We have learnt how Drona came to Hastinapura and how he won the role as teacher of the Kaurava princes. (We may use the general term Kaurava for the sons of Pandu and of Dhritarashtra. Whenever the former are referred as the Pandavas we use the term Kaurava for the latter ). Bhishma offered a lot of wealth to Drona as reward. Attracted by the fame of Dronacharya several princes from the neighbouring kingdoms also joined the school. Karna was one among those who came to learn from Drona.
Drona demands a reward
Drona addressed all the princes right in the beginning and told them that he had a task for them at the end of their education. He would not say what it was. But, he wanted their word that they would accomplish the task whatever that be. All except Arjuna simply kept quiet being not sure whether they could commit to something about which they had no clue. But Arjuna came forward and promised that he would fulfill his teacher’s desire whatever that be. That pleased the Acharya so much that he promised to make Arjuna the best among all his disciples .
The Story of Ekalavya
One day the princes went hunting in the forest. Hunting is such a sport that it gives a festive atmosphere. The hunters chase animals on foot or on horse back. They shout in excitement and encourage dogs to follow. The dogs bark and run here and there.
That day one of the dogs suddenly returned with seven arrows thrust in its mouth ! That was an astounding sight, because it required extraordinary skill and speed to hit seven arrows one after another on target at the very instant the dog opened its mouth. That was beyond even Arjuna. They tracked the source and met with a young hunter. When asked he said that his name was Ekalavya. Who could have taught him such a skill in archery ? The reply surprised all the Kauravas. He claimed he learnt everything from Dronacharya! Arjuna was humiliated by this revelation. Did his teacher give him a false promise that he would make Arjuna the best ? He reported the matter to Dronacharya and complained about the word his teacher did not keep. Drona was surprised himself to hear about such a disciple of his . He came to the scene and confronted Ekalavya. He told the boy that he did not remember ever giving him any instructions. Then, Ekalavya told his story.
He was one among those went seeking Drona’s teaching. But, the Acharya refused him saying that he would not teach a mere hunter boy. Ekalavya was disappointed, but, not totally disheartened. He built a clay model of Drona in the forest. He would watch from a hidden spot whatever Drona demonstrated before his pupils. He would then go back to his teacher, Drona in clay, and repeat the same lessons over and over until he mastered them. That was how he learnt his skills.
Drona thought for a while. He said that if the boy accepted him as the teacher then he would demand a reward called Guru Dakshina. Ekalavya with folded hands promised to do whatever within his powers for his teacher. Then came the stunning and terrible demand from the teacher. He wanted the right thumb of Ekalavya, because that is the best asset for an archer. Ekalavya did not hesitate even for a second. He chopped his right thumb and presented the teacher with that.
That finished Ekalavya, and probably the strongest rival for Arjuna, forever.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
Dronacharya
We have witnessed the meeting of Bhishma with the Brahmin who performed something like a miracle by lifting the toy of the Kaurava princes from the deep well. He was none other than the celebrity known by the name Drona. We shall learn about his skills during and even before the Mahabharata war.
Drona was the son of the vedic seer Bharadvaja born of the Apsara (damsel of heaven) by the name Ghritachi. He lived in poverty right from childhood as most Brahmins did during those days. He heard about sage Parasurama (Rama equipped with axe as weapon), the son of sage Bhrigu, who would give anything he possessed, if asked by Brahmins. So, Drona decided to approach the sage to find relief from his poverty.
As the disciple of Parasurama
Drona introduced himself to Parasurama and got a warm welcome at the hermitage. He then presented his problem to the sage. Parasurama had by then given away all his wealth to other Brahmins. The only possession that remained with him was his extraordinary skill in weaponry, especially in archery. It was well known that there was none to match Parasurama, in archery, during his life time. Drona thought it a good idea to learn that science from its topmost authority and expert. Accordingly, he started living in the hermitage of Parasurama.
Drupada , the prince of the Panchala kingdom also joined Drona there. The two became good friends. Drupada on occasions told Drona that he was sure to inherit the kingdom of his father in due course. When that happened all the wealth he would acquire would be for Drona to enjoy because Drupada did not consider his friend as separate from himself.
After learning all that he could from Parasurama and excelling in them Drona returned to his father’s hermitage. Then, as suggested by his father he married Kripi, the sister of Kripa. Getting a son was something he owed to his ancestors. Soon, a son was born to him who was named Aswatthama. This son of Drona also would play a crucial role in the war that would be waged later .
Drona’s poverty
It is said that Aswatthama once cried for milk and there was not even a drop in the hermitage. So, Drona mixed some rice powder in water to make it appear like milk and gave it to the crying child. Other children started making fun of the boy pointing to the abject poverty of his family. This hurt the proud Drona to the very heart.
Then, he remembered the words of his dear friend, Drupada. By then the king of Panchala had died and Drupada had assumed the throne.
Drona Meets Drupada
Drona decided to approach king Drupada with the hope of getting some relief from his poverty. Drupada received his old friend cordially. Drona then reminded the king of their old association and the words given to him by Drupada. That brought out the true colous of Drupada.
Drupada said that he might have spoken many things while a student. Who was Drona, a poor Brahmin, to talk like that to the king of Panchala ? Friendship was possible only between equals. At best he would offer one square meal to the begging Brahmin.
Drona was hurt beyond words and he returned quietly to his family.
Drona becomes Dronacharya
It was then that he heard about the princes of Hastinapura and that Bhishma was searching for a renowned teacher for their higher studies. So, he decided to stay with his brother-in-law, Kripa and wait for an opportunity to exhibit his skills and meet Bhishma.
That was how he happened to be brought in the presence of the scion of Kurus. When asked, Drona said that he was willing to teach the Kauravas and Pandavas all that he learnt from Parasurama. His interest was only to build a strong team of disciples. Bhishma thought no further and offered the job to Drona. That was how Drona became Dronacharya. We shall learn next how he fully deserved the title Acharya and how he achieved his goal as a result.
Drona was the son of the vedic seer Bharadvaja born of the Apsara (damsel of heaven) by the name Ghritachi. He lived in poverty right from childhood as most Brahmins did during those days. He heard about sage Parasurama (Rama equipped with axe as weapon), the son of sage Bhrigu, who would give anything he possessed, if asked by Brahmins. So, Drona decided to approach the sage to find relief from his poverty.
As the disciple of Parasurama
Drona introduced himself to Parasurama and got a warm welcome at the hermitage. He then presented his problem to the sage. Parasurama had by then given away all his wealth to other Brahmins. The only possession that remained with him was his extraordinary skill in weaponry, especially in archery. It was well known that there was none to match Parasurama, in archery, during his life time. Drona thought it a good idea to learn that science from its topmost authority and expert. Accordingly, he started living in the hermitage of Parasurama.
Drupada , the prince of the Panchala kingdom also joined Drona there. The two became good friends. Drupada on occasions told Drona that he was sure to inherit the kingdom of his father in due course. When that happened all the wealth he would acquire would be for Drona to enjoy because Drupada did not consider his friend as separate from himself.
After learning all that he could from Parasurama and excelling in them Drona returned to his father’s hermitage. Then, as suggested by his father he married Kripi, the sister of Kripa. Getting a son was something he owed to his ancestors. Soon, a son was born to him who was named Aswatthama. This son of Drona also would play a crucial role in the war that would be waged later .
Drona’s poverty
It is said that Aswatthama once cried for milk and there was not even a drop in the hermitage. So, Drona mixed some rice powder in water to make it appear like milk and gave it to the crying child. Other children started making fun of the boy pointing to the abject poverty of his family. This hurt the proud Drona to the very heart.
Then, he remembered the words of his dear friend, Drupada. By then the king of Panchala had died and Drupada had assumed the throne.
Drona Meets Drupada
Drona decided to approach king Drupada with the hope of getting some relief from his poverty. Drupada received his old friend cordially. Drona then reminded the king of their old association and the words given to him by Drupada. That brought out the true colous of Drupada.
Drupada said that he might have spoken many things while a student. Who was Drona, a poor Brahmin, to talk like that to the king of Panchala ? Friendship was possible only between equals. At best he would offer one square meal to the begging Brahmin.
Drona was hurt beyond words and he returned quietly to his family.
Drona becomes Dronacharya
It was then that he heard about the princes of Hastinapura and that Bhishma was searching for a renowned teacher for their higher studies. So, he decided to stay with his brother-in-law, Kripa and wait for an opportunity to exhibit his skills and meet Bhishma.
That was how he happened to be brought in the presence of the scion of Kurus. When asked, Drona said that he was willing to teach the Kauravas and Pandavas all that he learnt from Parasurama. His interest was only to build a strong team of disciples. Bhishma thought no further and offered the job to Drona. That was how Drona became Dronacharya. We shall learn next how he fully deserved the title Acharya and how he achieved his goal as a result.
Lessons in archery
The birth of Kripa
The famous sage Goutama had a son by name Saradvan. The boy did not follow his father’s footsteps that was prescribed for a Brahmin. Instead, he was keen in the science of archery right from his young age.
Many of the advanced weapons in archery require the use of special Mantras that give them their intended potency. Such mantras are to be acquired through long and deep meditation, or Tapas in Sanskrit. That was what Saradvan did for long years. As a result he came into possession of various special arrows. Even then he did not stop meditating. His Tapas was so intense that Devendra, the king of gods, began to feel the impact. He felt it necessary to put an end to the penance of Saradvan.
So, he sent a damsel by name Janapathy to tempt the meditating sage. The result was that Saradvan begot a son and a daughter in her. But, the sage left her and the children immediately after to continue with his penance. The divine lady also left the children and went back to heaven.
The pair born to Saradvan were left to themselves in the forest. One day Bhishma went hunting into that forest. Some of his soldiers found the children and reported the matter to him. Bhishma learnt the background of the children from people living in the forest and took the children to the palace. He named the boy as Kripa and the girl, Kripi.
Kripa , like his father, showed interest in archery right from his childhood. Bhishma knowing the background of Kripa made all arrangements to teach him the science of archery from the best of teachers. Soon, Kripa became an expert on the subject. He became famous as Kripacharya, or the teacher with the name Kripa.
Bhishma , then, decided that Kripacharya would be a good teacher for the Kauravas and Pandavas. Accordingly, the princes started learning archery from the Acharya. Even princes from nearby kingdoms came to Hastinapura to study the science from the teacher.
Encounter with Drona
One day the princes of Hastrinapura were playing a game of village hockey which has a piece of short stick for the ball. The ball fell into a nearby deep well in the middle of their game. The children gathered around the well and tried all tricks to get it out, but failed. It was then that they noticed a stranger , looking like a Brahmin, in rags and approached him for help.
The Brahmin smiled and told them that he would drop his ring also into the well and pick both the ball and the ring by dispatching some straws as arrows into the well. He wanted to know what he would get in return.
Without waiting for their reply the Brahmin sent straws one after another directed to the two targets in the well. May be because of his gift of Mantras, the straws hit the targets and besides, they formed a string , one attached automatically to the other. Thus, he easily could take out the ball and his ring from the depth of the well.
The children were very much surprised. They asked him who he was and what reward they should offer him in return. He only wanted them to report the matter to Bhishma.
When Bhishma heard the strage story of an unknown Brahmin, Bhishma realized immediately that he was to encounter someone with extraordinary powers. He wasted no time to receive the Brahmin. On enquiry from Bhishma the Brahmin told his story. That follows as a sequel to this one.
The famous sage Goutama had a son by name Saradvan. The boy did not follow his father’s footsteps that was prescribed for a Brahmin. Instead, he was keen in the science of archery right from his young age.
