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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The lie that killed Drona | Mahabharata Paintings

February 27, 2022Pandian Ramaiah 2 Comments

It was the fifteenth day of war. Drona was unstoppable after he took over as commander-in-chief position after Bhishma. Being his teacher, Arjuna could not raise his bow against him. The cruel killing of the unarmed Abhimanyu changed his mindset. But he could not control his teacher and the cost of lives he imposed on Pandava army.

Krishna suggested a deceptive plan to eliminate Drona. Drona had immense affection for his son Ashwatthama. But he could not be won as he was an immortal warrior. If he died, Drona would lose his will power on the battle field. Krishna suggested to them to make some plan so that he would hear these words.

Bhishma killed an elephant by the name of Ashwatthama on the fifteenth day of war. Drona was surrounded by Pandava-s. They told Drona that Ashwatthama was killed. Drona did not trust their word. He verified with Yudhishthira, who was the Dharma raja among the warriors. Yudhishthira said ‘Yes’ loudly and murmured that he did not know if it was a man or an elephant, so that Drona would not be able to hear it.

Drona felt helpless. The man who killed a number of people during the war, became wordless for those deceitful words. He put his weapons down, sat down, and practiced penance.

Krishna asked Pandava-s to kill him. No one was ready, as Drona was not only a Brahmin but also their teacher. Krishna convinced them that he lived like a kshatriya (warrior), even though he was born as Brahmin. He further affirmed that Drona should die as Kshatriya as well. Dhrishtadyumna – Drupada’s son and commander-in-chief of Pandava’s army – took his sword out of his scabbard. He beheaded Drona to take revenge for his father’s death.

A lie killed Drona – who had an enormous amount of vengeance on his friend, who took Ekalavya’s thumb as tuition fee, and who trained the Kuru princess.

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The mutilated Abhimanyu | Mahabharata Paintings

February 24, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

After the fall of Bhishma, Drona became the commander-in-chief of Kaurava army. Though he was a skilled Archer, teacher and master of war tactics, he could not get an opportunity to slay any of the Pandava-s to take revenge for Bhishma’s fall. Karna – who had vowed not to come to the battlefield under the leadership of Bhishma – had joined the army already. Krishna kept Arjuna at a distance from him, as Karna had the weapon to kill him.

As Kaurava-s did not get notable victory for Bhishma’s fall to Pandava’s foul play, Drona was under pressure when he came to battlefield on thirteenth day.

He formed a chakra-vyuga, a circular maze to trap Pandava-s. Yudhishthira fell as a prey. He got stuck inside the chakra-vyuga. Krishna, who was at far-away distance, blew his conch to seek help to save Yudhishthira from other Pandava-s. No one was able to help him. This is when the young upapandava Abhimanyu got into action.

Abhimanyu battling alone in the Chakravyuha

The chakra-vyuga intrigued him. His maternal uncle – Krishna – taught to him on how to save others from this round maze. But he did not teach him about how to eject oneself safely.

So he successfully broke the chakra-vyuga, scattered the warriors in the maze wall, and saved Yudhishthira. Before he accomplished his notable victory, he was surrounded and attacked by the brave warriors of Kaurava army, who were his own relatives.

Karna, Duryodhana, Drona were in front of Abhimanyu. His chariot, bows, sword and spheres were broken. Jeyamohan had portrayed this scene painfully in his novel kaar-kadal of Venmurasu novel series.

தந்தையே, மைந்தனென உங்களிடம் நான் கோருவது ஒன்றுதான். ஒரு தேர்! ஒரு வில்! ஓர் ஆவநாழி! #அபிமன்யு #துரியோதனன் #கார்கடல் #வெண்முரசு #venmurasu #jeyamohan #mahabharat
— pandian ramaiah (@pandianr79) February 23, 2022

An unarmed teenage boy, fought bravely with a wheel of a chariot in his hand. He killed Laxmana Kumara – son of Duryodhana. Angered by this, Duryodhana asked Drona to move the target of Chakra-vyuga from Yudhishthira to Abhimanyu.

Arrows from Drona, Shakuni, Karna, Duryodhana stitched Abhimanyu and cut him into pieces. A brave boy – who fathered the next generation of Kuru clan – was killed tragically. Yudhishthira must have suffered the same fate instead of Abhimanyu. Dharma raja Yudhishthira got a life at the cost of his nephew!

