again. However, Ambika and Ambalika send their maid instead, to Vyasa's room. Vyasa fathers a third son, Vidura, by the maid. He is born healthy and grows up to be one of the wisest characters in the Mahabharata. He serves as Prime Minister (Mahamantri or Mahatma) to King Pandu and King Dhritarashtra.

When the princes grow up, Dhritarashtra is about to be crowned king by Bhishma when Vidura intervenes and uses his knowledge of politics to assert that a blind person cannot be king. This is because a blind man cannot control and protect his subjects. The throne is then given to Pandu because of Dhritarashtra's blindness. Pandu marries twice, to Kunti and Madri. Dhritarashtra marries Gandhari, a princess from Gandhara, who blindfolds herself so that she may feel the pain that her husband feels. Her brother Shakuni is enraged by this and vows to take revenge on the Kuru family. One day, when Pandu is relaxing in the forest, he hears the sound of a wild animal. He shoots an arrow in the direction of the sound. However the arrow hits the sage Kindama, who curses him that if he engages in a sexual act, he will die. Pandu then retires to the forest along with his two wives, and his brother Dhritarashtra rules thereafter, despite his blindness.

Pandu's older queen Kunti, however, had been given a boon by Sage Durvasa that she could invoke any god using a special mantra. Kunti uses this boon to ask Dharma the god of justice, Vayu the god of the wind, and Indra the lord of the heavens for sons. She gives birth to three sons, Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Arjuna, through these gods. Kunti shares her mantra with the younger queen Madri, who bears the twins Nakula and Sahadeva through the Ashwini twins. However, Pandu and Madri indulge in sex, and Pandu dies. Madri Commits Sati out of remorse. Kunti raises the five brothers, who are from then on usually referred to as the Pandava brothers.

Dhritarashtra has a hundred sons through Gandhari, all born after the birth of Yudhishthira. These are the Kaurava brothers, the eldest being Duryodhana, and the second Dushasana. Other Kaurava brothers were Vikarna and Sukarna. The rivalry and enmity between them and the Pandava brothers, from their youth and into manhood, leads to the Kurukshetra war.

Lakshagraha (the house of lac)

After the deaths of their mother (Madri) and father (Pandu), the Pandavas and their mother Kunti return to the palace of Hastinapur. Yudhishthira is made Crown Prince by Dhritarashtra, under considerable pressure from his courtiers. Dhritarashtra wanted his own son Duryodhana to become king and lets his ambition get in the way of preserving justice.

Shakuni, Duryodhana and Dusasana plot to get rid of the Pandavas. Shakuni calls the architect Purochana to build a palace out of flammable materials like lac and ghee. He then arranges for the Pandavas and the Queen Mother Kunti to stay there, with the intention of setting it alight. However, the Pandavas are warned by their wise uncle, Vidura, who sends them a miner to dig a tunnel. They are able to escape to safety and go into hiding. Back at Hastinapur, the Pandavas and Kunti are presumed dead.

Marriage to Draupadi

Arjuna piercing the eye of the fish as depicted in Chennakesava Temple built by Hoysala Empire

Whilst they were in hiding the Pandavas learn of a swayamvara which is taking place for the hand of the Pāñcāla princess Draupadī. The Pandavas enter the competition in disguise as Brahmins. The task is to string a mighty steel bow and shoot a target on the ceiling, which is the eye of a moving artificial fish, while looking at its reflection in oil below. Most of the princes fail, many being unable to lift the bow. Arjuna succeeds however. The Pandavas return home and inform their mother that Arjuna has won a competition and to look at what they have brought back. Without looking, Kunti asks them to share whatever it is Arjuna has won among themselves. On explaining the previous life of Draupadi, she ends up being the wife of all five brothers.

Indraprastha

After the wedding, the Pandava brothers are invited back to Hastinapura. The Kuru family elders and relatives negotiate and broker a split of the kingdom, with the Pandavas obtaining a new territory. Yudhishthira has a new capital built for this territory at Indraprastha. Neither the Pandava nor Kaurava sides are happy with the arrangement however.