Many of the advanced weapons in archery require the use of special Mantras that give them their intended potency. Such mantras are to be acquired through long and deep meditation, or Tapas in Sanskrit. That was what Saradvan did for long years. As a result he came into possession of various special arrows. Even then he did not stop meditating. His Tapas was so intense that Devendra, the king of gods, began to feel the impact. He felt it necessary to put an end to the penance of Saradvan.
So, he sent a damsel by name Janapathy to tempt the meditating sage. The result was that Saradvan begot a son and a daughter in her. But, the sage left her and the children immediately after to continue with his penance. The divine lady also left the children and went back to heaven.
The pair born to Saradvan were left to themselves in the forest. One day Bhishma went hunting into that forest. Some of his soldiers found the children and reported the matter to him. Bhishma learnt the background of the children from people living in the forest and took the children to the palace. He named the boy as Kripa and the girl, Kripi.
Kripa , like his father, showed interest in archery right from his childhood. Bhishma knowing the background of Kripa made all arrangements to teach him the science of archery from the best of teachers. Soon, Kripa became an expert on the subject. He became famous as Kripacharya, or the teacher with the name Kripa.
Bhishma , then, decided that Kripacharya would be a good teacher for the Kauravas and Pandavas. Accordingly, the princes started learning archery from the Acharya. Even princes from nearby kingdoms came to Hastinapura to study the science from the teacher.
Encounter with Drona
One day the princes of Hastrinapura were playing a game of village hockey which has a piece of short stick for the ball. The ball fell into a nearby deep well in the middle of their game. The children gathered around the well and tried all tricks to get it out, but failed. It was then that they noticed a stranger , looking like a Brahmin, in rags and approached him for help.
The Brahmin smiled and told them that he would drop his ring also into the well and pick both the ball and the ring by dispatching some straws as arrows into the well. He wanted to know what he would get in return.
Without waiting for their reply the Brahmin sent straws one after another directed to the two targets in the well. May be because of his gift of Mantras, the straws hit the targets and besides, they formed a string , one attached automatically to the other. Thus, he easily could take out the ball and his ring from the depth of the well.
The children were very much surprised. They asked him who he was and what reward they should offer him in return. He only wanted them to report the matter to Bhishma.
When Bhishma heard the strage story of an unknown Brahmin, Bhishma realized immediately that he was to encounter someone with extraordinary powers. He wasted no time to receive the Brahmin. On enquiry from Bhishma the Brahmin told his story. That follows as a sequel to this one.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Duryodhana plots to kill Bheema
We have seen how the Kauravas could not stand the superior strength of Bheema while playing in their childhoos days. Finally, Duryodhana decided to act and put an end to what he took as the tyranny of Bheema.
He once suggested that they all go to the river Ganga and engage in various water sports. All, including the Pandavas, were in full agreement without suspecting the vile intentions of Duryodhana. He, on his part, made elaborate arrangements for food and rest. Various tents were erected along the banks of the river and were decorated with bright colours to give it a festive look. Sumptuous food and drinks of all type were ready. Then, they started merry making in the river.
That day the Kauravas made every effort to make the Pandavas, especially Bheema, happy. There was no trace of any enmity among them. Bheema was at his best, helping the rest on every possible occasion.
When the time for food came Duryodhana went out of his way to feed Bheema with delicious food and excellent drinks. He made sure that Bheema ate and drank to his fill. Poor Bheema went on consuming food and drinks without suspecting any foul play. Duryodhana had made secret arrangements to poison the food kept separately for Bheema.
Everyone then retired to one’s own tent for rest. Bheema had exerted himself in the games and had consumed so much food and drinks that he fell into deep sleep right away. Duryodhana and some of his trusted associates sneaked out to Bheema’s tent later and found him asleep like a dead log. They wound him with strong vines and pushed him into the middle of the river.
Bheema sank into the river bottom and reached the land of the snakes. He was attacked by a large army of poisonous snakes and they all started biting him on every inch of his body. The poison from the snake bite must have acted as antidote to what Duryodhana administered on Bheema. To the surprise of the snakes, Bheema woke up from his deep sleep and started breaking free from his bondage, at the same time kicking all the snakes around him away.
The snakes reported the matter of the strange creature that withstood all their bites and hit them back in return to their king, Vasuki. Vasuki with his divine powers immediately understood who their guest was. He , in consultation with his ministers , wanted to send Bheema back to the world of humans with a suitable gift. They decided to offer him the special elixir in possession of the snakes . It was said that one pitcher-full of that would make anyone as strong as one thousand elephants. Bheema was offered to drink as much as he could . It was said that he finished off eight full pitchers in one breath. Then, he slept for eight days in the divine abode of Vasuki.
The merry making party of Kauravas and Pandavas had , in the meanwhile, returned home to the palace. Everyone was in high spirits after enjoying themselves from the outing. So, even the Pandavas forgot to find out , whether Bheema returned with them.
But, Kunti, not finding her son asked about him. Everyone said that he was surely with them all through the games and subsequent meals. They all saw him retiring to his tent. So, they assumed that he would have returned too, probably ahead of them.
Since he was not to be found anywhere in the palace all returned to the river side and searched everywhere. There was no traced of Bheema anywhere.
Kunti was worried. She knew about the enmity that was brewing between her sons and those of Gandhari. She also had sensed that Bheema was their special target. Would they have done something to him ?
But, the wise words of Vidura comforted her. Vidura said that all her sons would live long and no calamity would befall them.
The search continued for days which extended even to the forest around. There was still no trace of Bheema.
Then, one day he reappeared and reported all that happened to his eldest brother in confidence. The wise Yudhishthira realized the extent of threat that loomed large over him and his brothers. He thought that it would be best that they hushed up the whole affair .
From that day onwards the Pandavas remained extremely alert to possible dangers from the Kauravas. Yet, thy continued living and playing together as before as though nothing happened.We shall see how the above incident blew up into a full scale war later.
He once suggested that they all go to the river Ganga and engage in various water sports. All, including the Pandavas, were in full agreement without suspecting the vile intentions of Duryodhana. He, on his part, made elaborate arrangements for food and rest. Various tents were erected along the banks of the river and were decorated with bright colours to give it a festive look. Sumptuous food and drinks of all type were ready. Then, they started merry making in the river.
That day the Kauravas made every effort to make the Pandavas, especially Bheema, happy. There was no trace of any enmity among them. Bheema was at his best, helping the rest on every possible occasion.
When the time for food came Duryodhana went out of his way to feed Bheema with delicious food and excellent drinks. He made sure that Bheema ate and drank to his fill. Poor Bheema went on consuming food and drinks without suspecting any foul play. Duryodhana had made secret arrangements to poison the food kept separately for Bheema.
Everyone then retired to one’s own tent for rest. Bheema had exerted himself in the games and had consumed so much food and drinks that he fell into deep sleep right away. Duryodhana and some of his trusted associates sneaked out to Bheema’s tent later and found him asleep like a dead log. They wound him with strong vines and pushed him into the middle of the river.
Bheema sank into the river bottom and reached the land of the snakes. He was attacked by a large army of poisonous snakes and they all started biting him on every inch of his body. The poison from the snake bite must have acted as antidote to what Duryodhana administered on Bheema. To the surprise of the snakes, Bheema woke up from his deep sleep and started breaking free from his bondage, at the same time kicking all the snakes around him away.
The snakes reported the matter of the strange creature that withstood all their bites and hit them back in return to their king, Vasuki. Vasuki with his divine powers immediately understood who their guest was. He , in consultation with his ministers , wanted to send Bheema back to the world of humans with a suitable gift. They decided to offer him the special elixir in possession of the snakes . It was said that one pitcher-full of that would make anyone as strong as one thousand elephants. Bheema was offered to drink as much as he could . It was said that he finished off eight full pitchers in one breath. Then, he slept for eight days in the divine abode of Vasuki.
The merry making party of Kauravas and Pandavas had , in the meanwhile, returned home to the palace. Everyone was in high spirits after enjoying themselves from the outing. So, even the Pandavas forgot to find out , whether Bheema returned with them.
But, Kunti, not finding her son asked about him. Everyone said that he was surely with them all through the games and subsequent meals. They all saw him retiring to his tent. So, they assumed that he would have returned too, probably ahead of them.
Since he was not to be found anywhere in the palace all returned to the river side and searched everywhere. There was no traced of Bheema anywhere.
Kunti was worried. She knew about the enmity that was brewing between her sons and those of Gandhari. She also had sensed that Bheema was their special target. Would they have done something to him ?
But, the wise words of Vidura comforted her. Vidura said that all her sons would live long and no calamity would befall them.
The search continued for days which extended even to the forest around. There was still no trace of Bheema.
Then, one day he reappeared and reported all that happened to his eldest brother in confidence. The wise Yudhishthira realized the extent of threat that loomed large over him and his brothers. He thought that it would be best that they hushed up the whole affair .
From that day onwards the Pandavas remained extremely alert to possible dangers from the Kauravas. Yet, thy continued living and playing together as before as though nothing happened.We shall see how the above incident blew up into a full scale war later.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
The Childhood of the sons of Dhritarashtra and Pandu
The Story so far
We have been through the birth of the five sons to Pandu. The first three, namely, Yudhisthira, Bheemasena and Arjuna were in Kunti and the other two, Nakula and Sahadeva, in Madri. We have also seen how a hundred sons and a daughter were born to Dhritarashtra in Gandhari. All are the descendents of the famous king, Kuru, and could be called as Kauravas. Yet, that term is mainly used to the sons of Dhritarashtra. The five sons of Pandu are better known as the Pandavas.
The end of Sathyavathy, Ambika and Ambalika
After the last rites of Pandu Vedavyasa spoke to his mother, Sathyavathy. He warned her of bad times ahead for the Kurus. There would be so much of misdeeds and misery that it would be wise on her part not to be around to witness all that. The main cause would be Duryodhana.
Sathyavathy took those words of her son seriously. She suggested to Ambika and Ambalika that it would be better for them all to retire to forest. That was the noble and accepted way for kings and queens. The wives of his son Vichitravirya agreed with her and they all moved to a nearby forest. They engaged themselves in deep meditation and spent their remaining years peacefully.
The Childhood Games of the Pandavas and Kauravas
The five sons of Pandu and the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra grew up together in Hastinapura, the palace of the Kurus. They played games together, quarreled and fought among themselves.
Bheemasena, called Bheema for short, was the strongest of all. He was so powerful that he could tackle all others single handed. Duryodhana and his brothers were his opponents in games. Bheema was playful and because of his strength became a bully to his rivals. He would shake the branch of trees on which the Kauravas perched so strongly that they would fall down along with the fruits they went up to pluck. Bheema would also choke the Kauravas to suffocation under water when they engaged in various sports in the rivers and streams nearby. But, he was only playful with no malice.
The Kauravas could do nothing in return. Slowly the frustration and a desire for revenge
started building deeply in the minds of the Kauravas. It was all the more in Duryodhana . He was proud and ambitious. He would not stand being belittled by someone younger to him, like Bheema. If he could somehow kill Bheema, he could finish his other brothers off after him. Then, he would inherit the vast kingdom of the Kurus. He started scheming to create an opportunity .
We shall learn what he did soon enough.
(Refer to www.kunjunny.blogspot.com for one of the last episodes of Mahabharatam )
We have been through the birth of the five sons to Pandu. The first three, namely, Yudhisthira, Bheemasena and Arjuna were in Kunti and the other two, Nakula and Sahadeva, in Madri. We have also seen how a hundred sons and a daughter were born to Dhritarashtra in Gandhari. All are the descendents of the famous king, Kuru, and could be called as Kauravas. Yet, that term is mainly used to the sons of Dhritarashtra. The five sons of Pandu are better known as the Pandavas.
