Battle Beyond Kurukshetra | P.K. Balakrishnan

February 22, 2023Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

Writer Jayamohan has extensively discussed and written about the novel ‘Ini Njaan Urangatte’, including during a discussion about his Venmurasu novel series at Ang Mo Kio library in 2016.

I didn’t think twice before borrowing this novel from the reference section of the library, which is allowed to be borrowed.

Jayamohan states that this novel is a deep lament; an emptiness. The emptiness that came after a loathed war. After the fierce conflict between the brothers had taken away everyone from this beautiful planet, this tranquil emptiness was an expression of overwhelming feelings. Agony and distress everywhere.

Karna is the protagonist of this novel, which tells the story of the aftermath of his tragic death in the Mahabharata. Karna was known for his unparalleled physical and mental strength and his ability to win over everyone with his charm. Despite his immense power, he ultimately lost and died. This story evokes the fascination of readers due to the unique circumstances of Karna’s life: despite being born into a high-status family, he was raised as the son of a charioteer, was ridiculed and shamed as a ‘suda-putra‘, and yet managed to remain righteous in the face of adversity, even when faced with difficult decisions. Karna’s story is sure to captivate any reader.

The novel begins with the death of Duryodhana, and within the first two paragraphs, it immerses the reader in its world. It is as if a tornado has swept us up, as the intensity of the scene draws us in. The novel enthralls its audience with the tale of Yudhishthira’s fraternal love. He is eager to uncover the truth behind Karna’s death, and he is filled with an overwhelming sense of guilt, despite other Pandava-s’ rage.

They questioned Yudhishthira, “Abhimanyu and the wise teachers who taught him battle strategies have perished, and Bhishma has fallen on a bed of arrows. Yet, you have never expressed sorrow for them, so why do you now grieve for your opponent Karna?”.

This novel contains exquisite places that evoke strong emotions in the reader.

The way author narrates the Narada’s rebuttal with Yudhishthira about Karna’s battle and the justice and injustice behind the same.
Meeting between Karnan and Kunthi
Meeting between Karna and Krishna
The humiliation of Draupadi
The agony of Duryodhana
The assasscination of Karna

The banks of the Ganges, ravaged by war, are a macabre sight during funerary ceremonies.

Kunti’s anxious expression appears intermittently throughout the novel. Upon learning that Karna is Yudhishthira’s elder brother, Kunti reveals the truth of his birth and requests him to perform the funeral rites for Karna first. Draupadi, like us, has many questions.

Why didn’t you let us know he was your son, Mom? Would it have been possible to prevent this devastating destruction if we had known about his family ties to you?
-Draupadi

During the Pandavas and Kauravas’ training in arms, the Pandava clan and their teachers humiliated Karna due to his birth reasons. Kunti fainted from her intense distress, but did not make any attempt to rescue him. Draupadi wanted to ask Kunti if she would react in the same way to Arjuna.

Yudhisthira was so overwhelmed with his love for his brother that he lost his calm. He wanted to throw away his bow and arrow and go into the forest. On the other hand, Kunti was grief-stricken by the death of her eldest son. The other Pandavas were taken aback when Karna humiliated them during the battle, yet gave them a chance to live.

As the Pandavas grieved for Karna, Draupadi – who harbored an intense resentment towards him – felt isolated. With her sibling and father gone due to the war, she had no one. The compassion the Pandavas felt for Karna, despite his having laughed at her humiliation, seemed paradoxical to her. She wondered if the anguish, deceit and sleepless nights she had endured had any purpose.

Krishna and Kunti reveal the secret of Karna’s birth to him not out of sorrow or affection, but rather to prevent an impending war of annihilation by convincing him to switch sides from the Kaurava camp to the Pandava camp. The scenes of Krishna trying to change Karna’s opinion are captivating.

I wish I had the ability to paint, my friends! If I did, I would have created a beautiful painting of Draupadi with the six Pandavas!

Draupadi questions herself; as a woman, she has grievances about the wrongdoing of her unrighteous husbands. She wonders what kind of dharma they are protecting by making her a pawn in the Hastinapur palace or during their exile. Draupadi’s flustered questions embody the essence of feminism.

She sees Karna’s death as a punishment for his betrayal. Despite her victory in the battle, she felt desolate. She deludedly questioned whether this was what she had wanted. Furthermore, Draupadi lamented her inability to care for her children as a mother. These are the emotional threads of this novel.

