Mahabharat - A Discussion (Part 2)

30/05/2015, 4:21 pm - Rajasekar S :

Who was Responsible for the Great War?
 

Yudhishthira had everything that one could want – four heroic brothers, a beautiful wife, a kingdom rich beyond imagination and made even wealthier by the tributes that they were able to extract from all the monarchs of the realm, powerful alliances with great kings, and a reputation for wisdom and fairness that was known the whole world.

And he ruined everything because of his addiction to gambling. 

Sakuni invited Yudhisthira to gamble, and the epic makes it clear that kshatriya dharma compelled Yudhisthira to accept the challenge and play. Yudhisthira assumes he will be playing Duryodhana and is surprised when he realizes that the much stronger Sakuni will be playing him. Still, he had the choice of playing 2-3 rounds, losing a lot of money and possessions, and then admitting defeat.

There was absolutely no reason for him to keep playing until he had lost all his possessions, then gamble away all his brothers and then himself and finally Draupadi.  

This is the behaviour of a gambling addict, which is what Yudhisthira is and for which Draupadi upbraids him repeatedly later.

It is because Yudhisthira makes Draupadi a slave of Duryodhana that he is able to insult her in unspeakable terms and it is this that makes a final confrontation with the Kauravas and the death of Duryodhana, Dussasana, and all their brothers inevitable for the Pandavas to salvage their honor.

So it is not Krishna who plots the destruction of the Kauravas. With his friends the Pandavas the overlords of Bharatavarsha, and his one implacable enemy Jarasandha dead, Krishna probably would not have bothered with the Kauravas had Yudhisthira not blundered so badly and unpredictably.

Of course, once war was inevitable, Krishna did everything he could to ensure that the Pandavas (and Krishna himself, by association) were victorious. This included deceit as in the case of Bhishma and Drona, and unfair play as in the case of Jayadratha, Karna, and Duryodhana. Krishna justifies these by saying that the ends justify the means – that Duryodhana had behaved dishonourably with the Pandavas, and was invincible in battle to boot, so cheating is the only way to defeat Duryodhana and, hence, adharma.

The war did not end happily for Krishna. He was cursed for his role in the war by Gandhari to die, and his whole race was cursed to destruction by Gandhari in 36 years time, which came to pass. 

So, in practical terms, Krishna's sole motive was security - and he could achieve security with the help of the Pandavas. In return, he helped the Pandavas overcome their enemies the Kauravas. 

If you go through the above it will be obvious who is the reason for the war and Krishna's role in it. 

Shakuni Had No Animosity Against Pandavas, His Real Enemy Was Bhishma

Shakuni was not happy to see his sister Gandhari marrying a blind man and so his immediate enemy was Bhishma who brought the proposal of a blind man for his sister. In addition, there is another legendary story which highlights the fact that the ancestors of Hastinapur destroyed the entire clan of Gandhara. This is one of the reasons why Shakuni vowed that he would end the entire Kuru line .

 

30/05/2015, 4:26 pm - J Rathinakumar : Who is your favorite person in Mahabharatam ? 

30/05/2015, 4:27 pm - Chandrasekar : I love Karna 

30/05/2015, 4:27 pm - Rajasekar S : Facts about Shakuni...

Shakuni Had 2 sons - Uluka & Vrikaasur

Since Shakuni is mostly seen in Hastinapur, his own family was never given much emphasis. However, the fact remains that he had two sons - Uluka and Vrikaasur. Ulook or Uluka wanted to take his father back to Gandhara before Pandavas came from Agyatvas but, Shakuni did not go back as he wanted to sit and initiate the Kurukshetra war.

 

Shakuni Was Also Called as Saubala

Shakuni’s father, the Gandhara King Subala had 100 sons and only daughter. Shakuni was the youngest son of the Gandhara clan while Gandhari was the only daughter. Although Shakuni was the last born, he was the most intelligent among all his brothers. Since he was the 100th son of Subala, he is also called as Saubala.  