The end of Sathyavathy, Ambika and Ambalika
After the last rites of Pandu Vedavyasa spoke to his mother, Sathyavathy. He warned her of bad times ahead for the Kurus. There would be so much of misdeeds and misery that it would be wise on her part not to be around to witness all that. The main cause would be Duryodhana.
Sathyavathy took those words of her son seriously. She suggested to Ambika and Ambalika that it would be better for them all to retire to forest. That was the noble and accepted way for kings and queens. The wives of his son Vichitravirya agreed with her and they all moved to a nearby forest. They engaged themselves in deep meditation and spent their remaining years peacefully.
The Childhood Games of the Pandavas and Kauravas
The five sons of Pandu and the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra grew up together in Hastinapura, the palace of the Kurus. They played games together, quarreled and fought among themselves.
Bheemasena, called Bheema for short, was the strongest of all. He was so powerful that he could tackle all others single handed. Duryodhana and his brothers were his opponents in games. Bheema was playful and because of his strength became a bully to his rivals. He would shake the branch of trees on which the Kauravas perched so strongly that they would fall down along with the fruits they went up to pluck. Bheema would also choke the Kauravas to suffocation under water when they engaged in various sports in the rivers and streams nearby. But, he was only playful with no malice.
The Kauravas could do nothing in return. Slowly the frustration and a desire for revenge
started building deeply in the minds of the Kauravas. It was all the more in Duryodhana . He was proud and ambitious. He would not stand being belittled by someone younger to him, like Bheema. If he could somehow kill Bheema, he could finish his other brothers off after him. Then, he would inherit the vast kingdom of the Kurus. He started scheming to create an opportunity .
We shall learn what he did soon enough.
(Refer to www.kunjunny.blogspot.com for one of the last episodes of Mahabharatam )
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Pandu Passes Away
Pandu led purely an ascetic life with his two wives after he received the curse. Many years passed by.
It was spring time and suddenly Pandu felt an intense desire to have the company of his wives . He forgot for an instance the curse that was on him. Madri was nearby and he embraced her ignoring her protests . The very next moment Pandu fell down dead. Madri was shocked beyond words and fell down unconscious after letting out a cry in despair.
Kunti came on the scene and saw the two lying on the ground. She was grief stricken.
She learnt from Madri in due course what happened.
What was left for the two queens was to cremate the body of the king as best as they could. When the funeral pyre was ready both Kunti and Madri wanted to end their lives and accompany their husband in his journey to the other world. Madri tried to convince the elder queen the need for one of them to look after the five sons. She insisted that she would follow the path of her husband as she was the cause for his death. She entrusted the future of her two sons, Nakula and Sahadeva, in the hands of Kunti and entered the funeral pyre .
That was how the life of Madri ended joining her dear husband at his death.
The Royal Family returns to the palace.
The other ascetics staying in the forest gathered and consoled Kunti. They advised her that the time had come for her to return to the palace. They, themselves, accompanied Kunti and the five princes to Hastinapura carrying the remains of the royal pair. Bhishma, Sathyavathy and all others of the palace were grief stricken by the news. They made grand arrangements and performed the last rites of Pandu and Madri befitting their royal status.
It was spring time and suddenly Pandu felt an intense desire to have the company of his wives . He forgot for an instance the curse that was on him. Madri was nearby and he embraced her ignoring her protests . The very next moment Pandu fell down dead. Madri was shocked beyond words and fell down unconscious after letting out a cry in despair.
Kunti came on the scene and saw the two lying on the ground. She was grief stricken.
She learnt from Madri in due course what happened.
What was left for the two queens was to cremate the body of the king as best as they could. When the funeral pyre was ready both Kunti and Madri wanted to end their lives and accompany their husband in his journey to the other world. Madri tried to convince the elder queen the need for one of them to look after the five sons. She insisted that she would follow the path of her husband as she was the cause for his death. She entrusted the future of her two sons, Nakula and Sahadeva, in the hands of Kunti and entered the funeral pyre .
That was how the life of Madri ended joining her dear husband at his death.
The Royal Family returns to the palace.
The other ascetics staying in the forest gathered and consoled Kunti. They advised her that the time had come for her to return to the palace. They, themselves, accompanied Kunti and the five princes to Hastinapura carrying the remains of the royal pair. Bhishma, Sathyavathy and all others of the palace were grief stricken by the news. They made grand arrangements and performed the last rites of Pandu and Madri befitting their royal status.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Gandhari gives birth to a hundred sons
Even before Kunti and Madri gave birth to their sons Veda Vyasa happened to visit Hastinapura, the palace of the Kurus. Gandhari took very good care of the sage during his stay there. Vyasa was very pleased and offered her any boon of her choice. There was a prophesy when Gandhari was a child that she would get hundred sons. That had been in the mind of Bhishma when he won her hands for Dhritarashtra. Gandhari had been thinking about that all those years and that was her wish . Accordingly, Vyasa gave his blessing to her.
The queen of Dhritarashtra, soon, became an expectant mother.A year passed and Gandhari did not deliver any child. Then she heard that Kunti was blessed with a son. In the royal family such news has a lot of significance because the eldest son would inherit the vast kingdom of the Kurus.
Another year passed and yet Gandhari was unable to deliver a child. She was so desperate that she forced a delivery in extreme secrecy. To her horror she delivered a chunk of meat in place of a child ! With his divine intuition Vyasa could see what happened . He appeared before Gandhari and admonished her for her impatience. He, still, had a way out of the hopeless situation. He cut the chunk of meat into one hundred and one pieces. He ordered for an equal number of pitchers and placed one piece in each of them. He wanted them to be topped up with ghee and closed firmly with a lid on each. Further, he wanted them to be preserved in a secure place not to be opened under any circumstance. All this was done in extreme secrecy.
After one year a baby boy came out of one of the pitchers. He was named Duryodhana, the eldest son of Gandhari . He was born just a day ahead of Bhimasena, the second son of Kunti. When he was born many ill omens were heard and seen around the palace of the Kurus. Many wise men including Vidura pointed these out to Dhritarashtra and prophesied that this son of his would be the cause for the total destruction of the family. They advised him that the baby be immediately abandoned for the sake of the kingdom.
(Refer to http://kunjunny.blogspot.com/ for details)
But, the king was too fond of his first born and did not heed the well intended words of the wise men.
Gandhari gave birth to ninety nine more sons and a daughter as the last.
In the meantime Dhritarashtra begot a son in a wife of his in the merchant class.
Vidura’s Marriage
There was a king named Devaka who had a daughter born in a maid. Bhishma found the girl suitable for Vidura and got him married to her. Vidura and his wife lived happily and begot a few children in due course.
The queen of Dhritarashtra, soon, became an expectant mother.A year passed and Gandhari did not deliver any child. Then she heard that Kunti was blessed with a son. In the royal family such news has a lot of significance because the eldest son would inherit the vast kingdom of the Kurus.
Another year passed and yet Gandhari was unable to deliver a child. She was so desperate that she forced a delivery in extreme secrecy. To her horror she delivered a chunk of meat in place of a child ! With his divine intuition Vyasa could see what happened . He appeared before Gandhari and admonished her for her impatience. He, still, had a way out of the hopeless situation. He cut the chunk of meat into one hundred and one pieces. He ordered for an equal number of pitchers and placed one piece in each of them. He wanted them to be topped up with ghee and closed firmly with a lid on each. Further, he wanted them to be preserved in a secure place not to be opened under any circumstance. All this was done in extreme secrecy.
After one year a baby boy came out of one of the pitchers. He was named Duryodhana, the eldest son of Gandhari . He was born just a day ahead of Bhimasena, the second son of Kunti. When he was born many ill omens were heard and seen around the palace of the Kurus. Many wise men including Vidura pointed these out to Dhritarashtra and prophesied that this son of his would be the cause for the total destruction of the family. They advised him that the baby be immediately abandoned for the sake of the kingdom.
(Refer to http://kunjunny.blogspot.com/ for details)
But, the king was too fond of his first born and did not heed the well intended words of the wise men.
Gandhari gave birth to ninety nine more sons and a daughter as the last.
In the meantime Dhritarashtra begot a son in a wife of his in the merchant class.
Vidura’s Marriage
There was a king named Devaka who had a daughter born in a maid. Bhishma found the girl suitable for Vidura and got him married to her. Vidura and his wife lived happily and begot a few children in due course.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Pandu's Children
A Curse on Pandu
After his triumphant march over rival kingdoms Pandu spent a lot of time hunting in forests, often in the company of his wives. Kings hunted wild animals to protect hermits who lived meditating in forests. They also hunted for game meat.
Once Pandu located a male deer in the company of does and immediately hunted it down with an arrow. At the very next instant, to his horror, he heard a human cry and realized his serious mistake. One hermit and his wife were disguising as male and female deer and enjoying each other’s company. Pandu’s arrows had found the mark and the deer were about to die. Then he heard was the terrible voice of the dying hermit with the words : “As king you are permitted to hunt deer. But, you must have been more careful and noticed that we were in each other’s company. Because of this error, you also shall die the moment you touch a woman with desire “.
Pandu was stunned, but, it was too late to undo the damage. He returned to the palace and reported the matter to his wives and his elders like Bhishma . He wanted to give up worldly life altogether and become a saint. His wives managed to change his mind and together they decided to retire to the forest and lead the life of hermits.
Kunti’s secret
Pandu started worrying about the fate of the kingdom and of his wives as he had not begotten any children. It was then Kunti told him about her long kept secret of her days before marriage. When Pandu heard about the Mantra and its power to beget children he adviced Kunti to use it immediately. After some hesitation Kunti obeyed her husband. As suggested by Pandu she thought of Dharmaraja, the presiding judge of heaven’s court . The Lord of justice appeared before her immediately and their meeting resulted in the birth of Dharmaputra.
Pandu was not comfortable with one son alone. What would be the fate of the Kurus if something happened to him ? He suggested to Kunti to beget a son from the God of wind, because such a child would be stronger than anyone else he could think of. Accordingly, Bheemasena was born out of Kunthi’s meeting with Vayu Bhagavan, the god of wind energy.
Still, Pandu was not satisfied. It was fine to have a son who was righteous and another as strong as wind. It was skill in warfare , especially in archery that mattered most to kings. That was when he thought about the King of Gods, Devendra. A son born to him would be the best warrior. Thus, Kunti was persuaded to beget a son from Devendra. That was how Arjuna was born to Kunti from Devendra.
Madri gets children
Kunti was left with just one more chance with the Mantra and there was Madri with no children of her own. So, in consultation with Pandu, Kunti advised Madri on the use of Mantra.
Madri was clever. She invoked the divine pair, Asvini Devas, with the Mantra. With their blessing Madri gave birth to the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva.
This was how the five brothers, collectively known as the Pandavas, were born to Kunti and Madri. They are our heroes, the central figures in the story of the Mahabharata.
After his triumphant march over rival kingdoms Pandu spent a lot of time hunting in forests, often in the company of his wives. Kings hunted wild animals to protect hermits who lived meditating in forests. They also hunted for game meat.
Once Pandu located a male deer in the company of does and immediately hunted it down with an arrow. At the very next instant, to his horror, he heard a human cry and realized his serious mistake. One hermit and his wife were disguising as male and female deer and enjoying each other’s company. Pandu’s arrows had found the mark and the deer were about to die. Then he heard was the terrible voice of the dying hermit with the words : “As king you are permitted to hunt deer. But, you must have been more careful and noticed that we were in each other’s company. Because of this error, you also shall die the moment you touch a woman with desire “.
