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...