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Mahabharata(Hinduepic)

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WhataresomefactsaboutMahabharata?
Pleasedon'twriteexcerptsfromMahabharatahere.Ifthereisageographical,archaeological
orhistoricalproofof(oragainst)thehappeningsinmahabharatathenthisistheplacefor
that.
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AnanyaRB,Ireadalothere.
UpdatedAug29
OriginallyAnswered:WhataretheamazingfactsabouttheMahabharatwar?

ThisstoryisaboutJayadhrathaspartandhisdemiseonthe14thdayofthe
battleofMahabharata
Whohewas:
HewasthecrownedprinceandlaterKingoftheSindhuKingdom.HisKingdom
stretchedalongthebanksofriverSindhu/Indusintheancienterainmodern
Pakistan.
JayadrathawasthehusbandofDuryodhanasonlysistercalledDushala.
ThushewasalsoabrotherinlawtothePandavas.

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Oneday,duringthetimethePandavaswereinexile,thePandavasneededto
gathergrassandflowersforsomerituals.TheyleftDraupadialoneattheashramand
requestedSageTrunabindutowatchoverher.OnthatdayJayadrathasawPanchalifilling
waterfromapond.TheKingofSindhwasmesmerizedbyherbeautyandoutoflustsent
hisministerKotikasyaandaskedhimtoinquireastowhoshewas.

Kotikasyawentovertoherandafterlearningaboutheridentity,informedJayadrathathat
shewasDraupadi,thewifeofthePandavas.Jayadrathainspiteoflearningheridentity,
wenttotheYagyasainiandproposedtomarryher.Initiallywelcominghimasherbrother
inlaw,Draupadivehementlyrefusedtheproposal.Infuriated,Jayadrathaabducted
Draupadiandstartedmovingtowardshiskingdom.

7MergedQuestions
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ThePandavasreturnedtotheirashramtofindDraupadimissing.Theylearntabout
theeventsthattookplaceintheirabsencebytheaccountofDraupadi'sfriend
Dhaatreyika,whohadwitnessedJayadrathaforcefullycarryingPanchaliaway.Dharmaraj
YudhishthirathenorderedArjunaandBhimatorescueDraupadi.Bothofthem
defeatedJayadrathaandbroughthimbeforeYudhishthira.TheYagyasainiaskedfor
Jayadrathatobepardonedandnotbekilled,inordertopreventDushalafrombecoming
awidow.Shesuggestedthathebetreatedlikeaslave.So,VrikodarBhmashaved
Jayadratha'sheadleavinghimwithjustfivespotsofhaironhishead,beforesetting
himfree.

JayadrathasBoons
Yearsbeforeabdicatinghisthrone,Jayadratha'sfather,Vridhakshtra,hearda
prophecyfromtheSageVedVyas,thathissonwillbebekilledbybeingbeheadedinawar.
Scaredforhislineage,Vridhakshtraleftfortheforestandbecameasage.Through
penance,heattemptedtogainenoughspiritualpowertogranthissonimmortalityorthe
equivalentofboongiventothesonofGanga,Bhishma.However,heonlymanaged
enoughtocursethatwhosoeverwouldcauseJayadratha'sheadtofalltothe
groundwillturntoash.

AftertheDraupadiincident,Jayadrathadesiredtoavengehishumiliationfromthe
Pandavasbydefeatingtheminthebattlefield.So,Jayadrathaperformedarigorous
tapasyainordertopleaseLordShiva.WhenMahadevappearedbeforehim,Jayadratha
askedfortheabilitytodefeatthePandavasinwar.LordShivarepliedthatsuchaboon
wasimpossible.However,hegaveJayadrathatheboontochecktheadvanceofthe
Pandavasandtheirforcesforonewholeday.ButLordShivaalsowarned
JayadrathathatArjunwasanexceptiontothisboon.

13thDayofBattleAbhimanyuVadh
Naturally,JayadrathafoughtbesideDuryodhanaintheKurukshetraWar.Onthe13th
dayoftheMahabharatawar,whentheChakravyuhawasemployedby
Dronacharya,JayadrathamadeuseofLordShiva'sboon.
AspartofDuryodhana'sstrategy,ArjunandKrishnawerebusybattlingSusharmaandthe
TrigataArmyelsewhereonthebattlefield.
ArjunsteenagesonAbhimanyumanagedtoentertheformationThebrave
soulintendedforthePandavaforcestofollowafterhimanddestroytheformationfrom
theinside.

JayadrathamovedintoclosethegapassoonasAbhimanyuentered,andwasableto
holdallthePandavabrothersandtheirforcesatbay.
SubhadraputraAbhimanyufaughtalonemidsttheChakravyuha.Hewasverywell
trainedatmilitarycombatsbythewonder,Madhavhimself.Butthatdayhisfatewas
goingtobedifferent.

Abhimanyu,whodidnotknowhowtoexitfromthechakraVyuhawas
trappedandbrutallykilledbytheKauravaWarriorsinacombinedandunethical
attack.

TheSonsofPanduwerestartledafterfindingthatJayadrathawasabletoholdtheworld's
mostpowerfulwarriorsatbay.Inparticular,Draupadi,Yudhishthira,andthemighty
BhmafeltveryguiltyfornotkillingSindhuNareshwhentheydidhavethechance.Arjun
blamedJayadrathatobethecauseforAbhimanyu'sdeath.Hevowedtokill
himtheverynextdaybeforesunset,failingwhichArjunwouldkillhimselfby
jumpinginapyreoffire.ThisvowsenteveryoneinthePandavascamptoashock.
Attheendoftheday,whatthevowmeantwasIfArjunkilledJayadratha,thenthe
boongivenbyJayadaratha'sfatherwouldturnArjuntoAshes.AndifArjun
didnotkillJayadrathathenhewouldhavetoimmolatehimselfbytheendof
theday.
Shakuni,themasterofcunningstrategies,wasveryhappyatthewaythe
eventshadunfolded.Jayadrathawasabravewarrior,buthefearedArjunalike
everyoneelse.Hefearedforhislifeandhencewishedtoleavethebattlefieldandnotfight.
SoShakuniaskedAcharayaDrona,theleadcommanderoftheKauravaArmytoensure
Jayadrathathathewillbesafe.SoDronaensuredJayadrathathathewillemploy
astrategywhichhadneverbeenbeatentillthatday.Astrategythatwillensure
Jayadratha'ssafetyaswellasthedemiseofPandavas.Thisstrategywastaughttothe
brahminParshuramshishyaasarewardbyLordParshuramhimselfandcouldbe
brokenonlybyLordVishnuhimself.Dronahadnottaughtthisstrategytoanyoneof
hisdisciplestoo.Jayadarathwasrelievedandagreedtofightthenextday.Shakuni'snew
masterstrokewasfallingintoplace.TheKauravaswouldessentiallywinthewarveryeasily
ifArjunwouldnotfight.
Thissetthestagefortheepic14thdayofbattle.

14thDayofBattleJayadrathaVadh
Thenonthe14thdayofthegreatbattle,thesonsofPanduwereinneedofhelpbecause
theyknewthatprimewarriorArjunwouldnotbeabletoprotectYudhishthirathat
dayashehadtogokillJayadratha.
TheKauravasknewthistoo.Therefore,asAcharyaDronahadstated,theyformedthe
deadlymilitaryformationandstrategy.Thisformationincluded3differentformationsof
theirsoldierssidebysideintheformofalotus.Thecombinationofthese3Vyuhaswas
calledtheKamalVyuha/PadmaVyuha.Itwasasgoodatoffenseasitwasindefense.If
Arjun,attackedonevyuha,thenJayadrathawouldswaphisplaceandmove
intothesecondoneandprotecthimself,whilethethirdvyuhawouldattack
Yudhishthira.
Sowhenhewasaskedforhelpinformulatingthatday'swarstrategy,beingthegreat
counselorthathewas,VasudevKrishnataughtthePandavastheinnovativeand
secretivevyuhawhichhehadalsousedbeforewhenhedefeatedJarasandhbefore
abandoningMathura,theSarpkhadagvyuha,whichwaslikeasword.
Atthetipoftheswordstoodtheferocious,deeplyimmersedinanger,thedeadlyace
archer,clinchingtheGandivtightlyinhishand,Arjun.

TheSarpkhadagvyuhacouldworkonlyandonlyif
Thearmysprimarywarriorhadtobeunbeatableandstoodatthetipofthevyuha.
Andnokidding,Paarthwasabsolutelythatonthisday.
Twograndslayerswhoneededtobeverygoodatoffensehadtostayandfightatthe
edgesofthesword.Themightymacecarrier,BhmaandtheswiftarcherSatyaki
playedthisrole.
Yudhishthirastoodinthepivotoftheswordwhichwouldmoveonlyforwardandnot
sideways.Hewasprotectedat4sidesaroundhimby4differentsubarmieswhichwereled
byhisneverbetrayingpartofhisfamily,Nakul,Sehdeva,Dhrishtadyumnaandthelastby
allUpaPanadavas(ThesonsofPandavas).