Pandu was stunned, but, it was too late to undo the damage. He returned to the palace and reported the matter to his wives and his elders like Bhishma . He wanted to give up worldly life altogether and become a saint. His wives managed to change his mind and together they decided to retire to the forest and lead the life of hermits.
Kunti’s secret
Pandu started worrying about the fate of the kingdom and of his wives as he had not begotten any children. It was then Kunti told him about her long kept secret of her days before marriage. When Pandu heard about the Mantra and its power to beget children he adviced Kunti to use it immediately. After some hesitation Kunti obeyed her husband. As suggested by Pandu she thought of Dharmaraja, the presiding judge of heaven’s court . The Lord of justice appeared before her immediately and their meeting resulted in the birth of Dharmaputra.
Pandu was not comfortable with one son alone. What would be the fate of the Kurus if something happened to him ? He suggested to Kunti to beget a son from the God of wind, because such a child would be stronger than anyone else he could think of. Accordingly, Bheemasena was born out of Kunthi’s meeting with Vayu Bhagavan, the god of wind energy.
Still, Pandu was not satisfied. It was fine to have a son who was righteous and another as strong as wind. It was skill in warfare , especially in archery that mattered most to kings. That was when he thought about the King of Gods, Devendra. A son born to him would be the best warrior. Thus, Kunti was persuaded to beget a son from Devendra. That was how Arjuna was born to Kunti from Devendra.
Madri gets children
Kunti was left with just one more chance with the Mantra and there was Madri with no children of her own. So, in consultation with Pandu, Kunti advised Madri on the use of Mantra.
Madri was clever. She invoked the divine pair, Asvini Devas, with the Mantra. With their blessing Madri gave birth to the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva.
This was how the five brothers, collectively known as the Pandavas, were born to Kunti and Madri. They are our heroes, the central figures in the story of the Mahabharata.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Pandu gets the Throne
We have seen how Bhishma ruled the kingdom of the Kurus and how the land prospered under his rule while the two princes were young. Dhritarashtra was , anyway, not in a position to rule the country because of blindness. Vidura could not be considered because he did not belong to the ruling class. Hence, when Pandu became old enough to take charge Bhishma installed him as king after consulting with all concerned.
Pandu marries Kunti
The most commonly followed way of marriage for the ruling class is called Swayamvara where the bride chooses the groom from among those assembled. That is what Kuntibhoja, the father of Kunti, decided to do for his daughter. Kunti was by then well known in all the kingdoms, far and near, and many kings came to stake a claim. Pandu was one among them.The bride was led around by her maids and introduced to the assembled kings one by one. She had heard about the qualities of Pandu and he stood out as the most handsome among the kings seated. Kunti had no difficulty in choosing the right groom and she put the garland on the neck of Pandu. Kuntibhoja conducted a proper marriage between the two soon after.
Pandu marries Madri
A marriage for the royalty served many purposes. First, it was essential that an heir to the throne is assured at all times. Kings married many to make that sure. Building strong alliances with other kingdoms was also equally important, especially at times of war.That must be the reason why Bhishma was not satisfied with just one bride for Pandu. It was in this context that he heard about the princess Madri of the Madra kingdom. He knew that her brother Salya, the ruling monarch of that country, was thinking of giving her away for a price. That was also an accepted custom. Bhishma went with a large a large army and with huge load of valuable gifts. That and Pandu'a fame could convince Salya to give her hands to him.
Pandu starts on a victory march
It was the custom of kings to establish their supremacy by starting a march to other kingdoms. Only ambitious monarchs with enough resources and courage would succeed. That was not like a normal war. Other kings would hear about such marches. They would judge the relative strength or weakness of the marching king. Accordingly, they would challenge or accept the supremacy of the other without a fight. In either case gifts by way of royalty would be offered to the winner. Pandu started on such a victory march with the blessing of his elders like Bhishma. He had a large army with him. He challenged the former enemies of the Kurus and defeated all of them. He reaffirmed his supremacy over others who had already been subjugated in the past. At the end of the march he claimed suzerainty over a large empire. He could also amass loads of gifts that was to be carried in a number of carts and by hundreds of mules. He received a wonderful welcome by Bhishma and the citizens of the Kurus.
We have seen how Bhishma ruled the kingdom of the Kurus and how the land prospered under his rule while the two princes were young. Dhritarashtra was , anyway, not in a position to rule the country because of blindness. Vidura could not be considered because he did not belong to the ruling class. Hence, when Pandu became old enough to take charge Bhishma installed him as king after consulting with all concerned.
Pandu marries Kunti
The most commonly followed way of marriage for the ruling class is called Swayamvara where the bride chooses the groom from among those assembled. That is what Kuntibhoja, the father of Kunti, decided to do for his daughter. Kunti was by then well known in all the kingdoms, far and near, and many kings came to stake a claim. Pandu was one among them.The bride was led around by her maids and introduced to the assembled kings one by one. She had heard about the qualities of Pandu and he stood out as the most handsome among the kings seated. Kunti had no difficulty in choosing the right groom and she put the garland on the neck of Pandu. Kuntibhoja conducted a proper marriage between the two soon after.
Pandu marries Madri
A marriage for the royalty served many purposes. First, it was essential that an heir to the throne is assured at all times. Kings married many to make that sure. Building strong alliances with other kingdoms was also equally important, especially at times of war.That must be the reason why Bhishma was not satisfied with just one bride for Pandu. It was in this context that he heard about the princess Madri of the Madra kingdom. He knew that her brother Salya, the ruling monarch of that country, was thinking of giving her away for a price. That was also an accepted custom. Bhishma went with a large a large army and with huge load of valuable gifts. That and Pandu'a fame could convince Salya to give her hands to him.
Pandu starts on a victory march
It was the custom of kings to establish their supremacy by starting a march to other kingdoms. Only ambitious monarchs with enough resources and courage would succeed. That was not like a normal war. Other kings would hear about such marches. They would judge the relative strength or weakness of the marching king. Accordingly, they would challenge or accept the supremacy of the other without a fight. In either case gifts by way of royalty would be offered to the winner. Pandu started on such a victory march with the blessing of his elders like Bhishma. He had a large army with him. He challenged the former enemies of the Kurus and defeated all of them. He reaffirmed his supremacy over others who had already been subjugated in the past. At the end of the march he claimed suzerainty over a large empire. He could also amass loads of gifts that was to be carried in a number of carts and by hundreds of mules. He received a wonderful welcome by Bhishma and the citizens of the Kurus.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Birth of Karna
Kunti bears Karna before Marriage
We shall soon come across one central character in Mahabharatha, Krishna. He was the son of king Vasudeva of the Sura tribe, but, was brought up by a Yadava chief by name Nandagopa. Surasena, Krishna’s grand father, had a daughter named Pritha. He had given her over to his dear friend, Kunti Bhoja, because of an earlier pledge. She came to be known as Kunti thenceforth.
Once Kunti Bhoja had the sage Durvasa, famous for his short temper, as guest . Kunti was given the charge of the sage to make sure that he left the palace well pleased. Indeed, Kunti did take care of Durvasa so well that the sage offered one boon to the princess before parting. The boon was by way of a Mantra to invoke any deity of her choice. This would work five times, no more. The Maharshi could foresee that such a boon would come handy for Kunti in the future.
Kunti was still a young girl and was naturally curious to know how the Mantra worked. When she saw the rising sun next morning Kunti invoked the Mantra on the Sun God. Within no time the God appeared before her with his radiant and handsome figure. He came to receive her as that was what the power of the mantra was meant to be. Kunti was totally confused and even afraid. She pleaded with the God that what she did was out of ignorance and childish curiosity and He should leave her alone. But, the God explained that the power of the Mantra given by such an eminent Muni could not go waste. He assured her that by her receiving him no harm would come to her.
Thus, Kunti got into a relationship with the Sun God resulting in her conceiving a child. An extremely handsome boy was born to her, and as is the case with such extraordinary births, within no time. The child was born with full armour protecting his body (Kavacham) and even ears (Kundalam).
But, a new born baby with an unwed mother would ruin her life altogether. So, Kunti made secret arrangements to leave the child floating on the nearby river. That was how the situation used to be handled in those days.
A charioteer of the palace found the baby afloat and gave him as gift to his childless wife. They named him Vasushena who came to be known as Karna later. He was one of the heroes, famous for many fierce battles in the great Mahabharata war .
It is said that Indra, the Lord of heaven, came to Vasushena one night disguised as a Brahmin and requested him for his armour. He had a vested interest in removing the armour from Karna’s body as we shall see later. Such was the generosity of Vasushena, especially with Brahmins, that he tore off his armour and gave it to the God. Indra was pleased with this act and gifted him a weapon in return. It was called Sakthi (power) and would be unfailing on any enemy , but, would work only once.
We shall see later how crucial a role Karna played in battles, especially, with this powerful weapon of his, but at the same time, how his generosity cost him dearly .
We shall soon come across one central character in Mahabharatha, Krishna. He was the son of king Vasudeva of the Sura tribe, but, was brought up by a Yadava chief by name Nandagopa. Surasena, Krishna’s grand father, had a daughter named Pritha. He had given her over to his dear friend, Kunti Bhoja, because of an earlier pledge. She came to be known as Kunti thenceforth.
Once Kunti Bhoja had the sage Durvasa, famous for his short temper, as guest . Kunti was given the charge of the sage to make sure that he left the palace well pleased. Indeed, Kunti did take care of Durvasa so well that the sage offered one boon to the princess before parting. The boon was by way of a Mantra to invoke any deity of her choice. This would work five times, no more. The Maharshi could foresee that such a boon would come handy for Kunti in the future.
Kunti was still a young girl and was naturally curious to know how the Mantra worked. When she saw the rising sun next morning Kunti invoked the Mantra on the Sun God. Within no time the God appeared before her with his radiant and handsome figure. He came to receive her as that was what the power of the mantra was meant to be. Kunti was totally confused and even afraid. She pleaded with the God that what she did was out of ignorance and childish curiosity and He should leave her alone. But, the God explained that the power of the Mantra given by such an eminent Muni could not go waste. He assured her that by her receiving him no harm would come to her.
Thus, Kunti got into a relationship with the Sun God resulting in her conceiving a child. An extremely handsome boy was born to her, and as is the case with such extraordinary births, within no time. The child was born with full armour protecting his body (Kavacham) and even ears (Kundalam).
But, a new born baby with an unwed mother would ruin her life altogether. So, Kunti made secret arrangements to leave the child floating on the nearby river. That was how the situation used to be handled in those days.
A charioteer of the palace found the baby afloat and gave him as gift to his childless wife. They named him Vasushena who came to be known as Karna later. He was one of the heroes, famous for many fierce battles in the great Mahabharata war .
It is said that Indra, the Lord of heaven, came to Vasushena one night disguised as a Brahmin and requested him for his armour. He had a vested interest in removing the armour from Karna’s body as we shall see later. Such was the generosity of Vasushena, especially with Brahmins, that he tore off his armour and gave it to the God. Indra was pleased with this act and gifted him a weapon in return. It was called Sakthi (power) and would be unfailing on any enemy , but, would work only once.
We shall see later how crucial a role Karna played in battles, especially, with this powerful weapon of his, but at the same time, how his generosity cost him dearly .
I have posted an item in http://kunjunny.blogspot.com on an idea hinted in the Mahabharatha and which has been reported clearly by a recent scientific discovery.
Henceforth, I intend to use this blog to post related (background to the central story) stories from the Mahabharatha and also some of my stray thoughts.
