Mahabharata

  M22. Mahabaratha - Devendra Traps Yayati King Yayati, who took youth from his youngest son, Puru, ruled the kingdom for 1000 years. He did several yagas and yagnas and donated generously. He led a dharmic life. On completion of the prescribed period, he realized his flaw that desires by itself don't end and one has to shun it. He wasted no time in returning the youth to his son.  Yayati rewarded Puru as the Emperor of Hastinapura and made other sons the rulers of surrounding regions. He took up severe penance for 30 years. Initially, he sustained on whatever was available in the forest, later he limits to water, and then on air alone. He did penance standing on one leg surrounded by fire on all sides. This enabled him to earn sufficient merit to enter heaven.  Devas, Vasus, and others praised him profusely at Heaven. He enjoyed all the luxuries of heaven and visited Brahma loka to take the blessings of Lord Brahma. Once on a casual talk, Indra asked Yayati what advice h...

  M21. Mahabharata  - Shukracharya Curses King Yayati Shukracharya cursed Yayati of untimely old age and impotency. Yayati pleaded that he, as a king, just fulfilled the desire of his subject. However, Shukracharya was not convinced as his warning was ignored. He said this curse can be transferred to someone who is willing to accept it.  Yayati sought permission to give his Kingdom to the son who accepted this curse, to which Shukracharya agreed.  Yayati sought youth from his eldest son Yadu and that he would return it after 1000 years. Yadu flatly declined as he desired to enjoy it. Yayati cursed him that he or his descendants would never become a king.  Three other sons, Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu, too declined to accept old age.  Puru, the youngest son, willingly accepted  his father’s request. In the end, King Yayati realized that desires are insatiable.  Finally, he gave back youth to his son, Puru, and as a gratitude appointed him as the Emper...

  M20. Mahabharata - Adi Parva - Story of Yayati, Devayani and Sarmistha  King Yayati, son of Nahusha, was a righteous ruler. Once, during a hunting spree, Yayati felt thirsty and was in search of water. He heard a call for help from Devayani from a dry well. Yayati rescued her and asked the reason for her plight. Devayani introduced herself as the daughter of Shukracharya and was pushed into a dry well by Sarmistha, daughter of the Asura king Vrushaparva   The quarrel began between them because of a mix-up of clothes. [This was done at the instance of Indra and facilitated by Vayu.]  Devayani took the issue to her father. Shukracharya was deeply offended and refused to stay in Vrishaparva’s kingdom unless Devayani gets justice Devayani demanded that Sarmista become her attendant.  With no option left, Sharmistha accepted and served her in the forest. Later, Yayati again met Devayani in the same forest . Devayani proposed to Yayati to marry her. Yayati was ...

  M18. Mahabharata  - Birth of Karna - the First Child of Kunti  King Sura (Shurasena) of the Yadu Dynasty is the father of Vasudeva and the grandfather of Srikrishna. King Sura had promised Kunti Bhoja that he would give his first child in adoption to Kunti Bhoja as was issueless. Both were friends and relatives.  Hence, Prutha, the first child of King Sura, was given to Kunti Bhoja. [Prutha is the paternal aunt of Srikrishna]. As Prutha was brought by Kunti Bhoja, she was known as Kunti.  Once Dhurvasa Maharishi visited Kunti Bhoja.  Kunti Bhoja told Kunti to take care of the Sage and cautioned her to be careful and be ever vigilant.  Kunti had to wait endlessly as Maharishi was erratic in his routines. He would suddenly turn up at midnight and demand food. In this way, Kunti served the Sage diligently for 13 years.  Durvasa Maharishi was highly pleased and wanted to reward her. Being a trikala vedi, the Sage could visualize Kunti’s future and ...

  M19. Mahabharata  - Bheeshma Nurtures Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura Dhritrashtra, Pandu, and Vidura grew up under the strict vigilance of Bheeshma. Apart from physical exercises, they were taught  archery, war training on elephants, horses, and chariots.  They were trained in wrestling and sword fighting. They acquired knowledge on Neethi Shashtra, Itihasa, Purana, and Raja Neethi.  Dhritrashtra was physically and mentally very strong. He could even crush iron frames into pieces. Being born blind he was ineligible to become a king. Pandu, an expert in archery and warfare, was made the king of the Kuru dynasty.  Vidura became an expert  in Neethi Shastra (administrative skills) and Dharma Shastra. He could clearly distinguish between truth and falsehood.  The Kuru dynasty became famous and was considered the best under Bheeshma's guidance. Bheeshma never deviated from dharma. He was revered as Pithamaha.  Bheeshma was concerned about proge...

