Mahabharat The Beginning

Mahaabhaarat is not a Kathaa or a story or a fiction, it is Itihaas (true events or history) of a family in Bharat Vansh. It is fight between Truth and Untruth and Light and Darkness. Everybody's life is full of conflicts, so this event is to tell that everybody has conflicts in his life and everybody has to fight with them himself. This can be true for anybody, because anybody's life can be like that.

This story begins with Dushayant and Shakuntalaa's son Bharat on whose name our country is called Bhaarat Varsh. Raajaa Bharat was a Chakravartee Raajaa and he had nine sons. He sowed the first seed of democracy in his court, and told after drawing a line in between birth and actions that life is not an action main but it is Dharm main. Before him, it was a kind of customary that a father used to give his kingdom to his eldest son and retired to forest. But when Bharat had nine sons and he did not find any of them worthy to be the Crown Prince, he got confused as what should he do.

He went to his Naanaa, Maharshi Kanv (Shakuntalaa's father) for his advice, and posed his problem. Maharshi Kanv said - "Because you have not won yourself that is why you are facing this problem. Go and first win yourself, you will find the solution yourself." Bharat came back and thought it over and over. He found that the problem was really in his thinking that he was trying to follow the tradition of his Vansh, while his logic was not in his heart's favor.

So he concentrated on his Dharm (duties) and following it he appointed a man from public as a Crown Prince (the would be king). This action agitated his own family as well as the public because it was new to everybody. He had broken the tradition. He pleaded for his action that - "No Raajaa is higher than his duties towards his country and its public. A king's main duties are three - (1) to do justice towards his country and public, (2) to protect them, and (3) to appoint such a Crown Prince who can do both justice with his country and public as well as protect them. I don't find any of these qualities in my any son, that is why I appoint Bhaaradwaaj's son Yudhaamanyu as the Crown Prince of this kingdom."

Once Shakuntalaa said to him - "Bharat, What kind of a father you are who had given his son's right to somebody else." Bharat said politely - "Mother, I am not only a father, first I am a king. I am bound to do justice with my country and public. You are only a mother that is why you see things differently - through a mother's eyes, while I have to see things from a king's eyes. If I had appointed any of my son as a Crown Prince I would have done injustice with my country and public."

That is how Raajaa Bharat preferred an outsider to be a king, as opposed to appoint his own son and did justice with his kingdom and public. When such kind of values do not exist any more, or justice is not served, the kingdom gets destroyed, the royal families are finished. Mahaabhaarat is the story of such a family in the same Vansh (family) in which Bharat established those values. That king considered birth higher than actions.

There happened to be a king named Shantanu, in the lineage of Bharat. Once he went for gaming spree towards Gangaa's banks. One day he saw a beautiful woman coming out of Gangaa River and taking a stroll on the bank. Shantanu got attracted to her, he came to her and introduced himself - "I am Shantanu, the king of Hastinaapur." The woman said - "I am Gangaa." Shantanu further said - "I came here to game but became myself a game of a woman with beautiful eyes. Now there is only one way to save Hastinaapur." Gangaa asked - "And what is that?" Gangaa further said, before he could answer, - "I will come tomorrow to get my answer." Shantanu asked - "Why tomorrow, why not today?" Gangaa said - "Because an answer of every question has its own time." and she went away. Shantanu also came back to his camp.

Raajaa could not sleep the whole night, and he came at the same place next day. Gangaa also came there and she furthered the previous day's conversation. She said - "So yesterday you were saying that there was only one way to save Hastinaaapur. What is that?" Shantanu said - "And that way is that you come to my palace as my wife." Gangaa accepted his proposal, but with a condition that Raajaa would not ask her any question whatever she did and if Raajaa asked any question about her any action, she would leave after replying his question. Raajaa Shantanu was madly in love with her, so he agreed her all conditions. He brought her to his palace, and declared her as his chief queen.

Shantanu was very happy living with Gangaa. He used to spend his day and night with her. People felt as if he had forgotten Hastinaapur, because he was not seen around for many days. Then one day the news came from the palace that Gangaa was pregnant. People were very happy to hear this news. And not much time passed by that Gangaa gave birth to a baby boy. Now People were very happy that Hastinapur had got its Crown Prince.

The then Raajaa saw Gangaa taking his son to Gangaa River. He was surprised to see this and followed her. He saw that she flowed the baby in Gangaa River and came back to the palace. He was shocked with grief and sorrow to see this, as how a woman could throw her newborn baby in a river. He wanted to ask something from her but could not ask because he was bound to his words.

