THE MAHABHARATA

A SUMMARY

Rani Ramaswamy

An introduction

Rani Ramaswamy

The rivers, they say, ran red with the blood of those who perished in this war that pitted the Pandavas, royal princes of the Kuru dynasty against their evil cousins the Kauravas. The famous battle of Kurukshetra, as it came to be known, is described in detail in the Mahabharata, which along with the Ramayana is part of the larger body of Hindu Scriptures. These two great epics bring to life the philosophy and the complexity of thought contained in the Scriptures to a level easily understood by the common man.

The Mahabharata was composed by the Sage Vyasa, himself the stuff of legend; his life and his work are a testament to the genius of a society that conceived of a system where rishis [or teachers] renounced the everyday life for the tranquility of the jungles. Isolated, in total peace, they were able to focus their minds and tap into their inner resources and acquire miraculous powers; they had the ability to do things that are difficult to explain in today’s world of science and logic. But we must keep in mind that the story occurred in more innocent times.

With more than 100,000 verses, the Mahabharata, is not one story, but many. Some of the stories have morals to tell, some simply are there to entertain.

To those familiar with Indian mythology, Krishna seems so real, yet he exudes a divinity that makes him more than just what appears on the surface. This strange mixture of the human and the superhuman makes for great drama, and there is never a dull moment. Man is shown at his very worst, and at his very best. The battle of Kurukshethra, is symbolic of the fight that rages in all of us, as the forces of all that is good and noble fights the evil that haunts us.

It was Bhagawan Vyasa, the great rishi who presented the Mahabharata, the divine epic, to mankind. In a world long before the printing press, was invented, he needed someone to write down his thoughts as they occurred to him. He prayed to Brahma, the creator, who is said to have come to him in person, and recommended God Ganesha, and the two worked in perfect harmony resulting in possibly, the greatest story ever told.

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Chapter 1

King Santanu

The story begins in Hastinapura, with King Santanu, who was the great grandfather of the Pandavas and Kauravas. He was married to the River Goddess Ganga, who had assumed human form because of a curse by a Rishi.

King Santanu lived happily with his wife, honoring his promise not to interfere no matter what she did. Shortly after she delivered a beautiful baby boy. The king watched her, horrified, as Ganga took the baby to the river, and as far as the king could tell, seemed to drown the baby. She thus dispatched one beautiful baby boy after another, to the bewilderment of the king. Afraid of losing her, he said nothing. The eighth time he could not stand it anymore and demanded an explanation.

Saddened that he had broken his promise to her, Ganga revealed her identity and took leave. She also took with her the eighth child, promising to bring him back once he was old enough.

Chapter 2

Bhishma

The years went by, and sure enough, Ganga brought back her son whom she called Devavratha. He was already a gifted archer, and well versed in the scriptures. King Santanu was pleased and started making plans for crowning the young Devavratha king someday.

But before that could happen, the king, lonely after the departure of Ganga, fell madly in love with another beautiful maiden Satyavati who the daughter of a fisherman was. She often helped her father ferry people back and forth across the river. One day, she was ferrying a rishi by the name of Parashar, who was so struck by her beauty that he was filled with desire for her, made love to her. Soon she would have a baby, who would grow up to be Sage Vyasa, author of the Mahabharata.

As a pre-condition to the marriage, Satyavati’s father had stipulated that only Satyavati’s children could lay claim to the throne, not Devavratha, and further demanded that Devavratha remain celibate his entire life.

Devavratha only desiring his father’s happiness, took on the vow of celibacy and gave up his title as crown prince- as a result he came to be known as Bhishma- one who takes a difficult vow and keeps it.

Chapter 3

The Story of Pandu – father of the Pandavas

Fast forwarding through the Mahabharata, the next item of interest is the birth of the Pandavas, whose grandfather was king Santanu. The Pandavas were believed to be of divine origin. Their mother, Kunti Devi was very young, when Sage Durvasa, well known for his temper, visited her father, King Kuntibhoja. [ Kunti Devi who would later marry Pandu, son to King Santanu.}

During his stay, Kunti took care of his needs very diligently. Pleased with her, Durvasa gave her a very potent mantra. When uttered, one of the Gods could be invoked, who would then bless her with his son.