Krishna arrived in Hastinapur as a messenger, but was unable to prevent war and returned without success. Before departing, he met with Karna to disclose the truth of his birth. He tried to persuade him to transfer to the Pandava camp and become king, with Draupadi as his queen. However, Karna firmly refused and maintained his loyalty to Duryodhana, who had defended his honor in the Hastinapur arms skill event. When Karna thought about his foster mother Radha, I was brought to tears. I had to put the book down and close my eyes before I could continue. Despite Krishna’s attempts, he was unable to make him change his mind and had to go back.

Kunti encountered Karna while he was worshipping the Sun at midday and offering Dharma to those who are in need. She reiterated what Krishna had said.

It is a futile attempt to express longing for the dead by adorning the cremation bed with sandalwood. It is a senseless and cruel act of futility! Please let us finish this scene soon… What is your motivation for coming here? What should I do next? I am confident that I will agree with whatever you say, so please do not hesitate to provide me with your instructions and let us complete this quickly.
-Karna

The novel depicts Karnan conversing with her and holding back his anger with regret. Even though these are well-known stories, the way they are being narrated surprises the readers.

Karna is a Dharmavan, the elder Pandava and a responsible companion. But, he makes some mistakes. Due to unexpected situations, Draupadi has a grudge against him. She also refuses to marry him citing his birth. So, the deception on one side destroys the other!

As everyone was mourning the loss of Karna, Draupadi was in deep emotional distress, imagining an unexpected scene where she saw Karna seated on the throne and herself sitting by his side as his queen, surrounded by the other Pandavas, safe and secure. This vision occurred on the battlefield where so many had died, and the widows of the fallen were preparing their husbands’ funeral pyres. At one point, Draupadi felt as if she too was one of these widows. I was taken aback for a moment.

Let her rest with the worn-out deception and unfulfilled emotions. I will end my lament here!

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End of radiance – Karna’s end | Mahabharata Paintings

February 28, 2022Pandian Ramaiah 2 Comments

Karna took over as commander in chief of Kaurava army on the sixteenth day, after the fall of Drona. Kaurava army had much hope of recovery after the fall of their great chieftains, Bhishma, and Drona.

Kunti knew about the news. She understood that she could not prevent the clash between her sons. But she wanted to minimize the damage by meeting him. Maybe, I think she might have felt that discussing that with Yudhishthira would not earn her because he did not know the background. Some versions of Mahabharata say that it was Krishna who sent her to seek protection for Pandava-s.

It was early in the morning. Karna was in his morning prayers. Kunti came to meet him. Everybody knew that Karna would donate whatever had been asked. Karna understood her motive and asked her to express her wish in a grudge.

“சந்தனக்கட்டைகள் அடுக்கிய சிதையைக் காட்டி பிணங்களை ஆசை காட்டிடும் வீண்வேலை… அர்த்தமற்றதும் கொடூரமானதுமான வீண் உடற்பயிற்சி! விரைவில் நாமிந்த காட்சியை முடித்துக் கொள்வோம்… எந்த லட்சியம் கருதி நீ இங்கு வந்தாய் – என்பதைச் சொல். இனி நான் மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டிய செயல் என்னவென்பதையும் கூறிவிடு. அச்செயல் என்ன ஆயினும் நானதற்குப் பணிவேன் என்பதை நிச்சயமாக நம்பிக்கொண்டு, சொல்லவேண்டியதை விரைவில் சொல்லி முடித்துவிடு”

The futility of making a carcass happy by showing the pyre stacked with sandalwood. Meaningless and horrible futile exercise! We will finish this scene soon. Tell me what ambition you came here for. Please tell me, what you want me to do hereafter. Complete what you have to say as soon as possible, be confident that I will obey you no matter what.
Ini nan urangattum, BK Balakrishnan

Kunti requested him to come to Pandava‘s camp. Citing his bond with Duryodhana, Karna refused to oblige. She asked for the safety for Pandava-s. Karna assured her she will be known as mother of five sons even after the war, either with Arjuna or with him. Karna left to battlefield after that.

It was difficult for Pandava-s to fight with Karna. Kaurava‘s army had time to take breath after successive loses on the sixteenth day. There was a dispute between Yudhishthira and Arjuna about Arjuna’s failure in tackling Karna. All Pandava-s except Arjuna had fought with Karna and lost before this dispute. Though they lost, Karna did not kill then, as he promised to his mother. Unaware of the reality, poor Pandava-s felt humiliated by Karna.

