Two Krishnas and One Chariot: The Story Of Arjuna

By J.B. Patro

Brahmananda Patro (J B Patro) retired as a Deputy Chief Executive from the Nuclear Fuels Complex, Hyderabad (earlier in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre), specialized in the production of Nuclear Fuels for Power Reactors. He is a member of the early pioneering team in the production of natural uranium, right from milling ore to finished fuel for nuclear power reactors operating in India. During his long service he had the chance to interact and participate in a number of scientific seminars in India and abroad. Drawn to the teachings of Lord Krishna right from a very early age, Mr. Patro viewed Bhagavad-Gita as a treatise on the Physics of energy-The Laws of Thermodynamics-the very cosmic laws that govern of our Universe and conduct our lives as the rita of the Vedas. He has compiled, edited and since published Sree MahaBhagavatam in English translated from original Sanskrit by late Swami Ramakrishna Brahmananda.
Enchanted by Lord Krishna’s personality and researching into the classical and contemporary literature on Krishna, his book The Life and Times of Krishna- the Deity Who Lived as Man was published by Wisdom Tree in September 2013.While researching on Krishna Mr. Patro was fascinated by the character of Arjuna, the bosom friend of Krishna. Krishna says on a number of occasions in the Epic Mahabharata that Arjuna is his other self, alter ego. And also, the Puranic literature attributes the duo to the legend of ancient rishis Nara Narayan. Arjuna being an avatar of Nara-The primeval Man or eternal spirit pervading the Universe, always associated with Narayana the Supreme Spirit Vishnu/Krishna. Both are considered as Gods or Sages and accordingly called ‘Deva, Rishi, and Tapasao’. This has been the theme of the book on Pandava hero Arjuna entitled as ‘Two Krishnas and One Chariot-The story of Arjuna. It took about two years to research on the subject from Epic Mahabharata and other related literature. Arjuna was a versatile human, intellectual with an enquiring mind, and a peerless warrior, and Lord Krishna rightly selected him to impart his Science of Yoga which has been handed down to us as Bhagavad Gita.

• Language: English
• Publisher: One Point Six Technologies Pvt Ltd
• Release date: Oct 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9789388942669

J.B. Patro

Brahmananda Patro (J B Patro) retired as a Deputy Chief Executive from the Nuclear Fuels Complex, Hyderabad (earlier in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre), specialized in the production of Nuclear Fuels for Power Reactors. He is a member of the early pioneering team in the production of natural uranium, right from milling ore to finished fuel for nuclear power reactors operating in India. During his long service he had the chance to interact and participate in a number of scientific seminars in India and abroad. Drawn to the teachings of Lord Krishna right from a very early age, Mr. Patro viewed Bhagavad-Gita as a treatise on the Physics of energy-The Laws of Thermodynamics-the very cosmic laws that govern of our Universe and conduct our lives as the rita of the Vedas. He has compiled, edited and since published Sree MahaBhagavatam in English translated from original Sanskrit by late Swami Ramakrishna Brahmananda.Enchanted by Lord Krishna’s personality and researching into the classical and contemporary literature on Krishna, his book The Life and Times of Krishna- the Deity Who Lived as Man was published by Wisdom Tree in September 2013.While researching on Krishna Mr. Patro was fascinated by the character of Arjuna, the bosom friend of Krishna. Krishna says on a number of occasions in the Epic Mahabharata that Arjuna is his other self, alter ego. And also, the Puranic literature attributes the duo to the legend of ancient rishis Nara Narayan. Arjuna being an avatar of Nara-The primeval Man or eternal spirit pervading the Universe, always associated with Narayana the Supreme Spirit Vishnu/Krishna. Both are considered as Gods or Sages and accordingly called ‘Deva, Rishi, and Tapasao’. This has been the theme of the book on Pandava hero Arjuna entitled as ‘Two Krishnas and One Chariot-The story of Arjuna. It took about two years to research on the subject from Epic Mahabharata and other related literature. Arjuna was a versatile human, intellectual with an enquiring mind, and a peerless warrior, and Lord Krishna rightly selected him to impart his Science of Yoga which has been handed down to us as Bhagavad Gita.

Book preview

Preface

Arjuna in classical Sanskrit is for bright or silver (Latin -argentium). He was the third of Pandavas and with Krishna is considered the hero of the Hindu epic Mahabharata by Vyasa. All the five Pandava brothers were of divine paternity. Arjuna’s father was Lord of the Devas, Indra and hence he was called ‘Aindri’.A brave warrior, high minded, generous, upright and handsome, the most prominent and the most amicable and interesting of the five brothers. He was taught the use of arms by Acharya Drona Bharadwaja and was his favourite pupil.

In Arjuna one would find the adage ‘the child is the father of man’ is amply illustrated. Whatever he became famous for later in life, signs were found even as a pupil under the tutelage of the preceptor Dronacharya. Full focus on objective and steadiness of mind which go a long way in a great career, marked him as an ideal pupil in all contests of marksmanship. As he grew into manhood he specialized archery to such perfection though left handed, it earned him the name of ‘Savyasachi’ ambidextrous, meaning who could handle the weapon with both hands and with perfect ease and facility. Arjuna’s dexterity was matched by his unequalled valour. On the completion of his tutelage he fulfilled the one wish of his preceptor as ‘Guru dakshina’ (preceptor’s fees) by capturing alive King Dhrupad his boyhood schoolmate, a feat in which his rivals and cousins Duryodhana and his brothers failed.

Aurobindo the Sage of Pondicherry said ‘Arjuna is the type of struggling human soul who has not received the knowledge but grown fit to receive it by action in the world, in a close companionship and increasing nearness to the higher and divine self in humanity.’

Arjuna was considered the finest archer and peerless warrior by many notable figures in the Mahabharata, such as Bhishma, Drona, Vidura, Kripa and Krishna, Sage Narada and Dhrishtadyumna. He played a key role in ensuring the defeat of Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war. He was the only undefeated hero in the Mahabharata war. In the later life in their ill fated exile, Arjuna and his brother Bhimasena had the occasion to rescue their foe Duryodhana, when he was captured and tied to the chariot of Chitrasena a gandharva chief. This feat of his was aglow with valorous generosity. At the end of the period of exile Arjuna excelled in prowess at arms when single handed he routed the combined attack of the Kaurava chiefs, including Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Duryodhana and all in their nefarious cattle lifting campaign (Gow Haran) against Viratas.

Endowed with great capacity for austerity and penance and armed with matchless prowess, Arjuna pleased the great Lord Siva and obtained from him the gift of ‘Paashupatastra’, a supreme missile; unlike Karna trying to attain such missiles from Sage Parusurama by falsely representing his identity as a brahmana youth. Unlike his arch enemies, Duryodhana and Karna, Arjuna never bragged or boasted nor did he ever indulge in intrigues and baseness. His mind was pure like his snow white horses harnessed to his war chariot and he was aptly called ‘Swetavahana’, for this preferential trait of his. He would never condescend to tell a lie for all the world when it could have brought the death of the implacable Drona. Thus Arjuna was the one who shrank from shrinking an unworthy word nor doing unworthy act and lived up to it.

