Episode #98 The End This is the last episode of my book Mahabharata Janani Janmabhoomi. Mahabharata is the history of kings and sages, essence of all sacred texts, beautiful in language, with subtle meanings and logic. It is a great storehouse of knowledge adorned with beautiful words and rhyme. With the evolution of the universe, evolved the inexhaustible seeds of all it's inhabitants, movable and immovable, earth, water, wind, years, seasons, all came into existence.  The epic covers a time period of about one thousand years, roughly 800CE to 400AD. It is the longest epic written till date. It is the handicraft of multiple authors. It traverses a time span of one thousand years and not a single day or year. In olden days, who spoke Sanskrit were called Aryas and who did not are Mlecchas. But today's context Aryas stands for ethnicity.  Mahabharata is classified into eighteen Parvas (section) each Parvas has many Adhyas (chapters). Each Adhyas has number of couplets or shloka...

Untold story episode #97 Few months later Janamejaya and Laxmani got married.  After 12 years of courtship with Janamejaya, he died and she became the first woman emperor of Bharat Varsh, with the blessing of her father Duryodhana when he breathed last came true - this was the beginning of the women liberation, women equality, women empowerment.  First rule she imposed that there would be  o war on this Janmabhoomi (motherland) so that no mother get devastated losing her son in the battlefield. No wife lives life of widows of martyrs and no children should be orphanage and outcast hereafter! She opened schools especially for women and created the special jobs for women; she gave equal rights and empowered women to be independent.  In past 5000 years, we had not fought a single major war in comparison with the epic war of Mahabharata.  Princess Laxmani disappeared after 100 years, she ruled Bharat Varsh for 16 years after the death of her husband and she was reme...

Untold story episode #96 Next day morning one girl was presented before Janamejaya, she was the same girl he dreamt every night wearing same clothes, he smiled and asked her introduction, she recognised his face and got a big smile on her face, it was after 72 years she smiled or else she lived like a unmarried widow of Abhimanyu.  King repeated "Young girl who are you?" She was standing with her head high with confidence she introduce herself  "I am princess Laxmani of Kurukshetra dynasty the daughter of Duryodhana and Bhanumati and the sister of Laxmanai Kumar, I am the last heir of Kurukshetra family."  King asked "Who was the other girl with you?" She replied "She was my friend Vatsala the daughter of Balaram and Revathi his wife, she died before few months due to some diseases.  King demanded "Show me that painting?" She pulled out the painting and gave it to him, he looked carefully and was surprised to see his picture, he asked "...

Untold story episode #95 Vaisampayana the student of sage Vyasa narrated to Janamejaya, the tale of Pandavas and the Kauravas and all the kings who ruled the land of Bharat Varsh - this tale was known as Mahabharata. The tale was composed by his guru Sage Vyasa and written by Lord Ganesha. He questioned sage Vaisampayana, at the end "I am confused " said Janamejaya "who is the hero of this tale? And who is the villain?" "Who shall we call villain? Duryodhana who refused to share even a small piece of land? Yudhishtira, who gambled away his wife and kingdom? Bhisma, who prevented Dhritarashtra from becoming the king because he was blind,  Shantanu, who sacrificed his son's future to satisfy his own lust? Or is it Gandhari, for blindfolding herself to her son's misdeeds and faults? Or maybe Lord Krishna, who had long ago promised the Earth-goddess to rid the world of unrighteous kings? You decide who is hero and who is villain" said Vaisampayana.  ++...

Untold story: Episode #94 Janamejaya was the son of King Parikshit; his mother name was Iravati or Madravati. He ruled Indraprastha for 84 years 7 months and 23 days. King Janamejaya be got two sons Jnatanika and Sankukarna. He became the king of Hastinapur after the death of his father King Parikshit. Janamejaya was tall and well built, he had a long golden hair, heavy biceps and broad shoulders,  every night he dreams that he is holding a beautiful young girl from her waist, bending over her and put his lips on her lips and he wakes up, he remained worried about such dreams and didn't know whom should he share his dreams?  When king Janamejaya came to know that his father killer Takshaka is roaming free as he was protected by Lord Indra. He decided to avenge the unlawful curse upon his father King Parikshit to kill the race of Nagar, he performed a great sacrifice called Sarpa-yajna, to kill the race of Nagas, including Takshaka who had bitten his father to death.  On t...