Shalya – the Madra king and maternal uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva – was appointed as Charioteer for Karna by Duryodhana. Krishna raged a psychological war against Karna with the help of Shalya. As directed by Krishna, Shalya was praising Arjuna often. He pointed to his low birth as well to irritate Karna while fighting.

Karna had a powerful astra (weapon) to kill Arjuna. It had the capacity to Kill Arjuna as well. But it can be used only once. Shayla advised Karna to focus on Arjuna’s chest. Karna was confident about this target, so he focused on Arjuna’s neck and shot it. Krishna pushed Arjuna’s chariot a few inches down. As Shalya expected, the astra missed its target and hit Arjuna’s crown.

“கர்ணா, சிரசினை குறிவைத்து அந்த அஸ்திரம் நீ தொடுக்காதே. குறி தவறிவிடும்…” அதற்குக் கர்ணன் சொல்வான்: “மத்ரேசா உனது கூற்றின் பொருள் எனக்குப் புரிகிறது. ஆனால் லட்சியம் குறிவைத்து தொடுத்திட்ட சரம் தனை மாற்றி தொடுப்பது தர்ம நீதிக்கு உகந்ததல்ல. தொடுத்த அம்பினை கர்ணன் திருப்பி வைப்பதில்லை என்பதை நீ அறியவும்…”

“Karna, do not aim at the neck and shoot that arrow. ” To which Karna will say: “Madresa, I understand the meaning of your statement. But it is not in the interest of moral justice to change the string of my target. Know that Karna will not revoke the his arrow.
Ini nan urangattum, BK Balakrishnan

Unfortunately, the wheel of his chariot got stuck inside the pit. He sought help from Shalya to release it. He refused to help and started abusing Karna’s caste.

Karna highlighted the rules of war and asked Arjuna to hold for some time until he releases his wheel from the pit. While Karna was busy releasing his wheel by showing his back to Arjuna, Krishna asked Arjuna to shoot his arrow to kill Karna. Arjuna refused as Karna was armless. Krishna countered him by saying that poor Draupadi had not shown such dharma when she was disrobed in court. Outraged Arjuna shot his arrow at Karna, which pierced his heart (or beheaded him).

The beautiful and mighty warrior was born in right place at wrong time, faced humiliation allover, did not take anything from this world but donated a lot, ended his life in the battlefield miserably.

Arjuna Slays Karna, page from a copy of the Razmnama, Mughal period

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Rules broken to kill Bhurishravas | Mahabharata Paintings

February 26, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

When Arjuna was in search of Jayadratha, he was hiding behind the Kaurava army. Arjuna got frustrated. Out of incapacity, Arjuna was a bit moody that day.

Bhurishravas was a prince of a Himalayan kingdom. He was part of the Kurukshetra war. He was ferociously fighting with Satyaki, Krishna’s follower. Satyaki’s sons were killed by Bhurishravas in the war field earlier. So as a father, his fatherly love pressured him to avenge Bhurishravas.

Bhurishravas and Satyaki were in a duel that day. Both of them lost their weapons during the scuffle. Later they started fighting with their hands. Bhurishravas hit Satyaki with his fist and dragged him inside the battle ground.

Alerted by Krishna, Arjuna – out of anger, and frustration – shot an arrow at Bhurishravas, which cut his arm. It was a worse violation of war rules to attack him when he is involved in duals that too, from his back. Arjuna should have been given a red card and pushed out of Kurukshetra.

Bhurishravas condemned Arjuna’s malpractice. He sat on the war field to perform Yoga. Satyaki made use of this moment and cut his head – another misconduct from Pandava side.

A prince from a faraway kingdom, fell prey to malpractice of Dharma and died on the red soil of Kurukshetra.

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Jayadratha’s head blown off | Mahabharata Paintings

February 25, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

Pandava-s were unable to save Abhimanyu. The teenage boy was cruelly killed by Kaurava warriors. Yudhishthira tried to save Abhimanyu. But Jayadratha blocked his way. In a way, he wanted to take revenge for his humiliation by Pandava-s, when he wanted to abduct their wife, Draupadi. Arjuna was far away from the location. Finally, no one could save Arjuna’s son. Pandava-s believed Jayadratha should be avenged.