  M16 - Mahabharata - Vishesha Dharma - An Accepted Norm in that Era Hastinapura faced a cliff moment when Vichitraveerya, the second son of Satyavathi and Shantanu, met an untimely death, leaving no progeny.  Satyavathi was very much troubled and made a request to Bheeshma to beget progeny for Ambalika and Ambika. She said “ Apad dharma is suitable for Kshtriyas. You can consider and make a decision that will bring happiness to pitrus (dead souls)”. Bheeshma said, “ I do not wish to take kingship or beget children. I am firm in my resolution of remaining a bachelor throughout my life. I had taken a promise in front of your father, as Kanya Shulka (price for getting a bride for my father). He said the Sun, the Moon, the Sky, the earth can forego their nature traits, but my vow will never fail. I will not break my promise. Satyavathi says,” I am aware of the firmness with which you follow dharma. You always speak the truth and will not go against your words. Who will take care ...

  M15. Mahabharata  -  Short Life of Chitrangada and Vichitraveerya  Chitrangada and Vichitraveerya were born to King Shantanu and Satyavathi. Not long enough, King Shantanu passes away, and the responsibility of taking care of young lads falls on Bheeshma.  Chitrangada grew up to become a great warrior.  Gradually, pride took over him to the extent he believed that none can defeat him, be it humans or gods.  Gandarva Chief, who also possessed the same name as  Chitrangada, heard it and challenged him. A war broke out between them near Kuruskhetra, which continued for 3 full years. Both were fierceful, but ultimately, Gandarva killed the prince using foul means of invisible warfare. Bheeshma performed the last rites of his half-brother, Chitrangada.  Vichitraveerya, the second scion of Kuru Dynasty, was nurtured to become the future king. He was very obedient and an able ruler. People equated him to King Shantanu. When Vichitraveerya entered ...

  M14 - Mahabharata - Devavrata Makes a Terrific Vow   Devavrata, the crown prince of the Kuru Dynasty,  took care of the administration efficiently. Once King Shantanu went hunting near Yamuna River and was pleasantly surprised by the fragrance emitted there. He sees a beautiful lady near the river bank and makes inquiries about her whereabouts.   The lady introduced herself as Satyavathi, daughter of Dasaraja. As per her father’s wish, she was assigned to row the boat across the river for travellers.  [Vasu Maharaj is the biological father of Satyavathi. Dasaraja was given the girl child and was named Matsya Gandi. Due to the grace of Sage Parasara, she got rid of the fish smell and instead fragrance emitted from her body.] Charmed by her beauty,  the king wished to meet her father and place a proposal to marry her.  Dasaraja welcomed the king with honours and was overwhelmed by the proposal but put forth his condition. The king agreed, provided...

  M13. Mahabharata  - King Shantanu's Pious Life   When King Shantanu broke his promise, his wife Ganga left him with their 8th child. The king was sad and returned back to his kingdom and was immersed in administrative work.  He developed equanimity and treated the citizens as his own progeny, making no differentiation. He was always friendly with them. He was like Sun God in strength, Wind god in speed and punished Adharmic people similar to Yama raja. He never killed animals for fun.  He believed in fulfilling Devaruna (by performing yaga, yagnas and duties towards God), Rishiruna (by reading scripture), and Pitruruna (by performing prescribed rituals to ancestors). Under his rule,  people never lied, and they always adhered to a dharmic way of life. King Shantanu was kind-hearted (as his name suggests) and was an able administrator. He led a disciplined life and ruled the kingdom for 36 years.  Once, while hunting near Ganga River, he noticed ...