TheplanwasfordhananjyaArjuntomoveinaZigZagway(ThatiswhySarp).
Andthewholeswordformationtofollowhim.Thinkofitlikethewiperofcarswindshield,
butalsomovingforward,sweepingoffthedustonawindshield(ineffectkilling/
injuringallthesoldiersintheirway).
Sotherefore,movingforward,andinazigzagway,thesavyasachiArjunwasableto
attackalltheformations.ThisisthereasonwhyArjunhadtofightanddefeateach
andeverybigwarriorbeforereachingtheendoftheKauravaArmy.
Andweknowwhathappenednext.Bhma,SatyakiandArjuntearthroughthe
Kauravaarmy.
Inbrief,ArjunwasabletoshyawayfromDronaonceandmovedforward.Thenhefought
KarnaandAshwathamatwiceandwasabletoinjureaswellasexhaustthem.Healso
brokethechakravyuhathreetimesduringtheday.Arjunathenwentontobeatthearmy
of1000elephantswhichDushasanawasleading.HethenkilledSrutayudha&
Sudakshina,thekingandprinceofKhambhojas.
BheemabrokeDrona'schariotthrice.Bheemalsokilled20KauravaPrincesthatday.
BheemaalsokeptDuryodhanaawayfromArjunaatalltimes.Thiswasimportantbecause
KrishnahadrealizedthatShakunihadtoldDuryodhanatoaskArjunathequestion
"Wouldyoureallymakeyoursisterawidow?WhatisthevalourorDharmainthat?".Such
aquestionwouldweakenArjuna'sdesiretokillJayadarathaandhencetheGandivdhari
wouldfighthalfheartedlyandinaffect,wouldnotbeabletocompletehisvow.
SatyakidefeatedKingShalyaandexhaustedthegreatDronacharaya.Satyakithenfaced
Karnaandwasbeaten.HewasthenreplacedbyNakulfortheday.Ofcourse,Karnadid
notfightwithhisfullstrengthtokillNakul.
Ataclimacticmoment,thesunwasnearlysetandthousandsofwarriorswerestill
standingbetweenArjunandJayadratha,thecharmingandintellectualKrishnaplayed
onelasttrickandsenthisSudarshanaChakratomaskthesunandcreateanillusion
ofsunset.TheKauravawarriorsseeingthesunset,rejoicedoverArjunsdefeatand
lookedforwardforhisimminentsuicide.JayadrathacamebeforeArjunand
tauntedhim.Krishnathenrevealedhistrickandletthesunshineagain.Krishnathen
toldArjunatokillJayadratha.

Withunflinchingbeliefinhisfriend,Arjunthenputonashowofarcheryand
beheadedJayadrathafollowingtheactwithshootingavolleyofarrowsto
movetheheadfurtherandfurtherawaytilltheheadfellintothelapof
Vridhakshtra,Jayadrathasfather,whogotupinshock.Theheadofhissonfellonthe
ground,andVridhakshtra'sheadturnedintoashes.

Thus,Vridhakshtrabecamethevictimofhisownboongrantedtohisson.
PS:AddressingDisclaimers/Memorandumstothefollowing:
Theinformationcompiledhereisfromthe"TheMahabharataofKrishna
DwaipayanaVyasa(VedVyasa),Volume1byKisariMohanGanguli".Youcanread
foryourselfherehttp://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/...
ThereisofcourseadifferentversionoftheMahabharatawhichsaysthatitwasnot
Krishnawhohidthesun,insteadtherewasaneclipsewhichoccurredthatevening.
Basedonthisfact,alotofhistorianshavetriedtodatetheMahabharata.Thisarticle

canhelpyouindiscoveringsuchdetailsTwoEclipsesinThirteenDaysbyDr.S.
Balakrishna
ThereisadifferentversionoftheMahabharatawhichsaysthatArjunabeheads
JayadrathawiththeAindrastrawhichcarriestheheadtoJayadratha'sfather.
Thecredittoalltheimagesgoestoitsvariouscreatorsandnotme.Ihavemadeonly
theimageshowingtheSarpkhadagvyuha.
Edit:ForthosewhodonotgettheSanskritwordsorAlternatereferences.
Glossary
Tapasyapenance
VyuhaStrategicMilitaryformations
SarpSnake
khadagSword
Nouns/ReferencesandTitles
PanchaliDraupadi(princessofthePanchalkingdom)
YagyasainiDraupadi(bornfromtheflamesofthefireofayagya)
DharmarajYudhishthira(onewhoruleswithrighteousness)
VrikodarBheema(ThekingoftheForestofIllusions[Mayavan])
PaarthArjuna(AshewasthesonofPritha/Kunti)
DhananjyaArjuna(Hewonmanywarsandbroughtdhan[Money]tohisland
astheloot.)
GandivaArjunasdivinebow.Consideredthemostpowerfulbowyet.
GandivdhariArjuna(TheonewhowieldedtheGandiva)
SavyasachiArjuna(Ambidextrous/Hewasabletowieldthebow,aimandfire
arrowsfrombothhands)
SubhadraWifeofArjuna/Abhimanyusmother/Krishna'ssister
MadhavLordKrishna
AcharayaTeacher/Guru
BrahminParshuramShishyaDrona
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Chaitanya,Theonewhoknowswhenpplquote"whoknows?"!
UpdatedMay12

(IamgoingtorestrictmyanswerherewithjustonestoryasIcouldgoonandonabout
littleknownstoriesaboutMahabharata!)
BattlebetweenBhishmaAndParshuramwhichlastedlongerthan
KurukhestraWar!

Bhishma(sonofShantanuandGanga)wasagreatarcherandawarrior.Heisknown
forhisvowofcelibacyandskillsintheMahabharata.Hehadthetaskoffindingabride
forhishalfbrother,Vichitravirya.HeabductedprincessesAmba,AmbikaandAmbalika
ofKashi(Varanasi)attheirswayamvara.Salwa,therulerofSaubala,andAmba(the
eldestprincess)werecommittedtoeachother.WhenAmbaconfidedinBhishmathatshe
wishedtowedSalwa,hesentherbacktoSalwa.However,Salvaturnedherdownasitwas
humiliatingforhimtoacceptawomanwhohadbeensolonginthecompanyofanother
man.ShethennaturallyapproachedBhishmaanddemandedthathemarryher,whichhe
refused,citinghisvow.Amba,humiliatedandenragedbeyondmeasure,vowedtoavenge
herselfagainstBhishma.

LegendhasitthatathermaternalgrandfatherssuggestionAmbasoughtrefuge
withParshurama,whoorderedBhishmatomarryAmba.Parshurama(sixth
incarnationofLordVishnu)wastheguruofBhishma.Hepolitelyrefusedsaying
thathewasreadytogiveuphislifeatthecommandofhisteacherbuthecould
notbreakhispromise.Upontherefusal,Parshuramacalledhimforafightat
Kurukshetra.Atthebattleground,whilehewasonachariot,Parshuramawason
foot.BhishmarequestedParasuramatoalsotakeachariotandarmoursothat
Bhishmawouldnothaveanunfairadvantage.ParshuramablessedBhishmawith
thepowerofdivinevisionandaskedhimtolookagain.WhenBhishmalookedat
hisguruwiththedivineeyesight,hesawtheEarthasParshuramaschariot,the
fourVedasasthehorses,theupanishadsasthereins,Vayu(wind)asthe
charioteerandtheVedicgoddessesGayatri,Savitri&Saraswatiasthearm.
BhishmagotdownfromthechariotandsoughttheblessingsofParshuramato
protecthisdharma,alongwiththepermissiontobattleagainsthisteacher.
ParshuramawaspleasedandsaidtoBhishmathatifhehadnotbehavedinthis
manner,Parshuramawouldhavecursedhim,foritisthedutyofwarriorswho
fightagainstelderstonotabandonthetraditionsofhumilityandrespectfor
elders.Parshuramablessedhimandadvisedhimtoprotecthisdharmaof
brahmacharyaasParshuramahimselfmustfighttofulfilhisdharmaoffightingto
upholdhiswordasgiventoAmba.
AndsothefirstgreatbattlefoughtinKurukshetracommenced.Themorefamous
KurukshetrawarbetweenthePandavasandKauravastook18days,butthewarbetween
thesetwoheroestook24days.Bythe23rdnight,Bhishmahadtriedallthemaneuvers
andweaponshecouldthinkof,butnoneofthemwereabletodefeatParashurama.Same
wasthecasewithParshuram!
Bhishmasummonedtheinfalliblecelestialweapon(astra)Prashvapastra,themethod
ofusingwhichwasknowntohimandhimalone.Neitherdidacounterattack
exist,norwasadefenseagainstitknowntoParshurama.AsBhishmamounted
theastraonhisbow,adivinevoiceguidedBhishmanottofiretheweaponasits
usewouldleadtothehumiliationofBhishmasguru(Parasuramahimself).Bhishma
refrainedfromusingtheweaponthatwouldhavebroughthimcertainvictory.
Uponwitnessingthis,Parshuramawasovercomewithadulationforhisdiscipleand
proclaimedthathisformerstudentwastrulyinvincible.HetoldAmba:
"UsingeventheverybestofweaponsIhavenotbeenabletoobtainanyadvantageover
Bhishma,thatforemostofallwieldersofweapons!Ihaveexertednowtothebestofmy
powerandmight.SeektheprotectionofBhishmahimself,youhavenootherrefugenow!"
IconsiderthiswartobeatruedharmayudhhawhereTeacherfoughtagainsthisbeloved
studentplacingdharmaovereverythingelsefoughtwarnotforanydesirebuttofulfill

theirdutywherewarriorsfollowedtherules,andwarriorswerehumbleenoughtoadmit
theycouldnotwin!
Edit1imagessourcedfromhttp://molee.deviantart.com/ dovisittheartgallery.
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AjayReddy,LiketoknowmoreaboutHinduEpic
WrittenMay12

1.TheMahabharatawarcouldhavebeenaverted,ifonlyDuryodhanhad
listenedtotheGita.
KrishnahadtriedtonarratetheBhagwadGitatoDuryodhan,buthehadrefusedtolisten,
sayingthathealreadyknewrightfromwrong.Hearguedthattherewassomeforcewithin
himthatdidnotallowhimtochoosetherightpath.HadhelistenedtoKrishnaswords,
theentirewarcouldhavebeenaverted.