With the curiosity typical of children, Kunti said the mantra, and asked for the Sun God to appear before her. And so, he did, in all his glory. On his appearance, Kunti panicked and begged him to leave, and write off this invocation as a childish prank. But the mantra had so much power, even the Gods were helpless, and its promise was fulfilled.

Kunti, only a slip of a girl, would immediately give birth to a boy, as Gods do not have the nine-month gestation of humans. The baby, born with divine armor and earrings was to be known as Karna, and would grow up to be at once upright, noble and tragic.

Kunti, afraid of the consequences, carried this terrible secret within her. In time, she married Pandu, King of Hastinapura. Pandu would also marry Madri, as was the custom in those days.

Pandu ruled over Hastinapura for a short period when a vile deed he had done in his youth caught up with him and was cursed by a rishi: that any attempts to have a sexual relationship would result in his death.

Too preoccupied with guilt and sorrow at what he had done and its terrible consequences, he abdicated the throne to the blind Dhrithirashtra and went to the forest with his two wives. Here, he led a life of abstinence. But seeing how he longed for children, Kunti told Pandu of the boon given to her by sage Durvasa. With Pandu in agreement, she shared the mantra with Madri and the five Pandavas were born soon after.

Chapter 4

Kunti returns to Hastinapura

But one day, Pandu was so enamored with the lovely Madri that he succumbed to temptation despite Madri's warnings and fell dead soon after. Madri, unable to bear her sorrow, would die in her husband's funeral pyre, as she felt responsible for Pandu's death. The Pandavas were young, Yudhishtra, the oldest only sixteen and the forest did not seem welcoming to a widow with children, so the grief- stricken Kunti returned to Hastinapura to the court of her blind brother-in-law now King Dhrithirashtra, with the Pandavas. Dhrithirashtra would have 100 sons of his own; they would be called the Kauravas.

The Pandavas and the Kauravas were a rowdy bunch. Their Uncle Bhishma, decided to look for a teacher who would bring discipline to the two sets of cousins, teach them the Vedas, the Shastras [the Sciences], and train them in warfare, as appropriate for Kshatriyas. This combination of the humanities and the life sciences was important, so that someday when they were ready to rule, they would have the wisdom and the knowledge to do so.

Chapter 5 Dronacharya

As it happened Dronacharya, a brilliant scholar, and a famous warrior was looking for pupils, and approached Bhishma. Dronacharya was the son of the sage Bharadwaj a, a famous Rishi. Bhishma was happy to have such an illustrious man as teacher to the royal princes and gave him all the respect due to a man of such splendid lineage.

Dronacharya took charge of the boisterous young men. Ruling with an iron hand, he trained them rigorously in warfare. In no time, the willful and rebellious sons of Pandu and Dhrithirashtra were disciplined men of arms.

Their education now complete, Dronacharya decided to ask for his ‘gurudakshina’, the payment made by the student when he was done with his education. It so happened that he carried a personal grudge against a childhood companion, Prince Drupada -now King of Panchala: As children, Dronacharya and Prince Drupada were inseparable. The two boys were so devoted to each other that the future king had promised he would give half his kingdom to the Brahmin when they grew up. Their days of learning over, the two young men went their separate ways. Soon after, Dronacharya, now with a young family decided to take up the offer made by his boyhood friend.

To his chagrin, he was greeted by King Drupada with icy coldness. Dronacharya was crushed; Stung at the King’s arrogance, Dronacharya swore he would get even some day,

So, for their very first assignment, Dronacharya sent the Kauravas to Panchala to capture King Drupada and bring him back, but their mission was a dismal failure. He then sent the Pandavas, with Arjuna as their leader. The Pandavas, in no time defeated the mighty Drupada, and brought him back as prisoner. Disgraced, Drupada was raging within, determined more than ever that the Brahmin needed

to be taught a lesson. But he was deeply impressed with the Pandavas, and particularly taken up with Arjuna, who had led the assault.

