While Dhrutharashtra and Vidura were still in conversation with each other, Narada Maharshi heading a team of Rishis entered the royal auditorium and confirmed Draupadi’s prophecy and disappeared soon: “In the fourteenth year from now,” said the resplendent Narada, “as a result of Duryodhana’s sin against Draupadi and the Pandavas, all the Kauravas will be destroyed at... Continue Reading →
Chapter 21 – Draupadi’s farewell
How did Draupadi leave for the forest? How did Yudhishtira and his brothers migrate to the forest and what was their frame of mind? These were the questions that confronted Dhrutharashtra, son of Ambika, and for which he sought an answer from Vidura. “Maharaja!” answered Vidura, “Yudhishtira had his face covered at the time... Continue Reading →
Chapter 20 – Recollections of distress
Vidura felt very unhappy with the circumstances leading to Pandavas's bad time. But recovering his balance, he led Kunti to his house, with words of wisdom he was known for. Women’s protest in Kauravas’s camp The news from the women’s camp in the Kauravas’s palace was also one of great sorrow. They had known... Continue Reading →
Chapter 19 – Draupadi’s parting pangs
Draupadi sought mother-in-law Kunti’s permission to accompany the Pandavas to forest. She informed all the ladies about her readiness to leave and they were very sad about it. She offered salutations to the elders and embraced those equal to her. Some of the ladies could not help shedding tears and embraced her and gave a... Continue Reading →
Chapter 18 – Bhima’s vow
Bhima’s anger knew no bounds. He openly declared and took a vow to kill Dhrutharashtra’s children to quench the bloody thirst and anger. Duryodhana added fuel to the fire by making highly indecorous and indecent gestures aimed at Pandava’s humiliation. But his awkward demeanour delighted the other members of the “gang of four”, namely Dusshaasana,... Continue Reading →
Chapter 17 – Draupadi, the target again!
When both the Pandavas and Kauravas sat for the game, Shakuni, sporting a mischievous smile said to Yudhishtira, “Dharmaraja, the King has returned all your wealth which you lost last time. It is quite appropriate to see something which belonged to you being restored to you. Now, we are no longer interested in staking wealth... Continue Reading →
Chapter 16 – Gandhari’s counsel
It is natural to expect a mother to be more attached to children than a father. Being an embodiment of tolerance, the mother forgets a son’s mistakes or lapses and forgives him. It is often said - and very correctly too - that when a mother goes to a temple or when she offers prayers... Continue Reading →
Chapter 15 – The gang of four again
The moment the Pandavas left Hastinapur for Indraprastha after seeking permission from Dhrutharashtra, Dusshaasana met his elder brother Duryodhana and said to him in a low tone, “This old man has in a minute lost all the huge wealth we had amassed with very great difficulty. Even the laurels of the game of dice were... Continue Reading →
Chapter 14 – Dhrutharashtra acts!
“Blessings to you!” said Dhrutharashtra addressing Dharmaraja, with the qualifying appellation of “ajaatashatru” one bereft of enemies, “commanded by me, all of you build a rich and prosperous state and rule it. Old as I am, heed my advice and act accordingly. Yudhishtira! You are fully aware of the subtlety and manifestation of dharma. You... Continue Reading →
Chapter 13 – Karna’s innuendo
Karna was bent upon indulging in further provocation of the Pandavas. “Among the beautiful women in the world,” he said with his tongue in the cheek, “I have not seen one like Draupadi. When the Pandavas and the sons of Dhrutharashtra were overcome by anger and got excited, it fell to Draupadi’s lot to... Continue Reading →
Chapter 12 – Draupadi’s prayers
“Head of the Bharata clan!” said Draupadi, “If it is true you have decided to grant me a boon, I would ask for the redemption from slavery of this rich Yudhishtira, who is the knower of all dharma. Let not ignorant boys call my bosom one Prativindhya, the son of a slave. It is never... Continue Reading →
Chapter 11 – Inauspicious indications
Exactly at that time, the cries of a fox were audible from the place of sacrificial fires (homas) in Dhrutharashtra’s palace. Following this inauspicious sound, donkeys started braying. The birds made weird and awkward sounds in response. Both Vidura and Gandhari were able to understand the shape of things to come from the inauspicious indications.... Continue Reading →
Chapter 10 – Vidura’s fears
The moment Vidura heard Bhima’s vow, he hastened to address the assembly again as he apprehended there would be total destruction: “Noble ones!” he said, “Ponder over the threat from Bhima to the very survival of the Bharata clan. It is definitely a matter of divine dispensation that this unfortunate happening should manifest as a... Continue Reading →
Chapter 9 – Bhima’s wrath
Some of the members present welcomed Duryodhana’s words. Their token of acceptance was indicated by weird utterances and movements of their lips and eyes. Some others could know the innate innuendo in Duryodhana’s words and expressed shock. For those on Duryodhana’s side, his speech was very sweet. All the Kauravas were very happy. Some of... Continue Reading →
Chapter 8 – Draupadi’s fame and shame
After narrating Prahlada’s episode in which he gave an answer fearlessly even at the risk of staking his son’s life, Vidura returned to Draupadi’s vital question. “Hey, Kings!” he said, “At least after hearing this episode, I hope you will break your silence and provide an answer to Draupadi’s question as per tenets of... Continue Reading →
Chapter 7 – Vidura on Prahlada
The well-known asura king Hiranyakashipu, killed by Vishnu in the avatar of Narasimha, had a famous son Prahlada, who succeeded his father to the throne. “Prahlada” recounted Vidura, “had a son called Virochana. There ensured a conflict between Virochana and Sudhanva, son of Angirasa, over a damsel each wanted to marry. In order... Continue Reading →
Chapter 6 – Bhima’s revenge
“Rulers from far and near!” he said to them. “Please hear these words patiently and my vow. You would not have heard these in the past. There is no likelihood of your hearing it in the future also. If I do not fulfil the vow I am undertaking, let me not get the fortune of... Continue Reading →
Chapter 5 – Draupadi disgraced
Vikarna’s observations were, however, absolutely unpalatable to one among the wicked gang of four (Duryodhana, Dusshaasana, Shakuni and Karna) namely Karna. Karna was provoked by the praise showered by the respectable ones and by the criticism leveled against his colleague Shakuni. Overcoming by his anger, he admonished Vikarna, raising his handsome hand in the process.... Continue Reading →
Chapter 4 – Draupadi dragged to court
Stung by the bug of arrogance, Duryodhana scoffed at Vidura and protesting against his words, called a messenger. He asked him to bring Draupadi to the court and said, “You need not be afraid of the sons of Pandu. The only one who fears is Vidura. He, however, is not interested in our progress.” ... Continue Reading →
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