Henceforth, I intend to use this blog to post related (background to the central story) stories from the Mahabharatha and also some of my stray thoughts.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Dhritarashtra, Pandu, Vidura
Birth of Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura
Ambika gave birth to a blind boy as prophesied by Veda Vyasa and was named Dhritarashtra. Similarly, Pandu was born of Ambalika, with the white patches on skin as foretold by the sage. The maid of Ambika delivered a handsome boy, Vidura.
The three boys grew up together under the care of Bhishma. Dhritarashtra was the strongest of the three. Pandu became the most skilled in archery. Vidura was the wisest of all. Bhishma ruled over the vast kingdom of the Kurus during that time. The land prospered under his reign . Law and order prevailed and everyone lived happily.
The Marriage of Dhritarashtra.
When Dhritarashtra grew old enough for marriage Bhishma consulted Vidura. Bhsihma, the grand scion of the Kurus, had heard of princess Gandhari of the kingdom of Gandhara, daughter of king Subala. Bhishma thought that the kinship with Subala was worthy of the status of Kurus. Vidura agreed with his step father on this. Accordingly, a delegation was sent to Gandhara.
King Subala was very happy with the alliance with the Kurus, but for the blindness of prince. Finally, considering the overall strength of the proposal, he consented. When Gandhari came to know that she was due to marry a blind king she blindfolded her own eyes. She did not want to look at the external world any more, something that was denied to her betrothed.
Thus, the blind Dhritarashtra was married to the blindfolded princess of Gandhara of noble qualities.
Ambika gave birth to a blind boy as prophesied by Veda Vyasa and was named Dhritarashtra. Similarly, Pandu was born of Ambalika, with the white patches on skin as foretold by the sage. The maid of Ambika delivered a handsome boy, Vidura.
The three boys grew up together under the care of Bhishma. Dhritarashtra was the strongest of the three. Pandu became the most skilled in archery. Vidura was the wisest of all. Bhishma ruled over the vast kingdom of the Kurus during that time. The land prospered under his reign . Law and order prevailed and everyone lived happily.
The Marriage of Dhritarashtra.
When Dhritarashtra grew old enough for marriage Bhishma consulted Vidura. Bhsihma, the grand scion of the Kurus, had heard of princess Gandhari of the kingdom of Gandhara, daughter of king Subala. Bhishma thought that the kinship with Subala was worthy of the status of Kurus. Vidura agreed with his step father on this. Accordingly, a delegation was sent to Gandhara.
King Subala was very happy with the alliance with the Kurus, but for the blindness of prince. Finally, considering the overall strength of the proposal, he consented. When Gandhari came to know that she was due to marry a blind king she blindfolded her own eyes. She did not want to look at the external world any more, something that was denied to her betrothed.
Thus, the blind Dhritarashtra was married to the blindfolded princess of Gandhara of noble qualities.
The Story behind Vidura’s birth
We have seen how Ambika cleverly made her maid to receive Veda Vyasa in her place and how Vidura was born to her. It is said that it was Dharmaraja, the Chief Justice of the world above, who took birth as Vidura because of a curse on him.
There was a sage named Mandavya who spent all his time meditating in a standing posture with raised hands in supplication to the Almighty. One day some thieves came his way carrying their booty and the soldiers of a nearby king in hot pursuit. The thieves found the hermitage of the sage a convenient place to conceal what they stole and they hid themselves nearby.
When the soldiers saw Mandavya in standing posture they asked him about the thieves. The sage was under the vow of silence while meditating. Getting no reply from the silent monk the soldiers went on their search on their own. They could easily find the booty behind the very hermitage and became suspicious. Further search revealed the hiding thieves. They thought that the sage was an accomplice and informed the king accordingly. On his command they pierced spears into the body of all including the sage and brought them to the king.
When other sages came to know what happened to Mandavya they were grief stricken and they all thronged to the palace. Mandavya, though mounted on a spear, remained meditating. The king was surprised to find that the sage was still alive and he heard about his powers from the other sages. He realized his mistake and apologized to sage Mandavya. The soldiers were promptly ordered to bring the sage down from the top of the spear. But, they could not pull the spear out from the belly of the sage. Finally, they had to cut the parts of spear projecting out. It is said that Mandavya remained alive for several more years carrying the point of spear within his belly. He, thus, came to be known as Ani-Mandavya, or Mandavya with a spear in him.
The sage was taken to Dharmaraja, the chief justice of heaven, after death as is the custom. Then the sage asked Dharmaraja what he must have done in his earlier births to deserve such a severe punishment. The Dharmaraja plodded through his books and found the appropriate entry. The sage used to play by piercing sticks into the belly of ants when he was a small child. This judgement, too harsh for an innocent child’s ignorant play, made the sage furious. The sage pointed out angrily that the Dharmaraja made a serious error in his judgement as only humans do. Accordingly, he cursed the God of justice to take birth as a human being .
That is how Dharmaraja took birth as Vidura by the curse of Ani-Mandavya.
There was a sage named Mandavya who spent all his time meditating in a standing posture with raised hands in supplication to the Almighty. One day some thieves came his way carrying their booty and the soldiers of a nearby king in hot pursuit. The thieves found the hermitage of the sage a convenient place to conceal what they stole and they hid themselves nearby.
When the soldiers saw Mandavya in standing posture they asked him about the thieves. The sage was under the vow of silence while meditating. Getting no reply from the silent monk the soldiers went on their search on their own. They could easily find the booty behind the very hermitage and became suspicious. Further search revealed the hiding thieves. They thought that the sage was an accomplice and informed the king accordingly. On his command they pierced spears into the body of all including the sage and brought them to the king.
When other sages came to know what happened to Mandavya they were grief stricken and they all thronged to the palace. Mandavya, though mounted on a spear, remained meditating. The king was surprised to find that the sage was still alive and he heard about his powers from the other sages. He realized his mistake and apologized to sage Mandavya. The soldiers were promptly ordered to bring the sage down from the top of the spear. But, they could not pull the spear out from the belly of the sage. Finally, they had to cut the parts of spear projecting out. It is said that Mandavya remained alive for several more years carrying the point of spear within his belly. He, thus, came to be known as Ani-Mandavya, or Mandavya with a spear in him.
The sage was taken to Dharmaraja, the chief justice of heaven, after death as is the custom. Then the sage asked Dharmaraja what he must have done in his earlier births to deserve such a severe punishment. The Dharmaraja plodded through his books and found the appropriate entry. The sage used to play by piercing sticks into the belly of ants when he was a small child. This judgement, too harsh for an innocent child’s ignorant play, made the sage furious. The sage pointed out angrily that the Dharmaraja made a serious error in his judgement as only humans do. Accordingly, he cursed the God of justice to take birth as a human being .
That is how Dharmaraja took birth as Vidura by the curse of Ani-Mandavya.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Veda Vyasa Comes to Help
With the death of both her sons without leaving a heir to the kingdom Sathyavathy was in despair. She knew the dire consequences of a kingdom with no king to rule.
So, she started pleading with Bhishma. Fine that he took an oath of celibacy . But, that situation had no relevance any more. On the contrary the Bharatha dynasty now needed Bhishma to marry and get children to rule the country.
But, no arguments would change Bhishma’s heart. He, then, hinted a way out. There were those long years in which Parasurama annihilated Kshatriyas (the ruling class) of successive generations to avenge the killing of his father by one of them. During that period the Kshatriya women won a ruling that they could receive Brahmins solely for the purpose of getting children to perpetuate the tribe.
Then, Sathyavathy thought of a plan. She confessed to Bhishma her long kept secret of early motherhood of sage Veda Vyasa and his promise to come to her aid when in need. Bhishma was in full accord with her on this matter. Sathyavathy wasted no time to think of her first born and there appeared Veda Vyasa in person knowing her need for him through his sixth sense. Sathyavathy presented the problem before him and her suggested solution. Vyasa should beget children in her daughters-in-law for the sake of the dynasty. The sage accepted the command of his mother to save the situation.
Birth of Dhritarashtra
Sathyavathy, then, instructed Ambika, the first wife of Vichitravirya to accept Vyasa that night. Ambika had to agree, but, she was not too pleased with the proposal. She had seen the aged Vyasa appear in rags and shrunken skin. He had disheveled hair and he smelt. Nothing about him appealed to that young beautiful princess from Kasi. She did receive the sage at night, but, with her eyes firmly shut.
When Vyasa returned from the chambers of Ambika the empress of Bharatas wanted to know whether her desire for a progeny would come true. Veda vyasa assured her of a strong and wise son in Ambika. But, the child would be born blind because Ambika refused to open her eyes in front of the sage.
Birth of Pandu
This did not please Sathayvathy too much. How could the future king of Kurus be blind ? Hence, she wanted Veda Vyasa to get her a heir in Ambalaka. Vyasa was agreeable to that also, provided he would be properly received.
Accordingly Ambalika was asked to received sage Vyasa the next night which she did. She was, nevertheless, not eager to meet the Muni. The very sight of the sage in her chambers turned her pale. Yet, she received him honouring the command of the royal mother.
Again, Sathyavathy wanted to find out from Vyasa about the success of his mission. The sage gave a positive reply, but, added that the son born to Ambalika would be a Pandu, one with a type of white dermatic illness. Again, this left Sathyavathy unhappy.
Birth of Vidura
So, she asked Veda Vyasa to make a third attempt and she asked Ambika a second time to receive the Muni. Ambika did not even bother to meet the sage this time. Instead, she asked her maid to receive him dressed as herself.
Ambika’s maid considered this to be a great honour . She received the sage with all respect and love. The sage was greatly pleased with her devotion and blessed her with a son of great wisdom and fame. Vyasa told his mother accordingly. Sathyavathy came to know of this mix up a bit too late.
That is how Vidura the wise was born to the maid of Ambika.
With the death of both her sons without leaving a heir to the kingdom Sathyavathy was in despair. She knew the dire consequences of a kingdom with no king to rule.
So, she started pleading with Bhishma. Fine that he took an oath of celibacy . But, that situation had no relevance any more. On the contrary the Bharatha dynasty now needed Bhishma to marry and get children to rule the country.
But, no arguments would change Bhishma’s heart. He, then, hinted a way out. There were those long years in which Parasurama annihilated Kshatriyas (the ruling class) of successive generations to avenge the killing of his father by one of them. During that period the Kshatriya women won a ruling that they could receive Brahmins solely for the purpose of getting children to perpetuate the tribe.
Then, Sathyavathy thought of a plan. She confessed to Bhishma her long kept secret of early motherhood of sage Veda Vyasa and his promise to come to her aid when in need. Bhishma was in full accord with her on this matter. Sathyavathy wasted no time to think of her first born and there appeared Veda Vyasa in person knowing her need for him through his sixth sense. Sathyavathy presented the problem before him and her suggested solution. Vyasa should beget children in her daughters-in-law for the sake of the dynasty. The sage accepted the command of his mother to save the situation.
Birth of Dhritarashtra
Sathyavathy, then, instructed Ambika, the first wife of Vichitravirya to accept Vyasa that night. Ambika had to agree, but, she was not too pleased with the proposal. She had seen the aged Vyasa appear in rags and shrunken skin. He had disheveled hair and he smelt. Nothing about him appealed to that young beautiful princess from Kasi. She did receive the sage at night, but, with her eyes firmly shut.
When Vyasa returned from the chambers of Ambika the empress of Bharatas wanted to know whether her desire for a progeny would come true. Veda vyasa assured her of a strong and wise son in Ambika. But, the child would be born blind because Ambika refused to open her eyes in front of the sage.