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

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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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Kichaka disgraced Draupadi | Mahabharata Paintings

February 21, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

Pandava-s spent 12 years in forest and 1 year in incognito. They seceded themselves and approached Virata kingdom. Yudhishthira joined for a job as King’s advisor Kanka, the mighty Bhima as cook Ballava, Archer Arjuna as dance teacher Brihannala, Nakula as Horse keeper Granthika and Sahadeva as sage Tandibala. Draupadi became Sairandhri.

Draupadi served Sudeshna – the Virata queen – as a beautician. Kichaka – Sudeshna’s brother – was the commander in chief for Virata’s army. Pandava-s and Draupadi spent that one year by isolating themselves from each other.

But It was too difficult to hide Draupadi’s charming in incognito mode. She got into the #MeToo problem once again. This time, it was by Kichaka.

O beautiful one! Your supreme form and your youth are useless if you are alone, like a beautiful garland that is not worn. O beautiful one! Though you are handsome, you are lacking in radiance. O one with the beautiful smile! I will give up the wives I have had before. O beautiful one! I will station myself as your servant. O one with the beautiful face! I will always be under your control.
Kichaka to Draupadi – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

To save her modesty, Draupadi formed a perfect fable. She told Sudeshna that she is a wife of five Gandharva-s. They will safeguard her from all troubles.

But Kichaka troubled Sairandhri every day. Intolerable Draupadi complained to Sudeshna one day. Unaware of who she is, Sudeshna disregarded her and her complaint. Invariably, it is the female’s evilness towards another female. Although she is a queen to safe guard her own people, she convinced herself about Kichaka’s violation of modesty of a woman. In addition, Sudeshna envied her for her beauty.

O Kaikeyi! Act so that I can be united with Sairandhri. O Sudeshna! Otherwise, I will give up my life.
Kichaka to Sudeshna – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

One day Kichaka asked his sister to send a bottle of whine through Sairandhri.

Sudeshna force Draupadi to go to Keechaka's room with a wine jar - Image (c) Raja Ravi Varma — Sudeshna force Draupadi to go to Keechaka’s room with a wine jar – Image (c) Raja Ravi Varma

Predicting an awkward moment, she obliged Sudeshna.

Draupadi goes to Kichaka's room - Raja Ravi Varma — Draupadi goes to Kichaka’s room – Raja Ravi Varma

As expected, Kichaka tried to misbehave. She escaped and came to the hall, where King Virata and Yudhishthira was playing dice to seek refuge.

Keechaka misbehaves to Sairandhri,_1890 Raja_Ravi_Varma — Kichaka misbehaves to Sairandhri,_1890 Raja_Ravi_Varma

Bhima was also there. Kichaka chased her and kicked her in front of them. Bhima was about to lose his temper. Yudhishthira calmed him down and asked Draupadi to tolerate that as a trivial thing and directed her to go to Sudeshna’s abode.

O Sairandhri! Do not stay here. Go to Sudeshna’s abode. The wives of brave ones suffer on account of their husbands. Though suffering, they conquer the worlds of their husbands through their servitude. I think that your husbands do not see this as a time for anger. Therefore, the gandharvas, who are like the sun in their energy, are not rushing to help you. O Sairandhri! You do not know that this is not the right time and are prancing around like a dancing girl. You are disturbing the Matsyas, who are gambling in the king’s assembly hall. O Sairandhri! Depart and the gandharvas will act so as to bring you pleasure.
Kanka (Yudhishthira) to Sairandhri (Draupadi) – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

Humiliated Draupadi was not happy with Yudhishthira and went to Bhima in the night. Observing the three major humiliations of Draupadi, Bhima took Draupadi’s stand always. While Yudhishthira’s attention is on perfect completion of incognito at any cost, she knows that Bhima would think about his wife, at least.

O Bhimasena! Arise! Arise! How can you sleep as if you are dead? The evil one, who molested the wife of someone who is not dead, is still alive. My enemy, the evil-doing general, is still alive.
Draupadi to Bhima – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

Draupadi could not tolerate the miseries of being a servant in Virata’s palace. She burst into tears to Bhima to do something to save her.