Shortly after this, Arjuna elopes with and then marries Krishna's sister, Subhadra. Yudhisthra wishes to establish his position as king; he seeks Krishna's advice. Krishna advises him, and after due preparation and the elimination of some opposition, Yudhishthira carries out the rājasūya yagna ceremony; he is thus recognised as pre-eminent among kings.

The Pandavas have a new palace built for them, by Maya the Danava. They invite their Kaurava cousins to Indraprastha. Duryodhana walks round the palace, and mistakes a glossy floor for water, and will not step in. After being told of his error, he then sees a pond, and assumes it is not water and falls in. Bhima, Arjun, the twins and the servants laugh at him. In popular adaptations, this insult is wrongly attributed to Draupadi, even though in the Sanskrit epic, it was the Pandavas (except Yudhisthira) who had insulted Duryodhana. Enraged by the insult, and jealous at seeing the wealth of the Pandavas, Duryodhana decides to host a dice-game at Shakuni's suggestion.

The dice game

Draupadi humiliated

Shakuni, Duryodhana's uncle, now arranges a dice game, playing against Yudhishthira with loaded dice. Yudhishthira loses all his wealth, then his kingdom. He then even gambles his brothers, himself, and finally his wife into servitude. The jubilant Kauravas insult the Pandavas in their helpless state and even try to disrobe Draupadi in front of the entire court, but her honour is saved by Krishna who miraculously creates lengths of cloth to replace the ones being removed.

Dhritarashtra, Bhishma, and the other elders are aghast at the situation, but Duryodhana is adamant that there is no place for two crown princes in Hastinapura. Against his wishes Dhritarashtra orders for another dice game. The Pandavas are required to go into exile for 12 years, and in the 13th year must remain hidden. If discovered by the Kauravas, they will be forced into exile for another 12 years.

Exile and return

The Pandavas spend thirteen years in exile; many adventures occur during this time. They also prepare alliances for a possible future conflict. They spend their final year in disguise in the court of Virata, and are discovered just after the end of the year.

At the end of their exile, they try to negotiate a return to Indraprastha with Krishna as their emissary.However, this fails, as Duryodhana objects that they were discovered while in hiding, and that no return of their kingdom was agreed. War becomes inevitable.

The battle at Kurukshetra

Main article: Kurukshetra War

A scene from the Mahābhārata war, Angkor Wat: A black stone relief depicting a number of men wearing a crown and a dhoti, fighting with spears, swords and bows. A chariot with half the horse out of the frame is seen in the middle.

The two sides summon vast armies to their help and line up at Kurukshetra for a war. The kingdoms of Panchala, Dwaraka, Kasi, Kekaya, Magadha, Matsya, Chedi, Pandyas, Telinga, and the Yadus of Mathura and some other clans like the Parama Kambojas were allied with the Pandavas. The allies of the Kauravas included the kings of Pragjyotisha, Anga, Kekaya, Sindhudesa (including Sindhus, Sauviras and Sivis), Mahishmati, Avanti in Madhyadesa, Madra, Gandhara, Bahlika people, Kambojas and many others. Before war being declared, Balarama had expressed his unhappiness at the developing conflict and leaves to go on pilgrimage; thus he does not take part in the battle itself. Krishna takes part in a non-combatant role, as charioteer for Arjuna.

Before the battle, Arjuna noticing that the opposing army includes his own kith and kin, including his great grandfather Bhishma and his teacher Drona, has grave doubts about the fight and falls into despair.At this time,Krishna reminds him of duty as a Kshatriya to fight for his just cause in the famous Bhagavad Gita section of the epic.

Though initially sticking to chivalrous notions of warfare, both sides soon adopt dishonourable tactics. At the end of the 18-day battle, only the Pandavas, Satyaki, Kripa, Ashwatthama, Kritavarma, Yuyutsu and Krishna survive.

