For fifteen years, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari lived in Hastinapura under the care of Yudhishthira. Then, he called Yudhishthira one day and asked his permission to withdraw into the forest with Gandhari. They had been unbearably unhappy since all their sons were dead. Only Yuyutsu lived now. They had practised severe penance living in the palace. […]
Vishampayana recited the Vyasa’s Mahabharata to King Janmejaya. The king asked him how the Pandavas treated Dhritarashtra after winning their kingdom. They treated him with great respect. Yudhishthira tried to keep him happy and never let him feel humiliated. He consulted Dhritarashtra on the matters of state, so that he might feel he was still
Yudhishthira sought the blessings of his grandsire. Bhishma gave his blessings and also gave him sound advice about how to conduct himself correctly as a king. In the Mahabharata epic, this is known as Shantiparva. Having taught him, Bhishma finally passed away. Yudhishthira performed his last rites. Overcome by the sorrow of the past and
Kunti told Yudhishthira that she had asked Karna to join the Pandavas. Even his father, Surya, the Sun-god, had advised him to do the right thing by joining the Pandavas. But Yudhishthira was upset that Kunti had hidden the truth about Karna’s birth from them. She had caused them to commit the great sin of
“Do not blame yourself for Karna’s death,” said Narada, “He himself was responsible for it. I will tell you how.” Karna went to learn the use of the Brahmastra from Drona, who said it was only taught to Brahmanas. Karna disguised himself as a Brahmana and became a disciple of Parashurama. Parashurama taught him the
Gandhari wished one of her sons had been spared. Then she asked for Yudhishthira. He stood before her waiting for her to punish him. She turned aside, as even through the blindfold, she would reduce Yudhisthira to ashes with her grief. Gandhari was wise and she hid her sorrow and blessed the Pandavas. She shared
Dhritarashtra was inconsolable after the death of his sons. Sanjaya had little comfort to offer him, except that grief could not change the past. Vyasa always came when one of the Pandavas or Kauravas had to be comforted. He told Dhritarashtra to treat the Pandavas as his sons. Dhritarashtra embraced Yudhishthira without any love. When
Ashwatthama saw the dying Duryodhana and swore he would wipe out the remaining forces of the enemy. He, Kripacharya and Kritavarma were the only ones left. They rested under a tree that night. While the others slept, Ashwatthama saw an owl kill several crows on a tree. Seeing that, he decided to kill the enemy
In a single combat, he and Bhima were equal in strength. Bhima then remembered his vow and attacked Duryodhana’s thighs, breaking them. Duryodhana fell and Bhima stamped on him. Even while dying, Duryodhana felt no regret for all the wrong things he had done and all the havoc that resulted from his actions. He condemned
Duryodhana was in anguish with the deaths of Duhshasana and Karna. Ashwatthama and Kripacharya advised him to make peace with the Pandavas. But despite the loss of his friends and brothers, Duryodhana did not change his attitude. He made Salya the General of his army and, on the eighteenth and last day, they attacked the
Duryodhana was left alone by the sixteenth day. Kunti and Gandhari had reached Kurukshetra. Gandhari had a special reason for coming. She had been gifted with a vision that could heal or protect or scorch a person, depending on her thoughts. And she wished to protect her son, Duryodhana, as all the others were dead.
Karna was installed as the General of the Kaurava army. Bhima’s rage was uncontrollable when he looked at Duhshasana who had humiliated Draupadi. He tore off Duhshasana’s arm and fulfilled his terrible vow of tearing him up and taking his blood. The scene horrified everyone. Arjuna and Karna had a fierce battle. Karna’s hour of
Ghatotkacha was Bhima’s son by an asura princess. He and his asura forces became more powerful and ferocious at night and attacked the Kaurava army throwing it into complete confusion. Duryodhana told Karna that it was necessary to get Ghatotkacha out of the way. Karna had kept Vajra, Indra’s weapon, for killing Arjuna. But in
Arjuna sped to where Jayadratha was. A fierce battle began between the two. Soon the sun would set, so Jayadratha kept looking at the horizon. Krishna caused a short period of darkness to fall. Jayadratha thought the sun had set. So, he became a little less alert. Immediately, Arjuna shot an arrow that carried off
Satyaki and Bhurisravas were old enemies. Somadatta, the father of Burisravas, had fought for the hand of Devaki, Krishna’s mother, and lost to Satyaki’s grandfather who won her for Vasudeva. The battle between Satyaki and Bhurisravas was fierce. Satyaki had been sent to help Arjuna when he was returning exhausted after a battle with Drona.