Tag: history (Page 5 of 13)

Mahabharat: Yakshayuddha

Yakshayuddha Parva is the thirty fifth upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharat. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events, happened in the forests on his queries.

How was the Gandhamadana forest?
धर्मारण्यं हि तत्पुण्यमाद्यम् च भरतर्षभ ।
यत्र प्रविश्ट मात्रो वै पापेभ्यो विप्रमुच्यते ॥

Meaning: O Bull Bharatha! It was also a forest full of Dharma, where people reaching there get rid of their sins. It was a holy place.

What had Arshtishena Rishi advised Yudhishtira?

Arshtishena Rishi had his Ashrama near Mount Shweta near Gandhamdana forest. When Yudhishtira reached Arshtishena Ashram, he welcomed them and told them many valuable secrets of human life.

पिता माता तथैवाग्निर्गुरुरात्मा च पंचमः ।
यस्मै ते पूजिताः पार्थ तस्य लोक वुभौ जितौ ॥

Meaning: O Partha! Those who worship father, mother, fire, teacher and inner-soul (say God or Paramatma), they could win the worlds, this world and heaven.

Yudhishtira desired to win in the forthcoming Mahabharat war and Arshtishena Rishi was indirectly hinting him about his victory.

What was the story of Agastya Vivaha?
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Mahabharat: Jatasuravadha

Jatasuravadha Parva is the thirty fourth upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana Parva or Aranyaka Parva in the epic Mahabharat. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events that happened in the forests on his queries.

How did Ghatotkacha help Yudhishtira to reach Saugandhikavana after the cyclone, at the request of Bhima?

Due to cyclone Draupadi fainted and Yudhishtira also found it difficult to climb the steep hills. Bhima had thought of his son Ghatotkacha, and he immediately appeared there and at the request of his father, he had carried Yudhishtira, Draupadi and Pandava brothers over a palanquin up to Saugandhikavana. Lomasha Rishi had used his ascetic powers to reach his goal and had already moved there. Bhima had followed his son, reached safely on the top of the Saugandhikavana and settled there on a comfortable place with his help. 

What did Hanuman explain to Bhima about Vedas, Yajnas and Gods?
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Mahabharat: Tirthayatra Parva

Tirthayatra Parva is the thirty third upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharat. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events to Janamejaya, happened in the forests.

Most of the interesting incidents of this upa parva were related to pilgrimages started from Kamyakavana by Yudhishtira. He procured virtues with Pandava brothers.

Yudhishtira desired to move to a better forest area but Dhaumya Rishi had suggested going on pilgrimage to holy places like Gaya, Prayag, Panchala Gomathi, and many Rivers and holy Mountains. They visited the palace of Kubera in Kailasa plateau. 

What did Dhaumya describe about Dwaraka and Badarika?

Dhaumya had suggested Yudhishtira to visit Dwaraka and Badarika to be blessed by Madhusudana and Narayana, to pray for the future peaceful life with brothers. 

How did Yudhishtira greet Lomasha Rishi and what did he tell him?
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Mahabharat: Indralokagamana

Indralokagamana Parva is the thirty second upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharat. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. This upa parva is also called as Indralokabhigamana. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical
events, happened in the forests on his queries.

How Arjuna travelled to Indraloka?

Indra had sent his chariot with the charioteer Matali to pick up Arjuna to Indraloka. Matali had carried him to the Indraloka. When Arjuna sat in the chariot with Matali, one would think Arjuna as Indra as the view was very magnificent.

Arjuna travelling to Indraloka with Matali on Indra's chariot
Arjuna chauffeured by Matali to Indraloka
How Arjuna was greeted at Indraloka?
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Mahabharat: Kirata Parva

Kirata Parva is the thirty first upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic, Mahabharat. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the
historical events, happened in the forests on his queries.

The two main incidents of this upa parva were, the transit journey by Yudhishtira from Kamyakavana to Dvaitavana, again back to Kamyakavana and procurement of weapons by Arjuna from Maheshwara who appeared as a hunter, called Kirata after his penance.

Who was the most honorable person who visited Pandavas in Kamyakavana and what Draupadi told him?

Krishna was the most honorable person who visited Pandavas in Kamyakavana. Draupadi told Krishna regarding her sufferings and grievances. The Pandava brothers deserved virtues and performed works that would bring virtues to human beings but they were suffering. Duryodhana, Dushasana, and his allies were notorious for sinful actions but they were enjoying in the palace.

Arjuna receiving the Pashupatastra from Lord Shiva
Arjuna receiving the Pashupatastra from Lord Shiva (painting by Raja Ravi Varma)

During Rajasuya yaga, Pandava brothers had worked hard to gain huge wealth but by only one day’s deceptive dice game, Duryodhana had grabbed them all, and these hard earned wealth were enjoyed by the undeserved people.

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Mahabharat: Kirmiravadha

Kirmiravadha is the thirtieth upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was
composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events which belonged to the period spent in forests to Janamejaya, on his queries.

