Mahabharata Story
The word ‘Bharata’ refers to the battle of the Bharatas.
The epic Mahabharata is one of the largest poems in the world and is
divided into eighteen sections, parvas. It is looked upon as the PancamaVeda, the fifth Veda, as it contains all that is said in the Veda.
Vyasa and Ganesha - Wrote Mahabharata
Once Vyasa was thinking how to teach his disciples Mahabharata which
he just then conceived, Lord Brahma suggested to take help from Lord
Ganesa. Lord Ganesa agreed but asked Vyasa not to stop till it is over
and Vyasa put the condition that no word must be written without
understanding.
The entire story is composed in 1,00,000 verses. In the invocatory verse
of Mahabharata is referred as ‘Jaya’.
The number eighteen represents Jaya’, success and
The eighteen chaptered Mahabharata is known as ‘Jaya-sastra.
It has 18 chapters, the war was fought for 18 days,
It had 18 units of army, and
Bhagavad Gita has 18 chapters.
Mahabharatam Parvas
1.
Adi Parva
(The Book of the Beginning)
2
Sabha Parva
(The Book of the Assembly
Hall)
3
Vana Parva also Aranyaka-parva, Aranya-parva The twelve years of exile in the forest (aranya).
(The Book of the Forest)
4
Virata Parva
(The Book of Virata)
The year in incognito spent at the court of Virata.
5
Udyoga Parva
(The Book of the Effort)
Preparations for war and efforts to bring about peace between the Kurus and
the Pandavas which eventually fail (udyoga means effort or work).
6
Bhishma Parva
(The Book of Bhishma)
The first part of the great battle, with Bhishma as commander for the Kauravas
and his fall on the bed of arrows.
7
Drona Parva
(The Book of Drona)
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)
The battle again, with Karna as commander.
9
Shalya Parva
(The Book of Shalya)
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)
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)
Gandhari, Kunti and the women (stri) of the Kurus and Pandavas lament the
dead.
12
Shanti Parva
(The Book of Peace)
The crowning of Yudhisthira 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 (shanti means peace).
13
Anushasana Parva
(The Book of the Instructions)
The final instructions (anushasana) from Bhishma.
14
Ashvamedhika Parva
The royal ceremony of the Ashvamedha (Horse sacrifice) conducted by Yudhist(The Book of the Horse Sachira. The world conquest by Arjuna. The Anugita is told by Krishna to Arjuna.
rifice)
15
The eventual deaths of Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti in a forest fire when
Ashramavasika Parva
they are living in a hermitage in the Himalayas. Vidura predeceases them and
(The Book of the Hermitage)
Sanjaya on Dhritarashtra's bidding goes to live in the higher Himalayas.
16
Mausala Parva
The Book of the Clubs)
The infighting between the Yadavas with maces (mausala) and the eventual destruction of the Yadavas.
17
Mahaprasthanika Parva
(The Book of the Great
Journey)
The great journey of Yudhisthira and his brothers across the whole country and
finally their ascent of the great Himalayas where each Pandava falls except for
Yudhisthira.
18
Svargarohana Parva
(The Book of the Ascent to
Heaven)
Yudhisthira's final test and the return of the Pandavas to the spiritual world
(svarga).
khila
Harivamsa Parva (The
Book of the Genealogy of
Hari)
Maya Danava erects the palace and court (sabha), at Indraprastha. Life at the
court, Yudhishthira's Rajasuya Yajna, the game of dice, and the eventual exile
of the Pandavas.
ADI PARVA
King Pratipa , belonged to Lunar dynasty and he ruled Hastinapura.
Once Ganga emerged as beautiful maiden and requested him to marry.
He refused but promised her to marry his son Santanu.
They had a son , named Devavrata..
Once Santanu saw Satyavati,
the daughter of a fisherman.
He wanted to marry her but
her father posed a condition
that only her son would rule
the kingdom but it was not
accepted to him.
Devavrata went to Satyavati’s father
and promised him that he would never
marry in his life and maintain life long
celibacy for the sake of his father.
The celestials and others applauded at
the promise and called him
Bhisma and his vow as
Bhisma- pratijna.
Kuru vamsha
Santanu died after the birth of Chitrangada and Vichitravirya
the two sons of Satyavati. Chitrangada died after his
coronation. Vichitravirya was crowned.