For all these qualities of head and heart Arjuna endeared to himself to Krishna. Krishna showed his benefaction of managing the wedding of his beloved sister Subhadra, against the wishes of his brother Balarama. Later when war broke out between the two houses of Kurus, Krishna opted to become the charioteer of Arjuna. Krishna became his friend, philosopher and guide which gave among other things to the humanity his gospel, the celebrated sermon Bhagavad-Gita on the battle field of Kurukshetra.

Arjuna plays the listener to Krishna when he reveals his ‘song celestial’ in a dramatic setting. The two armies were arranged in a battle array and he had to fight to kill his kith and kin and his preceptor. His mind was in the ‘frontiers of the two worlds’. He would rather go abegging than slay his grandfather Bhishma and venerable preceptor Drona. He had yet to get elevated himself to the state of ‘disinterested action’. His whole being was bewildered when he did not know the valid law of action. He takes refuge in his highest self, typified as Krishna, the world teacher Jagadguru and appeals for grace of enlightenment. O Krishna exclaimed Arjuna and beseechingly prayed "I seek the law of action, my swadharma, what am I to do?" Krishna admired Arjuna whose mind was spotless and clean of all impurities. During the sermon Krishna refers to him as ‘Anagha’ meaning pure of heart and sinless. Thereafter, every action of Arjuna was surrender to the infinite. Even breathing in seemed of the gift of life and breathing out surrender unto the infinite life.

The principle of surrender is a great virtue of the mighty and the valiant. It is very interesting that Arjuna’s flag should be ‘Kapiketanam’ symbolic of all that his ancient counterpart stands for, namely Hanuman of Ramayana fame. Monier Williams a great savant of Oriental studies (19th century) regards ‘Arjuna the real hero of Mahabharata, of undaunted bravery, generous with refined and delicate sensibilities, tender hearted forgiving and affectionate as a woman, yet of super human strength, matchless in arms and athletic exercises.’

Arjuna’s winning the hand of Draupadi by piercing the target in a revolving disc was not merely a feet of matchless marksmanship. It was the perfect concentration and steadfastness of mind of a yogi in the making. This trait in him among other virtues stood him in good stead in life in braving many a trial and tribulations. Chivalrous to vile evildoers like Duryodhana and his coterie, self control under great provocation, perfect composure in the face of a deadly weapon, unafraid and unshaken faith in Krishna’s divinity and grace, all of which molded him into a great ‘Karma Yogi’ worth to evoke in ‘Song Celestial’ the Bhagavad-Gita characterized as the ‘Poem of Crisis’by Dr.S. Radhakrishnan. In the epic poetry Veda Vyasa categorized Arjuna and Krishna as the Nara- Narayana. He identified Krishna with Narayana -God and Nara Arjuna the Exalted man.

Vyasa at the beginning of each Parva of Mahabharata invoked -‘Narayanam Namaskritya Naram Chaiva Narottamam’.I bow to divine sages Nara and Narayana – The supreme person and the exalted man. In an earlier age before Dwapara which preceded Kali age- our present times the duo Nara and Narayana were born as sages and who performed great penances at the holy spot of Badrika –Badrinath. The Nara Narayana temple at Badrinath is at the foot of Nara- Narayana peaks, the eternally snow clad sentinels in the Himalayas. They lived on the spot eons ago, performing severe austerities and meditation on the Supreme Spirit for the welfare of the world. The twin sages were considered divine ‘Deva rishi tapasvi’. Jnanis of the highest order in the state of ‘Nirvikalpa Samadhi’ – absolute consciousness.

Krishna said in Bhagavad-Gita at a number of places that he knew Arjuna for many lives before. The Lord also affirms that he is ‘Vrishninaam Vasudevosmi Pandavanaam Dhananjayah’.I am Krishna among the Vrishnis, Arjuna among the sons of Pandu (X-37)

Nara of Narayana, Arjuna embodies Kshatriya manhood. Krishna being the Narayana, The avatar symbolizes ‘atman’ hence the two are inseparable. Narayana is the refuge of Nara, Bhagavatam says thus. Arjuna was chosen by Krishna to be his dearest friend and disciple. In the great epic on several occasions Krishna reveals his eternal love and affection for Arjuna. Krishna states that no man in the world is dearer to him more than Arjuna and there is nothing in the world that he wouldn’t give to Arjuna. In the epic when Arjuna takes a vow to kill Jayadratha before sunset, or else immolate himself, Krishna remarks to his charioteer Daruka that neither his wives nor friends, nor kinsmen, nor relatives nor any other person is dearer to him than Arjuna. He further states that he is unable to think to live in a world deprived of Arjuna for even a moment!

Krishna the Avatar on the fourteenth day of the terrible war exclaims to Arjuna that you are the Purusharsva which translate to ‘best of men’. The Mahabharata refers to Arjuna by twelve different names. These names were told to Virata prince Uttara Kumara as proof that he is real Arjuna on the last day of ‘Ajnata vasa’ while he was about to fight the Kuru army. Krishna addresses Arjuna by several names while sermonizing on the first day of Mahabharata war.

1. Arjuna – One of taintless fame and glow like silver – ‘argentium’.

2. Phalguni – One born on the star Phalguni.

3. Jishnu – Conqueror of the enemies.

4. Kiriti – One who wears the celestial diadem presented by his father Indra.

5. Swetavahana – One with white horses mounted to his chariot.

6. Bhibhatsa – One who always fights wars in a fair manner.

7. Vijaya – Victorious warrior.

8. Partha/Parth – Son of Pritha-Kunti

9. Savyasachi – Left handed, Ambidextrous – skilful in using both hands.

10. Dhananjaya – One who conquers bows (dhanu) referring his skill as an archer.

11. Guda Kesa – One who had thick hair. Guda- dense. Kesa – hair.

12. Kapidhwaja- Arjuna’s Flag mast had an animated image of Hanuman

13. Parantapa – One who concentrates the most. Destroyer of enemies by his focus

It is remarkable that at the end of the era of Dharmaraja, Arjuna-Subhadra’s grandson Parikshit occupies the throne at Hastinapura, and Arjuna installs Krishna-Rukmini’s great-grandson Vajra on the throne at Indraprasta. Descendents of Vrishnis rule Aryawartha for almost thousand years, though later from Maghada as Nandas till Chanakya-Chandragupta Maurya displaces them.

After I completed writing the book ‘The Life and Times of Krishna.-The Deity who lived as Man’.published by Wisdom Tree Publishers, Delhi in Oct. 2013, I was inspired as if by a divine command – ‘Write the story of Arjuna’!which has resulted in this book on Arjuna.I depended for the source material from

Mahabharata by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, the accredited English version of the epic (19th century).

