Yana Sandhi Parva is the fifty third upa parva included in the fifth maha parva, named as Udyoga parva, in the epic Mahabharata. Vaishampayana narrated to Janamejaya as follows.
After spending the sleepless night, Dritarashtra entered his court hall in the morning, as he was eager to hear the contents of the reply speech of Sanjaya. The main content of Yana Sandhi is the debate on the reply of Sanjaya, the demand of legitimate Indraprastha and parental properties of Yudhishtira, and to return the same back to him. It was an attempt, by discussion, to preserve peace and to avoid war by the mature elders like Bhishma and Drona with Duryodhana.
What was the colour of the court hall of Dritarashtra?
The court hall was painted in white and almost all materials were white in color.
Royal court hall of Dritarashtra
Who entered the court hall and how they were seated?
The Emperor Dritarashtra, his son Duryodhana, brother Dushasana, his uncle Shakuni, legal advisor Vidura, Bhishma and Drona, entered according their ranks. The higher in rank were seated nearer to Duryodhana. The royal servants and soldiers-in-waiting, observed their protocols.
How Sanjaya entered the court hall and what he had announced?
Sanathsujatha Parva is the fifty second upa parva included in the fifth Maha parva named as Udyoga parva in the epic Mahabharata. The main purpose of this Parva is to confirm the implied essence of Sanatana Dharma and to publish the same before king Dritarashtra.
After telling about the Viduraneeti or legalities on ethics and penal codes, Vidura had invited a boy, Sanatkumara, son of Brahma, to explain regarding the details about death and life to Dritarashtra in the later part of the night.
Who was Sanatsujatha?
Sanatsujatha was one of the sons of Brahma, a boy aged about eight years. Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumara and Sanatsujatha were the four sons who were known as young Rishis who possessed full knowledge of Adhyatma Vijnana. This Adhyatma Vijnana is nothing but Sanatana Dharma.
Sanathsujatha Rishi explaining things to Dritarashtra
What are the Upakhyanas?
Upakhyanas are the side stories. These side stories were told by various Rishis and scholars to Pandavas or some associated characters of Mahabharata, and repeated by Vaishampayana to Janamejaya. These side stories are ancient incidences referred to bring more clarity and understanding about the advices implied in the narration by the orator to the listener.
Jagarana Parva, also named as Prajagara parva, is the fifty first upa parva included in the fifth Maha parva named as Udgyoga parva, in the epic Mahabharata. The main purpose of this parva is to disclose the advices of Vidura to Dritarashtra and thereby to insist his son, Duryodhana to return back the legitimate, movable assets and immovable parental properties of Yudhishtira to him.
What was the result of Sanjaya yana on Dritarashtra?
The result of the arrival of Sanjaya to the palace of Dritarashtra had aroused curiosity in him and caused to suffer by the restlessness. In that curiosity, to know more about the replies of the Pandava brothers who were temporarily camping at Upaplava under the kingdom of Matsya, Dritarashtra started guessing.
In addition to the pre-occupations of Dritarashtra, Sanjaya had already told him, hinting, his negligence was the main reason for the sufferings of the Pandava brothers. Then, it was too late, and since he was tired of travelling, he said he would be disclosing it on the next day in the court hall where Duryodhana, his son, had played the dice game cheating Yudhishtira.
Vidura and Dhritarashtra having a discussion in the late night
Why Vidura was summoned by Dritarashtra in the late night ?
Dritarashtra summoned Vidura in the late night, when he tried to sleep but could not get comfortable sleep, due to sufferings by sleeplessness. Vidura was his younger brother, and used to assist him in all the legal matters related to the royal administrations. The morality, ethics and justice practiced by Vidura was exemplary and hence, in order to pass time on that night, Dritarashtra thought to consult Vidura as a remedy for his sleeplessness.
Madhvacharya is the Udupi Shankaracharya. His Holiness Shree Shree Madhvacharya had presented his incarnation from Vayu on the Vijayadashami day in 1238 AD, at Pajaka in Udupi district of Karnataka in India as the first son to Smt. Vedavati and Sri Narayana Bhatta. Since the house of Narayana Batta was in the middle of a colony, he was also famous by his house name, in local Tulu dialect, as Naddanthillaya, which makes a sense of owner of the house in the middle of the colony. His holy life was amalgamated with the lotus feet of Maha Vishnu on 1317 CE.
13th century portrait of Shri Madhvacharya
The initial name of Madhvacharya, prior to bestowing him as the Holy Swamiji of Udupi, was generally referred by the assigned name of Purnaprajna being officially granted by his Guru. During the Purvashrama, his name was Vasudeva but later he was delighted as a holy pontiff of Udupi. The disciples of His Holiness assigned him the honorable name of Madhvacharya. Usually, his family followed Vaishnavite theologies and was following practical and social performances of the school of Shankara philosophy.
