The Myth of Hastinapur

By Rahul Rai

Not so good...Not so evil...A saga of humanity

Book Description

Mahabharata, one of the greatest epics in the history of civilization, from multiple vantages:

• The inevitability of Kurukshetra war
• Kunti’s death and Lakshagraha
• The sacrifice of Bheema’s wife Hidimba
• The perspective of foot soldiers and dasis
• Krishna’s life experiences and their relation to his utterance of Geeta
• Shalya, the uncle of Nakul and Sahadeva, siding with the Kauravas
• The rage of Rudravatar Ashwatthama

and many others...

…This book is a tribute to Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, the original one. This is just an interpretation of what he had created. This is just a footnote in the rich history of our civilization which is full of stories that continue to cast magic upon us.
This is Mahabharata.

About the Book

...Refreshingly different because it examines from multiple perspectives the motivations, obligations, dilemmas and feelings of characters as they are drawn into this internecine war
- Ashok Soota

A lot of grey than black and white…Heroes falter and villains triumph…one of the most insightful recollection of the past
- A.S. Singh
Ex-Member Secretary
Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)

Mahabharata is such a great narrative…recreating it with a contemporary façade is a huge challenge…The Myth of Hastinapur faces this challenge wonderfully well and turns it into a great reading
- V.N. Rai
Eminent Author & Columnist (Hindustan)
Retired IPS & Ex-Vice Chancellor

A compelling story, imaginatively told
- Sujit Bhattacharyya
Co-founder and COO, CL Educate Ltd. (parent company of 'Career Launcher')
IIT-IIM Alumnus

About the Author

An Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) graduate, Rahul is working in Gurugram in an analytics consulting firm as a Data Scientist. This is his first collection of short stories. Like many children, he got introduced to the alleys of Indian mythology from his grandmother and has been enchanted since. Storyboarding is an essential part of his daily job which he enjoys considering his knack to look at things laterally. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: LogiPub Services
• Release date: Apr 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9788828306030

Book preview

Acknowledgments

About the Author

An Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) graduate, Rahul is working in Gurugram in an analytics consulting firm as a Data Scientist. This is his first collection of short stories. Like many children, he got introduced to the alleys of Indian mythology from his grandmother and has been enchanted since. Storyboarding is an essential part of his daily job which he enjoys considering his knack to look at things laterally.

Blurbs

...Refreshingly different because it examines from multiple perspectives the motivations, obligations, dilemmas and feelings of characters as they are drawn into this internecine war

- Ashok Soota

A lot of grey than black and white…Heroes falter and villains triumph…one of the most insightful recollection of the past

- A.S. Singh

Ex-Member Secretary

Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)

Mahabharata is such a great narrative…recreating it with a contemporary façade is a huge challenge…The Myth of Hastinapur faces this challenge wonderfully well and turns it into a great reading

- V.N. Rai

Eminent Author & Columnist (Hindustan)

Retired IPS & Ex-Vice Chancellor

A compelling story, imaginatively told

- Sujit Bhattacharyya

Co-founder and COO, CL Educate Ltd. (parent company of 'Career Launcher')

IIT-IIM Alumnus

Author's Note

All histories have alternatives. Once the present absorbs a significant event, it is penned down by the ones who survive it. But with time, alternative theories appear, debating and discussing what would have happened in a new light.

Mahabharata, an ancient tale, has survived epochs and fascinated generations. It is a tale of powerful men and women and how they fared against each other. Few heroes who faltered at critical junctures while there are villains who stood firm against the test of their characters. There are queens who knowingly or unknowingly manipulated their near ones; and kith and kin who betrayed their blood when needed the most. There are soldiers and handmaidens too whose perspectives got lost in this clash of the champions. There is fury, courage, strength, love, penance, Dharma, sacrifice, deceit and malice. Mahabharata has everything which is representative of all ages.

This book tries to find reasons behind facts. It challenges the status quo and brings the other heroes to fore who got sidelined in the aftermath. This book questions accepted beliefs and brings untold stories of the famous and the insignificant ones. Why Shalya, uncle of Nakul and Sahadeva, fought from the side of the Kauravas? Why was Barbarik, the most magnificent warrior of all times, sacrificed? How much of the utterance of Geeta was influenced by Krishna’s experiences? Why were the Kauravas, who boasted of Rudravatar Ashwatthama defeated by the Pandavas who had an unarmed Vishnuavatar Krishna on their side? What did the foot soldiers feel about the war?

