Pandavas have passed five years in exile and starting for pilgrimage of India's holy sites with Draupadi whereas Arjuna is has to spend five years in heaven in the company of Indra to learn the skills of his celestial weapons.
Pandavas excluding Arjuna performed all the great pilgrimages and gain powers such as Yudhisthira has to observe all events in the world as they happen. Yudhisthira also gains eternal knowledge through his interactions with great sages. Arjuna learns the arts of heaven with the time he spends with Indra. After travelling for 5 years Pandavas decide to look for Arjuna in Himalayas and so avail the the services of Ghatotkatch and other demons to carry them in the cold weather of the the Himalayas. They ultimately reach Mount Kailash of Shivji where Draupadi asks Bhima to look for a particular type of flower. In his search for that flower Bhima meets Hanuman who is annoyed by the noise made by Bhima.
Bhima demands that the great monkey lets him past but refuses to jump over him because of the divinity that resides inside the great monkey. Hanuman then asks him go under him but Bhima is unable to lift up his tail and impressed by Hanuman's power he asks him to show him his true form.
Hanuman refuses: this is the wrong age to show his true form. At Bhima's request he describes the four ages: Krta age (Stya yug) in which Dharma is perfect, and the Treta, Dvapara and Kali yug in which it successively reduces by a quarter.
Meanwhile in heaven indra asks for Indra to destroy Nivatakavaca demons who have gained invincibility from attacks of God after fierce austerities they performed and requested Narayan for this boon in return for the Celestial weapons God have given to them. After gaining victory over demons, Indra rewards him with a impregnable armour, the conch Devdatta and a diadem.
One day while Bhima was roaming in the forest he was caught in unbreakable hold of a snake and is let off after Yudhisthira correctly answers question put up by the snake.
The snake asks him "What is Brahmin?"
Yudhisthira replies that a Brahmin is one who lives a virtuous life, rather than someone born in a particular line.
Duryodhan's attack
One day a brahmin who had visited Pandavas in the forest goes on to see Dhrtarastra and informs him about the plights faced by the Pandavs. Dhrtarastra is deeply grieved and troubled, for he feared that Pandavas will seek their revenge and overwhelm the Kauravas.
Karna and Sakuni convince Duryodhan to make good of the event and surprise the Pandavas during their weak state. While on his way to Pandavas dwelling they are met with Gandharva who attack is travelling army. No one except Karna are able to hold ground against the fierce Gandharvas and Duryodhana is captured by their leader Citrasena. Ultimately Arjuna uses his celestial weapons and his friendship with Citrasena to free Duryodhan who they ask to return to Hastinapura.
Duryodhana travels to Hastinapura in shame and decides to sacrifice all his powers as prince regent to his younger brothers. Nobody including Karna and Shakuni were able to reverse his decisions and ultimately it was demons who appeared to him to change his mind. They informed him he is the gift from the gods to demons and ensure him that they will assist him in his battle against the Pandavas.
Karna's Earrings
Surya, sun god appeared to Karna and warned him that one day Indra will appear to him as a brahmin ask him for his natural armour and his earring, the very things that make him invincible and he shall refuse him by making excuses. Karna denies Surya's request even after repeated arguments that he shall die a truthful warrior then live as a coward who did not fulfill his Dharma and denied a brahmin a humble request. Finally, he agrees to ask for Indra's spear in return for his earring.
After some time Indra appears to Karna as a brahmin and asks him for his earrings. Karna agrees to Indra's request only if he gives him his spear to which Indra agree but warns Karna that he would only be able to use the weapon once and not used in dire circumstance but weapon would be rendered useless.
Residence in Virata
After spending spending 13 years in exile, as agreed Pandavas now have to spend a year in a city of their choice anonymously. Yudhisthira chooses the city of Virata for his next adventure.They decide to disguise themselves as workers of King Virata to blend into the society.
Yudhisthira entered Virata as a Brahmin who is the master of dice who once rolled once for King Yudhisthira but now seeks the companionship of King Virata.
Bhima agrees to enter the city as master cook named Ballava who would work in royal kitchen.