While Dharmaraja looked on, Kichaka kicked me with his foot. … It was in your sight too. It was you who protected me from the terrible Jatasura and together with your brothers, also from Jayadratha. Kill the evil one who molests me in this way. … Destroy him like an earthen pot against stone. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! He is responsible for many of my miseries. If the sun rises tomorrow morning and he is alive, I will drink poison, rather than fall into Kichaka’s clutches.
Draupadi to Bhima – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

Bhima gave a helping hand to Draupadi. He drafted out a plan to eliminate Kichaka. She play it very well. She acted as if she agree to Kichaka’s wish and asked him to meet her alone in dancing hall.

O Kichaka! I will agree. But you must accept a condition first. None of your friends or brothers must know that you have gone to unite with me. I am scared that the illustrious gandharvas may get to know. If you promise this, then I will come under your control.
Sairandhri (Draupadi) to Kichaka – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

Dressed like Sairandhri, Bhima went to dancing hall to wait for Kichaka. Unware of this, Kichaka came and started talking to her (him) in romantic mood. Bhima came out with roaring laugh and finished him once and for all!

Kichaka’s death had shaken Virata. Sudeshna suspected Sairandhri for her brother’s death. She has been punished to burn alive in the fire along with his brother. Bhima came like a whirl and destroyed the one who was holding her hand, released Draupadi, without exposing his appearance!

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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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

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

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)

Yudhishthira, A Failed Gambler | Mahabharata Paintings

February 19, 2022Pandian Ramaiah 2 Comments

Duryodhana was jealous about Pandava‘s wealth. In addition, he got humiliated when he fell down into water at the palace of Indraprastha. By mistake, he thought Draupadi mocked him with derision. He wanted to take revenge for this. Shakuni – his maternal uncle – consoled him. He ensured him that he can win Pandava-s with the Chinese policy of winning without firing a bullet.

Kunti’s son loves to gamble with dice, but does not know how to play. If challenged to play, that Indra among kings will not be able to refuse. I am skilled in gambling with dice, there is no one on earth, or in the three worlds, who is my equal. Challenge Kunti’s son to a game of dice. O king! O bull among men! With my skill in dice?! there is no doubt that I will win for you the kingdom and the blazing prosperity. O Duryodhana! Tell the king?? all this. And if your father permits, there is no doubt that I will vanquish him.
Shakuni to Duryodhana – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

Yudhishthira had been invited to play a game of dice, a gambling for fun! It was considered as a “virtual war”. Whatever lost is lost. Yudhishthira – so called dharma – practiced adharma (sin) here. He risked insignificant things at first, later he lost everything one by one. Explaining the way he lost his wealth is not the motive of this post.

We need to understand the situation of the gambler who lost what he risked. With single game, he wanted to set right everything, he failed miserably again. At one point of time, he risks his brothers, then himself, then his wife Draupadi in the game, even though Vidura advised him to stop the game.

I like the face of Yudhishthira in the above drawing!

When he lost wife, Duryodhana summoned Pandava‘s wife and the queen of honour, Draupadi. Draupadi was mensurating then. Her question was logical. She asked if he lost him first before he lost her. If he lost him first, did he had any rights over her? Unfortunately, none of Pandava-s and Kaurava-s were logical. Kaurava-s acted out of the their suppressed wrath and Pandava-s acted with utter foolishness.

Draupadi's humiliation — Draupadi’s humiliation. Image (c) Keshav

Logical questions of Draupadi irritated Duryodhana – ‘the new possessor’ of the lady, as agreed by the son of ‘dharma‘, Yudhishthira. He asked Dushasana to bring her to court. The young Kaurava broke all the rules of women’s court, trespassed there, pulled Draupadi’s hair as hard as he can. Draupadi resisted, but she was no match to him. She tried to make him understand that she is Panchala puthri (daughter of Panchala) and daughter-in-law of their house. It did not change his mind. It was an explosive situation, everybody was in its flow. She has been pulled, dragged in front of public and brought to court with improper attire.

Jeyamohan used to call it as ‘male-evil‘. It worked at its best. Duryodhana abused her to sit on his lap, as she is his slave, then. Kaurava-s told that slaves – Pandava-s and their wife – should not wear royal clothing. They made them undressed, including Draupadi. It was the greatest mistake to allow Dushasana to to disrobe Draupadi and challenged the modest of a woman, who was a queen, who was his own sister-in-law, who was a daughter in law of the greatest family of Bharatakhanda.