Mahabharata Modern rendering by Ramesh Menon.

Mahabharata by Smt. Kamala Subramanian.

Yagnaseni by Pratibha Ray and Many related books.

As Bhishma watched Arjuna’s golden chariot entering the war zone at the start of the Mahabharata hostilities, with his dear Vasudeva -Krishna the Avatar as the charioteer, he exclaimed Oh !What a glorious scene – I see two Krishnas on one chariot!

And the book is entitled –‘Two Krishnas and One Chariot – The Story of Arjuna’

I hope I have done justice to the Story of Arjuna

Coimbatore

11.12.’13

J.B. Patro

EPISODE 1

KURUS OF

HASTINAPURA

SHANTANU OF LUNAR DESCENT

Since early times Pauravas having been born to ‘Ila’, the sole daughter of Swayambhu Manu had dominated the region surrounded by river Sarasvati and Drishtadvati and adjacent lands. The Pauravas had descended into India or Bharat (that is- land of the Bharathas) crossing the difficult terrain of Himalayas and were not as rigid and inflexible as Bharatas who had settled earlier in the plains of the five rivers (Panch apaha– panjab), crossing over from the valleys of Khandara (Kandahar). Marriages, though preferred from the same stock, it was not unusual to marry from alien tribes inhabiting in the Himalayan range like Devas, Yakshas, Apsaras, Nishadas and even Danavas (non Aryan tribes). While Pururavas himself had married Urvasi, the legendary heavenly nymph apsara, his son Ayu had married Prabha, the daughter of Danava king Svarabhanu. His great grandson Yayati had married Sharamishta the daughter of Danava king Vrishasripan (one finds this name in Indus civilization royalty!!!).

In the post Vedic era after Dasarajnya battle (the battle of Ten kings), when Yayati’s five sons along with their Dasa-Danava associates were defeated by Bharatas, Yayati divided the kingdom among his five sons. Puru to rule over the southern half of Ganga Yamuna region and Yadu got the territories towards the south west, watered by the rivers Chambal, Betwa and Ken. Turvasu got the south east region around Rewa and Dhrukyu was assigned the regions west of Yamuna and north of Chambal. Anu the fifth son received the portion of the area on the banks of Ganga–Yamuna. The division of the empire reduced influence of the Pauravas till a later descendant Kuru established a kingdom with clear divisions as Kurukshetra (cultivated land) and Kurujangla (the uncultivated land). Kauravas descended from Puru, Yadavas from Yadu, from Drukyu the Bhojas, whereas from Turvasu were born the Yavanas and from Anu the Mlecchas. Hastinapura established by King Hasti became the traditional seat of Kauravas

By the time Shantanu ascended the throne at Hastinapura, Aryawarta was in a stage of transition. Large number of tribes had entered the Kuru land. Young Shantanu was a good general and ruler. He had apassion for hunting. During one of his hunting trips, he saw a beautiful maiden coming out of the river Ganga after bath and instantly fell in love with her. He introduced himself to her, and found out that she was the celestial nymph, Ganga,. He proposed to marry her and promised her if she becomes his queen he would never displease her. Ganga accepted his proposal and said Oh Rajan, you must not cross me over anything at anytime – I do not like entanglements of a wedlock. The moment you displease me, I will go away to my people, never to return. So be it said the love lorn monarch and led her to his city. She was to him, the ideal wife, and queen Ganga was the embodiment of grace and beauty. The queen became pregnant and delivered a boy. Shantanu was very happy but his happiness was short lived. Ganga took the days old baby to the river threw him in the water. Shantanu saw this with disbelief but did not question her. This happened seven times but Shantanu did not question her for fear of losing her. When this happened for the eighth time. Shantanu could not hold his emotions and asked her not to do this. Ganga smiled and said Very well, my lord the time has come for my departure for good …you have violated our terms and broken your promise, therefore, I am leaving. This child of ours will live. I will take him with me and give him back in time. I will call him Devavrata and also he will be known after me, Gangeya – but be assured he shall to become a legend, an invincible warrior a man of principle and his fame will cross well beyond his time. The king was speechless and shocked when she said Our son’s fame will be immortal and a role model for human kind – This is my promise, and let me not delay my departure". She left leaving the king desolate, helpless and lonely.

Years passed by, a life empty and a heart crushed.. His only relaxation as of yore was hunting. During this period being a good King, he put all his energies on goverining the Kuru Kingdom. He had to face innumerable problems due to the presence of several wild tribes who had enterd from the northwest. They had their own culture and rules. This clashed with the established rules of the kingdom. He consulted Vashista his Chief Advisor how to solve this problem. Vashista adviced that the time had come to centralize all knownVedic knowledge, and codify the rules and regulations to be followed as ‘Dharma’ by everyone in the kingdom. The dense forest at Kurukshetra on the banks of river Yamuna was burnt down and new township was created. This was named Dharmakshetra. Kula Guru Vashista was requested to Head this Centre. Learning about this development large number of Vedic scholars arrived from far and wide. One of them was Rishi Atharvana an aexpert in applied sciences like geology, metallurgy, chemistry, architecture, medicine etc.. Realizing the significance of this new Veda, Vashishta put his young grandson Parashara as a student under Rishi Atharvan. Things were working smoothly for a long time. Rishi Atharvana was in great demand by the nobles of the court as well as the citizens of Hastnapura for advice and in return they compensated the Rishi with lot of wealth. This led to jealousy and other faculty members complained to the Emperor that Atharvaveda expounded by Atharvan was not a Veda and that he should be expelled from Dharmakshetra. Though Emperor resisted in the beginning ultimately he had to ask Rishi Atharvana to leave the campus. While leaving, Atharvana cursed that Dharmakshetra would become a place for the dead and only jackals and hyennas would roam. Months passed, and one night wild Haihaya hoards led by King Kartiveerarjuna attacked the ashrams at Dharmakshetra and killed all the Vedis scholars and set fire to their hermitages. Next morning the fishermen who lived in an Yamuna island saw the smoke bellowing out of the Ashrams hurried there and were aghast to see all the munis dead. They found two young scholars seriously injured but not dead and took them to their island and nursed them. One of the young teen aged scholar was Parashara, son of Kula Guru Vashista. Realising his stature, Matsyagandha, the daughter of the head of the fisermen was put in charge of nursing him back to health. She was a teenager like Parashara and had envious physical attributes, though of darker complexion. Parashara was so deeply injured that he had become lame in one leg and it took several months for him to gain his health back. During this period he fell in love with the young girl attending to him. She always had a fishy odour which repelled him. Using his knowledge of chemistry taught by Atharvana, Parashara prepared a concoction of herbs, aromatic leaves and prepared a paste to be appled all over her body by Mathsyagandha. Combination of fishy odour and the paste resulted in a exotic perfume. He named her as Satyavati. Their union resulted in the birth of a son. The baby had a darker complexion like his mother and was named Krishna Dwaipayan (being born on the island). Parashara realized that his knowledge of Atharva Veda was incomplete and he had to find Rishi Atharvana and complete his learning, and he left the Fishermens Island promising Krishna’s mother that he would comeback when his son is six year old and teach him the Vedas.

