Tag: Mahabharata

Kunti’s life is a tale of sorrow and resilience. From a young age, the men in her life wronged her, each in their own way. Her father gave her away to Kuntibhoja, her stepfather, who used her to serve the sage Durvasa. While she gained a powerful boon from this service, it was a burden…

Bhishma is often seen as a noble and self-sacrificing figure in the Mahabharata. Yet, his actions towards women are troubling. He wronged seven women in his life. Let me explain. First, there’s Amba (1). She wanted to marry another but was abducted by Bhishma for his brother. Her life was ruined, leading her to seek…

Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, was known for his straightforward and traditional nature. He had envisioned alliances between his family and the Kauravas, aiming to strengthen ties through marriage. However, Krishna’s interventions disrupted his plans, leading to much annoyance and irritation for Balarama. The first instance was the marriage of Subhadra. Balarama wanted Subhadra…

Was Yudhishthira the son of Vidura? Both were incarnations of Yama, the god of death. This connection gave rise to a unique bond between them. Vidura, always in favor of the Pandavas, often took long walks with Yudhishthira, offering guidance and support. One day, Yudhishthira and his family went to visit Kunti, Dhritarashtra, and Gandhari…

In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas are often depicted as paragons of virtue. Yet, some lesser-known stories reveal the complexities and moral ambiguities of their actions. One such story is the Varnavarta incident, where a tribal woman and her five children tragically lost their lives. The Pandavas were sent to Varnavarta by Dhritarashtra, where Duryodhana plotted…

In the final day of the Battle of Mahabharata, Duryodhana lay grievously wounded on the battlefield. As he awaited his end. Ashwatthama, seeking revenge for his father Dronacharya’s death, took a drastic and cruel step. Under the cover of night, he infiltrated the Pandava camp and killed the five sons of Draupadi, mistaking them for…

In the Mahabharata, Bhima and Duryodhana share striking similarities. Both are powerful warriors, fierce in battle, and unyielding in their determination. However, their paths diverged significantly due to the influences in their lives. Bhima, the second Pandava, grew under the guidance of his elder brother Yudhishthira. Yudhishthira was wise, righteous, and deeply committed to dharma.…

In the Mahabharata, just before the great war of Kurukshetra began, Yudhishthira demonstrated profound respect and humility. As the eldest Pandava, he was committed to righteousness. Before the battle commenced, he took an unexpected step that left everyone astonished. Yudhishthira descended from his chariot and walked towards the Kaurava camp. The air was tense, and…

In a folktale from Odisha, the divine sage Narada once arrived in Dvaraka and asked for Krishna to be given to him as alms. Krishna’s eight queens, taken aback, requested Narada to take anything else instead. Narada then asked for wealth equal to Krishna’s weight. They agreed and arranged for a big scale, known as…

In the Mahabharata, a prophecy foretold that if the war exceeded 18 days, Duryodhana would win. Bhishma alone had the strength to stall the war for 18 days. Before the war, the Kaurava warriors and kings gathered to discuss who could handle the war for that duration. Everyone looked to Bhishma. Krishna, knowing the prophecy,…

In the Mahabharata, Yudhishthira is renowned for his unwavering commitment to truth. His adherence to honesty was so profound that his chariot floated 14 hand lengths above the earth. Even the God’s chariots remained grounded, highlighting the extraordinary power of truth embodied by Yudhishthira. However, during the Kurukshetra war, there came a critical moment that…

In the Mahabharata, the story of Ekalavya is a powerful testament to determination and the boundless potential of the human spirit. Ekalavya, a young tribal boy, aspired to be a great archer. However, he was denied formal training by Dronacharya, the royal teacher, because of his low birth. Undeterred, Ekalavya took a unique path. He…