Shakuni’s Dice Was Made From Ivory & Not Bones of Anybody

The Game of Dice is one of the many important chapters of Mahabharat where not only Shakuni but his magical dice too plays a vital role. There is a story that the dice which Shakuni used was made by the back/thigh bone of Shakuni’s father after he died. However, this story finds no place in Mahabharat because all these subplots was created later by different authors.

In reality, Shakuni’s dice was made of ivory and the reason why it is considered as magical because Shakuni was an illusionist, who created an illusion in front of the Pandavas and others, that he won and they lose.

Shakuni Was a Lord Shiva Devotee

Gandhari, his sister was a Lord Krishna devotee who prayed Lord Krishna all the time even when he was against her son’s army in the Kurukshetra war. However, unlike his sister Shakuni, was not a Vishnu devotee but a Shivaite who offered his prayers to Lord Shiva.

Shakuni Has A Temple Dedicated to Him in Kerala

Although he is considered as a villain in Mahabharat, he had certain good qualities in him. These good qualities were acknowledged by the Kuravar community in the Kollam District of Kerala where there lies an ancient shrine in Pavithreswaram dedicated to him. You can see a throne in the temple which is believed to be used by Shakuni. People believe that this is the same place where Shakuni got Moksha. They think he turned into Lord Shakuni.

30/05/2015, 4:28 pm - Isaac John Ravi: The other side of the story is that Yudhisthira had lost his Kingdom and was wandering over several years. Finally they come and request Duryodhana to return the kingdom. They plead atleast to give them a village, but Duryodhana says he will not even give any land even as much as the tip of the needle. This angers them and the rest is known.
 

30/05/2015, 4:51 pm - Rajasekar S :

1. Curses on Karna
 

One afternoon Parashurama requested Karna to bring a pillow to sleep on under a tree shade. Karna instead offered his lap to his guru. While Parashurama was fast asleep a giant bee stung Karna’s thigh, despite of the severe pain Karna didn’t move so as not to disturb his guru’s sleep. As the bee boared deeper the wound began to bleed.  Parashurama was woken by the blood from Karna’s thigh. 

Karna – The most virtuous warrior from Indian mythology – Mahabharat

Then Parashurama deduced at once that Karna is a kshatriya and not a Brahmin because a brahmin  can not endure such pain. So he cursed Karna that all his martial skill including use of brahmastra would desert him when he needed them most. This means that Karna would forget all that he had learned from Parashuram during his hours of crisis. Karna who was unaware of his royal lineage pleaded that any student in his place would do the same and he was son of Vasusena  a mere charioteer and not a kshatriya. 

Parshurama’s curse to Karna 

Though Parashurama regretted cursing him in a moment of anger but his curse was irrevocable so he gifted him a celestial weapon Bhargavastra along with his personal bow called Vijaya and blessed him with everlasting glory and immortal fame.

Departing from Parashuram’s ashram Karna wandered for some time. On his way he killed a cow that was rushing towards him by shooting an arrow. Incensed by this incident, the brahamin who owned the cow cursed him that he had killed a helpless animal he too would be killed in the same way i.e. when he was most helpless with his concentration being diverted away from his enemy at that crucial moment.

Once Karna was riding his chariot in his kingdom of Anga encountered a child who was crying over her pot of spilt ghee. On asking her reason for her dismay she stated that she feared her step mother would be angry over her carelessness. Being generous enough Karna told her that he would give her new ghee. But the child insisted that she wanted only the ghee which was mixed with the soil and refused to take new ghee. Taking pity on the girl, took the soil mixed with ghee in his fist and squeezed it with all his might to extract the ghee and pour it back into the pot.During this process, Karna heard the agonised voice of a  women. When he opened his fist he realised it was voice of Bhoomidevi, furious Bhoomidevi chastised Karna for inflicting enormous pain for sake of mere child so, she cursed him that in a very crucial battle of life she would trap his chariot wheel in the same way that he held the fistful of soil.

Thus Karna was cursed on three separate and independent occasions. Unfortunately, each of these curses became operational at the same crucial moment in the kurukshetra war thus making him weapon less, left without chariot and helpless. These three curses are the main reason of his fall.

