Illustrated Mahabharata For Children

Indraprastha’s assembly hall was really beautiful. One day when Yudhishthira’s court assembled, sage Narada brought a message from the late King Pandu, asking Yudhishthira to perform the Rajasuya Yajna. This great sacrifice was performed when a king became supreme in a land where other smaller kingdoms accepted him as the overlord. In case of opposition

As advised by sage Narada, the Pandavas decided that each of them would spend a month with Draupadi. None of the other brothers would intrude during that period. If any of them did so, he would willingly go into exile for twelve years. Thus all the Pandavas observing this rule began to live peacefully.One day,

King Raivat married off his daughter Revati to Balarama having been influenced by the latter’s power and fame. Rukmini, daughter of King Bhismaka of Vidharbha, decided to accept Krishna as her husband. But crown-prince Rukmi fixed her marriage with King Shishupal of Chedi. Thereupon Rukmini sent word to Krishna that she had accepted him as

The news of the Pandavas and their marriage to Draupadi reached Hastinapur. On the request of Bhishma all the Pandavas were brought respectfully to Hastinapur. After some time it was decided in the assembly that the Pandavas be given away half the kingdom. Dhritrashtra and his sons gave away Khandavprastha forest as half the kingdom

Kunti and the Pandavas in their disguise reached Panchala and stayed with a potter. After much deliberation King Drupada of Panchal organised swayamvara for his daughter Draupadi. In a beautifully decorated marriage hall, a huge bow was kept. Each of the suitors had to string it and shoot an arrow at the fish’s eye above,

King Drupada was burning with anger at the humiliation he suffered at Drona’s hands. He wandered to many places, looking for a preceptor who would teach him how he could have a son who would avenge his humiliation by defeating Dronacharya some day. Seeing the feminine qualities of his son Shikhandi he felt disgusted. At

When Ghatotkacha grew up, Kunti leaving him with Hidimba went away with her sons. On the way, they met sage Vyasa who knew everything. He advised them to keep patience as God sees but waits.Soon the Pandavas reached Ekachakrapura. They lived in the house of a Brahmana and went out as mendicants, begging food from

Bhima lifted Mother Kunti onto his shoulders when she was tired of walking over the stony path. Through the forest the Pandavas made their way to a pleasant place for rest. Bhima watched over them when they slept.A demon named Hidimb lived in the forest with his sister named Hidimba. That night, having smell of

Duryodhana envied Bhima’s strength, Arjuna’s skill and the love of the people for Yudhishthira and the other Pandavas. Dhritarashtra, blind and weak-willed, favoured Duryodhana even though he knew that what he said or did was wrong.One day, Duryodhana’s maternal uncle Shakuni and Karna gave Duryodhana a piece of evil and bad advice. Duryodhana sent a

The Pandavas and the sons of Dhritrashtra learnt righteous conduct, politics and wealth related matters from Kripacharya and art of warfare from Drona. A public display of their expertise was held.Yudhishthira performed exceptionally well in the knowledge of religion, justice and politics. Both Bhima and Duryodhana displayed their skills in fighting with mace. Out of

Drona, the son of sage Bharadwaja, had studied along with his friend Drupada, the future king of Panchala. He was expert not only in the scriptures but also in archery. Drupada often said that he would give half his kingdom to his friend Drona. During that time, sage Parashurama after donating all his wealth to

Kunti left no stone unturned to bring up her sons. On the one hand, she gave them her love and on the other hand, she took care of them like father. Kunti and her sons were loved and supported by the saints and sages in the forest. So, all the sons of Pandu became able.

King Shura was blessed with two children after Kunti. His daughter named Subhasuga married Damghosh, king of Chedi, and his son named Vasudeva married Rohini, daughter of Devak (brother of King Ugrasena of Mathura). Kansa, the eldest son of King Ugrasena, was evil-minded. The people feared him. He wished to ascend to the throne himself.

In the Yadu dynasty, King Shura of the Vrishni dynasty had a daughter named Pritha. Shura had promised his cousin Kuntibhoj that he would give his first-born child to him. That was why Pritha became the adopted daughter of Kuntibhoj, and came to be known as ‘Kunti’. Once, there arrived sage Durvasa in Kingdom. Kunti

The kingdom of Gandhara was situated in the eastern and north-western directions of river Sindhu. It had two chief cities—Purushpur and Takshashila. King Subala who ruled over there was a justice-loving ruler. He was married to queen Sudharma. They were blessed with five sons and one daughter—Gaya, Gavaksh, Vrishava, Chamvrata, Shakuni and Gandhari. Shakuni was