Bhishma went to Kasi and fought with other princes and won
Amba, Ambika and Ambalika.
Bhishma won all the three princesses
Amba requested Satyavati and Bhishma to leave her as she
was loving King of Salva.
Ambika and Ambalika were married to Vichitravirya.
With out any child he passed away.
Then sage Vyasa was requested to beget children through
Ambika and Ambalika.
Ambika got Dritharastra, Ambalika Pandu raj and the
servant maid got Vidura through Vyasa.
Kunti gave birth to a baby before marriage.
Kunti , before marriage served Sage Durvasa. He taught her a
mantra and said if she recites the mantra and thought of a
particular deity, the deity would come and gift a child..
One day, looking at beautiful morning sun, Kunti recited the
mantra. The Lord in his divine form came and Kunti bore a son
from the sun deity.
The child had a Kavaca, armour and Kundala, ear rings, as
part of his body.
Embarrassed to face the world with a child, she placed the baby
in a wooden box and set the box afloat in the River Ganga.
He was picked up and brought up by a charioteer and was later
known as Karna.
Pandu Vamsha
Kunti married Pandu the son of Ambalika and younger wife of
Satyavati’s son Vicitravirya . Pandu married Madri also.
Pandu mistakenly killed a sage . The sage cursed him if he
approached his wife he will meet his death. Pandu chose to live
in forest.
Kunti revealed the boon she got from sage Durvasa.
With Pandu’s consent she got a son from
YamaDharmaraja - Yudhisthira
VayudevataBhima
IndraArjuna.
Madri too invoked Asvini-Kumaras with the same Mantra and
got Nakula- Sahadeva.
They were called Pandavas the sons of Pandu.
Kaurava family
Dhritarashtra the elder son of Vicitravirya and Ambika
married Gandhari and ruled the kingdom when Pandu left for
the forest. Gandhari became the mother of hundred sons, eldest
being Duryodhana. she had a daughter called Dussala.
Dhritarashtra had Yuyutsu from another wife.
They are all called Kauravas.
Pandavas and Kauravas lived together after Pandu’s death.
Kripacharya taught them.
The Pandavas exhibited brilliance in their learning.
Dronacharya was appointed as teacher to Pandavas and Kauravas. The people of Hastinapura attracted by Yudhisthira and
loved him for his truthfulness , purity, humility, generosity and
other qualities.
Drona and his students
Drona was the son of Bharadvaja and had learnt
dhanur-vidya, the science of archery from Parusurama.
He married Krpi, the sister of Kripacarya and had a son
named Asvatthama. Drona had great enmity with
Drupada, the king of Pancala. Drupada had insulted
Drona.
Arjuna’s concentration
Arjuna was attentive in learning and worked hard in
practicing the skills of archery, sometimes even sacrificing
his sleep. He was thus known as Gudakesa , one who has
mastery over sleep. He had also gained the skill of shooting arrows with his left hand and thus given the name
Savyasaci.
Ekalavya’s Guru Dakshina
Once a young boy named Ekalavya came to Drona to
learn archery. Drona refused to accept him as a
student as he was a hunter’s son. Ekalavya being
committed to learn, made an image of Drona and
sitting before the image practiced archery.
Ekalavay became an expert. When Arjuna discovered
that Ekalavya was more skilled than himself, he took
Drona to him. Ekalavya attributed his mastery to his
teacher Drona and sought blessings. Drona asked for
his right thumb as guru-daksina and Ekalavya
immediately cut his thumb and offered to his guru.
Bhargava cursed Karna
Drona refused to teach Karna, so he approached Parusurama. Having
known Parasurama’s hatred towards Ksatriyas he asked him to teach
dhanur-vidya disguised as brahmana. He accepted him and taught him
everything he knew.
One day, Parasurama was sleeping with his head resting on karna’s
thigh, when a stinging bee relentlessly pursued a spot on Karna’s thigh
which was close to Guru’s head causing a deep wound. Thinking that his
attempt to drive the bee away would disturb his guru’s sleep Karna
silently bore the pain.
Blood began to stream out of the wound and trickle, down to guru’s face.