Jayadratha humiliates Draupadi - Raja Ravi Varma — Jayadratha humiliates Draupadi – Raja Ravi Varma

Arjuna took it more personally. He vowed to kill Jayadratha before the end of the fourteenth day war. Otherwise, he would kill himself. (Iravan/Aravan was also his son. He has been killed as well. Arjuna took it for granted. What a partiality!)

Knowing this, the Pandava’s army came with moral power to slash Kaurava-s. But Drona did the trick. He injected the complete Kaurava force between Jayadratha and Arjuna to keep both of them at a safer distance. His plan was to hide Jayadratha until the sun went down so that Arjuna would commit suicide as per his vow. It worked until darkness spread all over.

Arjuna was unable to find Jayadratha. He was frustrated. He had gone insane. He lamented to Krishna. Krishna asked him to calm down and listen to Jayadratha’s exultation in darkness carefully. He asked Arjuna to shoot his arrow in that direction. He also told him that it was not the end of the day as the solar eclipse occurred at that time.

Arjuna shot his arrow. Jayadratha was killed! He was beheaded, Arjuna shot arrow after arrow so that his head would be pushed high and fell on the hands of Jayadratha’s father before it fell down on the ground. As per his own boon, the head of Jayadratha’s father broke into thousands of pieces. Both Jayadratha and his father dead on the same day!

Jayadratha's head falls in his father's lap — Jayadratha’s head falls in his father’s lap

Why did Arjuna take Abhimanyu’s death seriously, while he took Aravan’s death for granted? It is an open question!

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Foul play – Bhishma on bed of arrows | Mahabharata Painting

February 23, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

10th day of the war – The pressure was on Arjuna to kill Bhishma. Because the old man was unbeatable and ruined Pandava‘s army. 10 days have passed already. War materials are being consumed day by day. But the war expanded in its own way.

So a foul play was planned by Krishna. He suggested Shikhandi – a third gender – to board Arjuna’s chariot. Krishna’s plan was to make Bhishma to lower his bow, so that Arjuna can use that moment for his benefit.

It worked out. Bhishma thought Shikhandi was a female. But Krishna justified him as a male. Bhishma did not want to fight with him and lowered his bow. Arjuna appeared from Shikandi’s back and shot Bhishma with arrows – batch after batch!

The hero of Mahabharata – the descent of the original Guru dynasty – fell on the ground on the bed of arrows.

The illustrated Mahabharata, Dorling Kindersley India, Penguin Random House, 1st Ed. 2017
The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes, Bibek Debroy

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A excruciating war starts | Mahabharata Paintings

February 22, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

Pandava finished their exile life

Pandava-s sought refuge at Virata's palace — Pandava-s sought refuge at Virata’s palace and completed their incognito life

Gaurava-s sniffed about Pandava-s hiding in Virata. They attacked Virata without giving any opportunity for Pandava-s. There was a small war in which Arjuna fount as Brihannala. Virata-s won the war to save their kingdom with Brihannala/Arjuna’s help. With that, the 13 years of exile life came to an end!

They exposed themselves to Virata. Virata apologized for treating them as servants. In turn, Virata offered his daughter Uttara to get married to Arjuna. As Uttara was the taught by Brihannala, Arjuna said he could not marry her. But he would accept her as his daughter-in-law. Uttara married Abhimanyu later.

The messengers

Pandava-s took temporary shelter. They sent messengers to Hastinapur to ask Duryodhana to return Hastinapur. Duryodhana refused. Messengers came back empty handed. Krishna felt it was the final chance to avoid war. He himself went to Hastinapur as a messenger carrying Yudhishthira’s message.

Krishna meets Duryodhana

Duryodhana understood about Krishna’s arrival. He arranged for food and shelter on his way. But Krishna refused to enjoy his hospitality. Even after Hastinapur, he refused to stay at the palace. He stayed at Vidura’s house.

The negotiation started. Duryodhana was adamant in his claims. He was a good ruler. He rules both Hastinapur and Indraprastha without any concerns. He asked Krishna, why should he return his kingdom, while he offered good governance.

Krishna made it clear that he did discuss the good or bad governance there. The discussion is about his promise to give back Indraprastha after Pandava’s exile. It was a failed negotiation. Krishna asked for five villages, then five houses. Duryodhana refused to give even five inches of land. Krishna warned him not to pave the way for the destruction of families on both sides. It looked trivial argument to Duryodhana. Krishna then warned him that Pandava-s would meet them in Kurukshetra. Let that red soil decide who holds the dharma. Being angry at his statement, Duryodhana ordered his squad to arrest Krishna.