This book is a tribute to Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, the original one. This is just an interpretation of what he had created. This is just a footnote in the rich history of our civilization which is full of stories that continue to cast magic upon us.

This is Mahabharata.

Seeds of War

"Pitamah, the Pandavas are trying to gain access to Hastinapur through unfair means. Asking for a truce and not participating in the war will be counted as treason to Kuru Vansha. You are bound by an oath to protect the throne of Hastinapur against any advances. I implore you to be my commander-in-chief in the battle," Duryodhana said.

Bhishma was more than eighty years old and tired of the plaything of reckless youth, the throne of Hastinapur - the throne he had renounced. His bow now felt heavier every time he was forced to bear it, and his spirit had grown weary of hearing praises of his past glories. In his youth, he had even trounced sage Parashurama, revered as an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Praises of his prowess used to excite him, but now it only robbed him of his peace of mind. He nodded his head towards Duryodhana without paying much attention.

"It is time for my evening bath, Rajkumar," he said at last tired of Duryodhana’s ramblings.

"Don’t worry, Duryodhana. He will keep the throne of Kuru Vansha warm as he had done his whole life," he overheard Shakuni as he left the room. He sparingly replied to Shakuni's comments which he thought were best to ignore. Due to this, Shakuni believed that Bhishma was hard of ears.

‘Throne of Kuru Vansha’ kept on ringing in his ears during his ablutions. He had heard this phrase umpteen number of times. So many acts of valor, honor and pride had taken place in the name of Kuru Vansha. So many administrative decisions, royal decrees and public announcements had come into force in its name, and so many times Duryodhana, Yudhishthira, Dhritarashtra and many other members of the family had approached him trying to remind him of his duties towards the Kuru clan. He always smiled at the irony; the last surviving Kuru told by the descendants of Maharishi Parashara of his responsibilities towards his lineage.

After his visit to the banks of the Ganga was over, Bhishma went to Kripacharya’s house. Rishi Veda Vyasa was visiting Hastinapur and was staying, as was his usual practice, at Kripacharya’s home. He and Bhishma always tried to find some time to enjoy each other’s company.

***

Vyasa was the son of Rajmata Satyavati out of wedlock. Satyavati, the daughter of fisherman-chieftain Dusharaja used to ferry her boat across the Yamuna before her marriage to King Shantanu. She had a chance encounter with sage Parashara then. As her boat rocked in the middle of surging Yamuna, the sage confided his desire for her. Unperturbed by celestial powers and worldly glory that Parashara held, Satyavati refused. But the Rishi persisted. He kept on cajoling her for a union, and at last, Satyavati gave in but not without asking for a boon.

No one should get to know of this union, not even my future husband. My youth and my beauty should increase manifold. Also, the child born out of wedlock should become one of the greatest sages in history, she said.

Parashara complied with the motherly ambitions of Satyavati and thus was born Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, the compiler of the Vedas, the Puranas and later, the Mahabharata. Henceforth Satyavati busied herself in ferrying people and tried to forget about the encounter.

***

When he arrived, Bhishma saw Veda Vyasa in meditation while Kripacharya had gone to the palace on Dhritarashtra’s calling. He patiently waited for him to return from his trance.

You have the liberty to shake me out of my reverie, Bhishma and you know that. I don’t like to open my eyes and see you waiting. It steals all the joy I get from performing yoga, Vyasa said.

Bhishma smiled and sat with him and started discussing the events since they had last met. Vyasa listened while intently looking at him and then remarked, What is it that is worrying you? Is it something related to the throne?

Duryodhana came to meet me today. He wants me to lead his army, Bhishma said after a pause.

So, the war is indeed happening? asked Vyasa. Bhishma nodded in agreement.

As I had mentioned earlier, Bhishma, Vyasa continued, It had to happen as the seeds of war were sown a few generations ago. If not now, maybe some years later but it is inevitable. But in the end, not much would be gained out of this war. A throne won after so much bloodshed cannot remain in the hands of victors and their progeny for long. I think we have reached the climax of the age of Hastinapur. The time has come to lay it down on its past laurels, Vyasa reflected.

"You have mentioned this quite a few times, Rishivar. What prompts you to say that?" Bhishma asked.

Vyasa opened the window which held frontal view of the royal palace. It stood quite majestically unbeknownst to the storm brewing inside. We have wronged the throne multiple times. Now, it is time that it draws its vengeance. It is time to pay up for our sins, Bhishma, Vyasa reflected.