2. Generous Karna 

On the eve of Mahabharat battle, Lord Indra disguised as an old Brahamin went to Karna asked for his Kavach and Kundal in daan (alms) Indra asked for this gift so as to reduce his strength, as he was  apprehensive that Karna by virtue of his phenomenal skill as a warrior would defeat Arjuna. Karna was being cautioned by by Sun God about such move of Lord Indra. But Karna was so great hearted that he could not refuse anyone and inspite of knowing that Indra is playing a trick he parted his kawach and kundal, which were part of his body since birth and made him invincible. Indra was pleased with Karna’s generosity and granted him a vardan (boon) Karna asked for his weapon shakti which can destroy any enemy Indra granted him that on a condition that he can use it only once. 

Karna giving Kavach to Indra

When Karna was on his death bed Lord Indra and Surya had a dispute regarding his generosity. To settle this they disguise as a beggar and asked for alms. Karna responded that he had nothing left with him for them, to which beggar replied that he had some gold on his tooth which would be valuable for them. On realizing this fact, Karna took a stone and broke his tooth and gave it to beggar, epitomizing the ‘way of life’ he led.

Karna born with Kavach and Kundal

3. Karna’s promise to Kunti 

As the war approached Kunti met Karna to reveal his true identity. Kunti asked him to join Pandavas and become king. Karna stated that he can’t betray his friend Duryodhan. However he promised that he would not attempt to kill any of the Pandavas except Arjuna. Karna knew very well that Arjun is under the divine aegis of lord Krishna and hence invincible. This way he would be able to pay off Duryodhan’s debt while performing the duties of elder brother. So he told Kunti that she could only keep her 5 sons being him or Arjuna. 

4. Karna in battle field

Bhisma the commander in chief of Kaurava’s refused Karna to participate in war under his leadership saying that Karna has insulted his guru Parshuram by insulting Draupadi and nobody insulting his guru can fight under my leadership. Bhisma also knew about Karna’s true ancestry and did not want him to fight against his own brothers . Consequently Karna entered the battle field only on 11th day after the fall of Bhisma on 10th day. 

5. Birth of Karna

Karna was born before his mother Kunti was married to  prince Pandu. Kunti was granted a boon from sage Durvasa who was very pleased with her service and hospitality. The boon was that she can call upon any God to beget a child. Out of curiosity Kunti still being unmarried wanted to test the power of mantra. She invoked the mantra and called Sun God (Surya), bound by the power of mantra Surya appeared and handed her a son, who was radiant and robust as Surya himself. the baby had a Kavach (armour) and kundal (ear ring) attached to his body. Though Kunti didn’t physically give birth to the baby, she was unwilling to face the world as an unwed mother so she placed Karna in a basket and set him float on the holy river Ganga.

 

Karna was founded by charioteer, he and his wife Radha raised Karna and named him Vasusena. He was also known as Radheya after her foster mother.

6. Karna as king of Ang Desh

Once Drone held a competition in Hastinapur to find out who is the best warrior among all the princes. Arjuna was the winner At that time Karna came forward and did all that Arjuna could do but he was not accepted as competitor because he was a son of a charioteer. This was a great disrespect which Karna has suffered in front of the public. Kunti was also sitting in the audience was a mute spectator she did not dare to say that Karna was her son. At this time Duryodhan came forward and made him king of Ang Desh. This made Karna a friend and follower of Duryodhan for life.

7. Karna, a loyal friend

On the onset of war when Kunti met Karna and revealed his identity and asked him to take the side of Pandavas he replied that he can’t betray his friend Duryodhana. Krishna also revealed his identity and asked him to join Pandava side. Krishna assured him that being the eldest Pandav he will be given the crown of Hastinapur but, Karna refused this enormous offer for his friend Duryodhan. Though Krishna was sad with his decision but appreciated his loyalty.

The hero of Mahabharath is Karna your honour as per the above placed evidences. 