Krishna as messenger. Duryodhana issue orders to arrest Krishna. Satyaki protests. Image (c) Raja Ravi Varma

Krishna asked him, what did he think about him. Krishna transformed himself into Vishvarupa. The kings assembled over there were spellbound.

Dhritarashtra asked Sanjaya what the kings saw there? As there was no reply, He asked Krishna himself if he could get vision to see him. He had been gifted with vision to see the Vishvarupa. He thought he did not want to see anything else with his eyes there after. He continued to be blind as usual. Kings saw Brahma, the creator god, Lord Shiva, the destroyer in Krishna’s Vishvarupa. The eyes, mouth and ears were fuming. They saw all the creatures inside. That was the end of negotiations. The kings dispersed from the negotiation hall one by one.

Krishna meets Karna

Krishna met Karna before he left Hastinapur. As a great warrior, Karna added an enormous amount of power to Kaurava-s. Krishna wanted to divide and rule Kaurava-s. He asked Karna, why did he support Duryodhana, even if he knows his way is against the Dharma. Karna asserted his commitment to Duryodhana, his friend.

Krishna told him the secret of his birth, the information he wanted to know, the information that will bring him out of his low-birth complaint. Krishna told him that he is the ender son of Kunti. By law, he came the son of Pandu, Hence he is the elder Pandava. He can be the emperor supported by all Pandava-s and Kaurava-s. Draupadi will accept to accept to him as well.

Karna was spellbound. But he recalled Duryodhana’s recognition since the day he appeared against Arjuna during a skill display ceremony. It was due to Duryodhana, he had been crowned as King, that helped him to come out of the low-caste derision. Even with that offer, Karna refused to change his camp.

Duryodhana was confident of his success in war because of Karna, Bhishma, Drona, and himself. Krishna’s effort to stop the war (or divide and rule) did not work out.

Krishna meets Kunti

Krishna met Kunti to ask her, if she had anything to inform his sons. She asked them to fight abiding by the law of war.

Kings taking sides

Both parties have started to finalize their alliance with friendly countries. Yadava army joined Kaurava-s. Krishna joined Pandava-s with a condition that he would not fight. Balarama did not join the war. Rukmi was rejected by both parties. The final collection of troops traveled to Kurukshetra.

Aravan kalapali

Both parties looked for an auspicious time to start the war. It was decided as well. Kaurava-s army has more akshauhini-s than those of Pandava-s. So there was a widespread demotivation among the Pandava army. To motivate the force, troop leaders a self-sacrifice to Kali, the goddess of war.

Self-sacrifice is a cruel form of killing a human being and offering him to God. All humans cannot do this. A man with a predefined set of anatomy would be chosen for this. Among the troops there were three persons with such body features – Krishna, Arjuna, and Iravan/Aravan. Krishna and Arjuna cannot be lost. So Aravan became the natural choice.

Aravan was the son of Arjuna through Ulupi, a Nagini during his visit to north eastern part of Bharatha khanda. Arjuna asked if he is ready to do a self sacrifice. He asked for three boons. To make him as a war warrior; to make arrangement so that he can view the war completely; To find a wife to cry after his death.

First option was agreed.

After he did self-sacrifice, his head would be kept in a place, from where the whole war field could be observed from a bird’s- eye perspective. So the second request was also agreed.

The third option was difficult. To find a bride for Aravan, that too in a war field, is not possible. As per the stories, Vishnu took Mohini form and married him. As per Jeyamohan’s Venmurasu, she was assumed as a third gender, and came with troops. The marriage was conducted. Aravan was given as a sacrifice to Kali by beheading him. The transgender woman cried out loud about her husband. This is celebrated as Aravan Kalappali festival in Tamilnadu, Sri Lanka and Singapore.

The war starts

Pandavas headed by Yudhistira and accompanied by Krishna ask Bhishma permission to start the war

The great war of Mahabharata began at Kurukshetra after blowing the conch Panchajanya by Krishna.

