Stories From the Mahabharata – Part 2

In the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, Part 2 is filled with numerous riveting stories that continue to captivate readers even today. These stories are not only entertaining but also impart important lessons and teachings about life and morality. In this article, we will delve into some of the most popular stories from the Mahabharata – Part 2.

The Story of Dhritarashtra’s Second Birth

Dhritarashtra, the eldest son of King Vichitravirya and Queen Ambalika, was born blind. This was considered to be a bad omen by many, and his younger brother Pandu was chosen to become the king. Filled with envy and resentment, Dhritarashtra plotted against Pandu and his sons, the Pandavas. He even tried to kill them several times but was unsuccessful.

One day, sage Ved Vyas visited Dhritarashtra and offered to grant him a boon. Dhritarashtra, blinded by his desire for revenge, asked for a hundred sons who would be as powerful as the Pandavas. However, the sage warned him that this would come at a great cost.

Dhritarashtra’s wish was fulfilled, and he had a hundred sons, named the Kauravas. But as the sage had warned, they were not born from his wife Gandhari’s womb but from pots. Due to the use of dark magic during their birth, the Kauravas were born with many flaws and weaknesses. This led to their downfall in the great war of Kurukshetra.

The story of Dhritarashtra’s second birth teaches us about the consequences of acting out of anger, envy, and greed. It also highlights the importance of contentment and acceptance of one’s fate.

The Story of Draupadi’s Swayamvara

Draupadi, the daughter of King Draupad, was renowned for her unparalleled beauty. She was also known to be skilled in various arts and had many suitors. Her father decided to hold a swayamvara, where Draupadi would choose her own husband from the gathered princes.

At the swayamvara, Draupadi was asked to prove her worth by a difficult task. She had to string a mighty bow and shoot an arrow through a revolving golden fish that could be seen only through its reflection. Many princes attempted to complete the task, but none could even string the bow. Finally, the greatest archer of all time, Arjuna, stepped up and not only strung the bow but also successfully hit the fish’s eye, thereby winning Draupadi’s hand in marriage.

This story teaches us about the power of determination, bravery, and self-belief. It also shows that true love cannot be won by force or wealth but only by exhibiting qualities that truly matter.

The Story of Eklavya

Eklavya, a young and talented archer, aspired to become a disciple of Guru Dronacharya, the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas. However, Dronacharya refused to take Eklavya as his disciple as he was from a lower caste and deemed not worthy of his teachings.

Undeterred, Eklavya sculpted a statue of Dronacharya and started to practice under the statue’s watchful gaze. Through dedication and hard work, Eklavya became a skilled archer and was soon known as the best archer in the kingdom.

One day, while Eklavya was practicing, Dronacharya came across him and saw his exceptional skills. Realizing that Eklavya had surpassed his own disciples, Dronacharya asked for his fee as a guru – the thumb of Eklavya’s right hand. Without hesitation, Eklavya cut off his thumb and offered it to his guru as a token of respect. He never let the loss of his thumb come in the way of his passion for archery.

The story of Eklavya teaches us about the importance of dedication, hard work, and respect, and the ugly face of discrimination and hierarchy in society.

The Story of Abhimanyu

Abhimanyu was the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, and he inherited his father’s exceptional archery skills. He was also known for his bravery and valor. During the great war of Kurukshetra, Abhimanyu played a crucial role in the Pandavas’ victory as he was one of the few who knew how to enter and exit the deadly Chakravyuh formation set by the Kauravas.

However, Abhimanyu was only partially aware of how to navigate the formation. He was able to enter it but was unaware of how to exit. Trapped and outnumbered, he fought bravely until he was killed by the Kauravas.

The story of Abhimanyu teaches us about the importance of learning and being prepared for all challenges in life. It also reminds us that every battle is not just about winning or losing but also about loyalty, courage, and sacrifice.

The Story of the Yaksha’s Questioning

Pandavas, along with their wife Draupadi and dog, arrived at a lake during their exile. As they were thirsty, Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, sent his brothers one by one to fetch water from the lake. However, they all died in the process.

When Yudhishthira himself went to fetch water, he was confronted by a Yaksha, a celestial being, who demanded that he answer a series of questions. The Yaksha said that if Yudhishthira could answer all the questions, his brothers would come back to life. Yudhishthira agreed, and the Yaksha asked him a series of complex questions, to which he answered intelligently.

Impressed, the Yaksha asked Yudhishthira what wish he desired. Yudhishthira requested that his brothers be brought back to life, and the Yaksha granted his wish. It was later revealed that the Yaksha was actually Lord Yama, the God of death, testing Yudhishthira’s wisdom and righteousness.

The story of the Yaksha’s questioning teaches us about the importance of intelligence, humility, and righteousness. It also highlights the power of devotion and faith in the face of adversity.

In Conclusion

The Mahabharata – Part 2 is a treasure trove of timeless stories that have transcended through generations. Each story is layered with multiple meanings and teachings that continue to hold relevance even in modern times. These stories not only entertain but also educate and inspire readers to lead a life filled with virtues and values.