Everybody whoever heard it could not believe his ears, but it was true. Time passed by and Gangaa gave birth to second boy. She did the same with him too what she did with the first. Shantanu again got very sad, but bound to his words he could not ask her as why did she do this to his children. Although he saw all this with his own eyes but his heart was not ready to accept this.

Shantanu went to his Raaj Guru and said - "Kul Guru, I am lost in darkness, I can't see anything. I can't find the way to come out." Guru said - "If the human being will close his eyes, he will not be able to see anything, therefore you open your eyes and then look around. Light is soul and without soul nothing is possible. What I guess that this darkness is some of your problem."

Shantanu said - "Mahaaraanee has killed my two sons and I couldn't do anything." Guru asked - "But why?" "Because I am bound to my words to her." Guru said - "Are you bound to your words for the reason that Mahaaraanee continues to kill your children and you cannot do anything? Mahaaraaj, You have no right to promise for anything such like which hinders the justice. Such promises are Shaap." Raajaa said - "I am living the same Shaap." Guru said - "If you call this living then what is called dying? Don't you see injustice in this?" Raajaa said sadly - "Yes, I can see it." Raaj Guru asked - "Then what are you doing to stop it? Whoever Raajaa cannot save lives of his own children how he will protect the public of Hastinaapur?"

Shantanu said - "I am not only a Raajaa, I am an individual also." Guru said - "A Raajaa is only a Raajaa. He has no right to be an individual. Come out of your darkness, then only you will be able to see the solution of this problem." Shantanu went away from there.

After Gangaa left, Shantanu got very sad. He often used to go to Gangaa banks and gazed at Gangaa water for long time. He was sad for both Gangaa as well as his son Devavrat. One day when he was coming back from there, he heard cries of children from nearby. When he looked around, he found two children lying and crying on a deer skin under a tree. He said - "It seems that they are of some Braahman's children. It is my duty to protect them." So he picked them up and said - "Because I have got them by the Kripaa (kindness) of Braahman, that is why I will name them Kripaa and Kripee." He brought them to his Kul Guru and asked him to take care of them. Thus 16 years passed since Gangaa had left. Shantanu used to go for gaming nearby Gangaa River banks. One day he saw that Gangaa River water was not flowing. He got surprised to see this and to find out the cause of this he walked alomg the river for some distance. He found that a net of arrows had stopped Gangaa's water. The net was so well-knitted that not even a drop of water was passing through it. He immediately went there to see as who had done this and wanted to shoot an arrow that Gangaa appeared there. Shantanu got very surprised and happy as well as surprised to see her there. He asked her to come to his palace, Gangaa said - "Raajan, Does anybody's past return? Past cannot be the part of present. When the Sun has set, it never comes back, rather it ushers only a new day. No one can go back, not even for a moment." The then Gangaa water starting flowing again with a deafening noise and Shanatnu saw a beautiful young boy running towards Gangaa and saying - "See Mother, I did it again." Gangaa said - "Raajan, I have come here to return your future. This is your son." Then she said to Devavrat - "My son, He is your father." Devvavrat greeted him by prostrating himself to his feet. Gangaa said to Shantanu - "He is well versed in all the arts tht a Kashatriya should know. Vashishth has been his Guru. He learned Ved and Vedaang. Guru Brihaspati has taught him political science, and at my request Parashuraam has taught him archery. Take this hero to your palaces." Then she said to Devavrat - "Go now with your father where the Itihaas (history) of Hastinaapur is waiting for you." Devavrat asked - "And you, mother?" Gangaa said - "Putra, The shadow of the tree is bound to the tree. It cannot go with the traveler even if it wishes." And Gangaa went away.