2.NotallKauravaswereagainstthePandavasinthewar.
TwoofDhritarashtra'ssons,VikarnaandYuyutsudidnotapproveofDuryodhana's
actionsandhadactuallyprotestedagainstDraupadibeingstakedinthegameofdice.
3.ThebirthofDronacharya
ThebirthofDronacharya,theGuruofthePandavasandKauravasintheMahabharata,is
veryinteresting.ItwouldnotbewrongtosaythatDronacharyaisthefirsttesttubebabyin
theworld.RishiBharadwajaisthefatherofDronacharyaandmotherisanApasaraname
Krithaji.OneeveningRishiBharadwajawasgettingreadytodohiseveningprayers.He
wenttotheGangaRivertotakehisusualbathbutwasamazedtofindabeautifulwoman
bathingathisusualspotintheriver.
OnseeingRishiBharadwaja,thebeautifulApsaraKrithajigotoutoftheGangaRiver
wearingasingleloincloth.RishiBharadwajawasmovedbytheheavenlybeautyofthe
Apsara.Overpoweredbythemoment,thesageinvoluntarilyemittedhissemen.TheRishi
collectedthissperminaclaypotandstoreditinadarkplaceinhisAshram.Dronawas
borninthispot.'Dronam'meanspotand'Dronar'isonewhowasbornfromthepot.

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4.Draupadi'sbrotherwasactuallyareincarnationofEkalavya.
OriginallyborntoVasudeva'sbrotherDevashrava(whichbythewaymakeshimKrishna's
cousin!),EkalavyagotlostintheforestandwassubsequentlybroughtupbytheNishada
kingHiranyadhanu.HewaskilledbyKrishnaduringRukmini'sabduction.However,to
honourthegreatsacrificeEkalavyamadeasgurudakshina,Krishnablessedhimsothat
hecanreincarnateandtakerevengeonDrona.Hence,Ekalavyawasreincarnatedas
Draupadi'stwinDhrishtadyumna.
5.Nowastage
Thebattlelasted18days,andeveryday,thousandsoldiersdied.SotheUdupikinghadto
cookthatmuchlessfood,otherwiseitwouldgowaste.Theamazingthingwasthatevery
day,thefoodwasexactlyenoughforallthesoldiersandnofoodwaswasted.Afterafew
days,peoplewereamazed,Howishemanagingtocooktheexactamountoffood!No
onecouldknowhowmanypeoplehaddiedonanygivenday.

7.KrishnaandArjunafoughtagainstoneanotherinabattleonce.
ItbeganwithGayan,thegandharva,flyinghischariotimpulsivelyandclosetoDwarka,
whereKrishnaresided.HeflewsoclosetoKrishnathatKrishnafelldownandGayandid
notevenapologiseforhisrecklessbehaviour.Krishna,furious,vowedtohunthimdown
andkillhim.Gayan,scared,rantoBrahmaandMaheshforhelp,buttheyaskedhimto
apologisetoKrishnainstead.NaradmunithenaskedhimtoreachouttoArjuna,Krishnas
closefriend,toseekhelp.AftermuchconvincingandmanipulationbyNaradmuni,Arjuna
agreedtohelpGayan,albeitreluctantly.WhenKrishnaandArjunameetforbattle,

Brahmastoppedthemandfoundasolution.HeaskedArjunatohandoverGayanto
Krishna,whothenkilledGayan.
KrishnathentoldArjunathatwarwasnear,andheshouldbepreparedtofightevenhis
ownbrothersandrelativesthisbattlewasmeanttoprepareArjunatofightforthe
Kurukshetrawar.
8.AllofthePandavaswereextremelypowerfulandeachofthemhadtheir
strengths.
NakulandYudhishtirahadgreatpowers.Nakulcouldrideahorsesofastthathecould
nevergetwetinheavyrain.Itissaidthathetraveledwithsuchgreatspeedthathecould
dodgeraindropsbetweensuccessivefallingdrops.AndYudhishtirawassaidtohaveso
muchpowerthatifhegotangry,everythingwithinhislineofsightburnt.
9.BalaramawasAbhimanyusfatherinlaw
AbhimanyuswifeVatsalawasthedaughterofBalarama.BalaramawantedthatVatsala
shouldmarryLaxman,Duryodhanasson.AbhimanyuandVatsalabothlovedeachother
andwantedtogetmarried.AbhimanyutookthehelpofhisbrotherGhatotkacha(a
daitya)whotrickedLaxmanandterrifiedhim.GhatotkachthenflewawaywithVatsala
andwenttohisbrotherAbhimanyu.Laxmanwasveryupsetfromallthisandhevowed
thathewillnotmarrythroughouthislife.
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SachetMaheshwari,curious,...
WrittenMay19

TherewasatimewhenAsurasandDevaswouldfightallthetime.Afteroneofthesefights,
wheretheAsuraslostagain,theirteacherShukracharyathoughtofasolutiontoobtain
theMritasanjeevaniStotramamantrathatwillmaketheAsurasinvincible.Heset
outtoShivasabodetoobtainitthroughpenanceandtoldhisAsuradisciplestorestinthe
ashramofhisfatherBhrigu.
TheDevasknewthattheAsuraswerelivingashermitsintheashramandhadnoweapons
onthem.Theysetouttokilltheasuras.TheAsuraswentandsoughttheprotectionof
Bhriguswife.ShewaspowerfulenoughtomakeIndraimmobile.TheDevasgotscared
andrantoVishnu.Vishnutoldthemtoenterhisbodyforprotection.Bhriguswife
threatenedVishnuwithdireconsequencesifhedidthat.
VishnugotangryandkilledthewomanwithhisSudarshanChakra.Bhrigu
wasfuriouswhenheheardthathiswifewaskilled.So,hecursedVishnuto
bebornonEarthandsufferthecyclesofbirthanddeathseveraltimes.
AndthisisthereasonwehavehadavatarsofVishnuonEarth,andhencetheepicsof
RamayanaandMahabharata

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SiddharthAbhimanyu,Mythologyenthusiast
UpdatedJun27,2015

1.TheoriginalMahabharatacontainsalmostcompletegenealogicaltreeofthelunar
dynasty.
2.KrishnaDwaypayana(Vyasa)wroteMahabharata
in100,000shlokas.TherewasanappendixtoMahabharatacalled
HariVansha.Howevertodaywehaveonly90,000shlokas
includingHarivanshawhichmeanswelostprettymuchhalfofMahabharatainthecourse
oftime.
3.Evenwith90,000shlokasitiseasilybiggerthaneveryotherepicintheworld.Itis4times
biggerthanRamayana.Mahabharataasitisavailabletodayhasaround2millionwords.
Comparedto:
TheLordoftheRings:570,000(Halfmillion),
ASongofIceandFire:1,770,000.(Aroundtwomillion)(Thisisworkunderprogressand
mightbreaktherecordofMahabharta)
HarryPotter:1,084,170(OneMillion)
HomersIlliad:340,000
Notethatallthesearemodernbooks.Mahabhratawasneverwrittendownuntillast800
hundredyears.
4.OvercenturiesthiswaspassedtothenextgenerationviaOraltradition.Trytoimagine
thebillionsofhumanhoursthatwerespentinrecitingandbyheartingtheMahabharata
sothatitcouldbepassedtonext
generation]ThisishowKrishnaDwaypayanawrotetheMahabharata:
8900Jaya
Expandedto24,000asBharata
Expandedto90,000asMahabharata
Headdedanother400,000shlokastoitcalledMahaPuranas(total18innumber).
5.EveninthemodernworldwithdiminishingfamiliaritywithSanskrititwashardto
preservethisEpic.ThecurrentauthenticversionofMahabharata
ispreparedbyillustriousBhandarkarInstituteofOrientalResearchinPune.(BORI).The
projectwasstartedin1919andcompletedin1966.Thisauthentictextwasvettedbyseveral
scholarsaftergoingthroughseveral
interpolationsandvariationsoftheMahabharata.
6.ThelinguisticanalysisofMahabharatasuggeststhatthefirsteditionofMahabharata
hadformedbeforetheRamayanabutgotpopular

andexpandedinsizeonlyafterRamayana.ForexampleDrinkinghumanbloodorkilling
childreninsleepwasunbelievablyunprincipled
duringRamsperiod.Theseprimitiverulesofwarwerelikelytobe
inpracticebeforeRamayanaandnotafter.
7.SomeAshtras(weapons)returnsbacktothepersonwholaunchesit.Eg.Karna's
NagaastharaandKrishna'sSudharsanaChakra.Thismaybesimilartothereusable
missileswhichtheIndianSpaceResearchOrganizationisworkingon.
8.ArjunawasunabletodefendthewivesofKrishnafromcommonrobbersafterKrishna's
departuretoVaikuntha.Hisbowbecameheavyandheforgotallhismantras.The8main
wivescommittedsuicide.Theotherswerekidnappedbyrobbers.ThisisbecauseArjunalost
hispowersafterKrishnaleft.
9.BhimahadonesurvivingsonnamedSarvagabyBalandharawhowasnotgiventhe
thronedespitebeingmucheldertoParikshit.HebecametherulerofKashi(hismother's
land)instead.
10.MostpeopleknowthatMahabharatwaswrittenbyVedvyas.Vedvyasisnotaname
butonlyapostgiventothosewhohadtheknowledgeofVedas.
.Krishnadweepayanwasactuallythe28thVedvyas,whowasgiventhisnamebecause
hehadadarkskincolourlikeLordKrishnaandhewasbornonanisland.
11.MostpeoplefeelthatMahabharatteachesaboutDharma.Manypeopleeven
connectMahabharatwithtruthandlies.However,inMahabharatthereisnotevenone
instancewheretruthorliesisdefined.EveryactionofpeopleinMahabharatdepends
onthesituationtheyarein.
12.TherewereforeignforcestoothatwereinvolvedinthefightofMahabharat.Thereal
fightofMahabharatwasnotjustbetweenPandavasandKauravas,forcesfromRome
andGreecewerealsoapartofit.
13.Althoughitisbelievedthatthesevenmaharathisofachakravhyuwerethe
reasonofAbhimanyusdeath,butthisisalsonotthecompletetruth.Abhimanyuhad
actuallykilledoneofthesevenmaharathis(warriors),whowasDuryodhansson.Angryon
this,Dharamsan,thesonofDushasanhadkilledAbhimanyu.
14.ThePashupatastra,inHinduHistory,isanirresistibleandmostdestructivepersonal
weaponofShivaandKali,dischargedbythemind,theeyes,words,orabow.
NowtheinterestingfactisthatIntheMahabharataArjunaobtainedthisweaponfrom
LordShivabutdidnotuseitbecausethisweaponwoulddestroytheentireworld,ifused
againstamortalenemy.Arjundidn'tusedthisastratoslayJayadaratha.Itissaidthatthe
mantratoobtainanddischargetheastraissealedbyShivatopreventitsmisuseintheKali
Yuga.
ApartfromArjun,nootherwarriorpossessedthisweapon.
15.DuryodhanadidnotparticipateinDraupdisswyamvarabecausehewasalready
marriedtoBhanumati,princessofKalinga,andhehadpromisedherthathewouldnever
marryanother.
16.ThefivevillagesthatKrishnaaskedforthePandavasduringhisnegotiationsforpeace
includedPaniprastha(modernPanipat),Sonaprastha(modernSonipat),Tilprastha
(modernTilpat),Vrikshprastha(modernBagpat)andIndraprastha(modernDelhi).
Source:ReligiousSpeeches,MahabharataDocumentariesandVideos,Wikipedia,Facebook
,KMGMahabharata.
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NimeshKiranVerma,TheColoredZebra...
WrittenFeb27,2013
OriginallyAnswered:WhatarethebasicfactsoneshouldknowaboutMahabharata?

