Stories from Mahabharata

Untold tales from Mahabharata

The Mahabharat is one of the two major epics in Sanskrit of ancient India. It contains over one lakh couplets and is thrice as long as the Bible. However, only a fraction of the narration actually deals with the main story with the rest containing additional myths and teachings. It clearly states: “what is found here may be found elsewhere but what is not found here cannot be found elsewhere.” Take a look at some untold and unknown stories from this great scripture…

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1. The story of five golden arrows

As Kaurawas were losing the battle of Mahabharata, Duryodhana approached Bhisma one night and accused him of not fighting the Mahabharata war to his full strength because of his affection for Pandavas. Bhisma greatly angered, immediately picked up 5 golden arrows and chanted mantras declaring tomorrow he will kill 5 pandavas with the 5 golden arrows. Duryodhana not having faith in his words asked Bhisma to give custody of 5 golden arrows saying that he will keep them and will return them next morning.

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A flash back

Long back before the Mahabharata war, Pandavas were living in exile in a forest. Duryodhana placed his camp on the opposite side of the pond where Pandavas were staying. Once while Duryodhana was taking bath in that pond, the heavenly prince Gandharvas also came down. Duryodhana picked a fight with them only to be deafeted and captured. Arjuna saved Duryodhana and set him free. Duryodhana was ashamed but being a Kshatriya, told Arjuna to ask for a boon. Arjuna replied he would ask for the honour gift later when he needed it.

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Arjuna asks for his gift

It was during that night of Mahabharata war, when Krishna reminded Arjuna of his unsatisfied boon and told him to go to Duryodhana and ask for 5 golden arrows. When Arjuna asked for the arrows Duryodhana was shocked but being a kshatriya and bound by his promise he had to honour his words. He asked who told you about golden arrows, Arjuna replied who else other than Lord Krishna. Duryodhana again went to Bhisma and requested for another five golden arrows. To this Bhisma laughed and replied that is not possible.

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2. The birth of Dronacharya

The birth of Dronacharya, the Guru of the Pandavas and Kauravas in the Mahabharata, is very interesting. It would not be wrong to say that Dronacharya is the first test tube baby in the world. Rishi Bharadwaja is the father of Dronacharya and mother is an Apasara name Krithaji. One evening Rishi Bharadwaja was getting ready to do his evening prayers. He went to the Ganga River to take his usual bath but was amazed to find a beautiful woman bathing at his usual spot in the river.

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First test tube baby?

On seeing Rishi Bharadwaja, the beautiful Apsara Krithaji got out of the Ganga River wearing a single loin cloth. Rishi Bharadwaja was moved by the heavenly beauty of the Apsara. Overpowered by the moment, the sage involuntarily emitted his semen. The Rishi collected this sperm in a clay pot and stored it in a dark place in his Ashram. Drona was born in this pot. 'Dronam' means pot and 'Dronar' is one who was born from the pot.

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3. Sehdeva ate his father’s brain, literally!

When Pandu, the father of the Pandavas, was about to die, he wished for his sons to partake of his brain so that they inherit his wisdom and knowledge. Only Sahadeva paid heed, though; it is said that with the first bite of his father’s brain, he gained knowledge of all that had happened in the universe. With the second he gained knowledge of the present happenings, and with the third he came to know of all that would occur in the future.

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A vow of silence

Sahadeva, often relegated to silence in the story along with his brother Nakul, is known for his prescience. He is said to have known all along that a great war would come to cleanse the land, but he did not announce it lest that would bring it about. As it happened, staying silent about it did not help either.

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4. When Duryodhan approached Sahadeva

Sahadeva who had eaten the flesh of his father Pandu after his death could not only see past, and future but also had a great knowledge in Astrology. This is the reason why Shakuni sent Duryodhana to Sahadeva to ask the mahurat (right time) of the Mahabharat War. Sahadeva being honest had disclosed it to Duryodhan in spite knowing the fact that Duryodhan was his real enemy in the battle.

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5. Balarama was Abhimanyu’s father–in–law

Abhimanyu ‘s wife Vatsala was the daughter of Balarama. Balarama wanted that Vatsala should marry Laxman, Duryodhana’s son. Abhimanyu and Vatsala both loved each other and wanted to get married. Abhimanyu took the help of his brother Ghatotkacha (a daitya) who tricked Laxman and terrified him. Ghatotkach then flew away with Vatsala and went to his brother Abhimanyu. Laxman was very upset from all this and he vowed that he will not marry throughout his life.

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6. The sacrifice of Iravan

Iravan, the son of Arjun and naga princess Uloopi, sacrificed himself to goddess Kali to ensure the victory of his father and his team in the Kurukshetra war. He however, had a last wish – He wanted to marry a girl before he died. Now, getting a girl who knew her husband would die in few days was a tricky task. So, Lord Krishna took the form of Mohini, married Iravan and even wept like a widow after her husband died.

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7. Dhritarashtra had a son with his maid servant

Yuyutsu was born to Sauvali, a maid servant who attended Dhritarashtra and looked upon the royal household. Sauvali was not kshatriya but belonged to the Vaishya class. She was appointed to look after Dhritarashtra when Gandhari was declared pregnant. Dhritarashtra was mesmerized by the maid’s charm and used her, both for his physical and sexual gratification. Thus, was born Yuyutsu, the dasi putra of Dhritarashtra.

