All about history book of myths and legends. ( PDFDrive )

The Mahabharata

The great war

One of the greatest conflicts in Indian mythology, 18 military divisions took part

in this colossal war. The epic describes the complex battle formations used by

the forces, and the war diplomacy and strategies employed by both sides.

Lord Krishna

Krishna took part in the war between the Pandavas and

the Kauravas on the condition that he would not wield a

weapon himself – hence his role as Arjuna’s charioteer.

SOUTH ASIA

One of the longest poems in the world, the

Mahabharata is the second of the two great

ancient Indian epics. Traditionally attributed

to the scribe Vyasa, who also compiled the

Vedas, the poem was probably

composed by several writers between the 8th

century BCE and the 4th century CE. The epic

centres on a war between two rival families,

but it also contains the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred

text outlining the key tenets of Hinduism.

could have his army, another could have him. Duryodhana

chose the army, whereas Arjuna preferred to have Krishna,

who then ofered to be his charioteer.

THE BATTLE AND ITS AFTERMATH

The great battle took place at Kurukshetra. The Kauravas

were led by Bhishma, the great-uncle of both the Pandavas

he posed a serious threat to the Pandavas. After a prolonged

battle, the Pandavas emerged victorious with Krishna’s help,

anguished by the carnage of the battle, went on a pilgrimage

with Draupadi (see opposite) to the Himalayas, leaving

Arjuna’s grandson, Parikshit, as the ruler of Hastinapura.

The journey was long and arduous, and one by one they

died, until only Yudhishthira was left. Finally, he too died,

and went to heaven, where he was reunited with his family.

THE MYTH

The kingdom of Hastinapura was ruled by Pandu of the

Bharata dynasty. Pandu died early, so his blind brother,

Dhritarashtra, became the king. He brought up Pandu’s

five sons, known collectively as the Pandavas, along with

his own 100 sons, called the Kauravas.

The Pandavas incurred the jealousy of their cousins due

to their military prowess, virtuous conduct, and popularity

among the common people. When Yudhishthira, Pandu’s

first-born, was declared heir-apparent, the Kauravas, led

by their eldest brother, Duryodhana, conspired to kill the

Pandavas. However, their intended victims got wind of the

plan and escaped. To settle the quarrel, Dhritarashtra divided

his kingdom between Duryodhana and Yudhishthira. But the

Kauravas resented this. They invited Yudhishthira to play a

game of dice (gambling being one of Yudhishthira’s few

weaknesses), and kept increasing the stakes. Eventually,

Yudhishthira had gambled away his wealth,

kingdom, and even his brothers and wife.

The Pandavas were banished for 12 years.

THE ROLE OF KRISHNA

On their return, Duryodhana refused to

give back their kingdom, and the rivals

prepared for war. Arjuna, Yudhishthira’s and Kauravas. Duryodhana fought with Karna by his

brother, went to seek the support of his side. A great warrior and a dear friend of Duryodhana,

friend Krishna, the eighth avatar of

Vishnu. He found Duryodhana

already there for the same reason. and Yudhishthira became the king. Afterwards, the Pandavas,

Since both were his kinsmen,

Krishna gave them a choice – one side

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