The armies drew up opposite each other at Kurukshetra. Arjuna was seated on his chariot and as per word Krishna was his charioteer. To everyone’s surprise, Yudhishthira took off his armour and walked to the enemy side. He went over to Bhishma, Drona, Kripacharya and his uncle Shalya, and sought their blessings before returning to […]
All discussions had failed. War was certain. The armies were getting ready with seven divisions of the Pandavas. The Pandavas had their divisions under Drupada, Virata, Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, Satyaki, Chekitana and Bhima. The Pandavas appointed Dhrishtadyumna their commander-in-chief. Similar preparations were going on among the Kauravas.The Kaurava army had eleven divisions. Command was given to
Kunti was very worried. How could her sons face the might of the Kaurava army that would be led by Bhishma, Drona and Karna? Even if Bhishma and Drona were gentle with her sons, Karna would attack them fiercely. So, she decided to appeal to Karna at the bank of river Ganga where he was
Yudhishthira with his brothers and King Drupad was busy making preparations for the war. But Arjuna was feeling bored in absence of Krishna. So, he reached Dwarika to seek help from Krishna.Duryodhana too on being advised by Shakuni reached there the same day. Krishna was sleeping when they arrived. Duryodhana sat on a chair at
Having received the message of Krishna, Yudhishthira felt worried. He sent the message to his friends and relatives and requested them for their help.King Shalya, the uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva, Madri’s brother, was on his way with his huge army to meet the Pandavas. Duryodhana heard of it and decided to take care of
The messenger of the Pandavas to Hastinapura did not succeed despite Bhishma asking Dhritrashtra for Indraprastha to be returned to the Pandavas. But Duryodhana was not ready at all for giving back the kingdom. So, the messenger returned. Dhritrashtra sent Sanjaya back to them. Sanjaya said that King Dhritrashtra wanted no war, but he wished
When King Virata returned after defeating Susharma, there was no sign of his son Prince Uttar. While searching for him, they got the news of the defeat of the Kaurava army by Prince Uttar. King Virata was extremely proud. But when Yudhishthira praised Brihannala, he hit him with the dice in anger. Meanwhile Prince Uttar
When Susharma attacked Matsya kingdom, Yudhishthira told the king that he himself, the cook, the horse-trainer (royal syce) and the cattle-keeper were great warriors. King Virata was very happy to take their help. Susharma attacked Matsya kingdom. All the Pandavas except Arjuna went with the army. During the battle Susharma captured Virata. But Bhima set
They went to Matsya kingdom and entered the king’s service as planned. Queen Sudeshna’s brother, Kichaka, was the Commander-in-Chief and had immense influence on one and all in the kingdom. He was arrogant, stubborn and vile. One day, Kichaka came to meet his sister Sudeshna. All of a sudden, he was attracted by the beautiful
The twelve-year exile was about to come to an end. The thirteenth year had to be spent in hiding. As per the rules the Pandavas had to remain untraced. If any of them had been recognised during their hiding period, they would again spend twelve years in exile and one year in hiding.The Pandavas decided
One day, a Brahmin running through the forest, came to seek help from the Pandavas. He had a pair of sticks that, when rubbed together, produced fire. He had hung them on a tree. A stag had rubbed itself against the tree. As a result, the sticks were caught in its antlers and it ran
Duryodhana wished to hold a Rajasuya Yajna but the learned Brahmins advised him that he was not entitled to holding the Rajasuya Yajna till Yudhishthira and Dhritrashtra were alive. Acting on their suggestion he decided to hold a Vaishnav Yajna. Meanwhile sage Durvasa with his disciples reached Duryodhana’s palace. Pleased with the hospitality of Duryodhana
Duryodhana had a sister named Dushala. When she grew up, she was married to Jayadratha, king of Sindhu and Sauveer. After Arjuna had returned with the divine weapons, all the Pandavas with Draupadi began to live in Kamyaka forest. One day, all the Pandavas went deep into the forest on purpose. Only Draupadi and a
The spies of Hastinapur carried the news of the Pandavas to Dhritrashtra who was frightened as he heard Arjuna had returned with divine weapons. But his sons, along with Shakuni and Karna, wanted to see the Pandavas and mock their misery. Reaching Dwaitavana, they found that Chitrasena, the Gandharva Chief, had already set up a
It was unbearable for all the Pandavas to live in separation from one another. In absence of Arjuna they visited various pilgrim sites with sages Lomasha and Dhaumya. Both the sages told them the stories about the other saints and sages, kings, demons, etc. to boost their courage and patience.One of such stories was related