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Mahabharata

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44 views

Mahabharata

Uploaded by

tannutoushifa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Bhishma, meaning ‘one who undertakes a terrible
vow’.

Subsequently, Shantanu marries Satyavati, with


whom he fathers two sons, Chitrangada and
Vichitravirya. After Shantanu’s demise, his sons
perish prematurely, and Bhishma’s vow binds
him to ensure the continuity of the Kuru lineage
without laying claim to the throne. To perpetuate
the dynasty, Satyavati convinces her illegitimate
son, Vyasa, to father children through the widows
of his half-brother Vichitravirya. Thus,
Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura are born.

Dhritarashtra, born blind, is deemed unfit to be


king, and Pandu ascends the throne. Pandu’s
marriages to Kunti and Madri bear him five sons,
known as the Pandavas: Yudhishthira, Bhima,
Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. Pandu's curse,
inflicted by a sage, leads to his eventual demise,
and his queens commit Sati, leaving the young
Pandavas under Kunti’s care.

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Dhritarashtra marries Gandhari, who blindfolds
herself in solidarity with her husband’s blindness.
Their union produces a hundred sons, the
Kauravas, led by the ambitious and envious
Duryodhana. Conflict germinates from
Duryodhana’s envy towards the Pandavas,
leading to one of the most renowned episodes in
the epic.

Key events shaping the backdrop of the


Mahabharata include the education and
upbringing of the Pandavas and Kauravas under
their gurus, notably Dronacharya, and the
formation of strong alliances through strategic
marriages, such as Arjuna’s marriage to
Draupadi and the significant presence of Krishna,
a cousin and staunch ally of the Pandavas.

Thus, the stage is set for the epic tale of rivalry,


duty, righteousness, and the eventual grand war
that encapsulates the very essence of human
existence and its myriad facets. The intricate
lineage and the unparalleled vows of loyalty lay

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down the foundation for the compelling narrative
that is the Mahabharata.

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in plotting the downfall of the Pandavas. The
most nefarious of their plots involves a grand
deceptive strategy – the invitation to a game of
dice. Knowing well Yudhishthira's weakness for
gambling, Shakuni exploits this chink in his
armor.

The infamous game of dice is played at the royal


court, where Yudhishthira, unable to refuse the
invitation due to the customs of hospitality and
his own compulsions, partakes in the game.
Shakuni, with his cunning mind, ensures that the
game is entirely rigged in favor of Duryodhana.
The stakes progressively escalate, with
Yudhishthira losing his wealth, his kingdom, and
eventually, his brothers, himself, and even
Draupadi to Duryodhana and Shakuni's deceit.

The climax of this debacle occurs when Draupadi,


the queen of the Pandavas, is dragged into the
court and humiliated in front of everyone. Her
disrobing, an act halted by divine intervention
from Krishna, marks a nadir in the moral fabric

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of the Kauravas. This incident not only deeply
wounds the Pandavas but also sets the stage for
future retribution and conflict.

Following their ignominious defeat in the game of


dice, the Pandavas are exiled to the forest for
thirteen years, the final year to be spent in
incognito. The exile is not just a period of physical
hardship but also one of immense personal trials
and spiritual growth for the Pandavas. During
this period, they encounter various challenges,
including fights with demons, acquisition of
celestial weapons, and forming strategic alliances.

Their exile takes them to various hermitages and


holy places where they are counseled by sages and
seers, enhancing their understanding of dharma
and fortifying their resolve. They also come
across significant individuals who become crucial
allies in the forthcoming war, such as Virata, who
shelters them during their incognito year.

Draupadi, sharing the exile with the Pandavas,

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stands as a symbol of resilience and dignity. Her
suffering galvanizes the Pandavas' resolve to
reclaim their kingdom and avenge the wrongs
endured not just by them but also by their entire
lineage.

The years in exile are transformative for the


Pandavas, preparing them in mind and spirit for
the battle that lies ahead. It is a time of
introspection, consolidation of strengths, and an
unwavering commitment to their cause, setting
the stage for their dramatic return and the
eventual confrontation with the Kauravas.

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