Sauti reciting the slokas of the Mahabharata. Web Source: Wikipedia
- Introduction: The Mahabharata is a story that spans the subcontinent and serves as a work of literature that explains the foundation of a culture. It is said to have been dictated to Ganesha who is known as the lord of beginnings. The Mahabharata has been retold countless times and garnished their retellings to give it their own individual style. Through the various characters and lessons provided in the Mahabharata, the spirit of India has been expressed.
- Episode 1: It is necessary to view the Mahabharata as an explanation of how karma functions, to establish meaningful connections as a result of its beginning and end. The episode begins with describing the day when King Shantanu of Hastinapura was in the bank of the Ganga when he fell in love with the river goddess. He asked for her hand in marriage and she agreed in exchange for her decisions to never be questioned by him. He did not question her because he was blinded by their love. But the happiness experienced lasted momentarily, as the Queen drowned their first child. He kept his thoughts to himself, leading to Queen Ganga drowning six of their children. At the birth of their 8th child, he no longer remained silent. He asked her why she was doing what she was, and she told him about the 8 Vasus who had been cursed to live mortal lives for a crime. Ganga had agreed to give birth to the 8 celestial spirits and free them from mortality as soon as they came into the world. Ganga then leaves King Shantanu and takes their only child.
- Episode 2: In episode 2, King Shantanu finds himself back on the bank of the Ganga after 16 years. He is sad and longs for his wife and son. But his emotions are pushed aside when he suddenly comes across a young archer has tamed the mighty river Ganga with a barrage of arrows. He had never seen such skill, and Ganga appears. He finds out the young skilled archer is his son named Devavrat. King Shantanu brought back a new prince to the people of Hastinapura. Shantanu falls in love again with a fisherman's daughter named Satyavati. Her father rejected the King because he believed even if they had children they would not have a place in the kingdom as rulers because Devavrat and his lineage would always come first. Shantanu did not want to betray his son, so he went home with a broken heart. Devavrat took matters into his own hands and met with the fisherman to resolve the issue.
- Episode 3: In episode 3, Devavrat speaks with Satyavati's father and begs him to let King Shantanu marry his daughter. But the fisherman remained adamant, even though he even offered to give up his throne. So Devavrat makes an oath to never marry or father any children for the sake of his father's happiness. From then on, he became known as Bhisma. When he told his father what he had done, he became frustrated with his foolish vow. But, he also realized the loyalty his son has for him and granted him a boon that would allow him to choose when his son wants to die. So, he could never perish without giving consent.
- Episode 4: Episode 4 shows Bhishma kept his promise. After King Shantanu passes away, he raises his two half brothers as his own. He teaches them statecraft and raises them up to be capable administrators. One of them dies and the other takes the throne in bad health. In desperation to have a plan for someone to inherit the throne if something happens to him, Bhishma captures three princesses from the court of Kashi to wed his half brother on the day of their Swayamvara.
- Episode 5: King Chitrangad of Hastinapura dies at the hands of Gandhrva and Vichitraveerya succeeds him. Bhishma goes to Kashi and brings back the three princesses. The eldest of the three pleaded to marry her true love, and Bhishma apologizes and tells her to go be with him. She goes to her love and is rejected by him because she is already captured by another man. Amba goes back to beg for Bhishma to marry her and he denies her due to his vow to celibacy. She blames Bhishma for ruining her life and seeks revenge. A huge battle breaks out between Bhisma and Parshuram, resulting in Parshuram giving up and Amba not getting her wish. But still vows to ruin him one day.
- Episode 6: A terrible death fell upon the King of Hastinapura. He had left the throne bearing no children still. The Queen mother of Satyawati decided that Bhishma had been celibate for long enough. She ordered him to father the children of Ambika and Ambalika. He remained steadfast and would not budge. Because of his refusal, Satyawati decided she needed t tell him a very private secret. She told him he had a brother before she met King Shantanu. His name was Vyas and he was said to become the greatest poet the world had ever seen. She sent him away and promised to summon him when she needed him. She asked Vyas to father the sister's children, but they were hesitant because he was not appealing to the eye.
- Episode 7: Vyasa paid a visit to embrace Ambika, but she closed her eyes to disregard how unpleasant he looked. As a result of her fear, they bore a son who was blind. Ambika told her sister what happened and warned her to keep her eyes open because of what occurred. Ambalika turned pale with fear and later Vyasa told her that her child would be born very pale with bad health. Satyavati was furious and asked Vyasa to pay Ambalika another visit. She sent a servant girl in her place and the girl was unfrightened. She accepted him with love. All three women bore sons that were strong and skilled, but there was an unspoken rivalry between two of the sons which signified future hardship.
- Episode 8: Blind Dhritarashtra happily becomes King when the time came. But it was obvious that Pandu ruled the kingdom. Soon it was time to create powerful alliances with other kingdoms. Bhishma talked with the King of Gandhar and was eager for Gandhari to wed Dhritarashtra, but her father and brother were worried about the blindness of her future husband. But the princess embraced her destiny and offered to also give up her eyesight. Her brother silently vowed to put an end to the injustice. Pandu married two wives later. Pandu found Kunti had a big secret that would change life as they know it forever.
Mahabharata: Karmic Revolution, Part A
Authors: Epified TV (India)
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