I do not believe the story of Krishna to issue the endless saree which made Dushasana to become tired. It was clean violation of modesty of woman in typical Indian way. Jeyamohan handled this piece in a more practical approach in his Mahabharata novel series, Venmurasu. It was Lakshmana – Duryodhana’s daughter – and other females of the royal family cover Draupadi with cloths by chanting the name of Krishna. ) I got into tears with much emotion when I read chapter 87 of Panniru Padaikalam novel of Venmurasu series.

The male evil will not stop its assault on female. We see that everyday. An innocent female get a rude husband and a soft male get an impudent wife. This seems to be naked truth.

I can point out several examples for such behavior from contemporary world as well.

A lady chief of a party was humiliated and disrobed in Tamilnadu assembly hall by the ministers of ruling party.
Lakbima – a popular Sinhalese daily printed vulger cartoon about a prime minister of India and a lady chief minister of Indian state
Acid was thrown at A lady IAS officer for being rough and tough by another political party in Tamilnadu

So, when a woman can not be won, a male will manhandle her habitually.

Except Bhima, every one in Kuru clan – including Bhishma, Dhritarashtra, Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva kept quiet. Even after such grave incident, Yudhishthira accepted to gamble. We can understand how addicted he is. He lost it too. In turn he needs to live in exile for thirteen years. With deep distress in mind, hiding his face from his own people, the great adharmi Yudhishthira, left the city.

Abusing Duryodhana and Dushasana for disrobing Draupadi is not new. But do we have a soft corner for Yudhishthira to escape from this crime?

Did he ever realize his mistake?
Never. Even after this incident, he agreed to gamble. He lost that game also, in turn, entire Pandava-s were forced to live in exile for thirteen years.
Did he has any rights over Indraprastha on his own?
No. Although he is a king, he can not be a dictator. Kingdom is made of people. A gambler who risks his own people is not a good king. Calling himself as a dharma is inappropriate.
Did he build the city in his own money?
No. He is a beggar. The land belongs to his ancestors. Money to build the city came from Hastinapur, Panchala and Dwaraka. He did not give it back. Rather, he lost all of them to his addiction of gambling.
Did he discuss with Draupadi about gambling?
No.
Did he love Draupadi, at least?
IMHO, he is not a loveable man. He expressed himself as a pure opportunistic through out Mahabharata. He tried to find justifications from veda-s or smriti-s to cover up his selfish behavior. He is not skilled archer or wrestler or he did not excel in any martial arts. Draupadi was wife of Arjuna, by right. Yudhishthira shared among all by quoting so called Dharma.
He might have felt inferior because of these reasons. This might have forced him to take extreme decisions during gambling, to prove himself. Alas, he miserably failed.

Mahabharata text shows he used to praise Draupadi during different discussions. They look like a mode of public conduct – nothing else. I doubt if he loved his own wife Devika. No girl will love such a bored creature!
Did he respect advices of Vidura?
No. Remember – he is the reason for Pandava-s to return alive from the house of lac.
Did he understand the effort in building Indraprastha?
No.
- It took many rounds of negotiations to get a land from Hastinapur. Pandava-s could not get it. It was Krishna who lobbied for them.
- Khandavaprastha was a dense forest. Krishna and Arjuna put their effort in converting into a habitable land. They need to go on a war with Indra before doing it.
- If Yudhishthira put any effort to build it, he might have given a second thought, before risking it on gambling.
If Draupadi married Karna, would he gamble her like Yudhishthira?
- Krishna points out (during Pandava-s exile) that she too, reasonable for her own misery. As per his opinion, a great warrior like Karna will never gamble her away. But Draupadi rejected him during his Swayamvara on the basis of caste. Draupadi chose a priest in disguise over a charioteer. Unfortunately Arjuna, the priest in disguise, shared her among his brothers and gambled her. This is convincing for us.
Whom do we worship? Pandava-s or Yudhishthira?
- Draupadi is the goddess for our society.

It is not Dushasana to be blamed first, it is Yudhishthira, the gambler!

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

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

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

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

Indraprastha | Mahabharata Paintings

February 17, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

After Pandava-s married Draupadi, they could not hide any more. They exposed themselves to external world. They stayed in Panchala for sometime. Accompanied by Krishna, they reached Hastinapur.

Khandavaprastha became Indraprastha

They appeared before the blind king Dhritarashtra. He blessed him. The bilateral negotiations about the ownership of the throne was started. Krishna lobbied for Yudhishthira through Vidura. Vidura advised Dhritarashtra to give up this throne and return it to Yudhishthira.