As promised Parashara returned to the island after six years of futile wandering in search of Rishi Atharvana. He took Krishna with him and during continued wandering, taught Krishna. He finds that Krishna has phenomenal memory and ability to grasp whatever he was teaching. Krishna had to hear only once, it would be registered in his memory for good!. This helped Parashara to transfer all his Vedic knowledge, including part of Athrava Veda learnt by him to Krishna by the time he was fourteen years. Parashara told his son that his education under him was complete and urged him to seek Rishi Atharvana and complete his knowledge of Athrava Veda. Remembering the carnage at Dharmakshetra and the great loss of knowledge with the death of scholars, he took a solemn promise from Krishna that once his learning is complete, he would put all the knowledge gained by him in written form so that Vedas are preserved for all time to come. During his wandering, one day Muni Parashara meets with an accident and departs from this world, leaving his son Krishna with the task of compiling all the Vedas. Destiny helps him to complete this task and he is revered even today as Veda Vyasa.

In the meanwhile at Hastinapura events were at work. Once while King Shantanu was trotting on his horse along the banks of the river he saw his beloved queen Gangas standing before him with a sweet and serene smile. Ganga looked at him with compassion and replied Oh my dear king, I have brought our son with me as I had promised and she hailed Devavrata, meet your father the noble King Shantanu. The handsome boy of sixteen, tall and muscular greeted his father, who took him into his arms and kissed his head. Blessings outpoured from a grateful father.

Ganga continued Our son, is also called Gangeya – the great sage Brahaspati, his teacher would address him such, while he learnt Vedas and Vedangas. He is very proficient in archery having had the privilege of learning from the great Bhargava Rama himself. The king was surprised that the great muni had trained a Kshatriya.Oh yes, replied Ganga with an endearing smile. The great sage was pleased to teach the son of the noble Shantanu. Oh Rajan, your benign rule pleased the revered sage and he had taught all the astras and sastras and blessed your son to be invincible in battle so long as he is armed and battle ready. To be defeated, Gangeya would have to first disarm himself. Take this heir to the home of heroes", saying Ganga vanished leaving the king lost in his memories. Shantanu who had been lonely so long, returned to Hastinapura full of happiness.

The king passed many happy days, with an ideal son who was devoted to his father and took interest in the welfare of the people. Fair and just he was loved by the people, who were much pleased to have him crowned as Yuvaraja. Devavrata was now the Crown Prince of Hastinapura and the people were delirious with joy. Though growing old, Emperor Shantanu would often go hunting leaving the court matters to the crown prince.

One day the king had gone out hunting. He was alone. As he was going along, a strange perfume assailed his senses and it was a fragrance that tickled his carnal desires. He followed the perfume and discovered that it was emanating from a young woman, a woman of the river as she was tying up the boat by which she was ferrying people across Yamuna river. The woman was beautiful and extremely desirable. The king asked, Who are you? What are you doing here?

She spoke in a soft voice I am a fisher girl; my father is the chief of the fishermen. It is my duty to ply the boat between the two banks of this Yamuna River. My name is Satyavati and who are you good sir? You look like a king. The girl asked with an impish smile. I am Shantanu, the king of Hastinapur, I want to meet your father? replied the king. She ferried the king to her father – ‘Dasa Raj’ the chief of the fisher community, who belonged to Nishada Stock. The king went straight to her father and said I am Shantanu of Hastina, while I was hunting in the forest, a strange perfume teased me and I followed to the banks of Yamuna and saw this beautiful girl. She told me that she is your daughter. I want her for my wife. The king of the fishermen was profuse in his words of supplication. He said, You are right my lord, my daughter Satayavati emanates an exceptional perfume from her body thanks to a young Rashi. Now you the scion of lunar dynasty want her hand in marriage, how can I say no? It will be a great honor that can befall a poor fisher girl. But, my lord, there is a condition and if you grant it you can have my daughter as your queen.

What is your condition? The fisherman said, You promise to make the son born to my daughter Satyavati the heir to the throne of Hastina after you. The King was stunned and speechless. He was thinking of Ganga, of the day when she brought Devavrata to him saying I present this hero to you. Take him to the home of heroes; this worthy son of yours will be a fitting heir to the house of Paurava.Without a word Shantanu returned to his chariot, a heart full of pain and longing. The king returned to his city.

Devavrata found his father sullen indifferent and always thoughtful. Gone were the happy days of perfect companionship. The changed father would not talk to him as he was wont to do. The prince made attempts to find the reason for this transformation of the king who stopped going for his favourite sport, hunting. At long last, the king spoke to Devavrata on day. He said, In this great House of the Kurus you are the only son. If anything should happen to you in one of the battles, the great lineage of Kurus will cease to exist. This has been the worry which is working havoc in my mind. The prince stood silent for a moment, and walked away without speaking a word.

Devavrata went at once to the charioteer and elicited the information about his father’s encounter with the fisher girl on the river front. He straight away went to Satyavati’s father and asked ‘Are you the Dasaraj father of the river girl whom the king proposed to make his queen. ‘Yes’ said the chief, I am Gangeya the crown prince of Hastina and have come to once again to propose your daughter’s hand in marriage to my father king Santanu. The chief of fishermen then repeated the condition put before King Shantanu. Immediately Gangeya said "I hereby take an oath to renounce my claim to the throne of Hastina to the son born to your daughter’. The wily chief was shocked out of his wits and collapsed in to his seat holding his head between his palms and said ‘Sir I knew that one day my Satyavati will put me into trouble ever since she was blessed with this sweet smell by a great Muni. Noble Prince,I accept that you will not claim the throne, but other Kuru family members may not accept the son of my daughter as their King. To this Gangeya gave his solemn promise that he would stand by the son born to Chief’s daughter and see that he sits on the throne after King Shantanu. Being basically shrewd, the chief with a faint smile asked, what about your progeny ‘O’ prince, they can claim the throne after you.’Gangeya, with all seriousness raised his voice and declared ‘I, Devavrata, son of King Santanu take this solemn oath of celibacy for life and thus clear the way of succession to the children born to Satyavati by my father, this my pledge is in the holy name of my mother Ganga’. Thus saying he took charge of himself and left towards his chariot and waited for the reaction.

A petrified chief of the fisher folk fell at the feet of Devavrata and called his vow as ‘Bheeshm’ – the terrible vow and said with great reverence "O scion of the race of Moon, you shall be called from now as ‘Bheeshma’ and your fame will be eternal.Here she is said the fisherman, Your mother and asked the crown prince to take her to Hastinapura in his chariot.

