Mahabharata, by Epified on Youtube
- Drupadi grows up to be a beautiful princess, and her
father plans a swayamvar for her in Panchaal. Many princes of nearby kingdoms
attended the contest, including Duryodhan and other Kauravas, as well as the
Pandavas disguised as brahmins. The challenge was to shoot an arrow at a fish’s
eye as it swam in a bowl of oil. All but Arjun could lift the divine bow, a
surprise to all after all the other Kshatriya had failed, and he effortlessly completed
the task.
- The events at Draupadi’s swayamvar was more than a simple ceremony, it was a turning point in the Mahabharata: “a point in time where paths of destiny converged and seeds of future devastation were sown.” Karna, King of Anga, was insulted by the princess who spoke that a “soot-putra” had no business in participating in the presence of kings and that he could not be worthy of her even with his archery skills. Little did she know of the future of war ahead after she said these unkind words. Krishna and Balram happened to be in the hall, not to take part but to observe. Krisha, in his all-seeing eyes saw “all that had happened, all that was happening, and all that was about to happen.” He was happy that Draupadi had received Arjuna as her husband.
- On their way home, the five Pandava brothers had to fight off hostile local princes. At their mother Kunti’s orders, the brothers were told to “share” Arjuna’s wife so as not to create strife among them. Yudhishtir, Bhim, Nakul, and Sahadev were hesitant because it seemed wrong since Arjuna was the one who won her hand in marriage. A sage who happened by their home told the family of Draupadi’s former life in which she had prayed for a spouse with five virtues, and thus he said having so many husbands was her destiny so the brothers agreed. Dhrishtadyumna, Draupadi’s brother, spilled the beans on his sister to their father who weren’t fans.
- The Kauravas tried to kill the Pandavas by burning down the palace (allegedly made of wax) that they had taken for shelter, but they exit safely and settle instead in Ekachakra as wandering brahmins. After word was spread about the multiple marriage of Draupadi and the Pandava’s, the Kauravas were angry and jealous. Draupad called Karna and the Kaurava’s, Bhishma, who said that they should divide their kingdom with the family. Drona, who was also part of the Kaurava council, sent Vidur for the brothers to Hastinapur as they were currently under the protection of the Panchaal king. The brothers agreed and were welcomed with open arms; they crowned Yudhishthir and were given the kingdom of Khandavaprasth. He agreed to move away from his cousins in Hastinapur to this wasteland cursed by Indra to prevent problems with his cousins that would result in war. This place was inhabited by asurs, rakhashas, and nagas.
- Krishna invited Vishvakarma, a divine architect, to help the brothers build up the barren kingdom they inherited. During their time in the woods, Arjun and Krishna met Agni who in his hunger wanted to burn down the forest. As this would be beneficial to the brothers who wanted to rid their land of asurs, rakhashas, and nagas and thus approved clearing them through wildfire. Then the work began to construct the magnificent city they called Indraprasth since it was meant to resemble Indra’s own city which would entice many from Hastinapur to relocate to mansions given to them by generous Yudhishthir. Duryodhan, who was filled with envy blamed Dhritarashtra for giving Khandavaprasth to the brothers.
- Narad Muni visited the new kingdom at Khrishna’s request, who was sought for guidance in the administration of the kingdom. Upon meeting Draupadi, Narad was reminded of the story of the asura brothers Sundha and Upasundha. It was said these two were inseparable much like the Pandavas, and they thought that death could only touch them if it was at each other’s hands. The two fell in love with the same woman, Tilottama, who was created by Vishwakarma with millions of gems. In a deadly dual over the same woman. After Narad narrated the story, he warned the brothers that Draupadi’s beauty could cause the same dispute and that they ought to stand together despite all odds. Thus, after negotiation it was decided they would each keep her as his wife for a year and that if one should intrude he should be exiled for 12 years. After hearing from a balcony that a brahmins belongings were stolen by thieves, Arjuna went for his weapons in Yudhishthira’s chambers knowing that he would be punished because dharma was “above all” and he felt compelled to help the brahmin in need. He felt ashamed but happy to do the right thing and ready to leave Indraprasth because despite others urging he stay, he stuck to his principles.
- In the Himalayas, Arjuna and the band of brahmins stayed by the river Ganga. One day, he was pulled to the bottom of the water and was met with Ulupi, daughter of the Naga Kauravya and king of Naaglok. Arjuna gave in to temptation with the beautiful woman despite betraying Draupadi. After a few months he left, and the group had grown long beards and reached Kalinga where most were dropped off. Arjuna kept on until Manalur, where King Chitrasen’s daughter, Chitragandha stole his heart and he asked her hand in marriage. After 3 years and she gave him a child, he decided to go back to his brothers and stole away in the night.
- Krishna told Arjuna that all his experiences were predestined when they had met and dined at Prabhasa, on the outskirts of Dwarka. During this time he also told him of his desire to marry his sister, Subhadra, which was agreed to despite the knowledge that she was sought by Duryodhan too. Since gaining Balrams approval would be difficult if not impossible, Krishna told Arjuna to make the girl fall for him and then abduct her during a festival while disguised as a sanyasi.