  M12.  Mahabharata  -  Shantanu Weds Ganga and Birth of Devavrata  Why was King Shantanu unhappy with Ganga's acts? Once King Shantanu went on a hunt and reached the banks of Ganga River. A beautiful lady appeared before him, and the king  was naturally attracted to her and made a proposal ( afterall It's a play of destiny - desires of previous birth as King Mahabisha ). Ganga never revealed her identity but accepted his proposal.  She put forth her condition that she shouldn't be, at any cost, question her actions, lest she would leave him forever.  When the first child was born, Ganga, as desired by Vasus,  took the baby to the river and gave it a water burial.  Shantanu was astonished but couldn't question her for the fear that she might leave him forever. As destined, he took the pain of losing his child. This process of giving birth to a child and drowning it carried on until the eighth child. When Ganga was taking the baby to the ...

  M11. Mahabharata  - Rebirth of Mahabisha as Shantanu Why did Ganga meet King Pradipa? King Pradipa, son of Dilipa of the Kuru lineage, had earned great merits. While the King was in tapas, Ganga, to test, quietly went near him and sat on his right lap. The king was astonished but remained calm.  Unaware who this lady is, the King politely asked her who she was, the purpose of her visit. Ganga introduced herself and made a request to have a relationship with him. She also asserted he would be fit, for her stature, to be her spouse. The king  calmly said he observes  Eka Patni Vrat and wishes not to break this rule for life. He suspected her act of sitting on his right lap, which is usually preserved for a son or a daughter or may be for a daughter-in-law (sitting on the left lap is preserved for spouse)  The King said to Ganga, “Your action and speech do not match and hence can not accept you as my spouse. You can be my future daughter-in-law, though the ...

  M10. Mahabaratha  - Story of Mahabisha and Curse on Ashta Vasus Emperor Mahabisha of the Ikswaku dynasty was very efficient and had earned sufficient merits to visit Heaven and Brahma loka during his lifetime. He had conducted 1000 Ashwameda yagnas and 100 Rajasuja yagas for the welfare of the people. Once, Mahabisha went to Brahmaloka along with other devatas and rishis. The most beautiful Ganga, in lady form, appeared in that assembly. Vayudeva sent a gentle breeze that displaced her upper garments.  Emperor Mahabisha could not avoid seeing her, though everyone else brushed aside. Observing this attitude of the King, Lord Brahma was annoyed as the decorum of the place was spoiled. He cursed Mahabisha to go back to earth and satisfy his sensuous pleasure with Ganga. He said,”You would cleanse your sin when you disapprove and suffer from Ganga's acts. Later, you can return to heaven.  Ganga was also cursed to be born on earth and be Mahabisha’s wife. Curse on Ashta...

  M9. Mahabharatha  - Birth of Sage Vyasa and Greatness of Parasara Maharishi  Parasara Maharishi is Trikala Vedi (one who knows past, present, and future events). He knew Satyavathi was the daughter of Uparichita Vasu in the present birth, and in her past birth, she was Achodha , the mind born daughter of Pitru devata. She had earned sufficient merit to be the mother of Vyasa. Once, Parasara Maharishi was on a pilgrimage when he met Satyavathi at Yamuna River Bank. He requested her service to cross the river. To grace her and charmed by her beauty, he made a request to fulfill his wish. Satyavathi was in denial mode, stating that she needed her father’s permission and losing her virginity before marriage was not acceptable.  Maharishi assured and blessed that her virginity would be intact and that it is the play of destiny. He knew it was an appropriate time for Narayana to ascend (Vyasa is considered an incarnation of Sriman Narayana).  She was told about her...

  M8. Mahabaratha  - Adiparva - Birth Secret of Satyavathi  What did river Sukthimati give to Vasu Maharaj? Once Vasu Maharaj was returning back in his chariot after meeting Indra at Heaven. He saw the Suktimati river obstructed by Kolahala Mountain and was in dire need of help. Vasu Maharaj kicked the mountain, creating a big hole that allowed the river to pass through. Such was his strength and concern for others. In gratitude, Suktimathi (in female form) gifted two children to the king, a male and female begotten through Kolahala. The male child grew up to become army chief. The king married the female child, Girika, on her attaining marriageable age.  Instructed by Pitru devatas,  the king was asked to obtain necessary food (meat) from the forest.  During the same time, Girika wished to bear a child of the King.  Thinking of his wife, the king went to the forest. Since it was autumn, the trees were bearing flowers, and the forest was looking very c...