Devavrata hastened to the presence of his father and ceremonially brought Satyavati to the king and said Father, I have brought her for you, please shake off your despondence, be happy.Santanu had got his heart’s desire and in gratitude and love for his son he granted a boon to Devavrata, his beloved son. Devavrata would die only when he desires to die ‘Swachchandha maranam.’

The king spent a few happy years with Satyavati, he was old and she was virile and therefore, the marriage was doomed to be a failure. Chitrangada and Vichitravirya, both born out of this union, were not virile enough to be Kshatriyas either by the Guna or Karma, or able to continue the lineage. They were married to two Kashi Princesses-Amba and Ambalika Both Princes died untimely death, without any issues leaving the young widows to their fate.

This was a challenge to Bhishma’s ingenuity to find out a way to continue the lineage, since he himself resolved to be a celibate for life. Inspite of Satyavati’s encouragement to father the children his resolve remained firm. Instead he suggested continuance of the family through ‘Niyoga’ ceremony (lavinate- an ancient practice among Aryans descent prescribed by scriptures), with Krishna Dvaipayana (later known as Vyasa), who was also the child born to Satyavati through Parashara muni. But the events that passed did not end in any encouraging results inspite of the sage’s impeccable character and attributes. Dhritarashtra was born blind, his mother Ambika having closed her eyes, when Vyasa came to her, recalling to her mind ‘Bhishma’ and other Kuru ancestors and the terrible sight of his appearance. Pandu was born with white patches over his body, his mother Ambalika having become pale seeing Vyasa’s attire. Vyasa told his mother impact of the two unions. Therefore, Satyavati urged Ambika once again to submit herself to her hermit son Vyasa. Ambika made a shrewd move of replacing herself with a chamber maid, who was too willing to beget a son from the learned sage, Vyasa was so pleased with the maid’s countenance that he released her from the bondage of servitude, a slave and blessed the son born to her will be the embodiment of virtue ‘Dharma.’ He was grew up as Vidura the wise.

The fatherless children, Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura were reared and brought up by Bhishma with love and care. Though strong and powerful, Dhritarashtra being born blind was unfit to rule; Vidura though wise and righteous could not rule being born to a slave girl. Therefore, it was left to Pandu, though suffering from leukoderma, to ascend the throne. He brought wealth through wars and conquests with Bhishma by his side. With the family being resurgent, people said the daughters of the ruler of Kashi are indeed the mothers of great warriors with Bhishma standing by as the symbol of righteousness, ‘Dharma’; Kurunjangala is a great nation and Hastinapur a great city. Bhishma with the consent of Vidura, Vyasa and Queen Mother Satyavati proposed that the princes should be married into proper royal families. Accordingly Pandu married Kuntala-King Kunti Bhoja’s daughter renowned as a beauty and dutiful princess, named Pritha. Pandu also married princess Madri of Madra Desha sister of Prince Shalya.

It was a problem to find a bride for blind Dhritarashtra. Kingdom of Gandhara was a perennial problem for the Kurus. Bheeshma as the commander of Kurus subdued them once for all and decided to end the conflict by arranging the marriage of the daughter of King Subala with the blind prince. Owing to family compulsions princess Gandhari agreed to marry the blind man. Her brother the wily prince Shakuni who being shrewd and crafty saw in this alliance a great opportunity to shore up prosperity and his personal agenda for own benefit, though the groom was blind and not likely to be the ruler. Gandhari accepted Dhritarashtra’s blindness and decided to tie her eyes with a cloth and not see anything just like her husband.

Pandu was fond of hunting expedition and when he saw two deer mating each other, he shot the female unaware that the animals were sages mating in frolic and lust. Pandu was cursed by the sage that he too will die while making love to his wife. Pandu lamented that he, though born in a noble family performed improper actions under the influence of ‘Karma’. Since then it was not possible for him to copulate and urged his two young wives to go to Hastinapur and as he has to live a life of celibate, he himself preferring the life of an ascetic and live in the forest. But the wives urged him that he can live the life of renunciate even while living as a householder as it was improper for them to lead a life of recluse in Hastinapur. A number of sages who had come to know the resolve of Prince Pandu urged him that it is essential that he should have children for dynastic continuity. They suggested that he can ask his wives to follow the ancient practice of ‘Niyoga’ to raise children. Pandu knew that Kunti had a boon in this regard from Sage Durvasa and asked Kunti to utilize this boon. She conceived Yudhishtira by invoking Vedic gods’ pantheon of Yama, Bhima by Vayu and Arjuna from Indra the King of gods. She taught Madri the mantra of the boon and she also conceived two sons, Nakula and Sahadeva by invoking Ashwins. The sons born from illustrious fathers turned out to be the epitome of righteousness and nobility.

It was said that Gandhaari wanted to conceive ahead of Kunti in order to safeguard the succession to the throne of Hastinapur by Dhritarshtra’s son. But destiny played a cruel joke on her. Her confinement got inordinately delayed and she delivered a weird abominable foetus. This was saved by Vyasa who with is knowledge of human physiology converted it into hundred portions and from each one son was born. And as the first child was coming out, Vyasa witnessed terrible omens of disrepute foreboding disaster. The elders and sages advised Dhritarashtra to abandon the new born as his birth stars bode disaster and destruction of the house of Kurus. However, Dhritarashtra did not accede to the prophets of doom and raised the first born named Suyodhana, later famous as Duryodhana, with great love and affection. In addition to hundred sons, Dhritarashtra also got a daughter Dussala. So prolific was the blind king that he fathered a son named Yuyutsu born to the daughter of a vaishya.

Here in the forest living with Kunti and Madri, Pandu once looses control over himself and makes love with Madri, resulting in his instant death. Feeling equally responsible, Madri chose to follow him in death, becoming a Sati leaving her orphaned sons to the care of Kunti. Kunti, now the helpless widow of Pandu returns to Hastinapur along with her five sons, Pandavas, into the care and upkeep of Bhishma. The stoic Bhishma accepts the inevitable and under his paternal care and of Vidura, the Kaurava and Pandava princes were raised as Kshatriyas. Blind king Dhritarashtra accepted them as children of Pandu but showed reservations to accept them as Kuru princes being not directly born to his brother.

Bhima who was strong and powerful of the entire lot took pleasure in teasing and tormenting his cousins earning the wrath of Duryodhana and his younger brother Dusshasana. Pandavas were very intelligent and smarter of the entire group of cousins, which provoked extreme jealousy and hatred in Dusshasana. Once Bhima was poisoned, bound and dumped in the Ganges but was miraculously saved and restored to life by Naga Tribes living along the river. Cruel and unrighteous from their childhood, sons of Dhritharashtra- or Kauravas, took every opportunity to harm their cousins, sons of Pandu –or Pandavas, portending the terrible future for the house of Kurus.