His guru woke up by the warmth of the blood. Guru got up and saw the
bravery of the boy and also his real self. He at once cursed him that his
memory would fail him at the critical moment when he needed to use an
astra against his most formidable enemy. But he also said that he would
be known as the greatest archer on the earth.
Karna felt deeply dejected after his guru’s curse. Adding to his misery
he was cursed by a brahmin whose cow was shot by Karna unknowingly. The brahmin cursed him that his chariot would stick to the
ground in his fight against his strongest enemy and he would be killed
unaware in the battle.
.
SKILLS EXHIBITION
One day, Drona announced a public contest to test the skills of his pupils.
It was a big event, and besides the king, the elite as well as the general
public were invited to witness the proceedings.
One by one the young princes were called upon to display their skills, and
when it came to the turn of Arjuna, there appeared in the arena an
intruder who dared to challenge Arjuna, and actually displayed equal
skill in archery.
Feeling deeply insulted, Arjuna challenged the intruder to a combat;
the intruder was none other than Karna. At this stage, Drona
intervened to say that a prince could fight only another prince.
Would Karna identify himself? Was he a prince? Whose son was he?
KARNA CROWNED
Karna, who believed that he was the son of a charioteer, felt deeply
pained that he was being kept out on flimsy technical grounds.
It was at this stage that Duryodhana came forward to extend support
and patronage to Karna, an act that was to have far-reaching
consequences. On the spot, Duryodhana made Karna the King of Anga,
a territory lying within the kingdom of Dhritarashtra. Meanwhile the
Sun had set and the days proceedings were declared concluded; as a result
the fight between Karna and Arjuna did not take place.
But deep animosity between the two took root and it lasted till
Karna was finally killed in the Kurukshetra war.
DRAUPADI BORN
Drona asked his disciples to capture Drupada in a battle
and bring the king to him as an offering of their gurudaksina. When Kauravas failed to do so, Arjuna was sent
for the task. He returned successfully by fulfilling the wishes
of his guru.
Drona humbled Drupada and took half of his kingdom and
let him go. Drupada began to work for Drona’s destruction.
He performed penances and sacrifices to obtain a son who
would kill Drona. He also desired a daughter who would
marry Arjuna as he was highly impressed with Arjuna’s
prowess. He got Dhrstadyumna as son and Draupadi as
daughter from the flames.
Yudhisthira installed a yuvaraja
Dhitarashtra installed Yudhisthira as the Yuvaraja- crown
prince of Hastinapura. Yudhisthira was sought after by
every one for his great qualities. Duryodhana became
worried about Yudhisthira’s growing popularity.
Duryodhana approached
his father with a plot to
destroy the Pandavas and
asked him to send the
pandavas away for one
year to Varanavata so that
he could establish himself in
the hearts of the people.
His father agreed his wish
and sent Pandavas to
Varanavata to spend one
year
Pandavas caught in wax mansion.
Duryodhana, in the meanwhile, arranged to get a mansion
constructed of inflammable materials such as lac, wax and
jute for their stay in the forest. Vidura, the wise minister,
son of Vyasa born to Ambika’s servant ,cautioned Pandavas
regarding the danger of fire and the need to dig a tunnel for
escape.
The Pandavas dug an underground tunnel without anyone’s
knowledge. When they knew that the scheduled day for
arson was not far away, they decided to escape.
The Pandavas escaped after setting fire to the mansion.
Every one thought Pandavas died.
Pandava Vanavasa started
The Pandavas came out and walked through a forest Hidimbavana
Here Bhima killed Hidimba and married Hidambi.
He got a son through her called Ghatotkaca.
They went to Ekacakra where Bhima killed Bakasura.
Pandavas went and lived in Ekacakrapura. To protect the people
Bhima went to meet Bakasura who wanted every day a man as
food. He fought and killed Bakasura.
Drupadi’s Swayamvara
Pandavas received the news of Draupadi’s Swayamvara
and set out for Pancala. At the hall Dhrstadyumna
announced the test laid out for the prospective bridegroom
of his sister. A target, a fish, was tied hanging down from
the ceiling. Beneath the fish was a revolving wheel with a
hole at the centre.
Many great archers
failed in their attempts.
Arjuna sought permission for a Brahmin’s
eligibility for a trail.
He went to the centre
and hit the target and
married Draupadi.
The Pandavas returned
home with Draupadi.