When he was satisfied that he had humbled the arrogant king, Dronacharya restored his kingdom back to him- all that he had wanted was to teach his friend a lesson.

Drupada, his pride severely hurt, went to the forest and did rigorous penance- his prayers were answered when his daughter Draupadi, who was to marry the Pandavas, and a son, Dhrishtadhyumna, who would slay Dronacharya in that great battle fought at Kurukshetra.

Chapter 6 The Cousins Spar

Dronacharya was an excellent teacher, but he was also human. Of his students, he favored the Pandavas, and among the Pandavas, he was partial to Arjuna; this was no secret. He took special pains with Arjuna, who in all fairness, was an excellent student, and well deserved this kind of attention. This did nothing to endear Dronacharya to the Kauravas, however. But the guru was so revered, they learned to contain their feelings, at least for the time being.

When he was satisfied that he had taught the Princes all that was necessary, Dronacharya decided it was time to display their abilities to the public and to the elders in the court. A rivalry had risen among the cousins, and it was not pretty to watch.

The Kauravas were seething with jealousy and rage when Arjuna, was the focus of one and all, displayed his many talents. Duryodhan the eldest of the Kauravas was incensed. Suddenly, as though in answer to his prayers there came into the arena a young warrior; the young man was Karna, the oldest of the Pandavas, although none of them knew this dreadful secret. Not only did he repeat Arjuna’s performance, Karna did so with remarkable ease. This encounter would set the stage for his lifelong rivalry with Arjuna.

Dronacharya, surprised at this challenge, told Karna in order to participate in this event, the warrior must be of royal birth. On hearing this, Karna, the son of a humble charioteer was crushed, and his face fell.

But Duryodhana, seeing him ready to take on the much-hated Arjuna, very quickly fixed that, by giving him the title ‘King of Anga”, and instantly made him royalty.

Meanwhile the two brothers faced off. Just as he was ready to fight with Arjuna, Karna’s adopted father came to the arena, for he had heard that his son had been crowned King. With fatherly pride, he embraced Karna, right there for the whole world to see. Karna was thoroughly shamed to be exposed to the whole wide world as the son of a humble charioteer; Duryodhana, sensing Karna’s shame sorrow, drove off with him, thus sparing Kunti the agony of watching her two children in arms against one other.

Chapter 7

Events that led to the Swayamvar

The Kauravas were very vindictive, constantly nipping at the heels of the Pandavas, eventually driving them out of Hastinapura as Kunti feared for the safety of her sons. So, disguised as Brahmins, they went to a small neighboring kingdom. But they were dying to go back and were looking for the opportunity to let the world know they were alive and well.

The perfect occasion would come their way, when King Drupada announced the Swayamvar of his daughter, the beautiful Draupadi. [Swayamvar was a ceremony, where a woman of royal birth got to choose her husband from among suitors]. Draupadi was famous for her beauty and her Swayamvar was one the Pandavas could not miss.

It was a simple task for Arjuna but not that easy for the average archer- for it involved shooting an arrow at the eye of a fish suspended six or seven feet at the end of a pole over a large dish of water. The archer had to do so, by only looking at the reflection of the fish in the water.

When Drupada set up the challenge, it was his hope that Arjuna would participate in the Swayamvar and win Draupadi’s hand in marriage. To see a humble Brahmin win Draupadi was very disappointing. Krishna, who happened to be a guest of Drupada at the Swayamvar, suspecting that the Brahmins were perhaps

not Brahmins at all but the illustrious sons of Pandu, managed to appease the royal guests and send them home.

Meanwhile the Pandava Brothers returned to their humble home with Draupadi, and when they called out to their mother Kunti, she asked without bothering to turn around, to share whatever they had collected among themselves, as usual.

The brothers were stunned as the impact of what their mother had said sunk in. They thought about the whole thing, and decided that they would all marry Draupadi, so they may not go against their mother’s words.