Now Shantanu came to Hastinaapur with a new queen Satyavatee. Instead of living happily with Shantanu, Satyvatee was somewhat sad because she was not able to tolerate Bheeshm's such a great sacrifice. She always felt that her pleasures were lower in comparison to Bheeshm's great vow. Shantanu tried to convince her that if all people thought like this then everybody's life became hell. But she always felt very bad that for her pleasures she made Bheeshm's life hell, and the truth was that she was responsible for all that. Shantanu said - "It is not because of you, but this is all the game of fate lines." Then he told the incident of Gangaa. He said - "Gangaa gave birth seven sons and she drowned all of them in Gangaa River. When my eighth son was born, and she took him to flow in the river, I broke my promise and asked her as why she was doing so? Then she told me that in fact our all the eight sons were eight Vasu who had to take birth on Prithvi because of a Shaap. The seven Vasu got freed from that Shaap, but because I broke my promise, this eighth Vasu remained on Prithvi. She said - "It seems that his Shaap is not yet completed, otherwise why would you break your promise." So Satyavatee, in fact Bheeshm's fate line has already been in existence even before we met, and thus even if we didn't fall in love then also he had to live his life like that." Raaj Guru came in the court and found the place of Crown Prince empty. His anger was at the highest point, he asked Raajaa the reason of that. The Chief Minister said - "Mahaaraaj has given words for this that Satyavatee's son will be the king of Hastinaapur." Raaj Guru said - "Who gave the right to Raajaa to give such a word." The Chief Minister said - "Mahaaraaj, who can give such right to Mahaaraaj? It is only he who can give such right to himself." Raaj Guru said to Raajaa - "You have forgotten that you are only the representative, and you have no right to give such words. I wish to know that what fault Mahaaraaj found in Crown Prince Devavrat, that he thought to give another Crown Prince to Hastinaapur. And even if Devavrat had some kind of fault also, then what Mahaaraaj saw in that child who is not yet come in the womb. The time..." Bheeshma said - "Don't talk about the time Raaj Guru, because time is only the witness. If you want to talk about, talk about only Karm, because Karm are only ours and only we are responsible for our Karm. Isn't it true?"" Raaj Guru - "Yes, perfect". Bheeshm said - "Then how can you make Raajaa responsible for my Karm? Mahaaraaj never gave any word to Daashraaj. Of course, if he had stopped me to keep my words then he would have been called to injustice. He fulfilled his duty to appoint me as a Crown prince. He even told Daashraaj that he had no right to change his decision. Raaj Guru, Imyself gave this word to him, and by doing this I have fulfilled my duties because no sad king can keep his public happy." Raaj Guru said - "But what is the guarantee that the prince born to Satyavatee will be worthy to be the Crown prince of Hastinaapur?" Bheeshm said - "You can know it better, but I can say only this much that whoever will sit on this throne, this Bheeshm will see his father's form in him and will serve him lifelong. Another Vow of Bheeshm But Shantanu was also sad as well as worried with all those happenings. Time was passing and his heart was repenting for what he had done to his son and the kingdom. How come that he put the future of Hastinaapur on stake for his own pleasures? Bheeshm was very observant. His sadness was not hidden from him, so one day he asked his father - "Father, you seem to be very sad and worried. May I know the reason?" Shantanu said - "Putra, I am sad because neither I proved as a good king nor I proved to be a good father and destroyed both kingdom and the life of my son. What kind of father I am that for my own pleasures I threw your future in the darkness; and what kind of Raajaa I am who put Hastinaapur's future in the hands of an unborn child after snatching it from a worthy Crown Prince. And nobody knows whether he will be worthy of the throne or not." Bheeshm assured his father - "Father, You don't worry, I give you my words, that I will serve this throne lifelong, and until this is very well protected from all around, I will not leave this Mrityu Lok. Now be worry free and take care of the kingdom and the politics."

Raaj Guru was leaving Hastinaapur, so he came to see Raajaa, but Raajaa was so much lost in his worries that he was not talking to anybody, so he came to see Bheeshm. He said - "I wanted to see Raajaa, but he is lost in his thoughts so much that I could not get a chance to talk to him, that is why I came to see you." Bheeshm said politely - "You could have called me there." Raaj Guru said - "In which family a son like you is there, being the Guru of that family is very fortunate. Even great Devtaa are to come here, if I came here, that is not a big thing." He brought Kripaa with him to appoint as their Kul Guru in his absence. Bheeshm asked Kripaa - "You had a sister also, where is she now?" Kripaa told him that she was married to Drone. Hearing the name of Drone Bheeshm got very happy, he said - "Oh, Then he has become our relation. If I got my childhood back then I would learn archery from him. I am proud of my life that I am living my life in his times." Kripaa said - "And this is our good fortune that we are living our lives in your times." Kul Guru said to Kripaa - "You are a Braahman, at least bless him." Kripaa said - "He doesn't need my blessings, he himself is a blessing in person." Satyavatee also could not free herself from repentance. She was feeling her own pleasure much lighter than the injustice done to Bheeshm. She could never forget it that her pleasures were standing on the foundation of injustice done to Bheeshm. Shantanu tried to convince her - "I am at more fault than you, because instead of saying this that "I don't need my pleasures at this price" I started giving him Vardaan. That is why you don't worry about it so much." Satyavatee said - "But I can't forget it, Mahaaraaj. Let us go and request Bheeshm that he should take his vow back." Shantanu said - "Then you didn't know your Bheeshm. There is a Bhakt (devotee) and Bhagvaan (God) like relationship between him and his vows. We remain worried, that is our punishment and as well as Praayashchit. We will have to accept our destiny." Satyavatee said - "Then this is only our punishment and this is only our Praayashchit." Shantanu's Children Satyavatee gave birth to two children - Chitraangad and Vichitraveerya (see Chitraangad). But Raajaa got so much drowned in his worries that he couldn't come up and got ill. After some time he died leaving his children very young. When they became adult, Bheeshm appointed Chitraangad as the king of Hastinaapur, He could not rule for long time. There was a Gandharv named Chitraangad who did not like that a mortal should bear the same name as his, so he challenged the mortal Chitraangad for a fight to prove the worth of his name. Both fought in Kurukshetra field for several days. At last the mortal Chitraangad was killed. Then Bheeshm coronated Vichitraveerya on the throne. This time the ceremony was celebrated with much pomp and show.