EDUCATION OF THE PRINCES

In Hastinapura, Pandavas grew up with Kaurava princes under paternal care of Bhishma and Vidura. It was time they were properly trained in a Guru Kula, in Vedic knowledge and martial arts too being Kshatriya princes. They were taught the Vedic knowledge and skill in the use and expertise in the weapons of war under great masters Kripa and Drona.

During Shantanu’s early hunting days, he found a pair of twins, a boy and a girl, abandoned in the forest. They had been placed on a tiger skin and next to them were a trident and a pot indicating they were the children of sage Sharadwansa and an Apsara called Janpadi. The king took care of them, named them Kripa and Kripi and raised them in the palace. Kripa grew up to be a teacher and Bhishma entrusted him the care of Kaurava and Pandava princes. Kripi was given in marriage to Drona. Drona was the descendant of the great sage Bharadwaja and had a ‘celestial’ connection to a beautiful Apsara Ghrutachi. In time Kripi gave birth to a son Aswatthama.

Drona was extremely poor, so poor that he did not have a cow in his house. Aswatthama grew up without ever tasting cow’s milk. He could not distinguish milk from rice water. Unable to bear the poverty, Kripi finally convinced Drona to go to his childhood friend, Drupada, King of Panchala and ask him for a cow. As young children, Drona and Drupada had studied together and were close friends. Drona met Drupada and recalled their friendship during younger days, and reminded him about his promise to share his kingdom when he became a King. And asked him to fulfil his promise. Drupada who had just then been crowned King of Panchala, laughed and said,

All these were mere prattles of children. Friendship is only possible amongst equals. You are welcome to stay with me for a few days and enjoy my hospitality. But never dream of getting any share of my kingdom,. Deeply hurt and humiliated by Drupada’s behaviour, Drona stormed out of Panchala to one day become Drupada’s equal.

Drona realized the days of mace and battle axe combat had come to an end and had switched over to archery and astral weapons (Asthras).. Hence, Drona in his quest to become the greatest archer of his time went to the school of the great Sage Bhargava Rama at Shoorparaka on the banks of river Sauparnika in the Sahayadri mountain range. Parashurama having noticed a brilliant student in the young brahmana readily accepted him as a student. Drona with great diligence acquired mastery over all asthras, including the Brahmastra, the terrible missile of mass destruction. Bhargava Rama had taught this terrible weapon only to a select few on the promise that it would be used against enemy in the rarest of rare occasions. He advised Drona to impart the knowledge of this weapon only to the worthiest of his pupils who should also be able to withdraw this weapon if found necessary. Drona spent a few years with the great sage and learnt the intricacies in the fabrication of arms, army formations Vyuhas and also counter formations prativyuhas, strategic formation of infantry, cavalry, archers, chariots and other arms of military. His guru was thrilled with Drona’s skill, diligence and determination.

At the time of parting, the great sage addressed him,- Son, May the God of gods, Mahadeva give you the wisdom to impart all the knowledge you have acquired in my school only to the worthy. I have found in you a person of great intellectual calibre with matching physical prowess although you are a Brahmana!

Drona with great humility bowed and said, I shall try to tread the path of my glorious ancestor sage Bharadwaja. Sage Parushurama was pleased and with a benign smile said

My son, when you first came to my ashram you were a grihastha and father of a son and yet I accepted you, having noticed in you a thirst and Will to learn more of all ancient ‘Vidyas’. Just remember that a Brahman’s wealth is his ‘Vidya’, and Wisdom, ‘Gnana’ and ‘ Vignana’. Impart this ‘Viveka’ ((wisdom) for the welfare of the society especially to the less privileged sections. A ‘sadbrahmana’s knowledge has no bounds and he is eternally in search of truth. I hope I have done my best to mould you among other things into seeker of truth and keeper of Dharma and Rita of Vedic rishis. I have found in you a strong craving to acquire material comforts and control of temporal powers, a strange quality for a Brahmana of your lineage! The intensity with which you pursue these would thwart your moral progress. Instead you should try to be a partner in propogating righteousness, Dharma, like my exceptional student Gangeya, now called Bhishma. Farewell my son, you may go to the Court of Kurus of Hastinapura. Gangaye would take care of you.

The sage bid farewell to his illustrious pupil saying, Desires cause attachment, attachments lead to affection, and tends one to be indiscreet and selfish and in the end it leads to tolerating adharma.

Drona returned to Hastinapura and presented himself to the Kuru patriarch Bhishma. Gangeya, himself a pupil of Parashurama saw the worth of a consummate expert in military affairs in the brahmana and engaged him to work along with his brother in law Kripacharya to train the young Kuru and Pandava princes with instruction to initiate them into the Arsha Vidya and Asthra Vidya (Vedic knowledge and art of war).

Drona was appointed head of the Yuddhashala of the Kurus. Acharya Drona bent all his energies and trained his pupils in the art in which he excelled so well. The Acharya busting with energy and enthusiasm set upon organizing the military machine of Kurus into a disciplined and organized army which was to become a formidable one in Aryawartha, almost equal to that of Panchala. Drona reorganized the corps of swordsmen, archers, experts in mace combat, and masters of elephants and chariots warriors. Being a brilliant strategist, he became an advisor on the affairs of state to Bhishma, to whom his penetrating intelligence was useful..

Drona accepted the hundred Kauravas and the five Pandavas as his students. Soon, Yudhishtira became skilled with the spear, Arjuna with the bow, Bhima, Duryodhana and Dusshasana with the mace, Nakula and Sahadeva with the sword. In due course, the Kuru princes which include the Kauravas and Pandavas were well versed in the art of fighting.

Out of the whole lot, Arjuna impressed Drona the most. The teacher keenly watched the intense concentration, grasp of Arjuna and his pupil’s phenomenal memory and focused devotion to him and his wishes. Yet, Drona was reluctant to teach all the skills and tricks of Asthras which he had kept exclusive for his son Aswatthama. The sharp witted Arjuna noticed this and hence followed Drona wherever he went determined to learn all that Drona had to teach, never leaving father and son alone, and thereby making it impossible to pass on any teaching to Aswatthama in secret. Eventually, there were lessons that were exclusive to Arjuna and Aswatthama only; secret skills that no other student had access to.

One day, while bathing in the river, a crocodile caught hold of Drona’s foot. Arjuna who was a constant companion to his teacher, immediately raised his bow, shot an arrow, struck down the crocodile and rescued his master. Drona until then feeling inconvenienced with Arjuna’s persistence started admiring the young man’s character, prowess and sense of duty. In an instant of affection Drona hugged Arjuna and declared that he would make the Pandava prince the greatest archer in the world. Then he made Arjuna sit near him and explained that, You possess all the best qualities of a good student, persistence, determination, hard work and intense focus.

One night, the wind blew out all lights in Drona’s academy. Still Arjuna found that his fingers carrying food could find their way to his mouth. If this is the case, then surely in darkness my arrow can find its way to the target, thought Arjuna. He started practicing archery at night blindfolded, to the amazement of his teacher, developed the skill of shooting arrows at the target without depending on his sight. Because of this he became renowned as ‘Gudakesha’, he who conquered sleep! Arjuna also was able to shoot his bow useing either his left or his right hand. Hence, he came to be known as ‘Savyasachi’.