They returned to Hastinapura, much to the delight of the people; but that made their evil cousins the Kauravas, very jealous.

The Pandavas were good rulers, and trade and commerce flourished. The city had so many beautiful buildings it came to be known as Indraprastha, for it was as beautiful as the dwelling of Indra, the King of Gods.

Chapter 8

Duryodhana and the Deadly Game of Dice

The Kauravas fretted and fumed at the successes of their cousins, Unable to agree on the best course of action that they should take, decided to approach their Uncle Sakuni, well known for his cunning ways. Sakuni had a soft corner for the cantankerous Duryodhana., Sakuni advised Duryodhana to invite them for a game of dice. He knew of the terrible weakness that Yudhishtra had for that game, and that he was an awful player.

Yudhishtra took the bait, and so the Pandavas went to Hastinapura. He wagered small things at first, and he lost. Playing on behalf of Duryodhana, Sakuni took over and easily outclassed him. Caught in the vicious grip of addiction, Yudhishtra wagered everything he possessed: jewels, his servants, elephants, horses, his chariots. In sheer desperation Yudhishtra wagered his kingdom, his brothers, even himself. Yet Sakuni persisted and asked for Draupadi, and to the deep sorrow of all those gathered, and to his eternal shame, Yudhishtra lost her too.

Yudhishtra, the man who stood for dharma or righteousness, had been worsted, not just by his enemies, but also by his own weakness. His addiction consumed him, bringing grief to his entire family.

The Kauravas were elated at this turn of events and behaved badly, taunting their cousins. The Pandavas were thoroughly shamed and did not even lift a finger to help Draupadi who bore the brunt of the jibes of their evil cousins and was told to remove her clothes. Her husbands stood silently as the Kauravas pushed her around; they watched helplessly as the Kauravas hurled insults at her. Draupadi, desperately seeks the help of Krishna to whom she prays. The story of the disrobing of Draupadi becomes the pivotal moment in the Mahabharata.

Dhrithirashtra for once acted with wisdom and told the Pandavas, that the whole event had been a bad idea, and restored all their possessions to them.

But Duryodhana, unhappy with his father’s decision to let the Pandavas go scot free, badgered the ageing King and asked for a rematch. The invitation was sent, and it was accepted. At the game, it seemed like Yudhishtra, an incredibly virtuous man was a man possessed. Once again, he played against Sakuni, and once again, he lost; Only this time as per the wager, being the losers, they would

go to the forest for 12 years and spend the 13th year unrecognized- if discovered during this one year; they would have to spend another 12 years in the forest.

Chapter 9 Exile

On a day that was deemed auspicious, the Pandavas set out for the forest where they were to live in exile. They led a simple, frugal life, eating whatever the forest yielded.

The years in the forest were difficult, particularly for Draupadi who was not used to hardship. The twelve years of exile that had been the term they had agreed to, was approaching an end, and it was time for the Pandavas to decide how they would spend their thirteenth year. During this period, they were not to be recognized or they would have to serve the twelve years all over again. After much deliberation, they decided that they would spend it in the kingdom of Matsya, whose King Virata was a kind-hearted man they were told, and sure to help those in need.

Sure enough, they found King Virata to be a good friend and spent the 13th year peacefully. Their exile complete, the Pandavas sent for their friends and allies to decide what they had to do to get their kingdom back. Krishna was among the friendly faces that were there for the meeting. They decided that they would seek to regain their kingdom peacefully, and if their efforts failed, then sadly, they would have to fight for their rights.

They sent an emissary to Dhrithirashtra, respectfully asking him back for their kingdom, as they had completed the twelve years of exile and the thirteenth year unrecognized as agreed. Now, they wanted what was rightfully theirs; Nothing more, and nothing less.

Chapter 10

WAR!

While they were seeking peace, the Pandavas were also preparing for the possibility of war. The Pandavas had no desire to fight with family, but the Kauravas were simply itching for a fight – the messenger they had sent to the Kauravas court, came back empty handed; Dhrithirashtra had lots of advice for the Pandavas but not a word about any offers to restore to the Pandavas what was rightfully theirs.