The two princes and one maid's son - Dhritraashtra, Paandu and Vidur, all started growing up like Moon. Again Bheeshm had to take up the task of bringing them up. When they were about the age to get educated, he took them away from the palace and when he got satisfied from their education, he brought them back to Satyavatee. He introduced them to Satyavatee and their mothers - "This is Dhritraashtra, this is Paandu and this is Vidur." All met them. Bheeshm further said - "Paandu is very brave and mighty and is a very good archer. My all knowledge of politics and conduct has been taken by Vidur. Dhritraashtra is very mighty and has unusual strength. He can crush anything between his arms. Now is the time that Vichitraveery's eldest son Dhritraashtra should be declared as Hastinaapur's king." The then Vidur intervened - "If I am allowed to say something, may I say something?" Bheesham said - "Sure." Vidur said - "Whatever knowledge I have got from you, according to that no such person, who is incomplete physically, is worthy to throne. Therefore Dhritraashtra is not worthy for throne because of his blindness. If there is anybody who is worthy to sit on the throne, he is Paanu, and only Paandu. Paandu said - "No, I cannot sit on the throne in front of my elder brother." Then Dhritraashtra understood the delicacy of the occasion, he got up and said - "Vidur is right, who cannot protect himself, how can he protect the kingdom? Paandu is the right person to be a king." Satyavatee asked Bheeshm's opinion. Bheeshm said - "Only you will decide this. I am only bound to Hastinaapur's throne, so whoever will sit on it, to serve and protect him will be my Dharm. Who will sit, you will decide this." And Satyavatee declared Paandu as the king of Hastinaapur. Paandu was coronated as the king and he became the Raajaa of Hastinaapur. Marriage of Dhritraashtra and Paandu Satyavatee was now thinking about the marriages of Dhritraashtra and Paandu. Bheeshm said - "Dhritraashtra's wife should be like this who can see the world without opening her eyes." Satyavatee asked - "Do you have any girl of such qualities in sight?" Bheeshm said - "Yes, The devotee of Shankar, daughter of Gaandhaar Desh Subal, Gaandhaar princess Gaandhaaree." Satyvatee said - "Then go and talk to them." Bheeshm immediately went to Gaandhaar. He arrived in Gaandhaar and proposed to Gaandhaar's king. The king and his son (Shakuni) were surprised to hear this proposal that why didn't he propose for Paandu instead of Dhritraashtra. Gaandhaar's king said - "You have come here to take my so beautiful daughter for a blind man who can neither see her beauty nor appreciate it." The then Gaandhaaree said - "Father, I have the Varmaalaa in my hands. It is my right to choose my husband. I, in front of you all, choose Dhritraashtra as my husband. To choose Dhritraashtra as one's husband is a matter of pride. Because he is not accepting me on the basis of my beauty. Even if my beauty is gone, then also my married life will be peaceful." After saying this she took out a strip of cloth and tied on her eyes. All got stunned to see this. Bheeshm asked - "Putree, why this?" She said - "I have wrapped myself in the same darkness in which my husband's life is. Why should I see that light which my husband cannot see. A wife's fate line should come out from her husband's fate line, isn't it?" Both father and brother couldn't say anything after this. They could only bless her and said to Bheeshm - "You go and make arrangements for marriage, Gaandhaaree will come to Hastinaapur with her brother. And Dhritraashtra was married to Gaandhaaree. Dhritraashtra was very dissatisfied since the day of Paandu's coronation, because he considered his blindness as his great enemy which did not allow him to be the king. Raajaa Kuntibhoj organized the Swayamvar for his daughter Kuntee and Kuntee put her Varmaalaa in Paandu's neck. They were coming back to Hastinaapur. Dhritraashtra is not happy, as if he is losing his last hope also. Gaandhaaree consoled him - "Why are you so sad, you should be happy that your younger brother is coming back after marriage. He is like your son." Dhritraashtra said - "But he is not my son. There is a vast difference between a son and being like a son. The son-like cannot further the family line, because he himself has his family line. I had already compromised when Vidur suggested Paandu's name for king, that it is OK if I don't get the throne, at least my son will get it, but now Kuntee is coming and the problem has arisen again. If Paandu's son is born before mine then the throne is lost for ever for Dhritraashtra." Gaandhaaree was also sad hearing this, but she had no control on this, so she said - "Whatever is written in our fate, the same will happen." Dhritraashtra said - "In fact my mother is responsible for my this condition. If she had not welcome me with closed eyes, then I would not have been in this condition." Gaandhaaree again consoled him - "A man should learn living along with his fate." Dhritraashtra said sadly - "If I had any control, I would have definitely changed my fate line before Kuntee came here."

