Episode#11 Gandhari, the Princess of Gandhara, was bought as a bride of Dhritrashtra without disclosing about his blindness; it was only after marriage that she discovered that her husband was blind; she was terribly disheartened and upset with Bhisma since he was instrumental in bringing the alliance. In silent frustration, she kept quite and bound her eyes with a piece of cloth and adopted voluntary blindness throughout her life. Later Dhritrashtra discovered that this was her second marriage, she was born manglik (as per astrology, if the planet Mars is found in particular house of the girl's horoscope, it supposedly results in unhappy consequences of marriage) and as per rituals first she was married to banyan tree. Dhritrashtra was very annoyed since he was not informed about this before marriage. He captured her father King Subala and her brothers including Sakuni and imprisoned them to die starving; they were served only small bowl of rice everyday. King Subala thought a...

Episode#10 Vichitravirya died without any children soon after marriage leaving Satyavati's dreams of her son's taking the throne of Hastinapur shattered into million pieces. The throne was left without any heir. She called Bhisma, absolved him from his vow and begged him to marry her daughter-in-laws but he refused, Satyavati left with no choice to beget children through her offspring Vyasa who was born before her marriage. After having meditated in forest for many years, Vyasa with his uncut hair, grown beard, tanned skin appeared unkempt and unappealing! When mother Satyavati requested him to beget a child from her widowed daughter-in- law, he requested her to grant him few days to get himself ready but having lost all her patience, she refused! With much hesitation and embarrassment, when he visited Princess Ambika, looking at his unkempt and unappealing face she closed her eyes with fear and blind Dhritrashtra was born! Vyasa was requested to visit other Princess Amb...

Episode#9 The story of the origin of Vyasa was known to a few as he was born in the middle of the night under strange circumstances. The story goes thus - Satyavati, also known as Matasya-Gandha' (since she smelled like a fish) she ferried people across river Ganga. One winter evening, the sun was about to set and she was contemplating to return home but when elderly sage named Parasar requested her to leave him on the opposite shore. Finding improper to decline him, she envisaged her last trip for the sake of the sage, when they were in the middle of the river, the sage expressed his desire to make love to her and have a child by her, with fear and apprehension, she said "if I bear a child, no one will marry me". The sage comforted and promised her, "do not worry, with my magical powers you will bear a child now but also regain your virginity." He also blessed her that she will never smell of fish; instead she will emit fragrance of flowers that all men wil...

Episode#8 Satyavati married to Shantanu, she gave birth to two sons who were named as Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. After few years rolled by, Shantanu died leaving his wife and two children in the safe custody of Bhisma. Chitrangada died in a war with Gandharvas, while the only surviving son Vichitravirya, who was impotent was proclaimed the king! Bhisma in order to ensure succession of the dynasty, enthusiastically sought bride for said prince Vichitravirya. The king of Kashi, arranged the ceremony of Swayamwara for his three daughters Amba, Ambika and Ambalika. Several princes we're invited except Vichitravirya as everyone knew he was impotent. Bhisma, annoyed for not being invited for the Swayamwara, he barged in the Swayamwara pavilion, abducted the three Princess and drove away to Hastinapur. On reaching Hastinapur, Amba the eldest, confided to Bhisma that she loved king Shalva and she was already bound to him with a vow. Bhisma immediately sent her with an escort to ...

Episode#7 The eighth son of Shantanu and Ganga - Devavrata, who grew up to be a skilled warrior and when she sent him to his father as promised, people of Hastinapur loved the handsome prince and looked forward to the day when Devavrata would be crowned as the king of Hastinapur. Ganga's forecast was now showing its true colors - after few years rolled by, Shantanu fell in love with a beautiful maiden, a fisher woman named Satyavati who ferried people across the river Ganga. He proposed her but she also pledged Shantanu that only her son would be his heir! Shantanu was in great dilemma since Devavrata was already crowned as the prince of Hastinapur. When Devavrata learned about his father's predicament, he went to Satyavati and promised her "I will not claim the throne of Hastinapur and allow your children to be the king of Hastinapur!" He further vowed that whoever is the king he will respect him like his father and protect him, yet Satyavati and her father we...

Episode#6 The central theme of Mahabharata is not dissimilar and is commonly found in most of the Indian families. In Mahabharata, there are rampant skirmishes right from the childhood wherein the Kauravas and Pandavas princes are at loggerheads - the subject of controversy being the hierarchy to the throne of Hastinapur. Apita was a ancient king of Hastinapur who begot three sons, Devapi, Balhika, Shantanu. Devapi, the eldest, did not suceed due an incurable ailment; the second was given in adoption to his mother's house Madra while Shantanu the younger succeeded to the throne. Young Shantanu one day while hunting near river Ganga, he fells in love with a ravishing woman and proposed her. She accepted to marry him on one condition, provided she would not be questioned or counter check for any of her actions, if he ever happened, she would abandon him permanently without any explanation whatsoever. King Shantanu was so deeply infatuated that without thinking of the consequences ...

Episode#5 Yayati passed through a bad phase when his friend approached for his help. He asked him to provide 800 horses which he has to offer his guru Vishwamitra as Guru-Dakshina. Yayati unable to help his friend in any way, offers his daughter Madhavi. Madhavi was blessed with the ability to bear a son and regain her virginity after every marriage. (Like Satyavati, Kunti and Draupadi were also blessed with the same boon). The justified implications of giving away Madhavi as a gesture of help is inexplicable to the mordern age man but deep contemplation clarifies that this action was commensurate with the intention of helping Galava is an inordinate way whereby the required number of horses would be ready to be offered to the guru as pledged. Let's see how the sweetness of reality unravelled itself...!!! Galava sold her to three kings in sucession and bargained against two hundred special horses from each. Madhavi begot 3 sons to each king. As he was short of 200 horses...