OneofthegreatestSanskritepicrightfromthelandofHindusisMahabharata.Itisthe
storydepictingthefightbetweentruthandevil,virtueandfreedom,rightandmightand
thebestpartcomesofitisthewinoftruthoverevil.Themainstoryhoversaboutthe
GreatWarbetweenthebrothersPandavasandKauravas.Theyfoughtthegreatbattleof
supremacyforultimateauthorityoverHashtinapurandIndraprasthaandthebestmay
excel.ThisisthesamestorywhenKrishnaVasudevaYadavagavethepreachingsofGeeta
toArjunathebestarchorintheworld.Thisisthesameepicwhichgavetheworldthe
pathofrighteousandtruth.Herearesomegreatfactswhichonemustknowabout
Mahabharataandhavebeenbrieflydetailedhere.

10.)BasicIntroductionabouttheEpic

Thisepichasbeenbasicallydividedinto18sectionsknownasparvas.Theveryfirstparva
iscalledAdiparvawhichactuallycontainsthestoriesofBharatandBhriguraces,andthe
veryearlylifeofPrincesofKuru,andthenoncontinueswithtwotolast18thofthe
parvascalledSvargarohanaparvawhichgivesadetailedbriefingaboutthefinaltestof
DharmrajYudhisthirandthereturnofallotherbrothersofYudhisthirbackinSwargthe
DivineWorld.
9.)TheFirstGenerations

ShanatnuthethenkingofHastinapurhadashortloveaffairwithGoddessGandaand
theyhadasonnamedDevavratawhoislatercalledasBhismabecauseofhisgreatest
promisethathemadeofbeingunmarriedallhislife.LateronGangaisbacktodivine
worldlivingShantanubehindandShantanubecomeslonelyandseeinghisfathervery
sad,Devavratafindsagirlwhocanreallyallurehisfatherandhesucceedsindoingso.
ShantanubecomesmadinlovewithafisherwomannameSatyavati.

8.)NextGenerations

Asonthefurtherstorycontinues,Vyasaiscalledonforthegenerationstobecarriedon
andthenDhrisarastraandPanduisbornandbothwerebornwithdisabilities.
DhritrashtrawasbornblindwhilePanduwasbornthinandpale.Theotherbornbabyat
thesamemomentwasVidur,thewisestpersoneverborn.Dhritrashtrawasmarriedto
Gandhari,theprincessofGandharandOanduwasmarriedtoKuntiandMadri.
7.)PandavasandKauravas

PandavaswerethesonsofyoungerPanduwhilethekauravasweretotal100innumber
andwerethesonsofGandhari.Pandavaswerethedemigodswhowerebornwiththe
enlightenedpowerofDharma,VayuandIndra.YudhisthirwassonofDharma,Bheem
wassonofVayuandArjunabeingIndrasson.KuntisharesherdivinemantrawithMadri
andshegivesbirthtotwinscalledNakulandSahdeva.Kauravaseldestbrotherwas
DuryodhanandyoungestbeingtheDushashanwhowerethemostnotoriousofallof
themwasunderthesupervisionofShakuni,hismaternaluncle.Boththeprincesssides
weregiventrainingoflifestyleandfightingunderthesupervisionofthegreatestteacher
ofthoseeraDronacharya.OneofthemostimportantmentionwasthatGandhariand
DhritrashtrahadadaughternamedDushala.InfactKauravasweretotal101innumber.
6.)TheLakshagriha

LakshagrihaistheimportantchapterfromthelifeofPandavasinwhichafterthedeathof
theirmotherMadri,PandavasreturntoHastinapurwithKuntiandYudhisthirwas
crownedtheprinceofstateundertheconstantpressurebeinggiventoDhritrashtrawho
wantedDuryodhantobethenextemperor.However,Shakunihadanotherplanstokill
Pandavasandthatiswhyhecalleduponthosearchitectswhocouldbuildthehouseof
flammableobjectlikelacandgheeinwhichoncePandavasgetinandkilledoffire.Vidur,
thewisestonehadaclueaboutthesituationsohetakesthepandavssafelyofffromthe
placeandsavedtheirlife.WhilePandavaswereconsidereddeadaftertheLakshagriha
incidentinwhichallthosearchitectsweredead.
5.)DraupadiVivah

WhilethePandavaswereinAgyatwass(Alivinginwhichtheywerenotsupposedtobe
recognized),therewasthemarriageceremonyofDraupadiinwhichArjunastrikedthe
eyeoffishandwinstheswayambarofDraupadi.HeisthenmarriedtoDraupadiand
comesbacktotheirmother.WhentheyreturnedbacktoKunti,theysaysthattheyhave
broughtaveryvaluablethingforwhichtheirmothergrantsthemtosharethething
equallyandbecauseofthisstatement,Draupadiwasequallydividedforeachbrothers
andPandavaswerethecommonhusbandtoher.Sincethiswasatragicincidentbutlater

onitwasexplainedthatDraupadiitselfwantedtobethewifeofsuchhumanswhohad
allthepowersofLordShivaandthatiswhysheisnowthewifeofPandavaswhoare
somewherethematchincommontoShiva.

4.)PashaKhel(ThegameofDICE)

ThiswasthemostcrucialmatchwhichwasplayedbetweenPandavasandKauravasand
followingtheconsequencesofthegames,PandavshadlosttheirwifeDraupadiintheDice
gameforwhichDushanangoesforChirharanandKrishnahelpsDraupadi.Afterthe
interferencefromBhismaandotherelderlyattendentsofCouncil,Pandavasweresentin
toexileanditwasfollowedwithmanyresolutionsbyPandavasofwhichthegreatestwas
theDraupadithatshewillnottieherhairsuntilshehasthebloodofDushashanaand
BheemgoesforresolutionofkillingDushashanaandstrikinghislegoffhisbody.

3.)Exile&Return

Pandavasspent13yearsinexileandinthistenureoftime,theydidmanymarvellousjobs
andmanyotherdifferentadventuresoflife.TheymadetheirlifespentatVirataandin
thelastdaysoftheirexile,KrishnacomesasanegotiatorinthecourtofIndraprastha
andDuryodhanadeniesandinsultsKrishnaofwhichKrishnagetsfuriousandtellsthat
MahabharataWarisinvitednow.

2.)KurukshetraandGeetaUpdesh

ThisistheplacewheretheBattleofMahabharatawasfoughtbutpriorfightingagainst

theirownbrothers,Arjunaisnowfeelingemotionsandhedeniedtoraisehisarrows
againstKauravasandgivesup.Upontheincident,thecharioteerofArjuna,Krishna
comeswiththeultimatepreachingofGeetawhichisthemostfamousfromtheHindus
Divinityandwhichactuallydefinesthelifeandtruthofhumanity.Arjunanowraiseshis
bowandarrowandultimately,PandavasdefeatedKauravasinthebattle.Pandavas
remainedasthewinningclanoftheplacewithmanydeathsanddeadbodies
surroundingthe.Thewidowsandmotherscryingfortheirdeadhusbandsandsonsinthe
battlefield.ThisisthetimewhenGandharicursesKrishnaforitandKrishnaacceptsif
silently.