References / Gratitude:

The illustrated Mahabharata, Dorling Kindersley India, Penguin Random House, 1st Ed. 2017
The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes, Bibek Debroy
Senna Vengai / Venmurasu by Jeyamohan

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Jayadratha’s audacity on Draupadi | Mahabharata Paintings

February 20, 2022Pandian Ramaiah 2 Comments

Draupadi – the mother goddess – went through a difficult life after marrying to the Pandava-s led by the gambler Yudhishthira. I pointed out why Yudhishthira is more harmful to Draupadi than Dushasana in my earlier post. Please see Yudhishthira, A Failed Gambler. Her problems did not go away even in her exile life.

Jayadratha – King of Sindhu – was a womanizer. He was the husband of Dusshala, the only daughter of blind king Dhritarashtra. When Pandava-s lived in Kamyaka forest (Somewhere in Haryana state) during their exile, Jayadratha crossed that area with his army.

Draupadi lived a simple life and crossed his way. Leered by her beauty, he enquired about her. He came to know that she is Draupadi. When Pandava-s went out to collect food, he went to meet her with lascivious thoughts. Unaware of his motive, Draupadi engaged him until her husband came back. Later he asked her to come with him to Sindhu and forced her to be his concubine. Enraged by his insolent breach of conduct, Draupadi shouted at him. But he forcefully took her in his chariot despite her protest.

… Come. Ascend my chariot and discover complete happiness. The Parthas are wretched and live in the forest. They have lost their fortune and have been dislodged from their kingdom…. You should not serve them. …. Out of affection towards them, you should not suffer that misery. O one with …. ! Be my wife. Abandon them and obtain happiness. With me, share the kingdoms of Sindhu and Souvira.
Jayadratha to Draupadi, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

Pandava-s chased him, after they came to know about him. Arjuna and Bhima scattered Sindhu’s army and punished Jayadratha severely. Yudhishthira came to rescue him, as he was the husband of their first niece. With unquenching anger, Bhima shaved one side of his head and mustache and left him alive.

Despite the entire episode being started by his uncivilized behavior, he wanted to take revenge.

References / Gratitude:

The illustrated Mahabharata, Dorling Kindersley India, Penguin Random House, 1st Ed. 2017
The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes, Bibek Debroy

This blog post is a part of Blogchatter’s WRITE A PAGE A DAY campaign. (320 words)

Eliminating Kshatrias | Jarasandha & Shishupala | Mahabharata Paintings

February 18, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

The Rajasuya Yagna (ceremony) was not that simple to Yudhishthira. It is an ancient process of make all other kings of Bharathakanda to agree that someone is their equal. Not an easy job for Yudhishthira. He want to coronate himself with the support of rest of his Pandava-s, wealth from Panchala, Hastinapur and Dwaraka. In addition, he need a supreme diplomat – Krishna – to make Yudhishthira’s claim uncontested.

Jarasandha

Obviously the mighty king with powerful army – Jarasandha, the king of Magadha – will not agree. His relationship with Yadava-s was not positive, as he wanted revenge for the death of his friend Kamsa – the maternal uncle of Krishna, who killed his own uncle.

Yadava-s had worst experience with Jarasandha earlier. Being scared of him, they moved from Gokulam to Dwaraka, which is far away from rest of the countries.

Jara merges two parts of Jarasandha. Picture (c) Wikipedia

It is impossible to kill Jarasandha. May be, Bhima can fight. Still it will be a fight between two equal wrestlers. Hence Krishna made a conspiracy.

The Brahman-s (priests) had rights to ask Kings for gifts. Kings will not refuse. Jarasandha was not an exception too. Krishna made use of this. Krishna, Arjuna and Bhima disguised themselves as priests. When Jarasandha asked for their plea, Krishna asked him to wrestle with one of them until death.

Bhima fights Jarasandha. Picture (c) Wikipedia

The great warrior Jarasandha chose Bhima as other two were not his match. The fight went on for long time. Krishna suggested Bhima to tear Jarasandha into two parts. After a long fight, Bhima did it. Before he tastes his victory, the body parts joined together.

Bhima and Jarasandha Wrestling - Picture (c) Unknown — Bhima and Jarasandha Wrestling – Picture (c) Unknown

Bhima looked at Krishna confusingly. Krishna showed him a gesture by tearing the a stick and place the pieces in inverted directions. The long fight started again even more ferociously. Finally Bhima teared Jarasandha and broke the two body parts in two different directions in inverted manner. The mighty king Jarasandha was killed. His son was coronated as a puppet ruler, supporting Pandava-s.