The common Indian word for the cultural rituals or the lively routine activities is called the Dharmic Achara or simply as Achara. Acharya means a person like a priest who performs and preaches, along with highlighting ancient and ever-lasting theologies or acharas of Sanathana Dharma, the naturally evolved, scientific social customs.
What was the specialty of Madhvacharya ?
Until Madhvacharya became a pontiff, his previous traditional teachers were following what the great Indian seer Shankaracharya had renovated. But gradually, Madhvacharya developed many social outlooks of Sanathana Dharma within the lessons of his own experiences. He felt that, in the later periods, debates would become more prominent and hence rituals should be based on scientific proofs and such plain protective approach that was originally faced by Jagadguru Shankaracharya also.
Sanjayayana Parva is the fiftieth upa parva included in the fifth maha parva, named as Udyoga parva, in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events that had taken place in the life of his fore fathers to Janamejaya on his queries.
Why Dritarashtra had sent Sanjaya to Yudhishtira as an ambassador?
Dritarashtra was afraid of Pandava brothers since he thought that, if a war happens in future, and in that battle, if his son Duryodhana had to face Arjuna or Bhima, then Duryodhana would die. In order to know the real temperament of Pandava brothers, Dritarashtra had sent Sanjaya as a royal ambassador towards Yudhishtira at Upaplava.
Indraprastha was under the control of Yudhishtira thirteen years back, but now under the rule of Duryodhana and it was denied by him to grant it back to Yudhishtira. Hence Dritarashtra had given instructions to Sanjaya to assess the future happenings from the side of Yudhishtira, and try to persuade Pandavas to live peacefully, without entering into his ruling area and not to claim their parental properties.
Sanjaya sharing the message with Dritarashtra
What was the personal message given to Yudhishtira by Sanjaya?
Sanjaya had visited Upaplava and met with Pandavas. He conveyed all the messages to the concerned persons of the royal family of Kurukshetra, at the palace that was then also called as Nagasahvaya, near the Yamuna River. But Sanjaya had personally opined and told to Yudhishtira that it may be better to live by begging alms, and follow a beggar’s life after their completion of thirteen years of exile in the forests, for the remaining period of their life.
What was the original message given to Sanjaya by Yudhishtira?
Senodyoga Parva is the forty ninth upa parva included in the fifth maha parva, namely the Udyoga parva in Mahabharata. Vyshampayana had narrated the historic events to Janamejaya on his queries.
How Krishna showed his desire was peace, after the marriage of Uttara?
After the marriage of Uttara, on the fourth day, there was a court session in the capital city of Matsya. Distinguished royal guests attended the session, mainly the close family relatives of Pandava brothers, and the relatives of King Virata. The kings were allowed in the beginning to chat with one another and later they had occupied their eligible seats as fit to their ranks before king Virata.
The issues of the local people were discussed initially and disposed early, and later, they turned into the subject of the provision of the lost kingdom of Yudhishtira to back to him. Krishna and Balarama were seated on either sides of their father and the entire people in the court session silently and eagerly looked towards Krishna.
Krishna finally started speaking and advised to send a suitable messenger to Nagasahvaya of Duryodhana to decide for re-posting Yudhishtira as the king of his lost land, by re-granting him half of his ruling area. He announced both the parties, Pandavas or Kauravas are equally related to him and later, he left to Dwaraka after wishing a happy future life for the newly wedded Uttara family.
Arjuna and Duryodhana seeking Krishna’s help
Why Yudhishtira gathered trained soldiers in Upaplava?
Yudhishtira with his brothers and Draupadi lived in Upaplava camp that was provided on a temporary settlement basis. Many kings provided them with many presents and assured help in times of need, if any. Since he was then a relative of Virata, father in law of princess Uttara, it was a necessity of that time to keep royal status, and hence to have soldiers for defense also.
In the later days, Yudhishtira being obliged by Virata, forced to gather trained soldiers, since in times of any attack to Matsya, had to provide over all military protection to him, as Kichaka or Upakichakas, the former army commanders were no more then. He got the support of seven thousand akshohini trained soldiers.
From Panchala, his brother in law, Drupada came to his help. From Madra nagara, Shalya was there to sympathise with him. The sons of Pandavas and Abhimanyu were able warriors, fully trained. The primary requirement of the Pandavas was to provide military help to Virata of Matsya.
Why Arjuna from Upaplava, visited Krishna at Dwaraka?
Uttara Vivaha Parva is the forty-eighth upa parva included in the fourth maha parva, namely the Virata parva in Mahabharata. Vyshampayana had narrated the historic events to Janamejaya on his queries.
What was the role of Draupadi in Uttara vivaha?