1.)EndofPandavas

Pandavasruledkingdomformorethan36yearsbutthenontheydecidetorenounceall
andtheydecidetogotoheaven(Swarg).WhileonthewaytoSwarg,allthebrothersof
Yudhisthirafallsdown,andDharmarajremainsallaloneonthepathfollowedbyadog
whowasactuallyYama,theGodofDeath.YamatakesYudhisthirtoUnderworld,
mentioningthatallthosewhoweretherulershadtovisititoncewheretheyhad
committedcrimeornot.LastlyDharmarajgavetestandheisassuredthathewill
accompaniedbyhisbrothersandDraupadioncetheirtimeinunderworldgetsover.
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ManjeetSingh,MammothCricketfan
UpdatedMay12

Fivegoldenarrows
AsKauravaswerelosingthebattleofMahabharata,DuryodhanaapproachedBhismaone
nightandaccusedhimofnotfightingtheMahabharatawartohisfullstrengthbecauseof
hisaffectionforPandavas.Bhismagreatlyangered,immediatelypickedup5golden
arrowsandchantedmantrasdeclaringtomorrowhewillkill5pandavaswiththe5golden
arrows.DuryodhananothavingfaithinhiswordsaskedBhismatogivecustodyof5
goldenarrowssayingthathewillkeepthemandwillreturnthemnextmorning.
LongbackbeforetheMahabharatawar,Pandavaswerelivinginexileinaforest.
DuryodhanaplacedhiscampontheoppositesideofthepondwherePandavaswere
staying.OncewhileDuryodhanawastakingbathinthatpond,theheavenlyprince
GandharvascametotakebathDuryodhanacouldnottoleratethisandhadafightin
whichGandharvacapturedhim.OnrequestofYudhisthir,ArjunasavedDuryodhanaand
sethimfree.Duryodhanawasashamedbutbeingakshatriya,askedArjunawhat
benedictionofboonwouldhelikeArjunarepliedhewouldaskforthehonourgiftlater
whenheneededit.
Bhishmasdownfall

ItwasduringthatnightofMahabharatawar,whenKrishnaremindedArjunaofhis
unsatisfiedboonandtoldhimtogotoDuryodhanaandaskfor5goldenarrows.When
ArjunaaskedforthearrowsDuryodhanawasshockedbeingakshatriyaandboundbyhis

promisehehadtogivethosegoldenarrows.Heaskedwhotoldyouaboutgoldenarrows,
ArjunarepliedwhoelseotherthanLordKrishna.
DuryodhanaagainwenttoBhismaandrequestedforanotherfivegoldenarrows.Tothis
BhishmalaughedandrepliedthisisnotpossibleandwillofLordisSupremeand
undeniableandwhateverhappenstomorrowintheMahabharatawariswrittenlong
before.
Edit:1
ArjunassonsacrificedhimselfbeforeKurukshetrawar
Iravan,wasthesonofArjunafromprincessUloopi.BeforethestartoftheMahabharata
war,heagreedtobesacrificedtoGoddessKalitoensurevictoryforPandavas.Buthehad
awishtobemarriedbeforehediedandthiscreatedaproblem.
Therewasnogirlwhowouldbewillinglymarriedtoapersonwhowasabouttodie.Enter
ShriKrishna.HebecameMohiniandmarriedIravanthusfulfillinghislastwish.Notonly
this,afterthedeathofIravan,Mohiniweptandwassorrowfullikeawidow
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AnoushkaAwasthi,Iscientificallyphilosophize
WrittenMay8

Whathappenedafterthemahabharatawar:
Mahabharataisanearlyperfectexampleofhowtogoaboutyourlifeexcept,ofcourse,the
war.ThewarofKurukshetra,isconsideredtobeoneofthebloodiestwarseverfoughtin
humanhistory.Itwassomonstrousthatdespitelastingforonlyeighteendays,itresulted
inthedeathofalmost80percentoftheIndianmalepopulation,anditsnarrativeforms
morethanaquarterofthebook.WhatswidelyknownisthatthePandavaswonandthe
Kauravaslost.EverimaginedwhathappenedafterthePandavaswon?Whoallsurvived?
HowlongdidthePandavasruleHastinapur?Howdidtheyfinallydieorwerethey
actuallymurdered?Andmostimportantly,whathappenedwithLordKrishna?
1.)AfterwinningthewarofKurukshetra,PandavasarecrownedtherulersofHastinapur
withYudhistirabeingatthehelmofaffairs.AgriefstrickenGandharicursesKrishna
wishingforhimandthewholeYadavclanapainfulldeathjustlikehersons(Kauravas).

2.)PandavasruleHastinapurfor36longyears.Meanwhile,GandhariscursetoLord
Krishnastartstakingshape.WitnessingominouseventsinDwarka,Krishnaleadsan
exodusoftheentireYadavclantoPrabhasa.InPrabhasa,amurderousrebellionensues
amongsttheclan,andtheYadavsendupkillingeachothertotheextentofalmostwiping
outtheirentirerace.

3)Whiletryingtoextinguishtherebellion,ahuntermistakenlyshootsanarrowatthe
mortalLordKrishna,ultimatelykillinghim.Thereafter,Krishnamergesintheimageof
Vishnuandleaveshismortalhumanbody.AfterthedemiseofLordKrishna,VedVyasa
tellsArjunathatthepurposeofhisandhisbrotherslivesisover.

4)Ataboutthesametime,DwaparaYugaisonthevergeofending,andKaliYugais
abouttostart.Lookingatthechaosandadharmacreepingintohiskingdom,Yudhistira
crownsParikshitastheking,andthePandavas,alongwithDraupadi,decidetoclimbthe
Himalayasasafinalpenancetoreachheaven.Astraydog(LordYamaindisguise)joins
themontheirwaytothetop.

5)Asthepackclimbsup,onebyone,theystartfallingtotheirdeath.Itstartswith
Draupadi,andBheemisthelasttofalltodeath.Thereasonsfortheirdeathareassociated
withtheirdesires,issues,andtroublescausedbytheirpride.OnlyYudhistira,whodidnt
takeprideinanything,alongwiththedog,makesittothegatewayofheavenatopthe
Himalayas.

6)Atthegatewayofheaven,LordYama,disguisedasthedog,revealshisidentityand
beforelettingYudhistiraenterheaven,takeshimonatourthroughthegallowsofhell.In
hell,YudhistirawitnesseshisbrothersandDraupadiredeemingtheirsins.LordIndira,
then,takesYudhistiratoheavenandpromiseshimthathisbrothersandDraupadiwillbe
there.

ThisishowLordKrishnaandthePandavas,themostimportantcharactersof
Mahabharata,leftthemortalworld.Afterthis,begantheKaliYuga,whichistheworldas
weknowtoday.
source:WhatHappenedAfterTheMahabharataWarIsSomethingYouWerentTaught
InSchool
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SaranUdayakumar,GodmademeanIndian
WrittenMay3
OriginallyAnswered:WhataretheamazingfactsabouttheMahabharatwar?

StoryOfAravan:OriginOfTheThirdGender

MostofusfindMahabharatatobeaveryconfusingstory.Asthisepichassomany
legendarycharacters.AravanorIravan,onesuchminoryetcrucialcharacterof
Mahabharata.Itisfromhislineagethatthetransgendersaresaidtohavebeenborn.That
iswhythetransgendersorhijrasarealsoknownasAravanis.
Iravan(AlsoIravant,IravatandAravan),thesonofArjunandnagaprincessUloopi
sacrificedhimselftogoddessKalitoensurethevictoryofhisfatherandhisteaminthe
Kurukshetrawar.

AravanisthecentralGodofthecultofKuttantavar.Likehisfather,Aravanwasafierce
warrior.HeparticipatedintheKurukshetrawarwithhisfatherandtheotherPandavas.
Hefoughtbravelyandgavehimselfupforahugesacrifice.
Aravan'sSacrificeForTheWar
TheearliestsourceofmentionregardingAravanisfoundinPeruntevanar'sParata
Venpa,a9thcenturyTamilversionoftheMahabharata.Thereittalksaboutaspecial
sacrificialritualknownasthe'Kalappali',whichmeanssacrificetothebattlefield.Itwas
believedthatwhoeverperformsthissacrificeensuresvictoryonthebattlefield.Inthis
ritual,themostvaliantwarriormustsacrificehislifeinfrontofGoddessKaliinorderto
ensurethevictoryofhisside.Aravanvolunteerstosacrificehimselfintheritual.

TheThreeBoons
InParataVenpa,AravanasksKrishnatogranthimtheboonofaheroicdeathonthe
battlefield.
Aravanisbelievedtohavebeengrantedasecondboontoseetheentire18day
war.Thethirdboonisfoundonlyinthefolkrituals.ThisthirdboonprovidesAravanto
bemarriedbeforethesacrifice,entitlinghimtotherightofcremationandfunerary
offerings(bachelorswereburied).However,nowomanwantedtomarryAravan,fearing
theinevitabledoomofwidowhood.IntheKuttantavarcultversion,Krishnasolvesthis
dilemmabytakingonhisfemaleform,Mohini,marriesAravanandspendsthatnight
withhim.TheKoovagamversionadditionallyrelatesKrishna'smourningasawidow
afterAravan'ssacrificethenextday,afterwhichhereturnstohisoriginalmasculine
formforthedurationofthewar.
TheThirdSex:Aravanis
AravanisknownasKuttantavarinthecultwhichbearshisname,andinwhichheisthe
chiefdeity.Here,themarriageofAravanandMohini,herwidowhoodandmourning
afterAravan'ssacrificeformthecentralthemeofan18dayannualfestivaleithersideof
thenightofthefullmoonintheTamilmonthofCittirai.
TheAravanis(transgenders)takepartintheKoovagamfestivalbyreenactingthe
marriageofAravanandMohini.ItisbelievedthatalltheAravanisaremarriedto
Aravanandhence,whenthesacrificeisreenacted,theAravanisbecomewidowsof
Aravanandmournhisdeath.
Content&Imagecourtesy:
TheTragicStoryOfAravan:OriginOfTheThirdGender
LesserKnownFactsofKurukshetraWarinMahabharat
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VivekPadmanabhan,Unitedforever
WrittenMay21

IthinknobodymentionedthestoryofthebattlebetweenKingofPragjyotishapura,
Bhagadatta.andArjuna.