Unknowingly Kunti
asked all the Pandavas
to share whatever has
been brought.
Thus Draupadi became
the wife of all the
Pandavas.
Pandavas at Indraprastha
Pandavas were called back to Hastinapura once Arjuna’s
identity was revealed. Kingdom was divided into two and
Pandavas were given Indraprastha.
The Pandavas spent their time happily with their mother.
Once Arjuna went to Yudhistra’s chamber when Draupadi
was there. As a parihara Arjuna went for pilgrimage.
During his exile Arjuna married Ulupi, Subhadra
Dharmaraja ruled for thirty six
years. Krishna and Arjuna
became very good friends.
One day they went to Kandava
vana. There Agni gave Gandiva
and Divya rath to Arjuna and
Sudarshancakra and Gadha to
Krishna to protect him from
Indra, The whole forest got burnt.
SABHA PARVA
Yudhisthira built a sabha, a palace constructed by Maya in Indraprastha as an expression of gratitude because Arjuna saved him during
the burning of Khandava forest. Narada hailed it as the most beautiful
palace on earth that was ever constructed.
Sage Narada reminded Yudhisthira of Pandu’s desire to perform
Rajasuya sacrifice. In order to perform the Rajasuya, one had to conquer
all the kings on the earth. After consultations with Krsna, Yudhisthira
sent all his four brothers all the four directions.
The brothers returned victorious with lots of wealth. All were invited for
the Rajasuya and Yudhisthira was blessed .Vyasa blessed him to rule
country with courage of conviction in dharma and accept the calamities
as the play of destiny.
Krishna was given the highest seat of honour in Rajasuya yagjna.
Sisupala his cousin who had a second lease of life due to Krishna when he
was young also had the curse that he would be killed in his hands.
He promised to pardon him 100 times. He pardoned him many times too.
In the sabha Sisupala insulted Krishna and after 100th mistake Krishna
killed him.
Duryodhana’s great fall in the Mayasabha
Duryodhana continued to stay on with Sakuni in the sabha even
after the Rajasuya, to see the wonderful things in the palace that he
had never seen before.
One day, he was walking along the corridor of the palace burning in
jealousy over the glory of the Pandavas.
Being preoccupied with thoughts of jealousy, he did not see clearly
what was in front of him. Seeing a clean marble floor ahead, he
walked along only to fall in a pool of water and got drenched.
What he had seen as a clean marble floor was in fact, a pool of
crystal clear water with spotless
marble slabs underneath that
reflected on the surface.
Everyone who saw Duryodhana
fall could not control their
laughter. Draupadi too, laughed.
Duryodhana saw this and felt
humiliated. Cutting a sorry
figure, he returned to
Hastinapura, his heart filled with
frustration and anger.
Game of destruction
Duryodhana humiliated by Pandavas’ glory and prosperity, invited
Yudhisthira for a game of dice. Vidura had failed in his attempts to
convince Dhritarashtra that this gesture would only bring about down
fall of the Kuru lineage. A hall for the dice game was specially built for
the occasion.
Yudhisthira was fond of the dice game. He knew the Ksatriya etiquette
which was against turning down an invitation for a game of dice from
another Ksatriya. Yudhisthira had also taken a vow never to displease
his cousins at any time.
Even though he knew the evils of gambling, he justified his intentions to
accept the invitation and left for Hastinapura with his brothers,
Draupadi and Kunti, unaware of the impending catastrophe awaiting
them.
Yudhisthira had been lured deep into the game and there was no
question of withdrawing from it. Having lost his army and servants,
Yudhisthira began staking his brothers. He lost Nakula and Sahadeva
one after the other. Then he lost Arjuna and Bhima.
Draupadi humiliated
Duryodhana and others were jubilant when Yudhisthira staked
Draupadi hoping to win back everything he lost. But Sakuni won.
Reluctant Draupadi was brought by Dussasana forcibly. Duryodhana
was full of vanity with his newly acquired power and wealth, and his
jealousy and hatred against the Pandavas had found their outlet.
Draupadi, with all her tears, begged the elders like Bhisma, Drona,
Vidura, and Kripa ,in the assembly for justice. The elders hung their
heads in shame and sadness when Duryodhana ordered to disrobe her.