The end of the Pandavas

Gandhari, blindfolded, supporting Dhrtarashtra and following Kunti when Dhrtarashtra became old and infirm and retired to the forest. A miniature painting from a 16th-century manuscript of part of the Razmnama, a Persian translation of the Mahabharata

After "seeing" the carnage, Gandhari, who had lost all her sons, curses Krishna to be a witness to a similar annihilation of his family, for though divine and capable of stopping the war, he had not done so. Krishna accepts the curse, which bears fruit 36 years later.

The Pandavas, who had ruled their kingdom meanwhile, decide to renounce everything. Clad in skins and rags they retire to the Himalaya and climb towards heaven in their bodily form. A stray dog travels with them. One by one the brothers and Draupadi fall on their way. As each one stumbles, Yudhishthira gives the rest the reason for their fall (Draupadi was partial to Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva were vain and proud of their looks, and Bhima and Arjuna were proud of their strength and archery skills, respectively). Only the virtuous Yudhishthira, who had tried everything to prevent the carnage, and the dog remain. The dog reveals himself to be the god Yama (also known as Yama Dharmaraja), and then takes him to the underworld where he sees his siblings and wife. After explaining the nature of the test, Yama takes Yudhishthira back to heaven and explains that it was necessary to expose him to the underworld because (Rajyante narakam dhruvam) any ruler has to visit the underworld at least once. Yama then assures him that his siblings and wife would join him in heaven after they had been exposed to the underworld for measures of time according to their vices.

Arjuna's grandson Parikshit rules after them and dies bitten by a snake. His furious son, Janamejaya, decides to perform a snake sacrifice (sarpasattra) in order to destroy the snakes. It is at this sacrifice that the tale of his ancestors is narrated to him.

The reunion

The Mahābhārata mentions that Karna, the Pandavas, Draupadi and Dhritarashtra's sons eventually ascended to svarga and "attained the state of the gods" and banded together — "serene and free from anger."

Themes

Just war

The Mahābhārata offers one of the first instances of theorizing about dharmayuddha, "just war", illustrating many of the standards that would be debated later across the world. In the story, one of five brothers asks if the suffering caused by war can ever be justified. A long discussion ensues between the siblings, establishing criteria like proportionality (chariots cannot attack cavalry, only other chariots; no attacking people in distress), just means (no poisoned or barbed arrows), just cause (no attacking out of rage), and fair treatment of captives and the wounded.

Versions, translations, and derivative works

Critical Edition

Between 1919 and 1966, scholars at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, compared the various manuscripts of the epic from India and abroad and produced the Critical Edition of the Mahabharata, on 13,000 pages in 19 volumes, followed by the Harivamsha in another two volumes and six index volumes. This is the text that is usually used in current Mahābhārata studies for reference. This work is sometimes called the "Pune" or "Poona" edition of the Mahabharata.

Regional versions

Many regional versions of the work developed over time, mostly differing only in minor details, or with verses or subsidiary stories being added. These include the Tamil street theatre, terukkuttu and kattaikkuttu, the plays of which use themes from the Tamil language versions of Mahabharata, focusing on Draupadi.

The Pandavas and Krishna in an act of the Javanese wayang wong performance

Outside the Indian subcontinent, in Indonesia, a version was developed in ancient Java as Kakawin Bhāratayuddha in the 11th century under the patronage of King Dharmawangsa (990–1016) and later it spread to the neighboring island of Bali, which remains a Hindu majority island today. It has become the fertile source for Javanese literature, dance drama (wayang wong), and wayang shadow puppet performances. This Javanese version of the Mahābhārata differs slightly from the original Indian version. For example, Draupadi is only wed to Yudhishthira, not to all the Pandava brothers; this might demonstrate ancient Javanese opposition to polyandry. The author later added some female characters to be wed to the Pandavas, for example, Arjuna is described as having many wives and consorts next to Subhadra. Another difference is that Shikhandini does not change her sex and remains a woman, to be wed to Arjuna, and takes the role of a warrior princess during the war. Another twist is that Gandhari is described as antagonistic character who hates the Pandavas: her hate is out of jealousy because during Gandhari's swayamvara, she was in love with Pandu but was later wed to his blind elder brother instead, whom she did not love, so she blindfolded herself as protest. Another notable difference is the inclusion of the Punakawans, the clown servants of the main characters in the storyline. These characters include Semar, Petruk, Gareng and Bagong, who are much-loved by Indonesian audiences. There are also some spin-off episodes developed in ancient Java, such as Arjunawiwaha composed in 11th century.

