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…
Pandu, humble by nature and ever obedient to his elder brother Dhritarashtra, lent him support in wealth and power. Under Dhritarashtra’s reign, a hundred Ashvamedha sacrifices were performed, with boundless charities to Brahmins and scholars, so that his fame spread in all directions. Yet it was Pandu who shone in the hearts of citizens, vassal…
In the quiet groves of Naimisharanya, where the sacred fires glowed and the fragrance of samidhas rose heavenward, Ugrasrava, the son of Lomaharshana, began his narration to Saunaka and the assembled sages. The spoke of the Kuru race, how under the vigilant guardianship of Bhishma, the sons of Vichitravirya—Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura—were reared in the…
After the marriage of Satyavati with King Shantanu, the kingdom of Hastinapura resounded with joy. Bhishma, resplendent as the sun, received homage from all assembled, while felicitations poured upon the king and his new queen. Shantanu, rejoicing at the favourable turn of destiny, embraced Satyavati with affection and praised his son’s noble sacrifice, though he…
King Śāntanu, mindful of his father Pratīpa’s counsel, consented to wed the maiden of unknown origin who came to him with the stern condition that he should never question her actions nor intrude upon her movements. Bound by promise and desire, he accepted her hand and for a time their life together seemed tranquil, though…
The chaste and truthful words of Shakuntala were affirmed by a celestial voice from the heavens, and the entire court bowed in reverence before her. Then King Dushyanta, stirred in heart yet bound by regal restraint, declared that in the hermitage of Sage Kaṇva, he had indeed wedded her with pure love and tender devotion….