The Pandavas were disgusted, and disappointed with Dhrithirashtra. But Krishna wanted to give diplomacy a chance. If he could persuade the old king that he was making a terrible mistake, that there was still hope for peace.

But Duryodhana was in no mood to listen- with the large army he had assembled, he was very confident that victory was his for the taking.

Chapter 11

Diplomacy

Duryodhana stormed out of the court and planned to capture Krishna and keep him hostage. When Krishna heard of this, he roared with laughter, and instantly revealed to them his ‘Vishwarupa’ or divine presence. It was a terrifying sight- the radiance from this presence was blinding. Vyasa when he describes Krishna really outdoes himself. Saddened that his efforts had been in vain, Krishna on his way back to the Pandavas, made one more stop. Since he was not successful in his efforts to keep the peace with the Kauravas, he decided that he would try to persuade Karna to come to the side of the Pandavas. The mission was a dismal failure.

It seems like Karna was due one more visitor. His mother Kunti was also concerned about the rivalry between Karna and Arjuna, and knew in a face-off if there was war, one of them would die. She decided to talk to Karna and see if she could win him over to the side of the Pandavas.

She then pleaded with Karna to join forces with the Pandavas. It was too little, too late. Kunti had little credibility with Karna, for she had many opportunities she had allowed to slide by, when she could have declared him to be her long-lost son. But being noble of disposition, Karna wanted to spare Kunti’s feelings. Sadly, he told his newly found mother that the only Pandava he wanted to destroy was Arjuna, and that he would spare his other siblings.

He then asked her to promise him that if he were to die in battle, she would come to the battlefield and grieve for him openly. Kunti agreed and left him, glad to take what she could get.

Chapter 12

The Bhagavad Gita

War was inevitable. The preparation for war was in full swing, and the Pandavas selected Draupadi’s brother Dhrishtadhyumna, as commander-in-chief. The Kauravas chose Bhishma, who made it clear to them that he would fight the Pandava army, but would not lift a finger against the Pandavas, for they were much too dear to him.

The ceremonies that marked the beginning of the war were over, and the battle was about to begin. As Arjuna stood proudly in his chariot, having prepared for this moment all his life, he caught sight of Bhishma and Dronacharya among others, at the forefront for the enemy. He was suddenly overcome with emotion. The Gandiva slipped from his hands, and he sank into the seat of the chariot, looking deeply disturbed.

Until this moment, the enemy had been faceless, an evil force that had to be destroyed for the greater good; but now, he had an identity; and the thought of the killing that was to occur, horrified him.

Arjuna’s dejection and sorrow in the face of the biggest challenge of his life, and Krishna’s response to the situation, alternately playing the role of friend, counselor, philosopher and teacher, results in a dialog that is contained in the holiest book among the Hindu Scriptures, the’ Bhagawad Gita’ or the song of the Lord. A body of work that stands by itself, it captures the very essence of Hindu philosophy, and deals with aspects of life that are just as relevant today as they were centuries ago.

As Krishna tried to get Arjuna out of his stupor, his eloquence and his sense of poetry permeate the Gita, giving it much of its grandeur.

Towards the end of the Bhagawad Gita Krishna revealed to Arjuna his ‘Vishwarupa’ or his divine form: it was a magnificent sight. ‘Even the radiance of a thousand suns could not be brighter’ according to the poet. The entire universe was present, right there –containing all that was ever created, animate, inanimate, and anything else one could imagine, in this wondrous form of Krishna.

Arjuna, recognizing that what he had seen was privy to nobody else in this entire universe, felt happiness in his heart such as he had never known, and thus

energized, charged into the battlefield, ready to take on his enemies. It was on this note that the battle of Kurukshetra began and would go on for many days. Much blood was spilt; there were acts of great valor, and shameful deeds of cowardice and trickery.