- The events at Draupadi’s swayamvar was more than a simple ceremony, it was a turning point in the Mahabharata: “a point in time where paths of destiny converged and seeds of future devastation were sown.” Karna, King of Anga, was insulted by the princess who spoke that a “soot-putra” had no business in participating in the presence of kings and that he could not be worthy of her even with his archery skills. Little did she know of the future of war ahead after she said these unkind words. Krishna and Balram happened to be in the hall, not to take part but to observe. Krisha, in his all-seeing eyes saw “all that had happened, all that was happening, and all that was about to happen.” He was happy that Draupadi had received Arjuna as her husband.
- On their way home, the five Pandava brothers had to fight off hostile local princes. At their mother Kunti’s orders, the brothers were told to “share” Arjuna’s wife so as not to create strife among them. Yudhishtir, Bhim, Nakul, and Sahadev were hesitant because it seemed wrong since Arjuna was the one who won her hand in marriage. A sage who happened by their home told the family of Draupadi’s former life in which she had prayed for a spouse with five virtues, and thus he said having so many husbands was her destiny so the brothers agreed. Dhrishtadyumna, Draupadi’s brother, spilled the beans on his sister to their father who weren’t fans.
- The Kauravas tried to kill the Pandavas by burning down the palace (allegedly made of wax) that they had taken for shelter, but they exit safely and settle instead in Ekachakra as wandering brahmins. After word was spread about the multiple marriage of Draupadi and the Pandava’s, the Kauravas were angry and jealous. Draupad called Karna and the Kaurava’s, Bhishma, who said that they should divide their kingdom with the family. Drona, who was also part of the Kaurava council, sent Vidur for the brothers to Hastinapur as they were currently under the protection of the Panchaal king. The brothers agreed and were welcomed with open arms; they crowned Yudhishthir and were given the kingdom of Khandavaprasth. He agreed to move away from his cousins in Hastinapur to this wasteland cursed by Indra to prevent problems with his cousins that would result in war. This place was inhabited by asurs, rakhashas, and nagas.
- Krishna invited Vishvakarma, a divine architect, to help the brothers build up the barren kingdom they inherited. During their time in the woods, Arjun and Krishna met Agni who in his hunger wanted to burn down the forest. As this would be beneficial to the brothers who wanted to rid their land of asurs, rakhashas, and nagas and thus approved clearing them through wildfire. Then the work began to construct the magnificent city they called Indraprasth since it was meant to resemble Indra’s own city which would entice many from Hastinapur to relocate to mansions given to them by generous Yudhishthir. Duryodhan, who was filled with envy blamed Dhritarashtra for giving Khandavaprasth to the brothers.
- Narad Muni visited the new kingdom at Khrishna’s request, who was sought for guidance in the administration of the kingdom. Upon meeting Draupadi, Narad was reminded of the story of the asura brothers Sundha and Upasundha. It was said these two were inseparable much like the Pandavas, and they thought that death could only touch them if it was at each other’s hands. The two fell in love with the same woman, Tilottama, who was created by Vishwakarma with millions of gems. In a deadly dual over the same woman. After Narad narrated the story, he warned the brothers that Draupadi’s beauty could cause the same dispute and that they ought to stand together despite all odds. Thus, after negotiation it was decided they would each keep her as his wife for a year and that if one should intrude he should be exiled for 12 years. After hearing from a balcony that a brahmins belongings were stolen by thieves, Arjuna went for his weapons in Yudhishthira’s chambers knowing that he would be punished because dharma was “above all” and he felt compelled to help the brahmin in need. He felt ashamed but happy to do the right thing and ready to leave Indraprasth because despite others urging he stay, he stuck to his principles.
- In the Himalayas, Arjuna and the band of brahmins stayed by the river Ganga. One day, he was pulled to the bottom of the water and was met with Ulupi, daughter of the Naga Kauravya and king of Naaglok. Arjuna gave in to temptation with the beautiful woman despite betraying Draupadi. After a few months he left, and the group had grown long beards and reached Kalinga where most were dropped off. Arjuna kept on until Manalur, where King Chitrasen’s daughter, Chitragandha stole his heart and he asked her hand in marriage. After 3 years and she gave him a child, he decided to go back to his brothers and stole away in the night.
- Krishna told Arjuna that all his experiences were predestined when they had met and dined at Prabhasa, on the outskirts of Dwarka. During this time he also told him of his desire to marry his sister, Subhadra, which was agreed to despite the knowledge that she was sought by Duryodhan too. Since gaining Balrams approval would be difficult if not impossible, Krishna told Arjuna to make the girl fall for him and then abduct her during a festival while disguised as a sanyasi.
Bibliography:
Author: Epified
Title: Epified: Mahabharata, Part D (Playlist)
Source: YouTube
Author: Epified
Title: Epified: Mahabharata, Part D (Playlist)
Source: YouTube
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