Untold story episode #93 After the war of Mahabharata, Pandavas ruled 36 years and now they retired from the worldly materialistic life basis on the law of nature "Let the younger generation enjoy life while we try and our exit" Parikshit born af6the bloodbath in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, he was 36 and old enough old to rule over Hastinapur. The young Parikshit bought the peace and prosperity back in Hastinapur and people were very happy and pleased with the King Parikshit.  Vasudev Krishna's sister Subhadra became the most prominent female of the Kurus Dynasty. The very existence of the dynasty rested upon her efforts and the efforts of her grandson, Parikshit. She was the strength and glue which held Bharat Varsh together. Many men on both sides died in the war. Like Manu and Noah she had to restart civilisation again. She truly became the Mother of India. She took the reins and guided her grandson and the nation on a better course. War is always costly. In the en...

Untold story: Episode 92 Mahabharata is a lunar dynasty. It begins with King Soma (Moon) followed by Puruvas, Nashusha and Yayati. After Yayati, Puru was made the king, rest of his sons were disinherited, including the Yadu (Yadavas). While Puru carried a flagship of Lunar Dynasty,  his son Dushayanta married Shakuntala. Bharat was their son. Bharat Varsh owes it's name to him. Bharat had a grandson Kuru and Kuru's grandson was Shantanu. Shantanu married to Satyavati. They had grandchildren Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. Shantanu had a son Bhisma through Ganga before marriage, Satyavati had a son Krishna Dvaiyapayna (Ved Vyasa) through sage Parashara.  After Vichitravirya's death, Satyavati summoned her son Krishna Dvaiyapayna to impregnate Vichitravirya's wives. Thus were born Dhritarashtra, Pansy, and Vidura.  In the battle of Kurukshetra, Pandavas were victorious,  but five sons of Draupadi died. Ghatotkacha, Bhima's son through Hidimba died and Arjuna son throug...

Untold story episode #91 Draupadi was a unique woman, women in general, are very jealous,  they really live in jealousy, if one wants to characterise men or women,  we can say ego is the chief characterise of man and jealousy is the chief characterise of women. Man lives with his ego and women by jealousy. Jealous is the passive form of ego and ego is active form of jealousy. Draupadi rose above jealousy and pettiness; she loved the Pandavas without reservations. In many ways Draupadi towered over her husbands who were very jealous of another on account of her love. They remained in constant psychological conflict with each other, while Draupadi went through this complex relationship with perfect ease and equanimity. It is good that Draupadi is not a solitary case of this kind; she may be the last in long line. The society that preceded Draupadi was matriarchal perhaps Draupadi is the last vestige of that disintegrating social order. In matriarchal society mother was the h...

Untold story episode#90 Finally when Yudhishtira reached alone to the High Heavens, he was aghast that all the 100 Laura as enjoyed the hospitality of Apsaras (Angels) and Devas (Less Gods) while his innocent four brothers and wife Draupadi were in hell. What shocked him was Karna was also in hell, such a compassionate and selfless person; surely there must be some mistake! Yudhishtira was aware of his brothers and Draupadi's shortcomings but Karna? Yudhishtira asked "why Karna, he suffered enough in his life." The reply was that first of all Karna had befriended a person (Duryodhana) who did not respect dharma, secondly owing to his breach of trust in friendship! (Karna promised Kunti that he will spare her four sons out of five, but Duryodhana wanted him to kill all five Pandavas - this was decidedly a breach of trust to his friend.) "How do the heavens allow Kauravas - those murderers who had not once followed the path of righteousness all their life, even Vasu...

Untold Story Episode#89 They started their journey towards heaven. They walked towards north on snow-clad mountains of Mandara whose peak touched the heavens. They climbed the steep and narrow path with great determination but they were aware of the nerve-racking terrain that they were destined to cross! Draupadi was first one to collapse due to exhaustion; she cried for help but the others had gone far beyond ear-shot; Sahdeva followed suit, he slipped into the gorge but none heard his cries for help! Nakula followed by Arjuna and finally Bhima - all collapsed due to prolong starvation and intense dehydration and they died a miserable lonely death in the fog filled cold mountains. Yudhisthira did not look back, he knew this lonely journey was destined for every mortal and remained unperturbed! He continued to climb the mountain the air become thinner and his limbs turned numb and icy cold as the snow drizzled around him. His lungs cried out of air and he wheezed with the ascent! He...