Itwas12thdayinthegreatKurukshethrawar:
DuryodhanarushedagainstBhima.Seeinghisarchenemycomingtowardhim,
surroundedbyhiselephantdivisions,Bhimalickedhislips.Assaultingtheelephantarmy,

Bhimabegantopenetratethebodiesofthosehugebeastswithhispowerfularrows.
WitnessingBhima'sdisplayofpower,theelephantarmybrokeandranfromthe
battlefield.
SeeingthistherulerofPragjyotishapura,Bhagadatta,advancedagainstBhima.Hewas
ridingonhiswhiteelephantSupritika.ItwassofuriousthatitgrabbedBhimaaround
theneckwithhistrunkandthrewhimdowntotheground.Uponbeingpickedupagain,
Bhimafreedhimself,andoncemoreranundertheelephant.Thiselephantwasnot
ordinary.ItseemedinvincibleandcouldnotbeslainevenbyBhima.Bhimathenranout
fromunderneaththeelephanttoadistantplacewaitingforthearrivalofhisownelephant
army.
Beholdinginthedistanceahugedustcloud,andhearingthewailingofthetroops,Arjuna
spoketoLordKrishna,ItappearstherulerofPragjyotishapurahascreatedagreat
slaughteramongourtroops.Ithinkthatheistheforemostelephantwarriorinthis
world.Hiselephantappearstobedivine,andnootherelephantcancompetewithit.It
seemstobeimmunetoallweapons,andfirecannotharmit.Withoutdoubtitwilldestroy
ourarmyifnotstopped.Exceptforusthereisnoonewhoiscapableofsubduingthat
creature.GoquicklytoBhagadattaforIwillkillhimandhisgreatwhiteelephantalso."
WhenKingBhagadattasawthechariotofLordKrishnaandArjuna,hegreetedthemwith
ashowerofweapons.Supritikathencameuponotherelephantsandchariotsand
decimatedthemall.ArjunacouldnottoleratethisandagainattackedBhagadatta.The
kingofPragjyotishapurathenpiercedLordKrishnawithirontippedarrowsdecorated
withgoldenfeathers.Playingthepartofanordinarylivingbeing,theLordallowedHis
bodytobepierced,butsincethespiritualbodyoftheLordisnotundertheinfluenceofthe
materiallaws,thereisnoquestionofpainordeathcomingtotheLord.
Arjunacouldnttoleratethis.SoheseveredBhagadatta'sbowandkilledthementhatwere
protectingtheelephant'slegs.KingBhagadattathenreleasedfourteenjavelinsthatwere
asbrightastheraysofthesun.However,Arjunacuteachofthoseintothreepieces,and
thenKunti'ssonshatteredthearmorinwhichtheelephantwasencased.TheKingof
Pragjyotishapuraquicklyreleasedanirondartthatwasdeckedwithgold.Arjunacutitin
two.Hethencutofftheking'sroyalumbrellaandbanner,andpiercedhimwithten
arrows.BhagadattabecameenragedandreleasedtwolancesthatknockedArjuna'scrown
slightlyfromhishead.Arjunathenplacedhiscrownonhisheadproperlyandyelledat
Bhagadatta,"Takealastlookatthisworld,OgreatKing!"EnragedatArjuna's
words,BhagadattatookupagoldenbowandreleasedhundredsofarrowagainstLord
KrishnaandArjuna.Beforethosearrowsreachedthechariot,Parthashatteredthemand
thebow,andpiercedBhagadattawithseventytwoarrows.Overcomewithexcessivepain,
thePragjyotishapurarulerwasfurious.Usingcelestialmantras,heturnedhiselephant
hookintoaVaishnavaweaponandhurledittofinishArjuna'slife.However,LordKrishna
roseupinthechariot,andtheweaponhithischestturningintoagarlandofflowers.
Withalongshaftedarrow,ArjunapiercedSupritika'sfrontalglobesplittinghisheadin
two.AlthoughrepeatedlyurgedbyBhagadatta,theelephantwouldn'tmove.Withhis
limbsparalyzed,hefelldowntotheearthdeprivedoflife.Astheelephantfell,thesonof
KuntireleasedacrescentheadedarrowthatpiercedBhagadatta'schest.Whenstruckby
thisweapon,therulerofPragjyotishapuraloosenedfromhisgrasphisbowandarrow,
andfellfromhiselephant.Theturbanthatwasdecoratinghisheadfellofflikealotus
petalfallingfromthelotusflower.Whilelayingontheground,decoratedwithgolden
garlands,beautifulclothesandornaments,Bhagadatta'sdeadbodylookedwonderful.
Arjunathendescendedfromhischariotandcircumambulatedthegreathero.Heoffered
hisobeisancestohim,andthenascendingthechariotonceagainbegantoafflictthe
Kauravaranks.
Source:http://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduis...
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ManishKr.Shukla,Mythologygoesontoprove,thatevengodsweren'tperfect!
WrittenMay11

Thecursethatmadethevillainsofallmythology

JayaandVijayaarethetwogatekeepersofVishnusabodeVaikuntha.Foursonsof
BrahmawalkedtothegatesofVaikunthaseekingtomeetVishnu.JayaandVijaya,
thinkingthattheseKumarasareregularchildrendidnotletthemin.TheseKumarasgot
veryangryandcursedJayaandVijaya.Theycursedthattheywouldlosetheir
divinityandwillbebornasnormalhumanbeings.Vishnuenteredthesceneand
JayaandVijayaappealedtoVishnutonullthecursestheyjustgot.
VishnusaidthatthecursesKumarasgavecannotbereversed,butcanbemodifiedso
thatJayaandVijayacanchoosetheirmannerofbirthandgavethemtwooptions
1.TobebornseventimesasdevoteesofVishnu.
2.Tobeborn3timesastheenemiesofVishnu.
JayaandVijayacouldnotbearlivingwithouttheirlordandhencechosetobebornas
enemiesofVishnu,sothattheywouldgettomeethimpersonally.
Hence,theywerebornasHiranyakashipuandHiranyakshaintheirfirstlife,Ravana
andKumbhakarnaintheirsecondandDantavakraandShishupalaintheirthird.
TheywerekilledbyVishnuinalltheirlivesandgaveustheincrediblevillainstoponder
about.
Moreofsomesimilarfactscanbereadhere:10InterestingBoonsAndCursesThatLedTo
TheCreati onOfIndianMythology
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SanidhyaMathur,FascinatedbySanatanaDharma
WrittenMay14

ShriKrishnaexplainingthecruelfateofKarna

Itisthe17thdayoftheKurukshetraWar.Arjunahaspiercedthelastofthearrowsinto
KarnasarmourandisnearKarnaschariot,whenawailingKuntirevealstothePandavas,
thetrueidentityofKarna.AnincensedYudhishthiracurseswomankindthattheycan
neverholdasecretever.Atthisjuncture,Arjunacriesaloudandblameshimselfforbeing
singularlyresponsibleforhisownbrothersdeath.Atthis,theallknowingLordKrishna
laughsandtakesajibeatArjunasaying,Whydoyoutakeresponsibilityforkillinga
deadserpent,whichhasalreadybeenkilledby6curses?Sayingthis,theLordexplains
the6reasonswhyKarnametsuchacruelfate.
a.TheTeachersCurse
Karna,afterbeingturneddownbyDrona,approachesParashuramatolearntheDivya
Astras,however,asaBrahman.OnthefinaldayofthelessonsfromParashurama,Karna
unflinchinglybearsascorpion(orbeewhichwasLordIndraindisguise)bite,when
Parashuramaisrestinguponhislap.AbewilderedParashuramarealizesthatKarnacan
benonebutaWarriorandcursesKarnathathewillforgettheknowledgeoftheweapons,
especiallytheBrahmastra,whenheneedsthemthemost.Karnaacceptsthatheisnota
Brahman,butisunabletounderstandwhyheisregardedaWarriorbythegreatteacher.
Note:ParashuramaisregardedasadestroyeroftheKshatriyas,whose1000generations
hedestroystounburdenMotherEarthofherheavyload.HencehecursesKarnathe
Warrior.

b.ABrahmansCurse
Karna,oncewhenpracticingtheShabdbhediArrow,mistookaCowforawildanimaland
shootsitdown.TheBrahmantowhomthecowbelongsisdistraughtandcursesKarna
thathewillbekilledbyhisenemywhenhisattentionisdiverted,whenisnotincombat.

ThiscursematerializeswhenKarnaisbusyremovingthechariotwheelfrom
themudandisshotbyArjuna.

c.MotherEarthsCurse
KarnaoncehelpedalittlegirlwhohadsplitMilk(orGhee)onthegroundandfeared
retributionfromhermother.AkindKarnahelpedthegirlretrievetheMilkbysqueezing
andtwistingthegroundinessence,MotherEarthherself.Sounbearablewasthepain,
thatMotherEarthcursedKarnathatshewouldbeofnoassistancetohimwhatsoeverand
willeventrytomakehimvulnerableinbattle.Thisresultedintheuntimelyincident
ofKarnasChariotWheelgettingstuckinmudduringhisbattlewithArjuna.

d.AFathersRequest
AmongthemanyadjectivesappliedtoKarna,Daanveer(Generous)isthemostcommon
andaptofall.LordIndra,withanintenttoprotecthissonArjunaandrenderhissons
opponentweak,assumestheformofaBrahmanandapproachesKarna,whois
performinghismorningablutionsandprayers.Nevertoturnanyrequestdown,Karnais
askedbytheBrahmantogivehisKavachaandKundalas(Armour&Earrings).Thishe
unhesitatinglygivestotheBrahman,whoheknowsisIndra(asforewarnedbyKarnas
father,Surya).IndraisoverwhelmedbyKarnasgratitudeandoffershimaboonagainst
whichKarnaearnstheIndrasmostpowerfulweaponShaktiwhichhe
eventuallyusesagainstBhimassonGhatokghaj.

e.AMothersDilemmaI
ThroughLordKrishna,KarnaisalreadyawareofhislineageasaPandavaandhencea
Royalty.However,onlylateintohissoleconversationwithKunti,doesherealizethatheis
speakingtohisownmother.KuntirequestshimtojointhePandavas,whichherefuses
owingtothedebtwhichhehastorepaytoDuryodhana.However,hepromisestohis
mother,thathewouldattempttokillnoneofthePandavasexceptArjuna.

f.AMothersDilemmaII
KarnaalsopromisestohismotherthatthecommonlyknowncountofPandavas,whichis
5,wouldnotchangeattheendofthebattle.Thisandtheaboveimpliedthateither
heorArjunawouldperishattheendofthebattle.Healsopromisestoherthathe
willusetheNagastraonlyONCEonArjuna.