Bhishma kept on looking at him reverentially waiting for him to complete. You committed the first wrong, Bhishma, Vyasa continued, "The kingdom rejoices under a good ruler or else goes under despair. By renouncing the throne of Hastinapur, you committed the crime of denying it to be ruled by one of the most capable persons of your generation and allowing a series of weaklings to dictate the terms. You were courageous, generous, dutiful and fair-minded. You held all the qualities of a king Hastinapur needed, but you allowed your emotions to ride over your Dharma." Bhishma still remembered the events which led him to be called by the name he bore.

***

Shantanu had met Satyavati along the banks of river Yamuna. Her unrivaled beauty was already a gossip for the small town.

"She must have been an apsara in her earlier birth cursed to be born as human by some sage," people would say.

In their first meeting only, Shantanu was enamored and had asked for her hand. But Satyavati was no ordinary damsel. She didn’t accept this royal proposal unconditionally. She asked the king to come after a few days as she needed some time to make up her mind.

I will marry you but only if you promise that my offspring will be heir to the throne of Hastinapur, she said once Shantanu returned.

Shantanu had already declared his only son Devavrata as his heir and thus returned empty-handed, but his love for Satyavati remained alive in his heart. Back in Hastinapur, Devavrata saw misery written all over his father’s face. Worried, he consulted his father’s fellow travelers on the sojourn and learnt about his meeting with Satyavati. Without losing a minute, he left for Satyavati’s modest dwellings. He confronted her at her house and asked for the reason to deny his father her company. Satyavati repeated her condition, and Devavrata promised to renounce the throne of Hastinapur for her future progenies. While moved by his great sacrifice for the happiness of his father, Satyavati’s ambitions were not yet satiated.

What if years later your offspring fight with mine for the throne? she asked.

I promise I won’t bear any sons or daughters. I will remain celibate throughout my life, the young Devavrata declared this Bhishma Pratigya, the terrible oath for sake of his father. The elders in Bhishma’s entourage tried to dissuade him, but he remained unmoved. He asked Satyavati if she had any more qualms. Amazed by his resolve, Satyavati agreed to marry Shantanu.

Devavrata, the last Kuru, now known as Bhishma, thought about this incident and saw how he denuded a line of Kuru successors through his oath. Quite a few times in his life people had told him that he had all the characteristics to be a great king, but he had never before imagined his oath to prove so expensive for Hastinapur.

***

"The second mistake was committed by me and my mother, Satyavati. Blinded by her motherly ambitions and my duty towards her, we couldn’t foresee the consequences of our actions. She was successful in emotionally manipulating you to bind you to Bhishma Pratigya but then came the question of securing her succession. A peaceful ascendance to the throne is only possible if the descent is indisputable, but our acts opened a Pandora box of doubts, desires and conspiracies," said Vyasa before losing himself in his thoughts.

***

Enamored by his new wife Satyavati, Shantanu handed over administrative duties to Bhishma while spending most of his time in her company. Blessed with two sons, Chitrangada and Vichitravirya, they lived a love-filled life till Shantanu’s death. As fate would have it, Chitrangada died in a duel in his youth. Vichitravirya was quite young then but Satyavati was growing impatient with each passing day and asked Bhishma to find a good match for Vichitravirya. She wanted to protect her entitlement and see that her future progeny was in place to claim their title to the throne.

The swayamvara for the daughters of Kashi Naresh was to take place soon. Owing to Bhishma’s vow and Vichitravirya being quite young, the king had not sent an invitation to Hastinapur. Bhishma was infuriated when he got to know about this. As was the tradition since the days of King Bharata, princesses of Kashi became queens of Hastinapur when they reached suitable age. Bhishma went to the ceremony and asked for hands of all the three daughters of the king; Amba, Ambika and Ambalika for Vichitravirya. Seeing the wedding ceremony of his daughters being hijacked, an angry Kashi Naresh asked the other suitors present at the ceremony to challenge Bhishma. In no time, Bhishma was able to comprehensively defeat the representatives from all royal kingdoms and abduct the three princesses.

Throughout the journey, Amba, the eldest one remained silent afraid of Bhishma’s wrath and only when they reached Hastinapur, she confided in Satyavati her love for Salwa, the king of Saubala who was also present at the ceremony. Considering this, Satyavati asked Bhishma to make arrangements for her journey to Saubala. However, once Salwa came to know about this, he refused to accept Amba. He was humiliated at the hands of Bhishma earlier during the wedding ceremony and hence, was not ready to accept ‘this act of pity’ from his adversary.