Chapter 13

The War Continues

On the 3rd day Arjuna wreaked tremendous havoc on the Kauravas by killing many of the Kauravas brothers. This was too close to home and Duryodhana was deeply saddened by the loss- he went to Bhishma and shared his grief. So, on the next day, Bhishma fought like a lion, and threw the Pandava army into total disarray. He caused so much devastation that bodies lay in heaps, the soldiers were utterly dejected. That evening the Pandavas and Krishna decided to pay a visit to the old warrior.

Bhishma was happy to see the Pandavas, and when they asked him what they had to do to win the war. He told them about Sikandin, who was born a woman, and due to rigorous penances became a man. As a Kshatriya, he could not fight someone who was born female. The next morning, Arjuna’s heart was heavy with sorrow, for he realized he had to kill Bhishma, to win the war. the old warrior knew it was time for him to die; rather than fight Sikandin, he preferred death which was more honorable for a Kshatriya; he lay down his arms.

Bhishma passed away as he rested on a bed of arrows, on the day of Sankaranthi, which marks the end of a month of ill omen, and the beginning of the ‘Uttarayana’ or the summer equinox, a more auspicious time of year. It is one of those few Moments in the battle of Kurukshetra that saw the two sides put their arms down, as they paid their final respects to an extraordinary man, whose reputation for rigorous self-discipline would live through the ages.

Chapter 14 The death of Abhimanyu

Dronacharya took Bhishma’s place and fought bravely for the next five Days and wreaked huge losses on the Pandavas. Soon after he had assumed command, he was approached by Duryodhana, who told him that if Dronacharya were to capture Yudhishtra alive, ‘this war will end’. Dronacharya was happy that Duryodhana was finally beginning to see reason,

But the Pandavas managed to keep Dronacharya away from Yudhishtra as the Kauravas used tactics that were devious, so the Pandavas were forced to send Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna, Tender of age, but a fearless warrior nonetheless Abhimanyu, knew how to break the formation of the ‘Chakra Vyuha’ or the ‘wheel shaped formation: it was one of the most complicated and difficult of formations, and few men knew how to break it and get in and out.

Abhimanyu, a fearless warrior, knew how to get in but did not know how to get out. Reassured that he would be totally supported, Abhimanyu charged into the enemy lines and broke the array- but once there he looked for the support he was promised, but the wily Kauravas had closed the breach right after him. Despite the odds he continued to fight, drawing on some inner strength. He caused much destruction but outnumbered by the enemy he finally lay down his weapons and breathed his last.

It is the saddest moment in the Mahabharata. Abhimanyu, the warrior who knew no fear, lay dead in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. No one can read the story of Abhimanyu without a lump in the throat, so profound is the spell cast by his exploits. It is said that the birds of prey protested the shameful tactics of the Kauravas, and even Dhrithirashtra hung his head in shame, horrified to learn that the Kauravas danced around the dead body of Abhimanyu.

Chapter 15

Arjuna Seeks Revenge

Abhimanyu’s untimely death devastated the Pandavas. It was with deep sorrow Arjuna heard how cruelly Abhimanyu had been isolated, and then brutally killed. He swore vengeance against the Kauravas, and particularly incensed at Jayadhrita, whose action had led to his son’s death, he took an oath that he, Arjuna, would kill the evil king before sunset the next day.

The news reached the Kauravas, and Jayadhrita heart was filled with fear, for a prophecy was about to come true: it had been said at his birth that he would be killed by one of the most renowned warriors of his time. Jayadhrita was looking at Death in the face, and the face that he saw was Arjuna’s.

But he Kauravas were not going to make Arjuna’s life easy but were no challenge to Arjuna. He made short shrift of anyone who stood in his way, thus steadily and purposefully, made his way towards Jayadhrita.

Meanwhile, Yudhishtra sent Bhima, as he had not heard from Arjuna. Dronacharya once again stepped up and attempted to stop Bhima, but Bhima, unlike Arjuna was not given to niceties - he had no compunction fighting the man who had been their teacher. But mindful of his mission, he merely disabled Dronacharya chariot, and kept going, looking for Arjuna.