Draupadi finally threw up her arms and prayed to Krsna to protect
her from the disgrace.
Her prayers were answered and a miracle happened. Draupadi was
saved. Bhima wild with Dussasana’s action , vowed to tear off his chest
and drink his blood.
Dhrtarastra finally woke up and asked Pandavas to forgive and on the
advise of Gandhari he returned everything to them. But they were
invited again for the game by Duryodhana. Again they lost everything
and they were sent to forest for twelve years and for one year Agyathavasam.
Krishna saves Draupadi from humiliation
VANA PARVA
Leaving the outskirts of Hasthinapura, the Pandavas went towards
Ganga. They spent their twelve years in Kamyakavana,
Dvaitavana in the company of sages and their teachings, and
pilgrimage..
Pandavas leaving Hasthinapura, spent
their first night at Pramanakoti-tirtha on
Dhaumya’s suggestion, to feed the brahmins and his family worshiped Lord Sun.
The Lord appeared and gave Yudhisthira
an Aksaya-patra, an inexhaustible copper
pot. The Lord told Yudhisthira that once
Draupadi starts serving from the pot, it
will provide the desired food without any
shortage. He added when she finishes her
meal for the day, the vessel will become
empty for that day. Yudhisthira was
happy to receive the pot and fed the brahmins daily to his heart’s content.
Vyasa directed
Arjuna to get
Pasupatastra from Lord Siva to fight Kauravas. Arjuna left for Himalayas for
penance. He did hard disciplines. The Lord
decided to bless Arjuna and appeared with
his concert, in the guise of a Kirata, a
hunter.
Just then he saw a raksasa in the form of a
boar, advancing towards him. Arjuna and
the hunter shot the boar simultaneously.
Both claimed the target. Both fought to
settle the dispute. Arjuna got defeated and
was blessed too.
Bhima meets his brother
When Pandavas were in Naimisaranya , while wandering
Draupadi happened to lay her hands on an exotic flower known as
Saugandhika, which was brought in by a breeze from the north-east.
She requested Bhima to get her some more flowers to present Yudhisthira.
Bhima, to please her went in the direction of the breeze.
As he was walking, he came across a big monkey lying in the middle of
the path. The monkey did not give way to Bhima to proceed further and
advised him to return as the path a head was perilous. Seeing Bhima
annoyed, he permitted him to jump over his tail if he was particular to
proceed further.
Bhima replied that he was capable of jumping mountain like Hanuman
but he never want to disrespect while he was sleeping. Then the monkey
asked him to move the tail and go. Monkey ridiculed Hanuman too.
Bhima was angry and tried to move his tail and leave the place.
Bhima’s surprise he was not able to move the tail and asked the monkey to
give his identity. The monkey revealed that he was Hanuman, Bhima’s
brother. The two embraced each other and on his request Hanuman
revealed his gigantic form. He gave him a boon and said he would sit on
Arjuna’s chariot creating terror to Kaurava army. He also showed him
the way for getting the flower.
Pandavas tested
Duryodhana’s mind filled with hatred for the Pandavas. He told
Durvasa to visit Pandavas with all his disciples at an odd hour of
the day when Draupadi would have finished her meal, to be their
guest. Durvasa, who was fond of testing people, agreed to do so.
With a large number of disciples Durvasa reached the asrama of
the Pandavas. Draupadi was worried as to how she would feed the
sage and his disciples, as her aksaya-patra had exhausted itself for
the day when she had finished her meal. She fervently prayed to
the Lord.
Krsna appeared before her and before she could say anything,
asked her to feed him as he was very hungry. Draupadi was
bewildered at krsna’s response to her prayers. She explained to him
her difficulties. Krsna asked her to bring the pot..
A small grain of rice was stuck to a corner of the pot. Krsna ate
the same and appeased his hunger. Then he asked Bhima to go and
invite Durvasa for lunch who has gone for bath. But the sage told
Bhima that they are not feeling hungry and they are satisfied and
left the place.
Yaksha Prasnas
Tired and thirsty Pandavas one by one went
to a lake to drink water and none returned.
Lastly Yudhisthira went and saw all his brothers
lay dead near the lake. All of a sudden he heard
a voice from the crane standing on a rock which
said that he was the cause for his brothers death.