Bhima Slays Jarasandha. Image (c) prabhupadabooks

Bhima Slays Jarasandha - Picture (d) Wikipedia — Bhima Slays Jarasandha – Picture (d) Wikipedia

Shishupala

Shishupala and Krishna were cousin. Astrologers predicted that he will be killed by Krishna. Hence Shishupala’s mother requested Krishna not to do so if her son abuses him. Krishna promised her that he will tolerate one hundred times. When it is breached, he said, he will retaliate.

During Yudhishthira’s coronation ceremony, he selected Krishna as the guest of honor. Rest of the kshatriya-s were not happy. Then king of Chedi kingdom, Shishupala, jumped angrily from his seat to object this. He started abusing Krishna one after another a cowherd like Krishna to take supreme seat in the presence of Kshatria-s.

O Madhava! If the Kounteyas are scared and if they have become mean as a consequence of their asceticism, surely you could have enlightened them about what kind of honour you deserve. O Janardana! If in their meanness they offered you a homage that you are not worthy of, why did you accept it? Though undeserving, you set great store on this homage, like a dog that has found an offering of sacrificial ghee and consumes it in private. O Janardana! This is not only an insult to the Indras among kings. The Kurus have also brought out your true nature. O Madhusudana! You are not a king and this royal homage to you is like a wife to the impotent or a beautiful sight to the blind.
Shishupala to Krishna – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

When he reached the 100th time, Krishna warned him that he is about to cross the limit of Krishna’s promise to Shishupala’s mother. He did not mind. He resumed his abuse 101th time. Krishna took his Sudarshan chakra – the sharp discus – and beheaded him.

Sishupala Insulted Krishna Picture (c) WebHR art-ma

The count started from here. More and more kings were eliminated both morally and immorally!

Jai Yudhishthira Maharaj!

References / Gratitude:

The illustrated Mahabharata, Dorling Kindersley India, Penguin Random House, 1st Ed. 2017
The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes, Bibek Debroy
Panniru padaikalam, Jeyamohan

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Draupadi as Pandava’s wife | Mahabharata Paintings

February 16, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

Arjuna won Draupadi in Swayamvara. Pandava-s were on the way back to the house, where they took refuge. Meanwhile Kunti was afraid as her sons did not turn back till the evening. When they reached their home, Kunti did not pay attention to them. Arjuna – with much excitement – asked Kunti to look at what he had won. Kunti did not turn back. Unware of anything, she asked him to share it with her brothers. They were shocked. Kunti realized her mistake later. But she is firm in what she told earlier.

Draupadi and Pandava-s — Draupadi and *Pandava*-s

Then those maharathas, bringers of fame to the Kuru lineage, sons of a king among men, took the hand of that supreme among women, in succession, one day after another.

பிறகு, குரு பரம்பரைக்கு புகழைக் கொண்டு வந்த மஹாரதர்கள், ஆண்களில் ஒரு மன்னனின் மகன்கள், பெண்கள் மத்தியில் அந்த உன்னதமானவரின் கையை, அடுத்தடுத்து, ஒரு நாள் பின் ஒருவராகப் பிடித்தனர்.
Vaisampayana to Janamejaya – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

Draupadi’s situation being is being bolstered in many ways. Somebody say, Kunti did not want take back her words as per Dharma. Someone day, it is Draupadi accepted because of her wish to be an empress even if a single Pandava was alive. Someone else justify like Kunti wanted to be this way, to avoid jealous among her sons, which may lead to the family dispute. Whatever it is, it is a a polyandry. This intriguing marriage attracts the writers for several years.

When those immensely radiant ones looked at Draupadi, their love for her arose and put their senses into turmoil. Panchali’s charming form was created by the creator himself. It beguiled all living beings and was supreme to all others. Kunti’s son Yudhishthira knew from their appearance what was going through their minds. O bull among men! He remembered Dvaipayana’s words. Fearing that conflict might arise between the brothers, the king said, “This fortunate Draupadi will be a wife to all of us.