The 14th day of the battle of Kurukshetra, saw neither side paying any attention to the fact that it was after dark. Torches were lit at intervals, and it was an eerie sight, as the dead and wounded lay on the battlefield. But no sooner did it become dark than Gatotkacha, (the Asura or demon son of Bhima,) and his army of Asuras, came into their own as they were nocturnal creatures and were soon gleefully plowing through the Kaurava ranks.

Frightened, Duryodhana beseeched Karna to kill Gatotkacha. Flustered by Duryodhana’s desperate plea, Karna who had trouble keeping Gatotkacha at bay,

used the spear given to him by Indra. The spear, he had been told, was sure to kill the enemy, but came with a caveat: it could be used only once. Karna had been saving it for his encounter with Arjuna, but now the spear found its target, and Gatotkacha, the beloved son of Bhima, lay dead, in the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

It is a sad moment, as Gatotkacha like Abhimanyu, was very young, and a fearless warrior, but his valor was not enough to protect him from the deadly spear that had the power to kill any being, human or otherwise.

The Pandavas decided that the only way Dronacharya would put his arms down was if he were to hear of Ashwathama’s death.

So, Bhima killed an elephant by the name of Ashwatthama, and roared for all to hear that Ashwatthama was dead. Dronacharya, no greenhorn, asked Yudhishtra, who was incapable of telling a lie,” Yudhishtra, does Bhima speak the truth? Is my dear Ashwatthama really dead?”

For the first time in his life, Yudhishtra lied, that indeed Ashwatthama was dead; but immediately regretting it, he added that it was Ashwatthama the elephant. But the second part was drowned in the noise of the battlefield.

This shameful act of deception reduced Yudhishtra to a mere mortal; until then because of the purity of his heart, his chariot always seemed to float by a few inches above the earth, as if to signify that Yudhishtra was above ordinary humans. It now came down with a thud.

Chapter 17

Karna’s End

It was a critical moment in the battle of Kurukshetra. Dronacharya was dead, and so was Bhishma. Only Karna stood between the Pandavas and certain victory. But Karna’s end was near, and just as it had been foretold, the left wheel of his chariot stuck in the mud, and he stepped down from his chariot, and Arjuna’s sense of chivalry and fair play made him hesitate, but only for a moment. He then sent an arrow unerringly, to behead Karna.

Conceived out of wedlock, abandoned at birth, and raised by a charioteer, he carried a chip on his shoulder right up to the moment of his death. His loyalty to Duryodhana was a double-edged sword- it chained him to the forces of evil and eventually killed him.

It was not until he lay dead in the battlefield, and his mother Kunti came and grieved for him that the rest of the world would find out that he was not Radheya, the son of a humble charioteer, but Karna, the son of Surya. In death, he found the identity he lacked in his life.

Chapter 18

The Final Act

Duryodhana was so disheartened by Karna’s death that he lay down his arms and jumped into a pool, whose cool waters seemed to subdue the anger and sorrow that were burning his heart. Bhima mocked at him for being so cowardly, and when Duryodhana came to fight him, Bhima remembered that he had promised Draupadi he would break Duryodhana’s thighs. To his brothers’ shame, he aimed for Duryodhana’s thighs and he broke them.

In the Pandava camp, there was no rejoicing that the war was finally over. The Pandavas returned to Hastinapura. There was no joy in their life any more.

Kunti grieved for Karna; if she had only acknowledged him to be her son the first time, she had seen him the world would have known that he was of royal birth - not someone on the receiving end of Duryodhana’s generosity.

They went on a long journey, one that they would never return from. One by one they all died and Yudhishtra was the sole survivor. But soon he too would succumb as he went bathing in the Ganga, casting off his human body and with it, all the qualities that made him human- all the enmity, the anger, the hate- and emerged in his heavenly form, and joined the Pandavas and the Kauravas in heaven, where finally, free of the hatred and jealousy that riddled their life on earth, they live in eternal peace.

THE END