Arjuna battling with the Kauravas. Web Source: Wikipedia
- Prince Vidura figures out Prince Duryodhana's plans to burn the Pandavas and their mother, Queen Kunti. He expresses that they are in great danger. Yudhishthira catches on and repeats Vidura's warning. They dig an underground passage to escape to the forest. Prince Bhima burns down the guard house and the wind carries to the lac palace, resulting in it also burning to the ground. A family of beggars are killed, and people grieve assuming it is the Pandavas and their mom. But, the Pandavas and their mom escape to the woods where they have to face huge and ferocious asuras and rakshasas. The most ferocious rakshasa was Hidimba, who thirsts for the flesh of the Bhima, the Pandavas, and their mother while they're sleeping in the woods. The rakshasa sends his sister to capture the sleeping men. She transforms into a beautiful human and falls in love with Bhima. She offers to save all of their lives, if Bhima will take her as his bride. But, Bhima denies her, and the rakshasas brother hears her boasting about betraying him for Bhima. Bhima and Hidimba begin a length and loud battle. The Pandavas awake from their sleep to the shouting of Bhima and Hidimba. The rakshasas disguised sister explains the chaos ensuing between her brother and Bhima. Bhima slays Hidimba, and his sister begs to be Bhima's bride. After promising to serve as his slave, Bhima agrees to wed the rakshasas sister. She assumes celestial beauty and in time they bear a mighty son named Ghatotkacha.
- Queen Kunti and her sons depart from prince Bhima. They reside in a town called Ekachakra, while staying in the house of a brahmin. They were beggars in the town. The town becomes conquered by a chief called Baka. It is their turn to pay a blood tax, and they are in worry and fear. Bhima shows up and volunteers to take care of the chief. He snaps Baka in half, bringing peace among the citizens. The Pandavas stay in the town for awhile and study the Vedas. A saintly man tells them the story of the miraculous births of Drupada's son and daughter. The story proclaims the Kauravas will suffer from Draupadi, as she would become a Pandava queen. So, the Pandavas journey towards Panchala. The brothers go with the troop of brahmins to the festival where brahmins perform sacred rites. This increases their chances of winning the fair bride, Draupadi.
- Vyasa explains Draupadi's previous incarnation to her father, regarding her acquiring 5 husbands. It is summarized by Shankara granting Nalayani boons to be born again as high-class woman with 5 notable husbands. This was a result from her asking for a husband on 5 separate occasions. Later, Draupadi's swayamrara commences, and her father secretly longs for her to be wed to Arjuna. So, he makes a challenge that reassures only the most skilled archers can complete. He requires a noble man to bend a bow and shoot an arrow through it to bring down a gold fish, in order to marry his daughter. The Pandavas see the Kauravas and many high-born men are also there, while they're disguised as brahmins. Karna attempts the challenge to win Draupadi, but she scolds him. Arjuna then completes the task and leads her away from the angry crowd. Arjuna tells Queen Kunti of his prized pride. The Pandavas are invited to Drupada's palace for a nupital feast, and expose themselves as the Pandavas brothers. King Drupada is overjoyed, then Vyasa speaks to the brothers, telling them of the gods declaration for Draupadi to wed all 5 brothers. So, they have 5 days of leading Draupadi around the holy fire. The brothers are showered with gifts and jewels.
- Duryodhana finds out the Pandavas brothers are alive and have formed an alliance with Drupada, which angers him greatly. A council discusses the Pandavas princes be invited to return to Hastinapura, so the raj will be divided equally with the sons of Dhritarashtra. The Pandavas move to the South Western country of Khandaraprastha and build their own wonderful city called, Indraprastha. There are rules set to follow regarding Draupadi and her 5 husbands. Arjuna breaks the rule of intrusion and goes into exile for 12 years. He meets Ulupi in Haridwar and they fall in love and have a child named, Iravat.
- Arjuna wanders to different holy places and falls in love with Chitra in Manipur. He has a son with her, who remains in Manipur to become the rajahs heir. From my understanding, he leaves and comes back. The king makes Chitra a man, but she falls in love with Arjuna and becomes a woman again. It is too late as Arjuna continues his journey and reaches the city of Prabhasa and is greeted by Krishna. Arjuna falls in love with Krishna's sister Subhadra, but Balarama has plans for her to wed Duryodhana. Arjuna steals Subhadra and takes her to the city of Indraprastha. Balarama is angry and threatens Arjuna and his brothers. Krishna calms him down and they invite Arjuna back to Dwaraka to perform rites. Peace is made between Subhadra and Draupadi, and Subhadra and Arjuna have a son named Abhimanyu. Krishna is entertained by the Pandavas, while a matted brahmin named Agni approaches them asking for help to consume the Khandava forest to restore his vigor. They agree in exchange for celestial weapons. A battle erupts and Indra is defeated, but Agni gets what he desires. Maya is grateful for Arjuna saving his life in the burning forest, so he builds a palace for the Pandavas, that is comparable to heavenly places of gods. King Duryodhana mistakes dry land for water and embarrases himself in front of the Pandavas.
- The Pandavas grow more powerful and Yudhishthira thinks it is time to hold his great Rajasuya sacrifice to celebrate. He confronts his rival Jarasandha by sending Krishna, Arjuna, and Bhima. Krishna slays Jarasandha and returns to help with the ceremony a year later. Then, debate sparks about who is the greatest among the rajahs. The Arghya is given to Krishna, but Shishupala rises in wrath shaming Krishna. Krishna slays the rajah and funeral rites are performed.
- Duryodhana makes a plan to invite the Pandavas to a gambling match. The Pandavas hesitantly agree and go back to Hastinapura. Yudhishthira loses everything. He gambles until he loses the kingdom of the Pandavas, becomes a slave, and Draupadi also becames a slave to the Kauvaras. Draupadi challenges Duryodhana and is very resistant regarding her stake in the gambling match. She is forced to become a slave. The Kauravas mock Draupadi's pain and humiliation. They try to publicly undress her, but Krishna intervenes and they fail. Bhima angrily threatens to destroy the Kauvaras. The Pandavas brothers are freed, thanks to Draupadi's boons. They plot their revenge, but the Kauvaras insist a civil approach and gamble again. This time, the losers are exiled for 12 years. Yudhishthira loses again, so the Pandavas brothers are blessed by Vidura before their journey begins.
Mahabharata Online: Public Domain Edition
Authors: Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore.
|
Comments
Post a Comment