The two main incidents of this upa parva were killing of the demon Kirmira by Bhima and the chase and killing of another demon Salva by Krishna who attacked Dwaraka in vengeance against the killed demon called Shishupala.

What was discussed between Dritarashtra and Sanjaya and what was the result?

Dritarashtra had politely ordered Sanjaya to invite Vidura back to his palace, and in case if he would not return he should be honored and pleased with donations.

Lord Krishna killing the demon Salva
Krishna killing the demon Salva
What was discussed between Dritarashtra and Sanjaya and what was the result?

Dritarashtra had politely ordered Sanjaya to invite Vidura back to his palace, and in case if he would not return, he should be honored and pleased with donations.

What did Vidura do after he was invited by Sanjaya?
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Mahabharat: Aranya Parva

Aranya parva is the twenty ninth upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharata. There are totally eighteen maha parvas, written originally in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events that happened in the forests, including the procurement of Akshayapatra by Yudhishtira on his queries: 

What Yudhishtira and Pandava brothers had done after losing in the dice game?

As per the terms and agreements of the dice games played twice, after losing wealth and kingdom, Yudhishtira and Pandava brothers with Draupadi had left Hastinapura and started to go out of the country to live in exile for twelve years at a forest. Some Brahmins followed them, including the priest Dhaumya Rishi, with fire worshipping materials. They had stayed under a big banyan tree on the bank of Jahnavi River called Pramana on the first night.  

The Pandavas and Draupadi going to the forest in exile after losing the game of dice
The Pandavas and Draupadi going to the forest in exile
How many persons had followed Yudhishtira when he left Hastinapura in exile?
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Mahabharat: Dyuta Anudyuta

Dyuta Anudyuta parva is the twenty eighth upa parva included in the second maha parva, named as sabha parva, in the epic, Mahabharata. Various compilations of this epic are numbered differently and this one upa parva may be numbered in a different fashion in them. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events to Janamejaya, on his queries:

What had been done by Shakuni and Duryodhana after Rajasuya at Indraprastha?

After Rajasuya, Shakunai and Duryodhana at Indraprastha started to enjoy the splendor and beauty of the new Sabha hall of Yudhishtira. 

Dyuta or the game of dice being played between Pandavas and Kauravas in the new Sabha hall
Events during Dyuta (game of dice) at new Sabha hall
What happened to Duryodhana when he moved to the new Sabha hall? 

The Indraprastha Sabha (meeting) hall was unique in nature. It had a crystal laid floor which resembled a water tank in the centre on the passageway and Duryodhana had moved to the front side of Shakuni. He had pulled up his attires to avoid getting wet in the water, since he assumed it was water. But the waiters laughed on seeing his dress pulled up and informed him that they were solid crystal-finished floor and he could step or walk on it.

In the next hall, there were similar floors but with some lotus flowers. Duryodhana thought it could be also solid and on stepping straight away there, he fell into the water. His dress had become partially wet, but the security people had given him dried royal clothes immediately since they had stocked for the same purpose, as per the royal instructions. Later, he moved into another hall on the way but hit his forehead with the transparent solid wall since the actual open door was on another side.

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Mahabharat: Shishupalavadha

Shishupalavadha parva is the twenty seventh upa parva included in the second maha parva, named as sabha parva, in the epic Mahabharata. Various compilations of this epic are numbered differently and this one upa parva may be numbered in a different fashion in them. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events to Janamejaya, on his queries:

What did Yudhishtira do when the king of Chedi, Shishupala had revolted in the Rajasuya, gathering with his supported kings?

Yudhishtira had consulted Bhishma for further actions needed when the king of Chedi, Shishupala had revolted in the Rajasuya gathering with his supported kings.

Shishupala dying at the hands of Lord Krishna by his Chakra (revolving disc)
Shishupala dying at the hands of Lord Krishna
What was told by Bhishma?

Bhishma was a senior ruler, aged and experienced. Bhishma told Yudhishtira not to be worried about Shishupala since Krishna had rightfully deserved the first honor.

How Shishupala had abused Bhishma?
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Mahabharat: Arghyasamarpana

Arghyasamarpana parva is the twenty sixth upa parva included in the second maha parva, named as sabha parva, in the epic Mahabharata. Various names are assigned to this upa parva in different versions like Agrapuja, Arghyabhiharana etc. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events to Janamejaya, on his queries:

What had been observed by Narada during Rajasuyayaga?

Narada had observed the huge pomp and show in the Rajasuyayaga of Yudhishtira. He had simply waited at the entrance gate by hiding using a deer skin. He felt as if God Vishnu was in the seat when Krishna was worshipped there. 

A Brahmin standing in the middle of a water body, looking up towards the Sun (Surya God) and offering the holy water
Representative image of Arghya samarpana
What did Yudhishtira ask Bhishma at the conclusion of Rajasuya?
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