The tale, as narrated by Ugrasrava to the sage Sounaka and his company, moved from the fall of Bakasura to the quiet life of the Pandavas, dwelling in disguise as Brahmins within the house of a learned scholar at Ekachakrapura. In those days, a wandering traveller, fatigued from his journey, sought shelter with them, and…
The sage Vedavyasa, endowed with a sacred mind and revered by sages, descended among the Pandavas. Equal in brilliance to Brahma, honoured by Brahmins, and radiant in form like a rain-laden cloud, he was the redeemer of sins, a living embodiment of virtue, as Kunti and her sons themselves were. His presence enlightened their hearts,…
At dawn, the people of Varanavatha gathered in awe and horror to behold the wax house reduced to smoldering ashes. Where once stood a grand arsenal, there now remained only a heap of dust. When the charred remains of five youths and a woman were discovered, the citizens, with heavy hearts, concluded they were Kunti…
Duryodhana, to cloak his sinister design with an air of innocence, set his plan in motion with great cunning. He summoned a few counsellors of polished speech and respectable bearing, entrusting them with the task of praising the marvels of Varanavata. With persuasive eloquence they extolled its beauty before the people, never hinting at the…
Dronacharya, after bestowing upon Arjuna the supreme Brahmasironamakastra, enriched him with divine grace and mortal strength. As a preceptor, he laid down solemn injunctions, commanding his disciple never to use that weapon against mankind. If unleashed upon lesser beings, it would consume the world in flames; if directed against a foe deemed dangerous, it would…
The gathering of people at the grounds, where the princes displayed their strength and skill, ended in a blaze of triumph, though not without sparks of sudden outburst. All admired Karna as a rival equal to Arjuna, yet among the elders there grew a silent unease, for they foresaw in his entry into Duryodhana’s fold…
On the appointed day when the princes of the Kuru race were to display their martial skill, every arrangement was made with regal care. King Dhritarashtra, attended by Gandhari and her maidens, walked to the vast arena, escorted by his royal entourage. The field was arranged in pure traditional fashion, demanding strength, focus, and steady…
When Dronacharya was entrusted as the preceptor of both the Pandavas and the Kauravas, the princes, in the order of age as tradition demanded, introduced themselves before him. In keeping with ancient practice, he asked them, “After the completion of your training, who among you shall fulfill my aspiration at command?” The Kauravas stood in…
In the royal house of Hastinapura, King Dhritarāshtra nourished both his own sons and the sons of his brother Pāndu without distinction. The Pāndavas grew in humility, mingling in play with the Kauravas, their games filled with sport, laughter, and mischief. Yet in these childish contests Bhīma, endowed with the might of Vāyu, ever towered…
Vaisampayana, the sage, narrated to Janamejaya the tale of Pandu’s sons, born of divine grace into the Kuru lineage. Strong, intelligent, and radiant as lion-cubs, their birth was proclaimed by a heavenly voice, and their names were uttered from the skies as if the celestials themselves had chosen them. Vasudeva, the brother of Kunti, mindful…