The crane was a Yaksa and he wanted Yudhisthira to answer his questions. The questions were
on dharma, ethics and conduct.
The question and answers were 1. What makes one learned?
The study of the sastras makes one learned.
2. Who is heavier than earth? Mother is heavier than earth.
3.Who is higher than heavens? Father is higher than heavens.
4.In what is the Sun established? The Sun is established in truth.
5. With the mastery of which knowledge, does a warrior perform his duties? A warrior performs his duties with the mastery of the knowledge of
weapons.
6. What is more numerous than grass?
Thoughts are more numerous than grass.
7. What is faster than wind? Mind is faster than wind.
8. What is the highest form of wealth?
Knowledge of scriptures is the higher form of wealth.
9. What is it that, when given up, leads to no regrets?
Anger, when given up, leads to no regrets.
10. By what virtue does one become a brahmin?
By righteous living one becomes a brahmin.
11.What is the greatest wonder in creation?
Thinking of the people that they would live for more years ,
even though they know that people are dying day after day.
12. What do people seek in life? People seek happiness in life.
13. What is the highest value in the world?
Compassion is the highest value in the world.
Karna disarms himself
At the end of the twelfth year of Pandavas exile, Indra wanted to
help them decided to deprive Karna of his Kavaca and Kundalas.
Lord Sun, Karna’s father, knew about Indra’s plans and appeared in
Karna’s dream.
He for warned his son that Indra would come in the guise of a
brahmana, asking for his Kavace and Kundalas, and told Karna not
to part with them. Karna had never refused anything to a brahmana
especially when one came to him during his noon time worship of
Lord Sun.
When Karna expressed his difficulty in refusing Indra, Lord Sun told
Karna to ask of Indra for divine weapons, in return.
The next day, Indra came to Karna disguised as a brahmana as he
finished his worship of Lord Sun.
Karna fulfilled Indra’s wish and in turn Indra gave him Sakti and
warned him that the weapon could be used only once. The celestials
showered flowers from the heavens for the great act of charity done
by Karna.
Virata Parva
Pandavas spent their one year exile at Matsya desa of King Virata.
Yudhisthira became Kanka , Bhima became a cook and called himself
Ballava, Arjuna used Urvasi’s curse to be eunuch and called himself
Brihnnala. Nakula became Granthika and Sahadeva Tantripala.
Draupadi became Sairandhri and served Queen Sudesna wife of King
Virata. Kicaka Queen’s brother who actually was the Senadhipati and
main custodian of the kingdom visited his sister. He saw Sairandhri
and wanted to marry her. When she refused he insulted her before
every one.
Kicaka started misbehaving with Sairandhri. She informed Bhima
and Arjuna. They asked her to be friendly with him and bring him at
night to Bhima’s place.
Bhima fought with Kicaka and killed him.
Uttara Gograhana
Death of Kicaka made Duryodhana and others believe that
Pandavas were in Virata and to expose them Kauravas asked King
Susarma to attack Virata. Bhima, Nakula and Sahadeva
accompanied the army. On the other side all the great warriors of
Kauravas attacked Virata by chasing the cows from the city.
Uttara kumara accompanied by Arjuna attacked Kauravas when
the day of exile came to an end. When Uttarakumara ran seeing
the huge army Arjuna persuaded him and fought the war.
He made every one unconscious and brought their upper garments
for Uttara. The war is known as Gograhana war.
When Kanka praised Arjuna for the brave front and winning
individually all Kauravas, King Virata got angry and threw the
dice that they were playing with. Then they revealed their identity.
Abhimanyu got married to Uttara.
Udyoga parva
At the marriage of Abhimanyu, Krsna explained the position of
Pandavas to every one present there. Every one asked him to go to
Hasthinapura and be a peace maker
Krsna tried his best to convince Kauravas and advised all the elders
not to take Pandavas for granted and give them five cities or
villages for them to rule.
When Duryodhana insulted him and tried to imprison him he
showed his Visva rupa and made every one feel his power.
Bhishma and Drithrastra could have the vision of god.
Both Arjuna and Duryodhana went to Krsna for help as now the
war has become inevitable. Krsna saw Arjuna first and asked him to
choose either him or his vast army. Arjuna chose Krsna and
Duryodhana was happy to get his army.