Arjuna wanted to work as a eunuch called Brhannada where he shall please all males with his immense collection of entertaining tales and also teach the king's daughter the art of song and dance.
Nakula and Sahdev entered the city as overseers of the royal horses and cattle respectively who had previously worked for King Yudhisthira.
Draupadi disguised herself as a maidservant for Queen Sudesna who was amazed that a woman possessing such beauty would work as a maidservant. She described her as a lady whose ankles were unobtrusive, your thighs firm, you are deep in three ways, high in six, and pink in five places, your voice falters like a goose, she has good hair and breasts, and a lovely complexion, her eyelashes are curved, her lips as red as bimba fruit, her waist slender, her veins can't be seen and her face is like a full moon to which she replied that she is humble hairdresser and this is the way she earns a very fine living.
Overcome by his lust for Draupadi, General Kicaka tries to molest her even though she had earlier warned him that she was married to five gandharv men. Draupadi infuriated with such treatment ran to Bhima to request him to kill the man who brought her such shame. Bhima calms her down asks her to follow her Dharma towards Yudhisthira and that he will kill Kicaka at the earliest.
Sutas infuriated with Kicaka's death at the hands Bhima blame Draupadi for their leaders demise so decide to force her to perform Sati but all Sutas are killed by Bhima to protect Draupadi.
The cattle raid
Susurman of Trgartha attacks Virata's cowherd in the northern part of his empire. Four Pandavas excluding Arjuna fought valiantly for King Virata and were responsible for his victory.
Meanwhile Duryodhana, unaware that Pandavas reside in Virata decides to attack Virata after sensimg vulnerability in Virata's defenses after death of their infamous general Kicaka. He stole thousands of cattle from the great city of Virata accompanied with Duhasasan, Drona, Bhisma and Karna. Arjuna as Brhannada offers his services as a charioteer to Uttara, son of Virata to help him perform his Dharma as Kshatriya.
They depart the town in search of the kauravas but when they finally find them Uttara is overcome by his fear of death and tries to flee the scene on foot when Arjuna refused to turn back in fear of the huge army. To settle Uttara's anxiety, Arjuna finally reveals his true identity and agrees to fight the Kaurava army on his behalf only if he becomes his charioteer.
Arjuna initially faces Karna and defeats him easily and then one by one proceeds to defeat all the Kaurava warriors in the field of battle. He attacks Drona only after Drona attacks him first. King Virata coming to hear of his sons lone battle arranges a forward party to help his son at once but even before they could reach Kaurava decide to let go off cattle they captured in fear of Arjuna and his celestial weapons.
Virata unaware of the true identities of the Pandavas hits Yudhisthira when he repeatedly praises Brhannada (Arjuna) a eunuch in his presence. But when his son Uttara tells him about his employees true identities he apologizes to all of them and agrees to give them anything they want.
Even though this Battle was convincingly won by Arjuna single handedly it was not a sign of weakness of Kauravas who have now started preparing for the impending war, the MAHABHARATA.
Interpretation
My lack of devotion or understanding of Dharma may irritate some readers but I humbly apologize for any misinterpretation as I am just a curious little kid who is trying to understand the very basis of his existence and trying to answer simple questions of life.
One thing I did learn was that all work in life is equal. This has been repeated over the centuries by men ranging from King Pedro II to Mahatma Gandhi. A MP's day at work equal in significance to the work of hand laborers in the schemes of the universe. Unless one realize the significance of all things around he may not be to appreciate all that is around him and obtain true happiness.
This somehow reminds me of a scene from the movie Gandhi in which Kasturba Gandhi refuses to clean the gutters in the ashram and Gandhiji explains to her the importance of self dependence.
That now brings me to the topic Individualism or Randian Objectivism but which I will discuss later in when we come to the Bhagavad Gita.
Pandavas perform their Dharma without any regrets even when they have to menial work such as tending to a horses' shit or preparing the queens lunch. They illustrate one can find contentment in all work he does find and happiness is obtained by wealth or fame but by fulfilling one Dharma whatever it may be. A ragpicker who does his ragpicking is a happier than a industrialist who is trying to squeeze every penny out of his employees.