After the death of Kichaka, the servants of queen Sudheshna reported to her about Sairandhi, the lady Draupadi in disguise, as she had caused his death. Kichaka was her brother and an able army commander of Matsya. The death of such a strong person may cause adverse effects to her Matsya country, and the queen thought to expel Sairandhri out of her country and informed her accordingly. Sairandhri sought a period of fifteen days to find out another placement suitable for her, and sought her unconditional pardon and begged for life and praised the queen for her generosity since she had provided food and shelter until that date.
Abhimanyu & Uttarakumari
In addition to her praying words, she had assured Sudheshna her husband is an invisible Gandharva then but could be able to provide full security to Matsya with internal security as well as border defensive force. If any chance of threat is found to Matsya, she could make use of that Gandharva to provide full security to Matsya. Sudheshna granted her fifteen days and Sairandhri promised her in the later times, she would serve both her majesty and her daughter princess Uttarakumari and try to help the queen to give away that princess in marriage since then her education was almost completed.
What was the role of Kanka, Yudhishtira in disguise in Uttara vivaha?
When Susharma, the king of Trigarta attacked Matsya and sacked Virata to his country along with some cattle of Matsya, Kanka ordered the palace cook, Bhima in disguise, to free him from the grip of enemy soldiers. He ordered Nakula and Sahadeva to fight by gathering the Matsya army and to drive away the enemies back into Trigarta, and succeeded in the task. These services of Kanka forced Virata to take him into greater confidence. Kanka was his personal advisor in administrative matters. Gradually, Virata was also thinking to get the advice of Kanka on the matters of the marriage of Uttarakumari.
What was the role of Uttara, the prince of king Virata in Uttarakumari vivaha?
Gograhana Parva is the forty seventh upa parva included in the fourth Maha parva, namely the Virata parva in Mahabharata. Vyshampayana had narrated the historic events to Janamejaya on his queries.
What had been reported by the servants of Duryodhana after searching for the whereabouts of Pandavas?
Duryodhana was very curious about the whereabouts of Pandava brothers and had sent his secret investigators to all directions. The servants had searched for ten months but could not find any signs of Pandavas anywhere on the Earth. When about eleven months had elapsed, some of the servants had returned. They reported regarding the death of Kichaka and his brothers, killed by unknown Gandharvas overnight. Kichaka was the enemy of Trigartha king, Susharma. Duryodhana was happy to hear the news since the Trigartha king Susharma was his friend.
What had Duryodhana ordered on receiving the suggestions from Karna?
Duryodhana was interested to find the Pandavas during their Ajnathavasa. As per the terms and conditions, Pandavas had to go to forest again for twelve more years if their identity were recognized. Hence Karna and Dushasana suggested sending the servants to all sides once again. Then Duryodhana tried to seek opinions of other seniors.
Kichakavadha Parva is the forty sixth upa parva included in the fourth maha parva, named as Virata parva, in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events that had happened during the Ajnatavasa of Pandavas to Janamejaya on his queries.
Where did Pandava brothers had lived during Ajnatavasa?
Yudhishtira lived with king Virata. He used to advise the king in administration, performed the morning rituals and played dice game as and when the king required. Hence Yudhishtira was not exposed to the general public in Matsya.
Bhima lived with royal cooks. He used to cook for the king in the kitchen, and played wrestling as and when the king required. Hence Bhima was not exposed to the general public in Matsya.
Bhima wrestling Kichaka
Arjuna lived with the daughter of the king Virata, as a teacher. Her name was Uttara and she was interested in learning dance and music. King Virata had built a building for dancing practice workshop, like a school, along with practicing music and related items for his daughter Uttara.
Meaning: This building for dancing workshop was built by the Matsya king. In the day times, girls used to practice dancing here and in the night, they returned to their homes.
Ajnathavasa Parva is the forty fifth upa parva included in the fourth maha parva, named as virata parva in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events that had happened in the Ajnathavasa or unrecognized life to Janamejaya on his queries.
When twelve years of exile was completed in the forest, Yudhishtira decided to bid farewell to Dhaumya Rishi and saluted him with reverence. Dhaumya Rishi then started to Panchala kingdom, after advising and blessing the five Pandava brothers and Draupadi. Dhaumya Rishi had advised the Pandavas about the life and works to be done in the palace of Virata. He advised how to live politely in a palace, be obedient and pleasing everybody including servants also.
A lithograph of Virata’s court by Raja Ravi Varma
After morning rituals, they had sat together and decided to spend the time in Ajnathavasa. Yudhishtira sought the suggestion of Arjuna for the selection of the place to live unrecognized for one year. Arjuna recited the name of the nine kingdoms surrounded to Kuru kingdome and the country Virata was one of it. As per the suggestions of Yama received after Yakshaprashna, Yudhishtira found the place Virata as better suited for Ajnathavasa.