Tell Bhishma that he won you through his courage and I don’t want to be a recipient of his kindness, he told Amba on her face.

Rejected thus, a broken-hearted Amba returned to Hastinapur and asked Bhishma to marry her as he was the cause of her distress, but Bhishma refused as he was oath-bound to celibacy. Amba vowed to be the cause of Bhishma’s death in her next life and committed suicide while Ambika and Ambalika married Vichitravirya and enjoyed seven years of marriage, however, they failed to bear a child. While her wait for a grandchild continued, Satyavati was crestfallen when Vichitravirya got diagnosed with tuberculosis and died a sudden death leaving Ambika and Ambalika widowed and childless forestalling the ambitions of Satyavati.

But Satyavati was not someone who would accept defeat so readily. She consulted the high priests and came up with the idea of niyoga, a tradition in which a person could be appointed to help a childless woman bear an heir in case her husband is not capable enough to do so. Satyavati met her son Vyasa and asked for his help in getting a successor for Hastinapur. Vyasa was unsure of her mother’s command but complied seeing her determination. Thus, were born the blind Dhritarashtra, father of the Kauravas and the weak Pandu, father of the Pandavas. As both the babies were not in perfect condition, Satyavati urged Vyasa again to beget a healthy offspring, but the queens, Ambika and Ambalika refused to be bedded twice with Vyasa. Instead, they sent in a handmaiden to Vyasa’s chamber and thus was born the brilliant Vidura. Driven by her ambitions, Satyavati forgot that maligning the descent would make it unclear in the minds of people to decide who the real heir to the throne was.

***

It was time for dinner, but Kripacharya was still not around. Vyasa asked Bhishma to join him. As they settled on the floor to eat, Vyasa continued, Our third mistake was not to make Vidura, the king of Hastinapur.

But he was the son of a maid, Bhishma said.

Yes, but he was the most capable among the three. Not learning from the experience of your ancestors is the biggest folly a man can commit, and we are guilty of it.

"King Bharata, founder of Bharatvarsha and the Kuru dynasty had laid down the path for succession which was conveniently forgotten in our age and replaced by nepotism, Vyasa continued, If you remember, Bhishma, he had nine sons from his three wives. When the time came to declare his successor, he put all his sons to test and found that none of them were fit to rule his kingdom. Undeterred and unmoved by his love for his sons, he adopted Bhumanyu, a commoner and appointed him to the throne. The king belongs to his subjects, Bhishma and not vice versa. In every age, it should be capability which should be the judge of who should rule and not just lineage."

Vidura would have turned out to be a just king, but we chose the younger weakling, Pandu to succeed the throne and thus, permanently sowed seeds of distrust in the heart of elder Dhritarashtra. When Pandu renounced his throne and Dhritarashtra succeeded him, people saw him as merely filling in the role of a king assuring that questions regarding his succession would always remain alive.

They both remained silent for some time concentrating on food. It was a simple meal well suited for home of an ascetic.

So the war is inevitable and in fact, essential to purify Hastinapur of its past evils, Bhishma said as he prepared to return to the palace.

"Don’t believe that it will be a just war, Bhishma. The cause of war is Adharma, iniquity caused by protectors of the throne and it would keep raising its head throughout. The purification of our sins is needed to bring the requisite peace to the future subjects of Hastinapur," Vyasa said before closing the door.

Pride, Honor and Glory

Kriti had just finished tidying up the queen Gandhari’s room. The queen used to wake up early in the morning and go for a long walk around the palace gardens. By the time she would return, Kriti cleaned up the room, made the bed, freshened up the bathroom and put the breakfast on the table where Gandhari would find Dhritarashtra already waiting for her. The breakfast had an air of officiousness where the king and the queen discussed their schedule for the day and other matters of importance. They preferred discussing their personal lives at nights when the handmaidens were not around.

While the other maids waited on the couple at the table, Kriti would warm the bath for Gandhari. Every day she would put a fruity fragrance in the tub which she concocted herself from the available perfumes. She experimented with aromas and tried to find unique ones in the market. Kriti wrapped a fresh bandage around Gandhari's eyes every day during the bath which was the only time it was removed. Kriti along with other maids then helped the queen with her dress. Refreshed from the bath, Gandhari would run her hands through her jewellery cupboard and choose a necklace and an earring she would wear for the day. Then, she left for her