Finally we realize that Duryodhana is trying to fulfill his Dharma in defeating Pandavas for demons but nonetheless he is on the wrong side of the fence.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Pandavas excluding Arjuna performed all the great pilgrimages and gain powers such as Yudhisthira has to observe all events in the world as they happen. Yudhisthira also gains eternal knowledge through his interactions with great sages. Arjuna learns the arts of heaven with the time he spends with Indra. After travelling for 5 years Pandavas decide to look for Arjuna in Himalayas and so avail the the services of Ghatotkatch and other demons to carry them in the cold weather of the the Himalayas. They ultimately reach Mount Kailash of Shivji where Draupadi asks Bhima to look for a particular type of flower. In his search for that flower Bhima meets Hanuman who is annoyed by the noise made by Bhima.
Bhima demands that the great monkey lets him past but refuses to jump over him because of the divinity that resides inside the great monkey. Hanuman then asks him go under him but Bhima is unable to lift up his tail and impressed by Hanuman's power he asks him to show him his true form.
Hanuman refuses: this is the wrong age to show his true form. At Bhima's request he describes the four ages: Krta age (Stya yug) in which Dharma is perfect, and the Treta, Dvapara and Kali yug in which it successively reduces by a quarter.
Meanwhile in heaven indra asks for Indra to destroy Nivatakavaca demons who have gained invincibility from attacks of God after fierce austerities they performed and requested Narayan for this boon in return for the Celestial weapons God have given to them. After gaining victory over demons, Indra rewards him with a impregnable armour, the conch Devdatta and a diadem.
One day while Bhima was roaming in the forest he was caught in unbreakable hold of a snake and is let off after Yudhisthira correctly answers question put up by the snake.
The snake asks him "What is Brahmin?"
Yudhisthira replies that a Brahmin is one who lives a virtuous life, rather than someone born in a particular line.
Duryodhan's attack
One day a brahmin who had visited Pandavas in the forest goes on to see Dhrtarastra and informs him about the plights faced by the Pandavs. Dhrtarastra is deeply grieved and troubled, for he feared that Pandavas will seek their revenge and overwhelm the Kauravas.
Karna and Sakuni convince Duryodhan to make good of the event and surprise the Pandavas during their weak state. While on his way to Pandavas dwelling they are met with Gandharva who attack is travelling army. No one except Karna are able to hold ground against the fierce Gandharvas and Duryodhana is captured by their leader Citrasena. Ultimately Arjuna uses his celestial weapons and his friendship with Citrasena to free Duryodhan who they ask to return to Hastinapura.
Duryodhana travels to Hastinapura in shame and decides to sacrifice all his powers as prince regent to his younger brothers. Nobody including Karna and Shakuni were able to reverse his decisions and ultimately it was demons who appeared to him to change his mind. They informed him he is the gift from the gods to demons and ensure him that they will assist him in his battle against the Pandavas.
Karna's Earrings
Surya, sun god appeared to Karna and warned him that one day Indra will appear to him as a brahmin ask him for his natural armour and his earring, the very things that make him invincible and he shall refuse him by making excuses. Karna denies Surya's request even after repeated arguments that he shall die a truthful warrior then live as a coward who did not fulfill his Dharma and denied a brahmin a humble request. Finally, he agrees to ask for Indra's spear in return for his earring.
After some time Indra appears to Karna as a brahmin and asks him for his earrings. Karna agrees to Indra's request only if he gives him his spear to which Indra agree but warns Karna that he would only be able to use the weapon once and not used in dire circumstance but weapon would be rendered useless.
Residence in Virata
After spending spending 13 years in exile, as agreed Pandavas now have to spend a year in a city of their choice anonymously. Yudhisthira chooses the city of Virata for his next adventure.They decide to disguise themselves as workers of King Virata to blend into the society.
Yudhisthira entered Virata as a Brahmin who is the master of dice who once rolled once for King Yudhisthira but now seeks the companionship of King Virata.
Bhima agrees to enter the city as master cook named Ballava who would work in royal kitchen.
Arjuna wanted to work as a eunuch called Brhannada where he shall please all males with his immense collection of entertaining tales and also teach the king's daughter the art of song and dance.