A Kawi version of the Mahabharata, of which eight of the eighteen parvas survive, is found on the Indonesian island of Bali. It has been translated into English by Dr. I. Gusti Putu Phalgunadi.

Translations

Bhishma on his death-bed of arrows with the Pandavas and Krishna. Folio from the Razmnama (1761–1763), Persian translation of the Mahabharata, commissioned by Mughal emperor Akbar. The Pandavas are dressed in Persian armour and robes.

A Persian translation of Mahabharta, titled Razmnameh, was produced at Akbar's orders, by Faizi and `Abd al-Qadir Bada'uni in the 18th century.

The first complete English translation was the Victorian prose version by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, published between 1883 and 1896 (Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers) and by M. N. Dutt (Motilal Banarsidass Publishers). Most critics consider the translation by Ganguli to be faithful to the original text. The complete text of Ganguli's translation is in the public domain and is available online.

Another English prose translation of the full epic, based on the Critical Edition, is in progress, published by University Of Chicago Press. It was initiated by Indologist J. A. B. van Buitenen (books 1–5) and, following a 20-year hiatus caused by the death of van Buitenen, is being continued by D. Gitomer of DePaul University (book 6), J. L. Fitzgerald of Brown University (books 11–13) and Wendy Doniger of the University of Chicago (books 14–18).

An early poetry translation by Romesh Chunder Dutt and published in 1898 condenses the main themes of the Mahābhārata into English verse. A later poetic "transcreation" (author's own description) of the full epic into English, done by the poet P. Lal, is complete, and in 2005 began being published by Writers Workshop, Calcutta. The P. Lal translation is a non-rhyming verse-by-verse rendering, and is the only edition in any language to include all slokas in all recensions of the work (not just those in the Critical Edition). The completion of the publishing project is scheduled for 2010. Sixteen of the eighteen volumes are now available.

A project to translate the full epic into English prose, translated by various hands, began to appear in 2005 from the Clay Sanskrit Library, published by New York University Press. The translation is based not on the Critical Edition but on the version known to the commentator Nīlakaṇṭha. Currently available are 15 volumes of the projected 32-volume edition.

Indian economist Bibek Debroy has also begun an unabridged English translation in ten volumes. Volume 1: Adi Parva was published in March 2010.

Many condensed versions, abridgements and novelistic prose retellings of the complete epic have been published in English, including works by Ramesh Menon, William Buck, R. K. Narayan, C. Rajagopalachari, K. M. Munshi, Krishna Dharma, Romesh C. Dutt, Bharadvaja Sarma, John D. Smith and Sharon Maas.

Derivative literature

Bhasa, the 2nd- or 3rd-century CE Sanskrit playwright, wrote two plays on episodes in the Marabharata, Urubhanga (Broken Thigh), about the fight between Duryodhana and Bhima, while Madhyamavyayoga (The Middle One) set around Bhima and his son, Ghatotkacha. The first important play of 20th century was Andha Yug (The Blind Epoch), by Dharamvir Bharati, which came in 1955, found in Mahabharat, both an ideal source and expression of modern predicaments and discontent. Starting with Ebrahim Alkazi it was staged by numerous directors. V. S. Khandekar's Marathi novel, Yayati (1960) and Girish Karnad's debut play Yayati (1961) are based on the story of King Yayati found in the Mahabharat. Bengali writer and playwright, Buddhadeva Bose wrote three plays set in Mahabharat, Anamni Angana, Pratham Partha and Kalsandhya. Pratibha Ray wrote an award winning novel entitled Yajnaseni from Draupadi's perspective in 1984. Later, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni wrote a similar novel entitled The Palace of Illusions: A Novel in 2008. Gujarati poet Chinu Modi has written long narrative poetry Bahuk based on character Bahuka. Krishna Udayasankar, a Singapore-based Indian author has written several novels which are modern-day retellings of the epic, most notably the Aryavarta Chronicles Series. Suman Pokhrel wrote a solo play based on Ray's novel by personalizing and taking Draupadi alone in the scene.