In an archery test, Drona asked his students to point their arrows at the eye of a stuffed parrot placed high on the branch of a tree. What do you see? he asked them. Yudhishthira said, ‘I see a parrot’. Duryadhana determined to out do his cousin, said, ‘I see a stuffed parrot on a branch of the tree. To outdo

Duryodhana Bhima said, ‘I see a stuffed parrot placed on the branch of the tree under a cloudy sky. Arjuna however with one eye closed replied, ‘I see an eye- only an eye. Then release the arrow"ordered Drona which was done instantly and sure enough it hit the mark to the thrill of his teacher, who hugged him in deep affection.

EKALAVYA

Ekalavya was a boy from the Nishadas, or forest dwellers who are mainly hunters. He desired to be an archer and had heard about Drona, the best teacher in the land. But when he approached Drona, he was turned down on the grounds saying that his school was full and had no place for new students.How do I learn then Oh great master?- Asked the tribal youth.If you have faith in me, you can teach yourself, said Drona without much import to his words.

Ekalavya literally took the words of Drona as a command and in a clearing of woods, not far from Hastinapur; he created an effigy of Drona, and taught himself archery in absolute dedication to the effigy.A few weeks later, he was disturbed by the barking of a hound belonging to the royal hunting party. He shot seven arrows in the direction of the dog that trapped the mouth without harming in anyway that kept his jaws pried open making it impossible to bark. The hurt dog was the hunting hound of the Pandavas. Arjuna was surprised to find his dog gagged thus. He took the dog to Drona and complained, Oh great Guru, you said you would make me the greatest archer in the world, but whoever did this unbeatable feat is surely greater!

A surprised Drona visited the forest and was surprised to find his own effigy in a clearing in the woods. Ekalavya, who stood before it with a bow in hand, rushed towards him and fell at his feet and said, Sir, I am thrilled to see my Guru in this humble place.

Who taught you this archery? asked Drona, rather curtly.You did, not in person of course, but by blessing and inspiring to teach myself, replied Ekalavya, his eyes full of earnest anticipation.

Drona sternly looked at Arjuna and having remembered that he promised Arjuna to make him the greatest archer in the land and without remorse said, You nishada, must pay me a fee for what you have learnt from me.Whatever you wish is yours, replied Ekalavya bowing humbly."Give me your right hand thumb as Guru dakshina, (teacher’s fees) said Drona, his voice cold and without any feeling. Arjuna was shocked and with full of remorse for his own ego and for his heartless teacher. For, without the right thumb Ekalavya would never be able to wield a bow.

Realising Arjuna’s predicament Drona said This was necessary for the sake of social stability, we cannot allow all and sundry to become archers. And now, you are the greatest archer in Aryavartha said Drona softly. Arjuna was appalled and said At what cost Gurudeva, I feel guilty. For which Drona replied, My boy, a Kshatriya prince should not have a soft heart. The kingship is cruel.

Arjuna was baff led and said, Such kingship I deny myself, Oh great one!!!

THE PASSING OUT PARADE-GRADUATION CEREMONY

At the end of the term in the ‘School of Martial Arts’ Drona organized a tournament to show case before the royalty and the people of Hastinapur the prowess of his pupils. The star pupil was none other than Arjuna who could use his bow in both hands with equal dexterity and could shoot multiple arrows at rapid pace and who never missed his target- lakshya. The handsome and athletic Arjuna was the cynosure of the tournament and widely cheered by the people of Hastinapur from the galleries. Kunti’s favourite son became the pride of Hastinapur.

Arjuna’s weapon craft was so miraculous and astonishing that spectators could not believe their eyes. It was as though Arjuna had magically enchanted everyone. Arjuna as he entered the pavilion, prostrated before Bhishma Pitamaha, Guru Drona, Kripacharya and King Dhritarashtra. He turned towards the galleries and bowed to the cheers and claps of the crowd. A master showman was Arjuna, and the citizens of Hastina were impatient to watch their hero’s skills.

Arjuna bowed to his bow and twin quivers and saluted the sky above for the Almighty’s grace. He loosed the fire missile, Agneyaastra. The sky of Hastinapur was lighted by tongues of flames. That was when Arjuna loosed the water missile, a weapon of the seas Varunaastra. Water rained to put out the fire.. Terrified people prayed to their gods. Enjoying himself Arjuna loosed the wind missile, Vaayuvyaastra. No one knew where the waters of the flood were driven away by tbe wind.

Noticing their confusion, Arjuna invoked the cloud weapon, Meghaastra. The skies went suddenly overcast with clouds. The specatators were mighty relieved, fear waning, having got the grip of Arjuna’s skill. Thrilled and gratified the spectators stood up to congratulate Arjuna roaring ‘Arjuna, Arjuna’. Arjuna displayed his knowledge of various other astras. They were overwhelmed at the display by Arjuna’s prowess and gave a thunderous applause for a long time. Arjuna thanked the grand audience bowing respectfully to the pavilion and made pranams to his peers who were seated on the grand stand. All the while the king was briefed by minister Vidura, and Dhritarashtra was sad and regretted that none of his sons could fare as much as Arjuna did. The Kauravas were embarrased as they did not get this sort of applause and attention when their heroes were displaying their skills. After Arjuna’s display of his prowess, he returned to his seat in the midst of wild applause. Kunti was very proud of her middle son.

All of a sudden there entered in the arena a young man with bow and arrows. On his chest dazzled a golden breast plate studded with a large ruby, set in a circular golden disc with 24 radial lines, the insignia of Sun god. His ears had rings again set in rubies. In fact he was looking like the Sun god incarnate. Identifying himself as Radheya Karna, he declared that he can do all that Arjuna had done and more. A startled Drona asked him to prove it. Karna performed all of Arjuna’s feats and ‘lo and behold’, he surpassed in all of them, especially releasing twelve arrows in sequence against Arjuna’s eight. The galleries were resounding at the heroic feats of Karna and acclaimed as the best performer of the day. Pandavas were embarrassed, taken aback staring at Arjuna who was watching the awesome performance of the youth in the arena, and at heart he felt conceited, of his own prowess. Arjuna being better composed always, did not show any overt feelings.

At this point in time Adiratha the chief charioteer of the royal stables rushed and hugged Karna. He said My son, my son, you have done me proud. A beaming charioteer reverently bowed to Bhishma who was seated in the royal pavilion. Adiratha turned towards the crowd and proudly raised Karna’s hand to the wild applause from the commoners. In this confusion Vidura whispered to Bhishma that Kunti had fainted and taken into the inner chambers escorted by queen Gandhari. Bhishma heard Bhima shouting, What! This man is a son of a charioteer. How dare he challenge Kshtriyas in an exclusive archery tournament?The crowd jeered at him, saying ‘No, no …it is injustice, adharma; games were for display of skills and not show of social status. They seem to be addressing Bhishma as he heard, ‘Uphold Dharma, all men are equal. This is unfair, Lord please restore level playing atleast in games and sports.’