Nakula and Sahdev entered the city as overseers of the royal horses and cattle respectively who had previously worked for King Yudhisthira.
Draupadi disguised herself as a maidservant for Queen Sudesna who was amazed that a woman possessing such beauty would work as a maidservant. She described her as a lady whose ankles were unobtrusive, your thighs firm, you are deep in three ways, high in six, and pink in five places, your voice falters like a goose, she has good hair and breasts, and a lovely complexion, her eyelashes are curved, her lips as red as bimba fruit, her waist slender, her veins can't be seen and her face is like a full moon to which she replied that she is humble hairdresser and this is the way she earns a very fine living.
Overcome by his lust for Draupadi, General Kicaka tries to molest her even though she had earlier warned him that she was married to five gandharv men. Draupadi infuriated with such treatment ran to Bhima to request him to kill the man who brought her such shame. Bhima calms her down asks her to follow her Dharma towards Yudhisthira and that he will kill Kicaka at the earliest.
Sutas infuriated with Kicaka's death at the hands Bhima blame Draupadi for their leaders demise so decide to force her to perform Sati but all Sutas are killed by Bhima to protect Draupadi.
The cattle raid
Susurman of Trgartha attacks Virata's cowherd in the northern part of his empire. Four Pandavas excluding Arjuna fought valiantly for King Virata and were responsible for his victory.
Meanwhile Duryodhana, unaware that Pandavas reside in Virata decides to attack Virata after sensimg vulnerability in Virata's defenses after death of their infamous general Kicaka. He stole thousands of cattle from the great city of Virata accompanied with Duhasasan, Drona, Bhisma and Karna. Arjuna as Brhannada offers his services as a charioteer to Uttara, son of Virata to help him perform his Dharma as Kshatriya.
They depart the town in search of the kauravas but when they finally find them Uttara is overcome by his fear of death and tries to flee the scene on foot when Arjuna refused to turn back in fear of the huge army. To settle Uttara's anxiety, Arjuna finally reveals his true identity and agrees to fight the Kaurava army on his behalf only if he becomes his charioteer.
Arjuna initially faces Karna and defeats him easily and then one by one proceeds to defeat all the Kaurava warriors in the field of battle. He attacks Drona only after Drona attacks him first. King Virata coming to hear of his sons lone battle arranges a forward party to help his son at once but even before they could reach Kaurava decide to let go off cattle they captured in fear of Arjuna and his celestial weapons.
Virata unaware of the true identities of the Pandavas hits Yudhisthira when he repeatedly praises Brhannada (Arjuna) a eunuch in his presence. But when his son Uttara tells him about his employees true identities he apologizes to all of them and agrees to give them anything they want.
Even though this Battle was convincingly won by Arjuna single handedly it was not a sign of weakness of Kauravas who have now started preparing for the impending war, the MAHABHARATA.
Interpretation
My lack of devotion or understanding of Dharma may irritate some readers but I humbly apologize for any misinterpretation as I am just a curious little kid who is trying to understand the very basis of his existence and trying to answer simple questions of life.
One thing I did learn was that all work in life is equal. This has been repeated over the centuries by men ranging from King Pedro II to Mahatma Gandhi. A MP's day at work equal in significance to the work of hand laborers in the schemes of the universe. Unless one realize the significance of all things around he may not be to appreciate all that is around him and obtain true happiness.
This somehow reminds me of a scene from the movie Gandhi in which Kasturba Gandhi refuses to clean the gutters in the ashram and Gandhiji explains to her the importance of self dependence.
That now brings me to the topic Individualism or Randian Objectivism but which I will discuss later in when we come to the Bhagavad Gita.
Pandavas perform their Dharma without any regrets even when they have to menial work such as tending to a horses' shit or preparing the queens lunch. They illustrate one can find contentment in all work he does find and happiness is obtained by wealth or fame but by fulfilling one Dharma whatever it may be. A ragpicker who does his ragpicking is a happier than a industrialist who is trying to squeeze every penny out of his employees.
Finally we realize that Duryodhana is trying to fulfill his Dharma in defeating Pandavas for demons but nonetheless he is on the wrong side of the fence.
___________________________________________________________________________________
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