Apartfromtheabove,KingShalyaoftheMadraKingdomhasanimportantroletoplayin
Karnasdefeat.ThoughthecharioteerofKarna(asperDuryodhanasplan),Shalyaisthe
uncleofthePandavasandhencedecidestohelptheminwhicheverwaypossible.Onthe
17thdayofthebattle,asKarnascharioteer,ShalyademoralizesKarnabypraising
Arjunaingloriousterms.Moreimportantly,whenthewheelgetsstuck,hedoesnotassist
Karna,claimingthathisjobdoesntrequirehimtoliftthechariotandleavesKarnaalone
withtheChariot.
Mostimportantly,LordKrishnahimselfensuresArjunasvictoryandKarnasdemise.
KarnafirestheNagastraatArjuna,aimedathishead.Arjunahasalmostsurrendered
himselftodeath,whenLordKrishnalowersthechariotintotheground,whichcausesthe
NagastratostrikeArjunascrown.Duetothepromisegiventohismother(andknownto
Krishna),Karnadoesntusetheweaponagain.
Lastly,itisKrishnawhoasksArjunatostrikedownKarna,whenthelatterisliftinghis
chariotfromtheground.AtthistimeKarnaishelplessandstartschantinghismantras

onlytorealisethatSagePurshurama'scursehastakenoverhim.Heforgetstheverses.He
knowsthatheishelplessandthatitwouldbehimwhohastodieasitisdestined.
ArjunaabidesbytheLordswordsandstrikesdownhisveryownbrother.
KarnawatcheshisowndeathasArjunsarrowstrikeshimwithalighteningspeed.

ThuslivednomoretheDeadSerpentwhohadalreadybeenmurderedbythe
numerousdemonsofhispasthisgravestmistakesbeingparticipationinDraupadis
humiliationandthemurderofAbhimanyu.
SourceDevdutt books,AmarChitraKatha
ShriBRChopra'sMahabharat(1988TVseries)
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AbhinashKashyap,EconomicsandENIundergrad@BITSPilani,GoaCampus
WrittenAug21

Mostpeoplebelievethattheepicwasinspiredbyarealwarthatwasfoughtamongst
nomadicherdsmen,whofollowedtheVedicwayoflifeandgrazedtheircattleinthe
northofmoderndayDelhi,probablyinwhatisnowthetownofKurukshetrainthe
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stateofHaryana.

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Basedonastronomicaldatafoundintheepicthattwoeclipsesseparatedbythirteen
Internetconnectionproblem.Hidethismessage.
daystookplacearoundthewarsomehavedatedtheeventsoftheMahabharatato
around3000BCE.Othershavedatedittoaround1500BCE.Thereisnoconsensus
amongscholarsinthismatter.

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BhishmaisthelastoftheKurubloodline.ThesonshisfatherbearsonSatyavatidie
childless.ChildrenoftheroyalfamilythereafterarenottrueKurustheyarechildrenof
thedaughtersinlawofthehouseholdbyothermen.

ArjunaisthesonofIndra,godoftheskyandrain.KarnaisthesonofSurya,godofthe
sun.IndraandSuryawereancientrivals,eachclaimingsupremacyintheVedic
pantheon.IntheepicRamayana,thisrivalrytakestheformofaconflictbetweenVali,

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whoisthesonofIndraandSugriva,whoisthesonofSurya.GodintheformofRam
sideswithSugrivaoverVali.IntheMahabharata,Godchangesalliesandprefersthe
sonofIndra,Arjuna,overthesonofSurya,Karna.Thusthebalanceisachieved
betweenthetwogodsovertwolifetimes.

Vyasaconstantlydrawsattentiontothedangersofconflictbetweenindividual
aspirationandfamilydutyimposedonchildrenbytheirfathers.Drivenbydesire,Karna
refusestobeacharioteerlikehisfosterfather.Drivenbyvengeance,Dronarefusestobe
apriestlikehisnaturalfather.Krishna,thoughborninawarriorfamily,prefersbeing
identifiedasacowherdorcharioteer.Foritisnotvocationthatmatterswhatmattersis
theunderlyingintent.

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InVedictimes,gamblingwithdicewasconsideredasacredritual.Justasnokingcould
ignoreachallengetoadueloracalltoabattle,nokingcouldturndownaninvitation
toagamblingmatch.Gamblingshowedifakingwasblessedwithintelligenceandluck.
KrishnaembodiesintelligenceandDraupadiluck.ThePandavasenterthegambling
hallwithneither.
ThisistheonlytimeintheepicwhenthePandavastakedecisionsalonewithout
mother,withoutfriend,withoutwife.Andtheyfailmiserably.

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RamsstoryispartoftheMahabharatabutthepoetValmikimadeitanepicinitsown
right.KnownastheRamayana,thestoryofRamspeaksofamodelkingandhismodel
reign.TheMahabharata,bycontrast,ismoreaboutimperfectkingsandtheirimperfect
reigns.IntheRamayana,VishnuupholdsrulesasRam,whileintheMahabharata,
VishnuchangesrulesasKrishna.IntheRamayana,Godisking,whileinthe
Mahabharata,Godiskingmaker.

Atvarioustimesduringthebattle,thesupremecommanderorganizedhistroopsinto
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specialformationsknownasvyuhas.Eachformationhadaspecificpurposesomewere
defensivewhileotherswereoffensive.Furthermore,eachformationhadspecific
strengthsandweaknesses.Theformationsthatwereencounteredareasfollows:
Internetconnectionproblem.Hidethismessage.
KraunchavyuhaHeronformation
MakaravyuhaDolphinformation
KurmavyuhaTurtleformation
TrishulavyuhaTridentformation
ChakravyuhaWheelordiscusformation
PadmavyuhaLotusformation.
Source:Jaya:AnIllustratedRetellingoftheMahabharatabyDevduttPattnaik.
Illustrations:MukeshSingh/Viadeviantart.com
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JatinRajput,Tolivealoneisthefateofallgreatsouls.
UpdatedMay24

Hereitis,allhailSuryaputraKarna.
DraupadiaskedLordShivatoblessherwithapersonwhopossessesthefollowingfive
qualities:
AGreatWarrior,APatientMan,TheSymbolOfTruth,ABeautifulFaceandA
StrongPerson.
Shivadidnotblessher.Heliedtoherthatallfivequalitiescouldnotbepossessedbya
singleperson.Instead,heblessedherwithfivemenallpossessingonequality:
AGreatWarrior(Arjun),APatientMan(Sahadev),ABeautifulFace(Nakul),TheSymbol
OfTruth(Yudhishthira)andAStrongPerson(Bhima).
Karnawasthepersonwithallfivequalities.
PoorDraupadi.

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KrishnakneweverythingbuthedidnotallowShivatoblessher.Thisisbecause,then
Mahabharatawouldn'tbepossible.
SuryaputraKarnahadthepowertomovetheUniverse.
WhenArjunwouldhitanarrowonKarna'sChariot,hischariotwouldmovebacktosome
distance.WhenKarnawouldhitanarrowonArjun'sChariot,hischariotwouldmovevery
verylittle.
Arjunwasveryhappy.Krishnatookhishappinessaway.Hetoldhimthathe(Krishna)
wassittingonArjun'sChariot.TheUniverseresidesinhim.ThismeansKarnahadthe
powertomovethisentireUniverse.
LordHanumanprotectedthechariotofArjunbysittingatthetopofit.Krishnarequested
HanumantosittheresothatthechariotcouldbearthearrowsofBhishma,Dronacharya
andthemostdangerousKarna.
Edit:AttentionReaders.
Theaboveinformationiscompletelytrue.ItistakenfromB.R.Chopra'sMahabharataand
RamanandaSagar'sShriKrishna.Theabovemythologicalprogramswerecreatedafter
doingmanyresearches.So,thosewhoareignorant,pleasedonotcomment.Goandwatch
them.
Karnadidmanywrongdeeds.Itwasdestined.HetookpartinAbhimanyu'sdeathbecause
thatwasnecessarytokillhim.Hewasagreatman.Hewasthesymboloftruthand
everything.ShriKrishnaalsoknewthat.
AgainIsay,allhailSuryaputraKarna.
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HarshavardhanRamanna,ProudIndianfromtheHeritageCityofMysore
WrittenMay18

ThestoryofhowKarnaobtainedhisarmor.

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Internetconnectionproblem.Hidethismessage.

EveryonewhohasheardtheMahabharatawouldknowaboutKarna.Moreimportantly
theywouldknowthathepossessedkavachkundalanarmorsotoughthatnoone
couldpierceit.
BeforethegreatepicMahabharatabegan,therewasanAsuranamedDhambodbhava
whowasaworshipperofLordSuryatheSunGod.
Dhambodbhavaperformedagreatpenanceinordertofulfillhisburningdesiretobea
greatconqueror.Heprayedwithoutbreak,incoldandinheat,undertheSunandthe
Moon.

Suryaimpressedwithhisdevotee,appearsbeforehimandallowshimtoaskforaboon.
ImmortalityistheboonthatDambodbhavawishesfor.Butasimmortalityistheonly
thingthataGodcannotgranttoamortal,heagreestograntanyotherwishthat
Dambodbhavaasksfor.
Beinganintelligentasura,Dambodbhavaasksforthefollowingwish.