Kunti who was at Hasthinapura was worried about the war
especially Karna and she went to him to give his identity and
requested him to join the Pandavas.
Karna explained her his commitment to Duryodhana and gave her
a word that he would not kill his brothers expect Arjuna.
He said only he or Arjuna can stay to show their supremacy.
Bhishma parva
Duryodhana requested Bhishma to be commander-in-chief of the
kaurava army. Other commanders being Kripacarya, Drona,
Asvatthama, Salya, Jayadratha, Sudaksina, Kritavarma,
Karna ,Bhurisrava , Sakuni and Bahlika.
In Kuruksetra , the armies aligned themselves in specific formation.
Known as vyuha. Seeing the relatives and friends gathered for war
Arjuna was grieved.
Bhagavat Gita
Lord Krishna gave his
teachings,
The Bhagavat Gita,
in which he unfolded
the nature of the self
as limitless and not
subject to time.
Yudhisthira went
towards Bhishma and
touched his feet,
sought his permission
and blessings for the
war. Bhishma was
pleased with him and
expressed his happiness.
The war began. Many
great people fought.
On fourth day
Bhima’s son Ghatotkaca relieved Pandavas who were facing
the huge army of
Bhishma.
He smashed Kaurava
army.
Chapter 2. Contents of the Gita Summarized
TEXT
sanjaya uvaca
tam tatha krpayavistam
asru-purnakuleksanam
visidantam idam vakyam
uvaca madhusudanah
SYNONYMS
sanjayah uvaca--Sanjaya said; tam--unto Arjuna; tatha--thus; krpaya--by
compassion; avistam--overwhelmed; asru-purna--full of tears; akula-depressed; iksanam--eyes; visidantam--lamenting; idam--this; vakyam-words; uvaca--said; madhu-sudanah--the killer of Madhu.
TRANSLATION
Sanjaya said: Seeing Arjuna full of compassion and very sorrowful, his
eyes brimming with tears, Madhusudana, Krsna, spoke the following
words.
PURPORT
Material compassion, lamentation and tears are all signs of ignorance of
the real self. Compassion for the eternal soul is self-realization. The word
"Madhusudana" is significant in this verse. Lord Krsna killed the demon
Madhu, and now Arjuna wanted Krsna to kill the demon of misunderstanding that had overtaken him in the discharge of his duty. No one
knows where compassion should be applied. Compassion for the dress of a
drowning man is senseless. A man fallen in the ocean of nescience cannot
be saved simply by rescuing his outward dress--the gross material body.
One who does not know this and laments for the outward dress is called a
sudra, or one who laments unnecessarily. Arjuna was a ksatriya, and
this conduct was not expected from him. Lord Krsna, however, can dissipate the lamentation of the ignorant man, and for this purpose the Bhagavad-gita was sung by Him. This chapter instructs us in self-realization
by an analytical study of the material body and the spirit soul, as explained by the supreme authority, Lord Sri Krsna. This realization is
made possible by working with the fruitive being situated in the fixed
conception of the real
Bhishma fell on arrows
All great people fought. War went on for nine days. No one was
leaving hopes. All kept Shikandi away from Bhishma as he would not
fight` a eunuch and Shikandi was born only to take revenge.
He was Amba in the previous life.
On the tenth day Shikandi led the Pandava army and Arjuna behind
Shikandi pierced his arrows at Bhishma. Bhishma laid his bow and
arrows. The arrows made him lay on the ground but he was
supported not to touch the ground. He did not die immediately as he
has the boon to die whenever he want by his father.
He was given water by Arjuna and was made comfortable by
padding arrows near his neck and feet.
Vishnu
Sahastra
namam
recited by
Bhishma
DRONA PARVA
After the fall of Bhishma ,Drona was installed as
Commander-in- chief of Kaurava army. He was a skilled
warrior and great planner of war tactics.
Drona planned Chakravyuha. Krsna and Arjuna only
know how to break the vyuha, so they were taken far from
the war spot. On the war spot only Abhimanyu knew how
to break but did not know how to come out of it.
Abhimanyu fought with great worriers alone. It was
against the rule of the war but kauravas broke all the rules
and killed with out any rule and rhyme.
Ugly face of war
It was Jayadratha who stopped all the
other Pandavas getting in side the
Chakravyuha. So Arjuna took the oath
to kill him. By evening when sun was
setting he killed him.
