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
The princes were minors. Therefore, Bhishma looked after the kingdom as the regent, helping Satyavati in all matters of the state. He also arranged for the education of the three young princes.Dhritrashtra was physically the strongest; Pandu was the best archer and Vidura was the wisest in all matters of state and right conduct. As
King Vichitravirya along with his two queens was living comfortably. One day, he died due to consumption without leaving an heir. Satyavati felt worried. So, she asked Bhishma to become king and marry the two widowed queens. But Bhishma had taken a terrible vow. As a result, he refused. When Satyavati was faced with a
Amba refused to go with Bhishma because she had chosen King Shalva of Saubha kingdom already. So, the other two princesses married Vichitravirya.Bhishma sent Amba with all honour to King Shalva since she had chosen him as her husband. But Shalva said that he had been defeated by Bhishma in the contest for Amba’s hand.
Devavrata straightaway went to the Chief Fisherman and asked him the reason of not giving Satyavati’s hand in marriage to his father. The Chief Fisherman told him about the condition. Thereupon Devavrata uttered, “Considering the sky and the earth as witness I pledge today that I will neither marry nor become king. My father’s next
Now, King Shantanu was free from worry after entrusting the responsibility of state affairs to his son Devavrata.One day, King Shantanu reached the banks of river Yamuna while hunting. There, he saw a beautiful girl sailing in the river. The fragrance was coming from the girl named Satyavati. Shantanu lost himself to that supernatural fragrance.
There was a settlement of fishermen on the bank of river Yamuna, One day, a few fishermen caught a big fish. When the fish’s stomach was tore open, a newborn girl-child appeared out of it. The fishermen carried the girl to their chieftain who adopted the girl as his daughter. She was named Satyavati. As
Many years passed. King Shantanu was very sad because he had lost Ganga and all his sons. One day, he found a handsome youth by the riverside. The boy built a dam across the river with the help of his sharp-pointed arrows. King Shantanu was quite fascinated with the boy’s prowess.As he watched, Ganga emerged