Karna was stunned and speechless at the turn of events. The cruel words of Bhima stung him. Deeply hurt, he thought, what if he was a charioteer’s son, he did not have control on his birth, nobody has!!!It was at this point that Duryodhana came to Karna’s rescue who said loudly, Young man, I have witnessed your prowess, you have surpassed Arjuna, surely merit matters more than birth, I declare Karna a Kshatriya by merit. Let us treat him as one as if addressing to Bhishma and to the galleries.

No, interrupted Yudhishtira standing up, Dharma shastras state that a man should be what his father was. Karna’s father is a charioteer and therefore he cannot be a Kshatriya. Karna, though aware that he was a foundling raised by Adiratha and his wife Radha, did not speak; much embarrassed at this cruel division in society, he thought, Adharma, injustice, origin of birth!, and stared in despair at the skies above as if addressing his Maker.

Duryodhana climbed down and reached the arena where Karna was standing, desolate, insulted and crest fallen. Placing his hand around Karna, played to the galleries and declared to his people, This young man is a great archer and could be a bold warrior and asset to Hastinapur. The crowd was in ecstasy shouting ‘Astu, astu’. Gauging the mood, Duryodhana said I take him as my friend and honour him, the crowd were delirious shouting, jaya ho, jaya ho. In his baritone voice raised, looked at the crowd and said,Hastinapur stands for equality amongst all its citizens and no shashtras can interfere, and he looked at Yudhishtira almost in a sneer. I therefore, welcome this young warrior into my fold and hugged Karna.

Turning to his father he said, Oh king, you are the scion of Kuru race and with your consent, I declare him, this young hero Karna as the warrior Lord of Anga and in due course he will occupy the throne of Angadesh. No one can insult him again. He almost challenged Bhima and Yudhishtira. Dhritharashtra who could never deny his son, knowing that code of conduct are beyond his son’s domain, raised his hand of consent. At this point in time an aid handed a Tiara crown to Duryodhana who placed on the head of Karna. There was a crescendo of applause from the galleries acquiescing to the decision, a much delighted Duryodhana for his ‘coup de grace’, waved at them, when the people applauded the prince with greater élan.A deeply embarrassed Karna remained numb at the sudden turn of events, his fate and fortunes. Overnight Duryodhana made him a king from a charioteer’s son, suta putra.

Young man, you shine like the morning sun, I know you have the blood of Kshatriya running in your veins, you shall be an asset to me, I am redeemed, and found a match for Arjuna, the prince of Pandavas. After a pause, a grateful Karna with tears welled up replied that he would remain his friend and remain grateful till death for this act of benevolence.

The Pandavas protested looking at Drona and Bhishma who remained silent and stoic. Duryodhana, triumphant that he got a match to Arjuna and elated having scored overwhelming support of people of Hastinapur overruled saying that, ‘sometimes shastras become archaic in an ever changing world’ and bowed to Drona and Bhishma before taking his seat. Bhishma having sensed the family feud going public declared the tournament as closed and left the royal pavilion.

Watching her great grandsons snarl at each other like street mongrels the Dowager Empress Satyavati took decision, and told herself, I see this family I worked so hard to shape will soon destroy itself. I cannot bear to see it. The tension between Gandhari and Kunti is becoming unbearable; I am leaving to the forest and seek penance at the feet of Mahadeva. Ambika and Ambalika decided to join their mother in law.

STORY OF KARNA-THE CHARIOTEER’S SON RADHEYA

Kunti fainted during the tournament because she recognized the youth with armour and ear rings as her first born son. He was born before her marriage to Prince Pandu; hence she had abandoned the new born to save her reputation. When she recovered from the swoon in the women’s chambers, Kunti sadly reflected about her past life which was no better than the present, mother of five sons of Pandu.

Kunti Bhoja had adopted the daughter of his brother Shoorasena. Her maiden name was Pritha, younger sister of Anakabandhu, later called Vasudeva father of Yadava hero Krishna. Whenever any rishi, muni or other brahmanas visited the royal court of Kunti Bhoja, the task of supervising the staff and ensuring that the visitors were well cared for and looked after always fell on the shoulders of young Kunti. She had a natural religious inclination and a pious mind. She therefore was at home serving learned sages and rishis.

We are going to be honoured by the presence of the great Muni Durvasa, announced the king one day and Kunti was entrusted to look after the short tempered Durvasa.

The king confided to his daughter that she had to be very careful dealing with the ill tempered, though highly radiant Durvasa. "Never loose your cool and patience with this person as he was prone to curse in indignation being short tempered. Putri, be at his service through day and night and fulfill all his needs to the fullest". Kunti assured her father that she wouldn’t be found wanting on any account.

Durvasa was indeed a difficult person to please both because of his unscheduled movements and his chaotic work habits. At times he would disappear without leaving any word behind and reappear at odd hours demanding food etc. But Kunti proved equal to meet all these unreasonable demands. Kunti to her surprise found a brighter side; she was learning a lot of Vedic knowledge and the genius intellect of the learned Muni, while he was discoursing to his disciples. Early, she started admiring the brilliant mind of an eccentric Muni and would recall his revelations of ancient wisdom, especially on Sourayana, Sun worship. At times when the Muni was in deep meditations, he looked as though he was Sun god himself.

While she was in this frame of mind lying in her bed, one night, in walked the great rishi himself. Even in the darkness of the night it seemed to her that the room had suddenly brightened as though the sun itself had entered. Do not be alarmed, my child said the great rishi. Before my departure tomorrow morning, I have come to give you a farewell gift. What would you like to have?

There is absolutely nothing that I need. I have everything I want in my father’s house. Just serving you has been my greatest pleasure replied Kunti humbly.None the less I must give you something to remind you of this visit. I shall unfold to you the ancient secret through which you can win and rekindle the love and desire of any man you want. said the Muni.A much embarassed Kunti blushed and said, Oh what use is such knowledge to an unmarried maiden? but Durvasa insisted and taught her the secret mantra of invoking Gods to beget sons.Princess, who knows the ways of destiny? mused Durvasa as if he was reading into the future; Perhaps, this secret knowledge may prove to be immensely useful in your married life said the sage. She did not believe that such conception was feasible, and he decided to test the efficacy of the mantra.

One day at dawn she chanted the mantra invoking God Surya. Soon, she realised that she had conceived and was to become a mother. She resigned herself to fate and pleading that she was thoroughly exhausted and in need of a long rest retired to a secluded spot of the kingdom to have her confinement. None, other than her trusted maid sworn to lifelong secrecy ever knew about the birth of Vasushena- A bonny son as effulgent as Sun god himself. However, a much embarassed