Drona killed
Jayadratha killed
Drona became very dangerous for the
Pandavas. He was told that his son
passed away on the battlefield.
He sat to meditate and gave up his life.
Drushadyumna not knowing the fact
cut the head of Drona.
Dussasana killed
On the same day Dussasana was
killed by Bhima. As per his oath he
drank his blood and rushed with
blood to Draupadi and knotted her
hair with his blood which she let
loose after Dussasana dragged her
with her hair and she took an oath
that she would tie her hair only with
his blood.
Karna Parva
After Drona’s death Karna was made the chief. He fought very
bravely with every one. He left all his brothers though he got the
chance to kill them. On the battle ground when he got chance to kill
Arjuna too he left him.
On the crucial day of war Karna’s wheel got stuck up. All his curses
started coming up one by one. He failed in every aspect.
Arjuna killed Karna
When Karna failed he got up and started pulling his wheel out.
Arjuna seeing the situation killed Karna on the spot.
Salya Parva
Salya was made chief . He fought bravely.
Duryodhana was very sad after Karna’s death. He sat on meditation under the water. But Pandavas and Krsna humiliated him and
made him come out of the water and challenged duel with Bhima.
Army demoralized by the death of great warriors
SAPTIKA PARVA
After Salya , Asvathama became the
chief.
Duryodhana fought with Bhima
single handedly.
Duryodhana was made immovable by Bhima. Asvathama and
Kripacharya met him and said they would fight Pandavas.
That night Asvathama went into the Pandavas tent and killed
upa-Pandavas while sleeping thinking they were the Pandavas.
STREE PARVA
After eighteen days of war Gandhari and Dritharastra went to
Hasthinapura along with weeping people who last their kith and
kin.
Vyasa consoled Gandhari
Gandhari became very angry.
Vyasa tried to console Gandhari.
Krishna consoled her but she cursed
him to meet the same destruction
with yadu dyanasty.
SANTHI PARVA
Every ones’ cremating rites
were completed.
Dritharastra became very
sad because he lost all his sons.
Bhishma taught all Dharmas,
Politics, rules and regulations
to Yudthistra.
ANUSASANIKA PARVA
Krishna met Bhishma. Bhishma asked Krsna’s
permission to leave his life.
Bhishma took permission from all the well wishers
and left to god’s abode.
ASVAMEDHA PARVA
Yudhistra was crowned
after the war.
Asvamedha horse and Arjuna
Pandavas performed Asvamedha yajna. While Arjuna was taking
the horse around all the sons of kings who died in Mahabharata
war fought with him.
ASRAMAVASA PARVA
While Dharma raja ruled the Kingdom, Vyasa brought
Dritharastra, Gandhari and Kunti to asrama for them to lead
their rest of the life. But unfortunately all the three were burnt
alive in the forest when it got fired.
Vyasa ashram
MAUSALA
PARVA
Mausala was born
in the Dwarka
making Gandhari’s
curse come true
after 36 years
after the war and
all fought and destroyed themselves.
Krishna too left
the world as his
Avatara came to
an end.
MAHAPRASTHANA PARVA
After the death of Krsna Pandavas wanted to leave so they
crowned Parikshit son of Abhimanyu and Uttara under the
guidance of Kripacharya and started walking towards Swarga.
Pandavas reached Himalayas along with them a dog followed.
On the way first Draupadi, then Bhima, Arjuna and then Nakula
and Sahadeva died. Dog followed Dharmaraja. On the way they
met Indra who was welcoming Dharmaraja. He requested to allow
the dog also to heavens as it accompanied him all along though his
wife and brothers died..
The dog was Yamadharmaraja and he came into his usual self and
blessed Dharmaraja to reach heaven with his body as such.
SWARGAROHANA PARVA
Dharmaraja wanted to see his people and he asked the Devatas to show
his brothers. He was taken to Naraka and seeing the conditions of hell he
asked them to take him immediately but few souls cried to him to stay
back and give solace to them.
On enquiry he found out that they were his brothers including Karna. He
said he will stay back with the brothers.
Then Indra and Yamadharmaraja came to him , and requested him to
come to Swarga. He denied ,then they made the same place heaven.
All his brothers and he are living happily there.