Amar Chitra Katha published a 1,260 page comic book version of the Mahabharata.

In film and television

Krishna as portrayed in Yakshagana from Karnataka which is based largely on stories of Mahabharata

In Indian cinema, several film versions of the epic have been made, dating back to 1920. In Telugu film Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977) directed by and starring N. T. Rama Rao depicts Karna as the lead character. The Mahābhārata was also reinterpreted by Shyam Benegal in Kalyug. Prakash Jha directed 2010 film Raajneeti was partially inspired by the Mahabharata. A 2013 animated adaptation holds the record for India's most expensive animated film.

In the late 1980s, the Mahabharat TV series, directed by Ravi Chopra, was televised on India's national television (Doordarshan). The same year as Mahabharat was being shown on Doordarshan, that same company's other television show, Bharat Ek Khoj, also directed by Shyam Benegal, showed a 2-episode abbreviation of the Mahabharata, drawing from various interpretations of the work, be they sung, danced, or staged. In the Western world, a well-known presentation of the epic is Peter Brook's nine-hour play, which premiered in Avignon in 1985, and its five-hour movie version The Mahābhārata (1989). In the late 2013 Mahabharat was televised on STAR Plus. It was produced by Swastik Productions Pvt.

Uncompleted projects on the Mahābhārata include a ones by Rajkumar Santoshi, and a theaterical adaptation planned by Satyajit Ray.

Jain version

Further information: Salakapurusa

Depiction of wedding procession of Lord Neminatha. The enclosure shows the animals that are to be slaughtered for food for weddings. Overcome with Compassion for animals, Neminatha refused to marry and renounced his kingdom to become a Shramana

Jain versions of Mahābhārata can be found in the various Jain texts like Harivamsapurana (the story of Harivamsa) Trisastisalakapurusa Caritra (Hagiography of 63 Illustrious persons), Pandavacaritra (lives of Pandavas) and Pandavapurana (stories of Pandavas). From the earlier canonical literature, Antakrddaaśāh (8th cannon) and Vrisnidasa (upangagama or secondary canon) contain the stories of Neminatha (22nd Tirthankara), Krishna and Balarama. Prof. Padmanabh Jaini notes that, unlike in the Hindu Puranas, the names Baladeva and Vasudeva are not restricted to Balarama and Krishna in Jain puranas. Instead they serve as names of two distinct class of mighty brothers, who appear nine times in each half of time cycles of the Jain cosmology and rule the half the earth as half-chakravartins. Jaini traces the origin of this list of brothers to the Jinacharitra by Bhadrabahu swami (4th–3rd century BCE). According to Jain cosmology Balarama, Krishna and Jarasandha are the ninth and the last set of Baladeva, Vasudeva, and Partivasudeva. The main battle is not the Mahabharata, but the fight between Krishna and Jarasandha (who is killed by Krishna). Ultimately, the Pandavas and Balarama take renunciation as Jain monks and are reborn in heavens, while on the other hand Krishna and Jarasandha are reborn in hell. In keeping with the law of karma, Krishna is reborn in hell for his exploits (sexual and violent) while Jarasandha for his evil ways. Prof. Jaini admits a possibility that perhaps because of his popularity, the Jain authors were keen to rehabilitate Krishna. The Jain texts predict that after his karmic term in hell is over sometime during the next half time-cycle, Krishna will be reborn as a Jain Tirthankara and attain liberation. Krishna and Balrama are shown as contemporaries and cousins of 22nd Tirthankara, Neminatha. According to this story, Krishna arranged young Neminath’s marriage with Rajamati, the daughter of Ugrasena, but Neminatha, empathizing with the animals which were to be slaughtered for the marriage feast, left the procession suddenly and renounced the world.