Untold story: Episode#88 Vasudev Krishna reposed under a tree and ruminate on his past - killing of Kansa and various demons; the destruction of the Kuru race in the war; he also recalled Gandhari curse to him and Yadavas! He had long realised the curse of Gandhari and those from the great Sages! He reckoned that his role on this earth; the purpose of his incarnation was fulfilled and the time of departure has come like Balarama. At very moment, a passing hunter cited Krishna's foot and mistaking it for deer's face, shot an arrow that hit Krishna's left foot, when he went closer to pick up the deer, he realised his mistake and pleaded Krishna for forgiveness...! Krishna consoled him by narrating to him that in his previous birth as Lord Rama in Treta yuga, he killed Vaali Sugreeva's brother hiding behind the tree which was not in accord with dharma. Krishna was now reaping the price for the same through the hunter Jara, who was King Vaali in his previous birth and th...

Untold story episode#87 Thirty-six years of Mahabharata war elapsed and several unprecedented changes occurred in Dwarka city. The notable ones were - Sudarshan Chakra, Panchajanya conch and the chariot all the special weapons of Lord Krishna together with the plough weapon of Balarama disappeared from the earth. The sudden disappearance created panic among the Yadava and feeling extremely insecure they approached Krishna. Vasudev Krishna suggested them to visit various holy places and take holy baths; accordingly the Yadava visited various pilgrimages for emancipation of their sins. They visited Prabhas but it happened to be an inauspicious day of eclipse which was sure to bring evil. After taking holy bath in the sea, instead of offering prayers, the Yadava started drinking and amongst them, the two survivors of Mahabharata war started a furious arguments and they were Satyaki (fought from Pandavas side) and (Kritavarma fought from Kauravas side). They blamed and cursed eachother o...

Untold story: Episode#86 Once, the great sages like Vishwamitra, Durvasa, Vashista and Narada went on pilgrimage and visited Dwarka to meet Vasudev Krishna a d his brother Balarama. Over a period of time, the Yadavas lost their sense of culture and discipline and were inclined to be uncouth and unrefined! A group of  Yadavas boys decided to play pranks on the sages and test their supernatural powers. They dressed Samba (Son of Vasudev Krishna and Jambavati) as a woman; wound several robes around his belly to make him appear as a pregnant woman. They approached the sages and asked them to predict whether this lady would give birth to boy or a girl. The sages realised through their divine vision that the boys were mocking at them and cursed them saying the disguised boy will give birth to a lump of iron which will lead to the destruction of the entire Yadavas race. The Yadavas boys laughed until Samba's stomach became heavier and eventually Samba happened to deliver a huge block of...

Episode 85 Gandhari eyes filled with tears and her ears were echoing the cries of the slain warriors  window's. She could not bear the heart-rending cries of all the mothers and widows; the air was filled with loud wailings! Gandhari was helpless and could find no way to console them. Seeing their intense grief, Gandhari forgot her own sorrow that all her hundred sons were killed by Bhima in the war - but after a while the nightmare memories struck her worse than a thunderbolt could have and she wept bitterly again.  She blamed Vasudev Krishna repeatedly for the total destruction of the Kuru race. Gandhari was under belief that Vasudev Krishna though he had power to prevent the war - he did not do enough to prevent the war. This thoughts and her own helplessness tormented her to no end, if Vasudev Krishna and really desired to prevent it, this bloodshed was definitely avoidable. In a fit of rage, Gandhari cursed Vasudev Krishna that the Yadavas clan would also be similarly d...

Episode#84 The King went to River Ganga and offered traditional libations for the peace of the departed soul! After the ceremony was over, Yudhishtira stood in the bank and the entire bitter tragic events returned to his mind and overcome by intense grief,  he fell unconscious on the ground as if an elephant had struck down by a vicious hunter. Bhima went up to his brother,  caressed him and spoke to him soothingly! Dhritarashtra came along and comforted Yudhishtira: "You should not grieve like this, arise and reign over the kingdom that awaits you  - You will be assisted by your brothers and friends. Leave this anguish to Gandhari and me, you achieved victory in accordance with the righteousness of warriors. A fool that I was, I did not give the slightest significance to the precious words of Vidura and ended up by committing the biggest blunder of my life! I listened to the foolish words of Duryodhana and deceived myself.  Like a beautiful night-dream everything...