Birth of Pandu
This did not please Sathayvathy too much. How could the future king of Kurus be blind ? Hence, she wanted Veda Vyasa to get her a heir in Ambalaka. Vyasa was agreeable to that also, provided he would be properly received.
Accordingly Ambalika was asked to received sage Vyasa the next night which she did. She was, nevertheless, not eager to meet the Muni. The very sight of the sage in her chambers turned her pale. Yet, she received him honouring the command of the royal mother.
Again, Sathyavathy wanted to find out from Vyasa about the success of his mission. The sage gave a positive reply, but, added that the son born to Ambalika would be a Pandu, one with a type of white dermatic illness. Again, this left Sathyavathy unhappy.
Birth of Vidura
So, she asked Veda Vyasa to make a third attempt and she asked Ambika a second time to receive the Muni. Ambika did not even bother to meet the sage this time. Instead, she asked her maid to receive him dressed as herself.
Ambika’s maid considered this to be a great honour . She received the sage with all respect and love. The sage was greatly pleased with her devotion and blessed her with a son of great wisdom and fame. Vyasa told his mother accordingly. Sathyavathy came to know of this mix up a bit too late.
That is how Vidura the wise was born to the maid of Ambika.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Story Telling - A Sanskrit Verse
Story Telling
Story telling, naturally, involves two parties - one who tells the story and those who listen. When you have face to face contact with the listeners you judge how the response it in various ways. Some ask questions. It does not matter what the question is. The very act of raising questions brings life into story telling.
Many sit silently and listen. Even in that case the facial expression or the light of understanding and interest reflected in the eyes tell the level of interest.
None of these yardsticks are available in writing stories or broadcasting them through the electronic media. In such cases the teller knows how good he has been only through the response from the listeners. What I mean to say is that without comments, whatever their nature be, blogging becomes boring . So, dear ones, please post some comments – doubts, objections, clarifications : whatever they may be.
There is an interesting verse in Sanskrit about story telling that comes to mind . Yasoda, Krishna’s mother, is telling the story of Rama to him. Remember that both Rama and Krishna are incarnations of Vishnu, in that order of birth. In this verse Krishna is reminded of his earlier birth as Rama. Note that the very mention of Ravana stealing his beloved Seetha of earlier birth changes the mood of the sleepy child in Krishna to that of the angry and valorous warrior in Rama. Note, also how this has been beautifully captured in four lines of poem.
Sloka :
“Ramo naama babhoova”, “hum”, “tadabalaa Seethethi”, “hum”, “thou pithur
Vaachaa panchavatee vane nivasathah taa maaharad Raavanah” I
Krishnenethi purathaneem nijakathaa maakarnya maathreerithaam
“Soumithre, kva dhanur dhanu rithi prokthaa girah paathu vah II
English Translation
“(There was a prince) by name Rama”, “hmmm”, “who had a wife named Seetha”, “hmmm”, “They were living in the Panchavati forest as ordered by Rama’s father. (Then), Ravana took her away”.
Hearing his own story of olden time from his mother, may those words : “Lakshmana, where is the bow ? (where is) the bow? “, (shouted ) by Krishna protect you.
Story telling, naturally, involves two parties - one who tells the story and those who listen. When you have face to face contact with the listeners you judge how the response it in various ways. Some ask questions. It does not matter what the question is. The very act of raising questions brings life into story telling.
Many sit silently and listen. Even in that case the facial expression or the light of understanding and interest reflected in the eyes tell the level of interest.
None of these yardsticks are available in writing stories or broadcasting them through the electronic media. In such cases the teller knows how good he has been only through the response from the listeners. What I mean to say is that without comments, whatever their nature be, blogging becomes boring . So, dear ones, please post some comments – doubts, objections, clarifications : whatever they may be.
There is an interesting verse in Sanskrit about story telling that comes to mind . Yasoda, Krishna’s mother, is telling the story of Rama to him. Remember that both Rama and Krishna are incarnations of Vishnu, in that order of birth. In this verse Krishna is reminded of his earlier birth as Rama. Note that the very mention of Ravana stealing his beloved Seetha of earlier birth changes the mood of the sleepy child in Krishna to that of the angry and valorous warrior in Rama. Note, also how this has been beautifully captured in four lines of poem.
Sloka :
“Ramo naama babhoova”, “hum”, “tadabalaa Seethethi”, “hum”, “thou pithur
Vaachaa panchavatee vane nivasathah taa maaharad Raavanah” I
Krishnenethi purathaneem nijakathaa maakarnya maathreerithaam
“Soumithre, kva dhanur dhanu rithi prokthaa girah paathu vah II
English Translation
“(There was a prince) by name Rama”, “hmmm”, “who had a wife named Seetha”, “hmmm”, “They were living in the Panchavati forest as ordered by Rama’s father. (Then), Ravana took her away”.
Hearing his own story of olden time from his mother, may those words : “Lakshmana, where is the bow ? (where is) the bow? “, (shouted ) by Krishna protect you.
The Story so far
We started with the birth of Veda Vyasa. Then the focus changed to Shanthanu who married Ganga and to the Birth of Devavrata. It is time to recall that Shathanu later married Sathyavathy, the mother of Veda Vyasa. We have also seen how Devavrata became Bhishma. Let us remember that the vow that earned Devavrata the name Bhishma was that he would never become king and would never marry, either.
The dynasty of Shanthanu is known by the name of three great kings, Bharatha , Puru and Kuru. The first was an illustrious emperor born to Dushyantha and Shakunthala. We shall get to their immortal story, which was retold by the great poet Kalidasa, later. The story of Puru is also well known, to be told later.
Shanthanu’s Sons
Sathyavathy gave birth to two sons, Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. Soon, king Shanthanu passed away. Chitrangada, being the elder, inherited the kingdom .
He was a great warrior and was very conscious of his valour and skill in warfare.
Once he came across a Gandharva with the same name, Chitrangada, in battle. Gandharvas are celestial beings just below the rank of Gods with some of the divine powers. The two Chitrangadas were equally matched in strength and skill and the war was waged for weeks and months. Finally, after three years of relentless fight the Gandharva killed the king Chitrangada. He died before marriage.
Thus, the future of the Bharatha dynasty came to rest solely on Vichitravirya. When the time of his marriage came Bhishma was apprehensive of his getting a royal bride of good ranking. When he heard the news of wedding of the three daughters of the king of Kasi he himself drove a chariot there and forcefully carried away the three princesses, Amba, Ambika and Ambalika.
This was an accepted way of marriage for the warrior class. That was a way to demonstrate the power and it was a challenge to all others, including the father of brides to dare to face him.
There were many famous and powerful princes and kings who had gathered in Kasi with the hope of winning the hands of the beautiful princesses. Many of them took up the challenge and fought fiercely with Bhishma. But, none could match the great Bhishma in warfare.
Bhishma had no difficulty in returning to his palace with three brides for his step-brother. However, Amba, the eldest princess informed Bhishma on the way that she had already chosen Salva, the king of Sowbha and that he had accepted her as bride as well. So, she requested Bhishma to let her go which Bhishma did. Thus, Vichitravirya duly married the other two Kasi princesses.
After the marriage he got so involved with his young brides that he thought of nothing else. He spent day and night in their company. As a result, within the course of just two years he got inflicted with the terrible disease of tuberculosis. None of the doctors in the land or outside could save him and he died young , without begetting children.
We started with the birth of Veda Vyasa. Then the focus changed to Shanthanu who married Ganga and to the Birth of Devavrata. It is time to recall that Shathanu later married Sathyavathy, the mother of Veda Vyasa. We have also seen how Devavrata became Bhishma. Let us remember that the vow that earned Devavrata the name Bhishma was that he would never become king and would never marry, either.
The dynasty of Shanthanu is known by the name of three great kings, Bharatha , Puru and Kuru. The first was an illustrious emperor born to Dushyantha and Shakunthala. We shall get to their immortal story, which was retold by the great poet Kalidasa, later. The story of Puru is also well known, to be told later.
Shanthanu’s Sons
Sathyavathy gave birth to two sons, Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. Soon, king Shanthanu passed away. Chitrangada, being the elder, inherited the kingdom .
He was a great warrior and was very conscious of his valour and skill in warfare.
Once he came across a Gandharva with the same name, Chitrangada, in battle. Gandharvas are celestial beings just below the rank of Gods with some of the divine powers. The two Chitrangadas were equally matched in strength and skill and the war was waged for weeks and months. Finally, after three years of relentless fight the Gandharva killed the king Chitrangada. He died before marriage.
Thus, the future of the Bharatha dynasty came to rest solely on Vichitravirya. When the time of his marriage came Bhishma was apprehensive of his getting a royal bride of good ranking. When he heard the news of wedding of the three daughters of the king of Kasi he himself drove a chariot there and forcefully carried away the three princesses, Amba, Ambika and Ambalika.
This was an accepted way of marriage for the warrior class. That was a way to demonstrate the power and it was a challenge to all others, including the father of brides to dare to face him.
There were many famous and powerful princes and kings who had gathered in Kasi with the hope of winning the hands of the beautiful princesses. Many of them took up the challenge and fought fiercely with Bhishma. But, none could match the great Bhishma in warfare.
Bhishma had no difficulty in returning to his palace with three brides for his step-brother. However, Amba, the eldest princess informed Bhishma on the way that she had already chosen Salva, the king of Sowbha and that he had accepted her as bride as well. So, she requested Bhishma to let her go which Bhishma did. Thus, Vichitravirya duly married the other two Kasi princesses.
After the marriage he got so involved with his young brides that he thought of nothing else. He spent day and night in their company. As a result, within the course of just two years he got inflicted with the terrible disease of tuberculosis. None of the doctors in the land or outside could save him and he died young , without begetting children.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
How Devavrata became Bhishma
Shanthanu lived happily in the company of his son for a few years. Once he reached the shore of river Kalindi and was overwhelmed with a fragrance that filled the air there. As he wandered around looking for the source of smell he met with Malsyagandhi who had become Gandhavathi by the blessing of sage Parasara. The king fell immediately in love with her. When asked she introduced herself. Her real name was Sathyavathy and she was the daughter of Dasaraja, the king of fishermen. Shanthanu expressed his desire to marry her. She needed the consent of her father on that issue.
Shanthanu approached her father who was happy to give him her hand, but on one condition. The son born to Shanthanu in Sathyavathy should inherit the kingdom. Shanthanu had already made up his mind to make Devavrata the heir apparent. Hence, it was not easy for him to agree to this. Yet, his desire for Sathyavathy was so strong that he could not turn away from that offer either.
It was with his heart pulled in two opposite directions that the king returned to his palace. His desire for his beloved grew day by day and yet he could not deny the rightful place to his dear son. The king was tormented with these opposing thoughts and he became paler day by day.
Devavrata did not fail to notice this change in his father. One day he asked the king what the matter was. When pressed on his father replied tactfully that Devavrata being his only son, the perpetuation of the kingdom depended entirely on him. This reply did not satisfy the prince. So, he approached the ministers to get the full story. He learned from them about the king’s visit to the river and his meeting with the princess of the fishermen.
Devavrata wasted no time to meet Dasaraja and to ask for his daughter on behalf of Shanthanu, his father. He was told of the same condition which he had laid before king Shanthanu. On hearing this Devavrata declared that he did not covet the kingdom and that he would gladly sacrifice it for the benefit of the children born to Sathyavathy.
Dasaraja was still not happy. May be, Devavrata would keep his word and keep away from claiming the kingdom. But, what about the children born to him ? Learning about these misgivings by Sathyavathy’s father Devavrata declared that he would remain a bachelor to ensure that the kingdom would always remain with the progeny of Sathyavathy.
