The killing of Hidimba Not far from the place where the Pandavas were asleep, a Rakshasa by name Hidimba dwelt on the Sala tree. Possessed of great energy and prowess, he was a cruel cannibal of visage that was grim in consequence of his sharp and long teeth. He was…
The burning of house of lac After the expiration of a year from this, Dhritarashtra, moved by kindness for the people, installed Yudhishthira, as the heir-apparent of the kingdom on account of his firmness, fortitude, patience, benevolence, frankness and unswerving honesty (of heart). Within a short time Yudhishthira, by his…
Kripa, Drona, the tournament and Guru-dakshina Meanwhile, the king Dhritarashtra, beholding the Kuru princes passing their time in idleness and growing naughty, appointed Gautama as their preceptor and sent them unto him for instruction. Born among a clump of heath, Gautama was well-skilled in the Vedas and it was under…
The birth and childhood of Kauravas and Pandavas A little while after his return from Digvijaya, Pandu, accompanied by his two wives, Kunti and Madri, retired into the woods. Leaving his excellent palace with its luxurious beds, he became a permanent inhabitant of the woods, devoting the whole of his…
[spacer height=”20px”] How Dharma was born as Vidura due to Mandayva’s curse There was a Brahmana known by the name of Mandavya. He was conversant with all duties and was devoted to Dharma, truth and asceticism. The great ascetic used to sit at the entrance of his hermitage at the…
Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura Bhishma declines Satyavati’s suggestion to beget children on Vichitravirya’s widows The unfortunate Satyavati then became plunged in grief on account of her son. After performing with her daughters-in-law the funeral rites of the deceased, consoled, as best she could, her weeping daughters-in-law and Bhishma. Turning her…
Shantanu, Ganga, Bhishma and Satyavati Vasu Uparichara There was a king of the name of Uparichara. That monarch was devoted to virtue. He was very much addicted also to hunting. That king of the Paurava race, called also Vasu, conquered the excellent and delightful kingdom of Chedi under instructions from…
Vaishampayana narrates Mahabharata to Janamejaya at the snake sacrifice Sarama curses Janamejaya King Janamejaya was engaged, together with his brothers– Shrutasena, Ugrasena and Bhimasena, in a long sacrifice. The celestial dog, the son of Sarama, who entered the sacrificial ground, was beaten up by Janamejaya’s brothers. Crying in pain, the…
Mahabharata is retold by Suta Pauranik in Shaunaka’s Satra Once, Ugrashrava, the teller of ancient tales and the son of Lomaharshana, arrived into an assembly of ascetic Brahmin sages gathered during a recess at the 12-year long sacrifice organized by Shaunaka in the woods of Naimisha (Naimisharanya). As soon as…