Episode#83 Yudhishtira's mental anguish increased every day when he thought of all the kinsmen that had been killed. He was stricken with intense remorse and decided to renounce as a mark of emancipation from his sins! "I see no joy or happiness - nor am I worthy to be the ruler of Hastinapur or indulge in worldly pleasure!" He said to his brothers and added "Do rule the land yourselves leaving me free to go to the forest." Arjuna discussed nobility of family life and the righteousness one could continue without resorting to renunciation. Bhima also tried to convince but a trifle harshly "You talk, alas - like an ill-witted person who has acquired the knowledge the religious shastras without understanding their underlying worth. Sanyasa is positively not the Dharma of us Kshatriya. The duty of Kshatriya, is to live an active life and remain committed to the subject of his kingdom to whom he has vowed to provide all the necessary amenities,  protection f...

Episode#82 The Pandavas performed the Arghya (Venereal offerings to the departed soul) in honour of martyrs who had laid their lives in the war and camped on the bank of the Ganga for a month. One day, Narada appeared before Yudhishtira. "Son, through Krishna's grace, the valour of Arjuna and power of your Dharma, you were victorious and you are the sovereign Lord of the land. Are you not happy?" He asked. Yudhishtira replied "O great Devarishi, it is true that the kingdom has come into my possession but all my kinsman have gone forever  We have lost sons that were dear to us, for me - this is no victory at all, on the contrary it is my greatest defeat! O sage Narada, we took our own brother for an enemy and killed him; Karna stood rooted like a rock in honour and the world wondered at his magnanimous valour- we have slain him mercilessly! This terrible act of slaying our own brother was the result of our sinful attachment to our possessions. Karna, on other hand, ...

Episode#81 Gandhari says "I do not envy the victory of Pandavas and ibagree that my intense grief has robbed me of my understanding! These Pandavas also are my sons. I know that Dusshasana and Sakuni brought about this destruction and that Arjuna and Bhima are not to be blamed! My sons deserve the fate they have met - only because of their flase pride and vanity I do not complain about it. But in Vasudev Krishna presence,  Bhima challenge Duryodhana to battle and knowing that Duryodhana was stronger and could not br defeat in a single combat, Bhima struck him below the naval and killed him! Vasudev Krishna continued to be an indifferent onlooker! This was against righteousness and it is this that I find it impossible to forgive." Bhima, who heard this, came near and said "Mother, I did this in self-defence, whether is was right or wrong, you should bear with me. Your son was invincible in combat a d I had to resort to self-defence what was undoubtedly wrong,  but then ...

Episode#80 "Why should we weep for them? Those who die in battle after a heroic fight go as a guest to be received in the heaven! By grieving for what is past, you cannot gain anything back in the form of Dharma, pleasure, wealth." Thus, and in many more ways, did the wise and noble Vidura try to assuage the King's grief. Vyasa also approached Dhritarashtra for consolation and said: "Dear Son, there is nothing that you do not know and which you have to learn from me. You know very well that all living beings must die. This great battle came to reduce earth's burden as I have heard from Lord Vishnu. Under no circumstances, this calamity could have ever been prevented and hence weep no more. Henceforth, Yudhishtira is your son; you should try and love him! In this way, bear the burden of life, giving up grief. " Making his way, through the crowd of weeping women Yudhishtira approached Dhritarashtra and bowed before him. Dhritarashtra embraced him but there ...

Episode#79 Hastinapur had turned into city of mourning with the women and children weeping and lamenting for their slain nearest and dearest ones. Thousands of women dragged themselves to the battlefield inclusive of mothers, sisters, wives, some were old, frail with age; some were young and at the prime stage of their lives; some carried babies in their arms; some had young children crying behind them. They were searching the bodies of their beloved. Some mothers identified their sons, widows found their husbands,  and sisters saw brothers lying headless, limbless, crushed by the wheels of chariot, they were killed to establish Dharma; was this war of Kurukshetra fought for Dharma - righteousness? If yes then at what cost...? The wives of common soldiers,  whose death spelt dire poverty and constant starvation to the family, they were now exposed to the outer world! They are unaccustomed to the  outside world except going to temples and shrines; they led a very monoto...