Everybody around, on earth and in heaven, exclaimed that that was an extraordinary promise to make. The gods started showering flowers from heaven on Devavrata. They declared that he would thenceforth be known as Bhishma, one who made a terrible (extremely difficult) vow. We shall soon learn how this vow by Devavrata turned the story of Mahabharatha in a different direction.
Bhishma, thus, won the hands of Sathyavathy for his father and returned to the palace with his step mother with him. Shanthanu was very pleased beyond words and blessed his son with the powers of death only when wished by Bhishma himself.
Shanthanu lived happily in the company of his son for a few years. Once he reached the shore of river Kalindi and was overwhelmed with a fragrance that filled the air there. As he wandered around looking for the source of smell he met with Malsyagandhi who had become Gandhavathi by the blessing of sage Parasara. The king fell immediately in love with her. When asked she introduced herself. Her real name was Sathyavathy and she was the daughter of Dasaraja, the king of fishermen. Shanthanu expressed his desire to marry her. She needed the consent of her father on that issue.
Shanthanu approached her father who was happy to give him her hand, but on one condition. The son born to Shanthanu in Sathyavathy should inherit the kingdom. Shanthanu had already made up his mind to make Devavrata the heir apparent. Hence, it was not easy for him to agree to this. Yet, his desire for Sathyavathy was so strong that he could not turn away from that offer either.
It was with his heart pulled in two opposite directions that the king returned to his palace. His desire for his beloved grew day by day and yet he could not deny the rightful place to his dear son. The king was tormented with these opposing thoughts and he became paler day by day.
Devavrata did not fail to notice this change in his father. One day he asked the king what the matter was. When pressed on his father replied tactfully that Devavrata being his only son, the perpetuation of the kingdom depended entirely on him. This reply did not satisfy the prince. So, he approached the ministers to get the full story. He learned from them about the king’s visit to the river and his meeting with the princess of the fishermen.
Devavrata wasted no time to meet Dasaraja and to ask for his daughter on behalf of Shanthanu, his father. He was told of the same condition which he had laid before king Shanthanu. On hearing this Devavrata declared that he did not covet the kingdom and that he would gladly sacrifice it for the benefit of the children born to Sathyavathy.
Dasaraja was still not happy. May be, Devavrata would keep his word and keep away from claiming the kingdom. But, what about the children born to him ? Learning about these misgivings by Sathyavathy’s father Devavrata declared that he would remain a bachelor to ensure that the kingdom would always remain with the progeny of Sathyavathy.
Everybody around, on earth and in heaven, exclaimed that that was an extraordinary promise to make. The gods started showering flowers from heaven on Devavrata. They declared that he would thenceforth be known as Bhishma, one who made a terrible (extremely difficult) vow. We shall soon learn how this vow by Devavrata turned the story of Mahabharatha in a different direction.
Bhishma, thus, won the hands of Sathyavathy for his father and returned to the palace with his step mother with him. Shanthanu was very pleased beyond words and blessed his son with the powers of death only when wished by Bhishma himself.
Birth of Bhishma
There are several important and interesting characters in Mahabharatha. Bhishma is one among them.
The main story centres around the royal dynasty of the Purus. There was a famous king among them called Pratheepa. Once he was meditating by the banks of the holy river Ganga (Ganges) for a few days . One day a beautiful damsel suddenly appeared there and sat on the right thigh of the meditating king. When asked in surprise she introduced herself as the guardian angel of the river in human form. She requested the king to accept her as wife.
Pratheepa spoke to her in kind words that the right thigh of men is meant for a daughter-in-law. It is the left one that is meant for the wife. Since Ganga sat on his right thigh, he would accept her as wife for his son. Ganga had to agree with that logic and promptly disappeared.
Pratheepa got a son in his old age who was given the name Shanthanu. Once, Shanthanu came to the banks of the same river Ganges while hunting. He met a beautiful maiden there. She was none other than the same Ganga. The king was enamoured by her beauty and requested her to be his wife. Ganga accepted his proposal on one condition. The king should never object to anything she did and speak nothing against her. The king agreed to this. Thus, the two got married and started living happily in the royal palace.
Ganga gave birth to a handsome boy in due course. As soon as the boy was born, Ganga threw the boy into the river and killed him. The king was shocked by this ghastly deed, but bore that with anguish remembering his promise to her. Soon, another boy was born who also met with the same fate. Thus, Ganga bore seven boys to the king, who were all killed by their mother in the same manner. The king grew sadder after each child birth because of this.
Then, Ganga delivered yet another extremely handsome boy. She was about to throw him into the river when the king could not contain himself any more. He mustered enough courage to block his wife and ask: “Who are you and why are you being so cruel?”.
To this Ganga replied with a sad tone : “King, you have broken your promise to me. Hence, I have to leave you. I shall not kill this boy, but, I will take him with me and bring him up to become a fine youth. Then I shall leave him back in your care”.
She then narrated her story. There were eight divine brothers known as the Vasus in heaven. They were travelling in the world above in the company of their wives. They happened to see the divine cow, Nandini of sage Vasishtha there and were transfixed by its grace. One of the Vasus, by name Dyov, explained the special gifts of the cow to his wife. That made her mind set on getting the cow for herself. Her husband and his brothers were all apprehensive of the wrath of Vasishtha. But, she was adamant. Finally, they yielded and took Nandini to their home.
When the sage returned to his hermitage for his daily rituals for which the sacred cow was essential he found his beloved cow missing. He could see with his intuitive powers what happened, and cursed the Vasus to be born as humans, for the way they behaved.
The Vasus came to know of this curse immediately and fell at his feet for forgiveness. Vasishtha was willing to tone down the punishment, but, it was not possible to forgive altogether. So he decided he would let seven of them who were only accomplices to take birth and die immediately. The eighth, Dyov, had to live the life of a human through, but, with honour and dignity. He suggested that they could appease the Holy Ganga to help them in this plan by becoming their mother on earth. That was how the seven children of Shanthanu happened to be killed at birth.
With these words Ganga disappeared from there taking the new born with her.
Shanthanu ruled over his kingdom in an exemplary manner. Every one lived happily under his rule. There was peace and prosperity throughout his kingdom.
One day the king reached the shores of the river Ganges while hunting. He was surprised to see the river unusually low on water. He started moving upstream looking for the reason for this. He was surprised to find a handsome youth blocking the flow of water with a dam built by the arrows he skillfully dispatched one after other . The sight of the young lad brought memories of his sole surviving son and departed wife, Ganga to the mind of Shanthanu. At that very moment Ganga appeared in person as though materialized from his thoughts. She was holding the hand of that very youth who was the son born to her from the king. She had educated him in all necessary fields, each subject from its authority. Ganga then handed him over to the king and disappeared for ever.
The boy was named Devavrata, who later came to be known as Bhishma.
There are several important and interesting characters in Mahabharatha. Bhishma is one among them.
The main story centres around the royal dynasty of the Purus. There was a famous king among them called Pratheepa. Once he was meditating by the banks of the holy river Ganga (Ganges) for a few days . One day a beautiful damsel suddenly appeared there and sat on the right thigh of the meditating king. When asked in surprise she introduced herself as the guardian angel of the river in human form. She requested the king to accept her as wife.
Pratheepa spoke to her in kind words that the right thigh of men is meant for a daughter-in-law. It is the left one that is meant for the wife. Since Ganga sat on his right thigh, he would accept her as wife for his son. Ganga had to agree with that logic and promptly disappeared.
Pratheepa got a son in his old age who was given the name Shanthanu. Once, Shanthanu came to the banks of the same river Ganges while hunting. He met a beautiful maiden there. She was none other than the same Ganga. The king was enamoured by her beauty and requested her to be his wife. Ganga accepted his proposal on one condition. The king should never object to anything she did and speak nothing against her. The king agreed to this. Thus, the two got married and started living happily in the royal palace.
Ganga gave birth to a handsome boy in due course. As soon as the boy was born, Ganga threw the boy into the river and killed him. The king was shocked by this ghastly deed, but bore that with anguish remembering his promise to her. Soon, another boy was born who also met with the same fate. Thus, Ganga bore seven boys to the king, who were all killed by their mother in the same manner. The king grew sadder after each child birth because of this.
Then, Ganga delivered yet another extremely handsome boy. She was about to throw him into the river when the king could not contain himself any more. He mustered enough courage to block his wife and ask: “Who are you and why are you being so cruel?”.
To this Ganga replied with a sad tone : “King, you have broken your promise to me. Hence, I have to leave you. I shall not kill this boy, but, I will take him with me and bring him up to become a fine youth. Then I shall leave him back in your care”.
She then narrated her story. There were eight divine brothers known as the Vasus in heaven. They were travelling in the world above in the company of their wives. They happened to see the divine cow, Nandini of sage Vasishtha there and were transfixed by its grace. One of the Vasus, by name Dyov, explained the special gifts of the cow to his wife. That made her mind set on getting the cow for herself. Her husband and his brothers were all apprehensive of the wrath of Vasishtha. But, she was adamant. Finally, they yielded and took Nandini to their home.
When the sage returned to his hermitage for his daily rituals for which the sacred cow was essential he found his beloved cow missing. He could see with his intuitive powers what happened, and cursed the Vasus to be born as humans, for the way they behaved.
The Vasus came to know of this curse immediately and fell at his feet for forgiveness. Vasishtha was willing to tone down the punishment, but, it was not possible to forgive altogether. So he decided he would let seven of them who were only accomplices to take birth and die immediately. The eighth, Dyov, had to live the life of a human through, but, with honour and dignity. He suggested that they could appease the Holy Ganga to help them in this plan by becoming their mother on earth. That was how the seven children of Shanthanu happened to be killed at birth.
With these words Ganga disappeared from there taking the new born with her.
Shanthanu ruled over his kingdom in an exemplary manner. Every one lived happily under his rule. There was peace and prosperity throughout his kingdom.
One day the king reached the shores of the river Ganges while hunting. He was surprised to see the river unusually low on water. He started moving upstream looking for the reason for this. He was surprised to find a handsome youth blocking the flow of water with a dam built by the arrows he skillfully dispatched one after other . The sight of the young lad brought memories of his sole surviving son and departed wife, Ganga to the mind of Shanthanu. At that very moment Ganga appeared in person as though materialized from his thoughts. She was holding the hand of that very youth who was the son born to her from the king. She had educated him in all necessary fields, each subject from its authority. Ganga then handed him over to the king and disappeared for ever.
The boy was named Devavrata, who later came to be known as Bhishma.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Birth of Veda Vyasa
One measure of greatness for saints in India was their involvement in the making of the most sacred Hindu scripture, the Vedas. It is said that the Vedas simply occurred in the minds of such sages as a result of their deep and long meditation. Seven among them were respected the most. One was called Vasishtha. Sages are called by various names such as Rishi and Muni and the great ones as Maharshi or Mahamuni. Vasishtha had a grandson by name Parasara who was a Vedic Rishi himself. Mahabharatam was written by the son born to Parasara by name Veda Vyasa. There is an interesting story behind his birth.
One day Parasara came to cross the river Kalindi. A beautiful maiden sat at the oars that day to take the boat across. She was the daughter of the king of fishermen. Though beautiful, she was known by the name Matsyagandhi, meaning one who smelt of fish. Indeed, she always smelt of fish. The great sage, nonetheless, was smitten by her extreme beauty. He happened to be the only passenger that time in the boat. Half way across the river the Maharshi could not restrain himself and expressed his desire for her favours.