அந்த மிஞ்சிய ஒளி கொண்டவர்கள் திரௌபதியைப் பார்த்தபோது, அவளின் மீது காதல் எழுந்து, அவர்களின் புலன்களைக் கொந்தளிக்க வைத்தது. பாஞ்சாலியின் எழிலான வடிவம் படைப்பாளியால் உருவாக்கப்பட்டது. அது எல்லா உயிர்களையும் வஞ்சித்து மற்ற எல்லாவற்றுக்கும் மேலாக உயர்ந்தது. குந்தியின் மகன் யுதிஷ்டிரன் அவர்களின் தோற்றத்தில் இருந்து அவர்கள் மனதில் என்ன நடக்கிறது என்பதை அறிந்தான். மனிதர்களில் காளையே! துவைபாயனரின் வார்த்தைகள் அவனுக்கு நினைவுக்கு வந்தது. சகோதரர்களுக்கிடையே மோதல் ஏற்படக்கூடும் என்று அஞ்சிய அந்த அரசன், “இந்த அதிர்ஷ்டசாலி திரௌபதி நம் அனைவருக்கும் மனைவியாக இருப்பாள்.” என்றான்.

Vaisampayana to Janamejaya – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

Pandava-s with Draupadi, Raja Ravi Varma

References / Gratitude:

The illustrated Mahabharata, Dorling Kindersley India, Penguin Random House, 1st Ed. 2017
The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes, Bibek Debroy

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Draupadi’s Swayamvara | Mahabharata Paintings

February 15, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

The disguised Pandava-s lived in many places and forests. Bhima found a wife, Hidimbi in forests. Sage Daumya advised them to proceed to Panchala. Swayamvara of Panchala princess Draupadi was scheduled to happen. Invitations had been sent to many kings across the Bharata khanda. Pandava-s disguised themselves as Brahman-s (priests) and entered the Swayamvara hall.

There was a competition. Drupada formed a finely architected machine, which was rotating in the top, in which a golden fish was rotating by itself. Under this machine there was a cauldron filled with oil. The archers were challenged to shoot at the eye of the fish by looking at the oil in the cauldron below. It was complex. It was supposed to be broken by the best archers of the world. Many lost the game.

Duryodhana did not participate as he promised not to take any other wives other than Bhanumati. As everyone believed that Pandava-s were no more, Karna joined the competition. He could do it flawlessly. But Draupadi rejected him by pointing at his birth in low caste.

As all the kings failed, Drupada asked Brahman-s to join the competition. Arjuna came forward, he solved the puzzle with focus. He strung the bow and shoot the eye of the fish correctly. Drupada was happy. People were also happy. But kshatriyas were not. They objected a brahman to overtake them. There was a brief melee between Pandava-s and some of the kings like Karna and Shalya. Finally Krishna need to step-in to solve the conflict.

Arjuna-at-Draupadi-Arjuna at Draupadi’s Swayamvar Folk art Painting Fabric Art Prints. Picture Credit: MPRO-TECH

Arjuna at Draupadi's Swayamvara. Kalamkari Painting on Cotton - Artist - M. Viswanath Reddy (Andhra Pradesh) — Arjuna at Draupadi’s Swayamvara. Kalamkari Painting on Cotton – Artist – M. Viswanath Reddy (Andhra Pradesh)

Who can fight with Radheya Karna in battle except Rama, Drona, Sharadvata Kripa?! Devaki’s son Krishna and Phalguni, the scorcher of enemies? Who can fight against Duryodhana and who can vanquish in battle the powerful Shalya, king of Madra and chief among warriors, except the brave Baladeva and Pandava Vrikodara? Therefore, let us desist from this fight against the Brahmanas. Let us find out who they are and then we will happily fight with them again.” ….. “This lady has been won according to dharma.”

ராதேய கர்ணனுடன் ராமர், துரோணர், சரத்வாத கிருபரைத் தவிர வேறு யாரால் போரிட முடியும்?! … துரியோதனனை எதிர்த்து யார் போரிட முடியும், வலிமைமிக்க பலராமரையும், பாண்டவ விருகோதரனையும் தவிர? மத்ராவின் அரசனும், போர்வீரர்களில் தலைவனுமான சல்யனை யார் போரில் வீழ்த்த முடியும்? எனவே, பிராமணர்களுக்கு எதிரான இந்தப் போராட்டத்தை கைவிடுவோம். அவர்கள் யார் என்று கண்டுபிடித்துவிட்டு மீண்டும் அவர்களுடன் மகிழ்ச்சியாக சண்டையிடுவோம். ….. “இந்தப் பெண் தர்மத்தின்படி வெல்லப்பெற்றாள்.”
Krishna to the assembled kings, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

Arjuna won Draupadi.

References / Gratitude:

The illustrated Mahabharata, Dorling Kindersley India, Penguin Random House, 1st Ed. 2017
The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes, Bibek Debroy

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