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Ishouldbeprotectedbya1000layersofarmor.Onlyapersonwhohasperformeda
penancefora1000yearsshouldbeabletodestroyeachlayer.Andanypersonwho
destroysonelayershoulddieimmediately.
Suryahavinggivenhisword,followshisDharmaandgrantshimthisboon.
Asitsooftenhappenswithasuraswithgreatpower,Dambodbhavawreckshavocon
mortalsandcelestialsalike.ThisgivesDambodbhavahisinfamousname,
Sahasrakavachtheonewitha1000layeredarmor.
Murti,thewifeofDharma(oneofthesonsofBramha)andoneofthedaughtersof
Dhaksha(fatherofSatiwhobecomesthewifeofShiva)performsapenancetoLord
VishnuinordertodestroySahasrakavach.
Impressedwithher,VishnuagreestocullthedemonandisrebornastwinstoMurti.They
arenamedNaraandNarayana.Thetwinsaredifferentinbodybutsameinmindand
soul.
NarachallengesSahasrakavachtoafightandbattleshimfora1000years.Duringthis
time,NarayanaperformsapenancefortheMrutyunjayaMantraawishtobringback
apersonfromdeath.
Afterbattlingfora1000years,NararemovesasinglelayerofarmorfromSahasrakavach
anddies.NarayanawiththehelpoftheMrutyunjayaMantrabringshimbacktolife.Then
Narayanabattleshimfora1000yearswhileNaraperformsthepenance.Theyrepeatthis
for999times.Andonlythelastlayerofarmorremains.
Scaredsenseless,DambodbhavaescapesthetwinsandseeksshelterfromhisGodSurya.
Havingbeensoimpressedwithhisdevotee,Suryaturnsablindeyetothedestructionand
havoccausedbyhimandagreestoprotecthim.
Vishnuangeredbythis,cursesSuryathathewillbebornamortalandwouldsufferinthat
lifeforallthesinscommitted.ThusbothDambodbhavaandSuryaareborntogetheras
Karna.Andsinceonlythelastlayerofarmorremained,Karnahasexactlyonelayer
remaining.TheKavachKundal.
NaraandNarayanaarereincarnatedasArjunandKrishnawhoultimatelyliveuptothe
purposeofkillingDambodbhava.
Andtherest,astheysayit,istheepicMahabharata.
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HarshVardhanSingh,IshootTrouble

Internetconnectionproblem.Hidethismessage.

WrittenJun6

ArjunaForgetsGita:
BhagwatGitahastobethebestfactaboutMahabharata.Afterthewar,Arjunaforgets
alltheteachingsfromGita:).AftertheMahabhartawarherequestsLordKrishnato
refreshalltheteachingsashehasforgotteneverything.Inreply,LordKrishnatoldthatit
isnotpossibleevenforhimtorecollectalltheteachings.Hethennarratestohimanother
setofinstructionsknownastheAnugitaParvofMahabharata.BothAnugitaandGitaare
highlycompatible!
Visvarupa:
VedVyasofferedDhirtrastradivyadrishti(divinevision)sothathecanseewhatis
happeninginthewar,buthedeclined.HeaskedVedvyasatogivethepowertoSanjaya
andArjunaweretheonlytwopersonstolistentoGitaasrecitedbytheSupremeLord
Krishna.TheyweretheonlytwopersonstoseeKrishnainVisvarupaorViratrupa
("Universalform","Omniform")
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SuryatejaRokkam,LifelessonsfromMahabharata
UpdatedAug20

Mahabharata
About1.8millionwordsintotal,theMahabharataisroughlytentimesthelengthof
theIliadandtheOdysseycombined,oraboutfourtimesthelengthoftheRamayana.

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Only12warriorssurvivedthewar:5Pandavas,Krishna,Kritavarma,Satyaki,
Aswattama,Kripacharya,VrishaketuandYuyutsu.

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ThearchitectofmodernatomicbombwhowasinchargeoftheManhattanproject
Internetconnectionproblem.Hidethismessage.
wasaskedbyastudentafterthemanhattanexplosion,Howdoyoufeelafterhaving
explodedthefirstatomicbombonearth.Oppenheimersreplyforthequestionwas,
notfirstatomicbomb,butfirstatomicbombinmoderntimes.Hestronglybelieved
thatnukeswereusedinancientIndia.

KrishnaisyoungerthanYudhistirandBheem.

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Jarasandhwasbornintwohalves.ThesetwohalveswerefusedbyarakshasiJara,
henceheisnamedJarasandh.HewaskilledbyBhimainthesamewayhewasborn.
Jarasandha

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KarnawasmarriedtwicetoVrushaliandSupriya.

(Vrushali)

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(Supriya)
BabruvahanakilledArjuna,hisfather.Arjuna'slifewasrestoredwiththehelpofa
gem,givenbyUloopi.

BhimaadvisedKrishnatofocusonpeacealonenotwar.Hefeltthatahundredkings
willdie,thousandsofKshatriyasandcountlesscommonsoldiers.Hetalkedaboutthe
plightoftheirwivesandchildrenafterthewar.Warisacalamitythatwemustavertif
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theypossiblycan.Everyoneinthecouncilespeciallyhisbrothersstaredathimin
amazement.
Internetconnectionproblem.Hidethismessage.

DuryodhanadidnotparticipateinDraupdisswyamvarabecausehewasalready
marriedtoBhanumati,princessofKalinga,andhehadpromisedherthathewould
nevermarryanother.

Nakulcouldrideahorsesofastthathecouldnevergetwetinheavyrain.Itissaid
thathetraveledwithsuchgreatspeedthathecoulddodgeraindropsbetween
successivefallingdrops.

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Draupadiwas,infact,GoddessDurgasavatar.

Yudhishtirawassaidtohavesomuchpowerthatifhegotangry,everythingwithinhis
lineofsightburnt.

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Internetconnectionproblem.Hidethismessage.

Karnainhispreviousbirthwasaasura(demon)namedDambhodbhava

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Dronacharya:RishiBhardhwajaandApsaraKrithajiwerehisparents.Oneevening
whenRishiBhardhwajawasgettingreadyforhisprayerhesawaverybeautiful
Apsarabathingintheriverandoverpoweredbythatmomentheinvoluntarilyemitted
hissemen.Hestoredthatsemeninapotandstoredthatpotinadarkplace.After
someperiodoftime,ababywasbornoutofthatpotwhowasDronacharya.Sohecan
becalledasthe1sttesttubebaby.

Sahadevaatehisfather'sbrain.Fromthefirstbitehegottheknowledgeofwhat
happenedintheUniverse,fromthesecondbitehegotknowledgeofthepresentand
fromthirdhegainedknowledgeaboutthefuture.Hebecameagreatastrologerand
wassupposedtohaveknowntheeventsoftheMahabharataWarbeforehandbutwas
cursedthatifhedisclosedtheknowledge,hisheadwouldsplitinpieces.

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SahadevakeptthemuhurthamforMahabharatawarwhenapproachedby
Duryodhanaontheadviceofshakuni(Sahadevahadagreatknowledgeofastrology)
ThedicegameplayedinMahabharataiscalledchausar(it'snotjustagamebasedon
luck,itinvolveslotofthinkingfromplayers)

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Yudhistircanneverrefuseagameofdice(asecretvowbutmostofthepeoplethink
thatitisgambler'saddictionwhichmadehimtocontinuethegame)

Krishna'ssonSambafromJambavathimarriedLakshamanadaughterofDuryodhana
KuntisoriginalnameisPritha,shewasthebiologicaldaughterofShurasena,the
sisterofVasudeva,thefosterdaughterofhercousinKingKuntiBhoja,thewifeof
KingPanduofHastinapurandthemotherofKarna,andKingYudhisthiraof
Indraprastha.
...(more)
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KakashiMalavGupta,fanofmytho
WrittenAug7,2015

DEATHOFARJUNBYHISSONBABRUVAHANA

TheystoryofBabruvahana.

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BabruvahanaorBabhruvahanaisacharacterintheMahabharata,aHinduepic.He
isoneofthesonofArjuna,begottenthroughChitrangada,theprincessofManipura
duringtheperiodofhisexileatManipura.
Babruvahanawasadoptedasthesonofhismaternalgrandfatherandreignedat
Manipuraashissuccessor.Hedweltthereinapalaceofgreatsplendor,surroundedwith
wealthandsignsofpower.WhenlaterhecametoknowabouttheArjunawashisfather
andwhencametoseethehisfatherandfatherdidnotrecognizedhimandsaidheisa
wanderer
WhenArjunawenttoManipurawiththehorseintendedforthe
Aswamedha,therewasaquarrelbetweenArjunaandKing
Babhruvahana(whoisavatarofPrabhasa)andthelatterkilledhisfather
withanarrow.Repentingofhisdeed,hedeterminedtokillhimself,buthe
obtainedfromhisstepmother,theNagaprincess
Uloopi,agemwhichrestoredArjunatolife.
HereturnedwithhisfathertoHastinapur.ThiswasonaccountofacursebyVasus,on
accountofArjunkillingBhismaduringtheMahabharatawar.

ThedeathofArjunaatthehandsofBabhruvahana
ArjunaisslainbyhissonBabhruvahana,whowasbornoutofthePandavasmarriageto
Chitrangada,theprincessofManipur.(Mbh1.218)
LongafterthebattleofKurukshetra,YudhishtiradecidestoconducttheAswamedha
Yaga.TheyagahorseentersthedominionofManipur,whereArjunachallengestheirKing
Babruvahanaforafight.Babruvahanakillshisfatherintheensuingbattle.(Mbh14.80)
HoweverArjunassnakewifeUlupiresuscitateshimtolifebyusingthemagical
mritasanjivanigemownedbytheNagas.

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BabruvahanawiththehorsevsArjuna(Source:circa1850)

ArjunasdeathinthebattleisalsoattributedtothecurseoftheAshtaVasus.
TheVasus,enragedbyArjunasdeceptivetacticofusingShikandiasashieldtokill
Bhishma(anincarnationofoneoftheeightVasus),curseArjunathathewouldbeslainby
hisownson.ThiscursecomestopassduringthebattlebetweenArjunaandBabruvahana.
IntheJaiminiBharata,aversionoftheMahabharataattributedtoVyasasdisciple
Jaimini,Babhruvahana,uponUlupisadvisewagesawaragainstthesnakesinNagaloka
byleadinganarmyofmongooses.Hethensuccessfullyclaimstheelixirwhichisusedto
reviveArjunatolife.TheJaiminiBharataispopularforitsrichandcolourfultreatmentof
theAswamedikaParva.
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AnswerwrittenWriteryoumightlikeSep9

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Hasanythingeverhappenedto
youthatwassounbelievable
othersthinkyou'relyingwhenyou
trytotalkaboutit?

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arehardtobelieveexistuntilyou
visitthem?

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