Kuru family tree

This shows the line of royal and family succession, not necessarily the parentage. See the notes below for detail.

Kurua

Anasawan

Parikshit(1)a

Janamejaya(1)a

Bheemasena(1)a

Pratisravasa

Pratipaa

Gangā

Shāntanua

Satyavati

Pārāshara

Bhishma

Chitrāngada

Ambikā

Vichitravirya

Ambālikā

Vyāsa

Dhritarāshtrab

Gāndhāri

Shakuni

Surya Devaa

Kunti

Pāndub

Mādri

Karnac

Yudhishthirad

Bhimad

Arjunad

Subhadrā

Nakulad

Sahadevad

Duryodhanae

Dussalā

Dushāsana

(98 sons)

Abhimanyuf

Uttarā

Parikshit

Janamejaya

Key to Symbols

• Male: blue border
• Female: red border
• Pandavas: green box
• Kauravas: yellow box

Notes

• a: Shantanu was a king of the Kuru dynasty or kingdom, and was some generations removed from any ancestor called Kuru. His marriage to Ganga preceded his marriage to Satyavati.
• b: Pandu and Dhritarashtra were fathered by Vyasa in the niyoga tradition after Vichitravirya's death. Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura were the sons of Vyasa with Ambika, Ambalika and a maid servant respectively.
• c: Karna was born to Kunti through her invocation of Surya, before her marriage to Pandu.
• d: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva were acknowledged sons of Pandu but were begotten by the invocation by Kunti and Madri of various deities. They all married Draupadi (not shown in tree).
• e: Duryodhana and his siblings were born at the same time, and they were of the same generation as their Pandava cousins.
• f : Although the succession after the Pandavas was through the descendants of Arjuna and Subhadra, it was Yudhishthira and Draupadi who occupied the throne of Hastinapura after the great battle.

The birth order of siblings is correctly shown in the family tree (from left to right), except for Vyasa and Bhishma whose birth order is not described, and Vichitravirya and Chitrangada who were born after them. The fact that Ambika and Ambalika are sisters is not shown in the family tree. The birth of Duryodhana took place after the birth of Karna, Yudhishthira and Bhima, but before the birth of the remaining Pandava brothers.

Some siblings of the characters shown here have been left out for clarity; these include Chitrāngada, the eldest brother of Vichitravirya. Vidura, half-brother to Dhritarashtra and Pandu.

Cultural influence

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna explains to Arjuna his duties as a warrior and prince and elaborates on different Yogic and Vedantic philosophies, with examples and analogies. This has led to the Gita often being described as a concise guide to Hindu philosophy and a practical, self-contained guide to life. In more modern times, Swami Vivekananda, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi and many others used the text to help inspire the Indian independence movement.

Various modern day television shows and novels have taken inspiration from the Mahabharata.

Editions

• The Mahabharata: Complete and Unabridged (set of 10 volumes) by Bibek Debroy, Penguin Books India.
• The Mahābhārata of Vyasa (18 volumes), transcreated from Sanskrit by P. Lal, Writers Workshop.

See also

• Kali Yuga
• Characters in the Mahabharata

Sources

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• Sullivan, Bruce M. Seer of the Fifth Veda, Krsna Dvaipayana Vyasa in the Mahabharata, Motilal Banarsidass, New Delhi 1999.
• Sutton, Nicholas. Religious Doctrines in the Mahabharata, Motilal Banarsidass, New Delhi 2000.
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External links

• Mahābhārata online
• All volumes in 12 PDF-files (Holybooks.com, 181 MB in total)
• Reading Suggestions, J. L. Fitzgerald, Das Professor of Sanskrit, Department of Classics, Brown University