Such a request was considered to be a great honour for a girl those days. But, Matsyagandhi was apprehensive. She had remained a maiden till that day and she feared losing that . When Parasara heard her objection, he smilingly said that he could help her to remain as she was with his powers.
Matsyagandhi could not think of a relationship with the sage in the middle of the river with many watching from both the banks. Again, that was a small matter for the Maharshi to fix. He, with his powers, made thick fog to develop all around. He also made a small island to rise beneath the boat.
With all her fears removed, the beautiful princess of the fisher folk received the great saint. As a result the maiden conceived a baby. But, such were the powers of Parasara that before the boat reached the other bank Matsyagandhi delivered a handsome boy, though dark in colour. Not only that, the boy grew instantly to a youth.
Thus, with two people on board at start the boat reached the other bank with three. There the Maharshi had to bid good bye to his wife of extreme short duration. But, before departing the only wish of Matsyagandhi, that her smell of fish should be removed, was granted and materialized. Thus, she henceforth came to be known as Gandhavathi, meaning the girl with a sweet scent.
The boy was named Dwaipayana, meaning one born on an island. He also gathered a name Krishna because of his dark complexion. Like his father he also bid good bye to his mother , but, with the consoling words : “ mother, I also would like retire to the forests to start meditating like father. But, whenever you need me just think of me. I shall be there to help you”.
We shall find in the story of the great epic Mahabharata that he kept his words till last.
Soon, he became a great saint on his own rights. He became so great that he decided to organize the Vedas which were passed on as one huge unmanageable text till that time into four by their content and usage. Hence, he became better known as Veda Vyasa, meaning one who divided the Vedas.
One measure of greatness for saints in India was their involvement in the making of the most sacred Hindu scripture, the Vedas. It is said that the Vedas simply occurred in the minds of such sages as a result of their deep and long meditation. Seven among them were respected the most. One was called Vasishtha. Sages are called by various names such as Rishi and Muni and the great ones as Maharshi or Mahamuni. Vasishtha had a grandson by name Parasara who was a Vedic Rishi himself. Mahabharatam was written by the son born to Parasara by name Veda Vyasa. There is an interesting story behind his birth.
One day Parasara came to cross the river Kalindi. A beautiful maiden sat at the oars that day to take the boat across. She was the daughter of the king of fishermen. Though beautiful, she was known by the name Matsyagandhi, meaning one who smelt of fish. Indeed, she always smelt of fish. The great sage, nonetheless, was smitten by her extreme beauty. He happened to be the only passenger that time in the boat. Half way across the river the Maharshi could not restrain himself and expressed his desire for her favours.
Such a request was considered to be a great honour for a girl those days. But, Matsyagandhi was apprehensive. She had remained a maiden till that day and she feared losing that . When Parasara heard her objection, he smilingly said that he could help her to remain as she was with his powers.
Matsyagandhi could not think of a relationship with the sage in the middle of the river with many watching from both the banks. Again, that was a small matter for the Maharshi to fix. He, with his powers, made thick fog to develop all around. He also made a small island to rise beneath the boat.
With all her fears removed, the beautiful princess of the fisher folk received the great saint. As a result the maiden conceived a baby. But, such were the powers of Parasara that before the boat reached the other bank Matsyagandhi delivered a handsome boy, though dark in colour. Not only that, the boy grew instantly to a youth.
Thus, with two people on board at start the boat reached the other bank with three. There the Maharshi had to bid good bye to his wife of extreme short duration. But, before departing the only wish of Matsyagandhi, that her smell of fish should be removed, was granted and materialized. Thus, she henceforth came to be known as Gandhavathi, meaning the girl with a sweet scent.
The boy was named Dwaipayana, meaning one born on an island. He also gathered a name Krishna because of his dark complexion. Like his father he also bid good bye to his mother , but, with the consoling words : “ mother, I also would like retire to the forests to start meditating like father. But, whenever you need me just think of me. I shall be there to help you”.
We shall find in the story of the great epic Mahabharata that he kept his words till last.
Soon, he became a great saint on his own rights. He became so great that he decided to organize the Vedas which were passed on as one huge unmanageable text till that time into four by their content and usage. Hence, he became better known as Veda Vyasa, meaning one who divided the Vedas.
Monday, December 4, 2006
The Start of Mahabharata Story
How it got written down
Veda Vyasa wrote Mahabharata. He had witnessed all the events from start to finish.
After the end of the great war and all the destruction that was caused by it Vyasa thought that he should record the entire episode for the benefit of future generations. What he wanted to write would become too voluminous for him to compose in verse and at the same time write it down. Who would help him ?
So, he started meditating on Brahma , the creator. Soon, Brahma appeared before him and advised him to approach Ganapathy for the task. Accordingly, he started praying for Ganapathy who soon made his appearance before him. Delighted, Veda Vyasa put his request to the God.
Ganapathy had no objection to help him in writing the epic down. But, he did not like being kept waiting for the material. In other words, Ganapathy wanted Vyasa to dictate continuously to him. Vyasa, after a moment's reflection agreed, but, on one condition. Ganapathy should not write anything down without understanding the meaning. The God agreed to this condition from Vyasa.
Thus started the recording of the great epic, some 200, 000 lines of poetry. Whenever Veda Vyasa needed time to think and compose he would dictate a few stanzas of poem that were difficult to understand. This would make Ganapathy stop for a while thinking about the meaning. That way, the great poet accomplished the task with help from Ganapathy.
Veda Vyasa wrote Mahabharata. He had witnessed all the events from start to finish.
After the end of the great war and all the destruction that was caused by it Vyasa thought that he should record the entire episode for the benefit of future generations. What he wanted to write would become too voluminous for him to compose in verse and at the same time write it down. Who would help him ?
So, he started meditating on Brahma , the creator. Soon, Brahma appeared before him and advised him to approach Ganapathy for the task. Accordingly, he started praying for Ganapathy who soon made his appearance before him. Delighted, Veda Vyasa put his request to the God.
Ganapathy had no objection to help him in writing the epic down. But, he did not like being kept waiting for the material. In other words, Ganapathy wanted Vyasa to dictate continuously to him. Vyasa, after a moment's reflection agreed, but, on one condition. Ganapathy should not write anything down without understanding the meaning. The God agreed to this condition from Vyasa.
Thus started the recording of the great epic, some 200, 000 lines of poetry. Whenever Veda Vyasa needed time to think and compose he would dictate a few stanzas of poem that were difficult to understand. This would make Ganapathy stop for a while thinking about the meaning. That way, the great poet accomplished the task with help from Ganapathy.
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Sanskrit Poem - A Prayer
A Prayer
We got introduced to the divine couple, Siva and Parvathy, in the last blog. This piece of poem is a prayer to Parvathy, in a way.
Their children, introduced as Ganapathy and Subrahmanya last time, are also known by various other names. The names Ganesha and Heramba are used for the former here and Agnibhooh and Smanda for the latter.
The two children are fighting with each other. Out of these, Ganapathy has the head of an elephant with large ears and a long trunk for nose. The other has six faces and hence, a dozen eyes. The annoyed mother has a conversation with her children. That is what the poem is about.
Poem in Sanskrit
He Heramba ! kim amba ! rodishi param karnou luthathy-Agnibhooh
Kim te Skanda ! viceshtitam ? mama pura sankhya krta cakshusham
ittham te-nucitam Ganesha ! caritam nasam mimeete-mba me
ma, ma, me-ti sutou vilokya hasatee paya-dapayd-Uma
English Translation
"You, Heramba!" " Why mom, this Agnibhooh is pulling on my ears". "Why are you, Skanda, naughty like this ? " "He started it by counting my eyes ". "That was not a fair deed, Ganesha !". "My nose was measured by Subrahmanya first".
May that Parvathy save us from all dangers, who started laughing, watching this fight between her children, saying (simply) "No, no, no".
We got introduced to the divine couple, Siva and Parvathy, in the last blog. This piece of poem is a prayer to Parvathy, in a way.
Their children, introduced as Ganapathy and Subrahmanya last time, are also known by various other names. The names Ganesha and Heramba are used for the former here and Agnibhooh and Smanda for the latter.
The two children are fighting with each other. Out of these, Ganapathy has the head of an elephant with large ears and a long trunk for nose. The other has six faces and hence, a dozen eyes. The annoyed mother has a conversation with her children. That is what the poem is about.
Poem in Sanskrit
He Heramba ! kim amba ! rodishi param karnou luthathy-Agnibhooh
Kim te Skanda ! viceshtitam ? mama pura sankhya krta cakshusham
ittham te-nucitam Ganesha ! caritam nasam mimeete-mba me
ma, ma, me-ti sutou vilokya hasatee paya-dapayd-Uma
English Translation
"You, Heramba!" " Why mom, this Agnibhooh is pulling on my ears". "Why are you, Skanda, naughty like this ? " "He started it by counting my eyes ". "That was not a fair deed, Ganesha !". "My nose was measured by Subrahmanya first".
May that Parvathy save us from all dangers, who started laughing, watching this fight between her children, saying (simply) "No, no, no".
Introduction
When my children were young I used to tell them stories from Indian mythology, mostly from the thrilling accounts of Mahabharatam. My son used to be a keen listener. My daughter would want to tell me a story first. By the time she finished her story I would have fallen asleep.
They have both grown up (I have not !). Now they want me to write. Here I am, ready to write. And read whatever others want to write, like my daughter, on the subject .
It will be the same Mahabharatam, to start with. And, it is something that does not end that soon, mind you.
There will also be, in between, little pieces from Sanskrit poetry and other stuff coming from ancient Indian seers. Hence, we have the title Arsha-Jnanam, meaning knowledge handed over from ancient Indian sages.
Invocation
It is traditional to start any new venture by invoking the God of (preventing) all obstacles, Ganapathy. Let me do that with a short story which I offer to him as my prayer.
At the top of hierarchy of Hindu Gods are three - Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. Siva has his consort, Parvathy. They have two sons, Ganapathy and Subrahmanya.
When the time for their marriage was near, the divine pair told their sons that there would be a test and the winner would be the first to get a bride. The contest was to go around the three worlds ahead of the other. Both agreed to the idea. Subrahmanya has the peacock as his divine vehicle and set forth on the mission at once.
Ganapathy, being the lazier of the two, started thinking. He simply went round his parents three times and said : "everyone says that you encompass all the worlds. So, going around you would be the same as going around the worlds !" The divine couple had no arguments against this logic of Ganapathy and he was declared the winner !
They have both grown up (I have not !). Now they want me to write. Here I am, ready to write. And read whatever others want to write, like my daughter, on the subject .
It will be the same Mahabharatam, to start with. And, it is something that does not end that soon, mind you.
There will also be, in between, little pieces from Sanskrit poetry and other stuff coming from ancient Indian seers. Hence, we have the title Arsha-Jnanam, meaning knowledge handed over from ancient Indian sages.
Invocation
It is traditional to start any new venture by invoking the God of (preventing) all obstacles, Ganapathy. Let me do that with a short story which I offer to him as my prayer.
At the top of hierarchy of Hindu Gods are three - Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. Siva has his consort, Parvathy. They have two sons, Ganapathy and Subrahmanya.
When the time for their marriage was near, the divine pair told their sons that there would be a test and the winner would be the first to get a bride. The contest was to go around the three worlds ahead of the other. Both agreed to the idea. Subrahmanya has the peacock as his divine vehicle and set forth on the mission at once.
Ganapathy, being the lazier of the two, started thinking. He simply went round his parents three times and said : "everyone says that you encompass all the worlds. So, going around you would be the same as going around the worlds !" The divine couple had no arguments against this logic of Ganapathy and he was declared the winner !
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