Dhritarashtra refused as per the story. He admitted to Vidura that his sons may not work under Pandava-s. This sounds logical to me as a reader. After negotiations, Dhritarashtra accepted to give some land from Hastinapur dynasty. It is Khandavaprastha.

Khandava means forest. As named correctly, it is a dense forest, an abode of all creatures, situated in the banks of Yamuna. Krishna ordered Pandava-s to burn the forest completely. All creatures were destroyed including the naga-s (serpents). The affected Naga-s sought Indra’s help. Indra accepted to help. He came up with in the form of thunderstorm. Probably, a worst rain might have lashed. Arjuna formed a shelter of arrows, so that rain does not disturb the fire. Finally, the forest is destroyed, so are the animals and rakshasa-s , except the Asura architect Maya. Maya sought refuge. In turn, he constructed a beautiful city – INDRAPRASTHA – for Pandava-s.

Khandavaprastha on fire. Krishna and Arjuna fought with Indra — *Khandavaprastha* on fire. Krishna and Arjuna fought with Indra

The wealth of Yadava capital Dwaraka (on which I named my blog!!) poured into the construction of Indraprastha. Panchala and Hastinapur might offer their own share as well. Finally there comes a beautiful – may be luxurious – city. It had ports in Yamuna river. It became abode of new dwellers, who came in as Indraprastha picked up. It became a market hub under the rule of Pandava emperor Yudhishthira and empress Draupadi.

Krishna in Indraprastha. Image (c) art-ma

Pandava-s with Draupadi, Raja Ravi Varma — *Pandava*-s with Draupadi, Raja Ravi Varma

Duryodhana’s humiliation

Many kings were invited to Indraprastha for Yudhisthira’s Rajasuya yagna. Kaurava-s were invited too as they were cousins. As per the text, Duryodhana was jealous at the wealth of Pandava-s while gazing at the palace.

The evil eye of fate turned to this beautiful city. Duryodhana did many mistakes there as the building used illusion to deceive someone’s eyes. He fell down into a water by mistake. Servants laughed by themselves and on the instructions of the king. Pandava-s – except Yudhishthira – laughed at him, instead of helping him. The unbearable Duryodhana left that place with humiliation. His mind was full of grudge and wrath. He was jealous at the wealth of Pandava-s and the way they showcased their luxurious life there. Evil thoughts were seeded into the mind of Duryodhana.

‘O extender of the Kuru lineage! On seeing the happiness of the Parthas, the submission of the kings, the love the worlds had for them, from children onwards, and the supreme splendour of the great-souled Pandavas, Dhritarashtra’s son Duryodhana turned pale. As he travelled, he thought intently about the sabha and the unrivalled prosperity of the intelligent Dharmaraja. Dhritarashtra’s son Duryodhana was so inattentive, that he did not respond when Subala’s son repeatedly spoke to him. On seeing him so distracted, Shakuni responded, “O Duryodhana! Why are you travelling with all these sighs?”

‘குரு வழியில் வந்தவரே! பார்த்தர்களின் மகிழ்ச்சியையும், அரசர்களின் பணிவையும், குழந்தைகள் முதல் அனைத்து மன்னர்களும் அவர்கள் மீது கொண்டிருந்த அன்பையும், பேரான்மா கொண்ட பாண்டவர்களின் உன்னதப் புகழையும் கண்டு, திருதராஷ்டிரனின் மகன் துரியோதனன் வாடிப் போனான். அவன் செல்லும்போது செய்யும் போது, அந்த சபையைப் பற்றியும், அறிவார்ந்த அரசன் தருமனின் நிகரற்ற செழிப்பைப் பற்றியும் ஆழ்ந்து சிந்தித்தான். திருதராஷ்டிரனின் மகன் துரியோதனன் மிகவும் கவனக்குறைவாக இருந்தான், சுபலரின்வின் மகன் அவனிடம் பலமுறை பேசியும் அவன் பதிலளிக்கவில்லை. அவன் மிகவும் கவனம் வேறு பக்கம் இருப்பதைப் பார்த்த சகுனி, “ஓ துரியோதனா! ஏன் இத்தனை பெருமூச்சுகளுடன் நினைவுகளில் நீந்துகிறாய்?”
Vaisampayana to Janamejaya – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

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.

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

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.