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8. Duryodhana’s dilemmas

Duryodhan is lying in the battle field, awaiting death, badly bruised by the wounds inflicted by Bhima. He kept his three fingers in a raised position and is unable to speak. All the efforts made by his men to understand the meaning proved to be futile. Seeing his plight Krishna approached him and said "I know what issues occupied your mind. I will address them".

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Questions and their answers

Krishna identified the issues as - not building a fort around Hastinapur, not persuading Vidur to fight the battle, not making Aswathama the commander-in-chief after the death of Dronacharya. Krishna explained further that if you would have built a fort, I would have asked Nakul to mount the horse and destroy the fort; if you would have succeeded in persuading Vidur to participate in the battle, I would also fought the battle and if Aswathama was made the commander-in-chief, I would have made Yudhistir angry.

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Duryodhana could peacefully die

On hearing this Duryodhan closed all the fingers and within seconds he left his body. Many of us do not know that Nakul can drive his horse even in heavy rain without getting wet. He travels with such a speed between a drop and another drop, without getting wet. Only Nakul can do this among Kaurav and Pandav warriors. It also seems that if Yudhistir gets angry, everything that falls within the range of his eye sight will be burnt.

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9. How Udupi fed the Kurukshetra warriors

Five thousand years ago, the Kurukshetra war, between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, was the mother of all battles. All the kings – hundreds of them – aligned themselves on one side or the other. The king of Udupi however chose to remain neutral. He spoke to Krishna and said, ‘Those who fight battles have to eat. I will be the caterer for this battle.’ Many of the Udupi people are caterers even today.

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No wastage

The battle lasted 18 days, and every day, thousand soldiers died. So the Udupi king had to cook that much less food, otherwise it would go waste. The amazing thing was that every day, the food was exactly enough for all the soldiers and no food was wasted. After a few days, people were amazed, ‘How is he managing to cook the exact amount of food!’ No one could know how many people had died on any given day.

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Krishna’s maya

When someone asked the kind of Udupi, ‘How do you manage this?’ the king replied, ‘Every night I go to Krishna’s tent. Krishna likes to eat boiled groundnuts in the night so I peel them and keep them in a bowl. After he is done I count how many nuts has he eaten. If it’s 10 peanuts, I know tomorrow 10,000 people will be dead. So the next day when I cook lunch, I cook for 10,000 people less.

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10. Karna's Last Test

Karna was lying on the battlefield gasping for breath in his last moments. Krishna assumed the form of an indigent Brahmin and approached him wanting to test his generosity. Krishna exclaimed: "Karna! Karna!" Karna asked him: "Who are you, Sir?" Krishna (as the poor Brahmin) replied: "For a long time I have been hearing about your reputation as a charitable person. Today I came to ask you for a gift." "Certainly, I shall give you whatever you want", replied Karna.

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Krishna asks for gold

"I want a small quantity of gold", said Krishna. Karna opened his mouth, showed the gold fillings for his teeth and said: "I shall give this to you. You can take them". Assuming a tone of revulsion, Krishna said: “Do you expect me to break your teeth and take the gold from them? How can I do such a wicked deed?” Karna picked up a stone, knocked out his teeth and offered them to the "Brahmin".

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A step further

Krishna in his guise as Brahmin wanted to test Karna further. "What? Are you giving me as gift teeth dripping with blood? I cannot accept this. I am leaving", he said. Karna pleaded: "Swami, please wait." Even while he was unable to move, Karna took out his arrow and aimed it at the sky. Immediately rain dropped from the clouds. Cleaning the teeth with the rainwater, Karna offered the teeth with both his hands.

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Krishna reveals himself

Karna asked: "Who are you, Sir"? Krishna said: "I am Krishna. I admire your spirit of sacrifice. In any circumstance you have never given up your spirit of sacrifice. Ask me what you want." Beholding Krishna's beauteous form, Karna said with folded hands: "Krishna! To have the vision of the Lord before one's passing is the goal of human existence. You came to me and blessed me with your form. This is enough for me. I offer my salutations to you."

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11. A tale of true friendship

Once Duryodhana's wife Bhanumathi and Karna were playing a game of dice. As the game progressed, it was evident that Karna was winning and Bhanumathi was losing. Just then Duryodhana entered his queen's chamber. Karna had his back to the door while Bhanumathi was facing it. Seeing her husband coming, she was about to stand up. As she was just rising, Karna, thinking that she was trying to get away, snatched at her drape, studded with pearls.

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The thread snapped

Tugged at by Karna's powerful hands, the thread snapped and all the pearls rolled on the floor. Queen Bhanumathi was stunned and did not know what to say or do. She was afraid that, for no fault of hers, she would be misunderstood by her husband because of Karna's offensive and insensitive behavior. Seeing her shocked state and sensing that something was wrong, Karna turned round and saw his friend Duryodhana. He was also deeply shocked and distressed beyond words.

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A strong bond

Here he was, in the royal chamber, playing a game of dice with his friend's wife and, as if this was not enough, he had the audacity to catch her clothes, thus embarrassing and endangering her chaste reputation. He stood dumbfounded and transfixed. As both Bhanumathi and Karna look down sheepishly, unable to meet Duryodhana's eyes, the Kaurava scion only asks, "Should I just collect the beads, or string them as well."