"செஞ்சோற்றுக் கடன் தீர்க்க சேராத இடம் சேர்ந்து வஞ்சத்தில் வீழ்ந்தாயடா கர்ணா..... வஞ்சகன் கண்ணனடா........

கர்ணா வருவதை எதிர்கொள்ளடா....
 

30/05/2015, 5:02 pm - Chandrasekar :

Many incidents lead to Mahabharata and Draupadi was just one of them.. 

1. Satyavati's greed & Bhishma's vow: If not for her greed of wanted her sons to rule the kingdom, Hastinapur would have had the true family heir, thereby avoiding all conflicts.

Had he not taken the vow of brahmacharya, the actual Kuru lineage would be ruling Hastinapura and Mahabharata would not have existed. 
 

2.  Kunti's foolishness: If she did not give birth to Karna before marriage or atleast if she did not leave him stranded, Karna would not have become a reason for strength to Suyodhana's army. Furthermore, she asked her sons to share Draupadi (though out of ignorance) opening up a whole new box of ill treatments and struggles for both her sons and her daughter-in law. 

3. Dhritarashtra's misfortune and insecurities: If Dhritarashtra was not blind then he would have been the king without debate and hence, Pandu would never had a chance at throne. Also, if his sons (Suyodhana and the rest) were born after the normal preganancy period of 9 months instead of the 2 years then, for sure Dhritarashtra's son would have been the righful heir to the throne. Again, no struggle for the power with Pandavs.  

Furthermore, if he was not so insecure about the future of his son's, he would have been better at reprimanding them when necessary and thereby avoid the mutual hatred. 

4. Gandhari and Sakuni: If Sakuni and Gandhari did not have to face troubles and terrible sacrifices due to Kuru Vansh, Sakuni would not have contributed towards the great war.

5. Drupad's attitude: If he did not insult Drona or even if he did not aim to destroy Drona, again Draupadi would not have been born. 

6. Dronacharya's rigid vengeance: If Drona had a big heart and forgave Drupad for his misdeed, Drupad would not have conducted the yagna to satisfy his payback with Drona (Draupadi was born from this yagna and one of her life's puposes was Drona's and Kuru vansh's death). 

7. Maya sabha: If Suyodhana was not insulted / believed he was insulted in Maya sabha things would not have gone so bad. Also, if he could control his jealousy over Pandavs prosperity he would not have agreed to Dyuth sabha.

8. Dyuth Sabha: Here, Sakuni-Suyodhana-Karna and Dhritarashra all did a grave mistake. If the deceiving dyuth sabha was not organized, Draupadi would not have been insulted. 

9. Yudhishtir's gamble: Staking his brothers and wife in a gamble (even if the dharma at the time allowed it) was unacceptable just because it is against morality to treat human beings like objects in a market. (Ofcourse, Yudhishtiir is all gnani but I cannot undersatnd this act). Also, all the other pandavas for not standing up to his brother's mistake (except Bhima).

10. Suyodhana's pride and greed: Final act that sealed the deal for the great war was Suyodhana's grave mistake of not accepting Krishna's peace deal and giving the Pandavs 5 villages like they proposed. Ofcourse, he knew Pandavas capability and he was sure that they would win the whole country within no time thereby putting him in jeopardy again.

And the actual reason, for the whole war other than the above mentioned superficial/seem-to-be reasons were. Krishna's goal of relieving the earth of all adharmis (kshatriyas too) for a better tomorrow.

30/05/2015, 5:06 pm - V V Devanathan : I like Arjun for his capacity for handling wars and women

30/05/2015, 5:10 pm - J Rathinakumar : I like suguni character. Why. Rest of all avatharam ....god opposing equivalent super power character .....like Arakkargal. 

But here god thinking too much to balance suguni. To win suguni.. Krishna doing all  .... Unwanted things.  

30/05/2015, 5:11 pm - V V Devanathan :

It is obvious that you like Sakuni

30/05/2015, 5:11 pm - Chandrasekar :

Sakuni also won the war jrk