Paandu won Kaashee Desh, Ang Desh, Bang Desh, Magadh Desh. The then he saw an army coming towards him. The army chief said - 'I am Madra's king." Paandu said - "I am Hastinaapur's king." Thenn Madra's king climbed down from his chariot and came to Paandu and extended his friendship to him. Paandu readily accepted it, then Madra's king offered his sister Maadree as his wife. Paandu accepted her also and came back to Hastinaapur with her. Kuntee etc welcomed her heartily. After the death of Chitraangad and Vichitraveerya these small kingdoms became carefree, so this victory over these kingdoms re-established the supremacy of Kuru house After this victory tour Vidur advised Paandu to relax. Paandu asked Dhritraashtra also to come along with him but Dhritraashtra refused the offer saying that he was the shadow of Hastinaapur and he could not go anywhere. Then Paanchaal king hoisted their flag at Garhmukteshwar, so once again Paandu had to go there to fight but he returned without fighting. Paandu Loves Satsang Vidur made the arrangements for Paandu to relax and he went away there along with Kuntee and Maadree. He kept his crown on Dhritraashtr'a head, saying that until he came back that crown would be of Dhritraashtra and he should be considered the Hastinaapur's king. Dhritraashtra was very happy to have the crown on his head, but got sad thinking that it was not his but was of Paandu. Paandu met Kindam Rishi and his wife in the forest where he was relaxing. They didn't have any child. In Hastinaapur, Shakuni instigated Dhritrashtra - "You should learn to know your future. As Paandu will come back from his rest your head will be without this crown." Dhritraashtra said - "But this is his crown only. I have befriended my fate." Shakuni said - "You are making a mistake. Friendship is extended only to an equal status person. And since when fate has become your friend? Fate is your greatest enemy. There are only two ways to draw one's fate line - either by the tip of the arrows or by the tip of the wisdom. You should not be so depressed, be courageous. Nobody knows which turn of fate brings you at which point." In the forest Paandu was enjoying with his wives. He liked Satsang (company of saints), so he often went to Kindam Rishi. Sometimes he also used to come to Paandu's place. One day Rishi said -"Life is like a river, flowing between the two banks of Truth and Untruth, but its water has mixed characteristics of both. Good person is he who takes out the Truth out of this water. And when he gets the Truth, he comes to know that he is indebted to, and he has to pay this debt before leaving this world. There are three debts - Dev Rin (debt), Rishi Rin, and Pitra Rin. A man should not leave this world without paying these Rin. And if he does that he gets insulted. Paandu asked - "And if somebody's fate is like that, then?" Kindam Rishi said - "Then the Karm line (action line) shhould be stronger than fate line. It is not that people have not changed their fate at all. Rishi Rin is of Bhagvaan Shankar's Rin, Dev Rin is of Bhagvaan Vishnu's Rin and Pitra Rin is of Pitaa Brahmaa's Rin. Rishi Rin is paid off by acquiring and imparting knowledge; Dev Rin is paid off by donations; and Pitra Rin is paid off by producing children." After telling this Rishi Kindam went away. In Hastinaapur, Shakuni brought a good news to Dhritraashtra that Paandu liked Satsang very much, and he got busy there in Satsang. Dhritraashtra said - "This is very good. To attend Satsang is the glory of Bharat Vansh princes." Shakuni said - "If Raajaa Shantanu's elder brother had not gone to forest, he would not have got this crown, Jeejaa Jee, That is what I also want, that Paandu lives in forest and you live here in palace." Dhritraashtra again said - "But Shakuni, This crown is of Paandu. It is not mine" Shakuni - "No, This crown never belonged to Paandu. It is only Vidur's tactics which kept this crown on Paandu's head taking off from your head; and I cannot forgive Vidur for this cheating." Dhritraashtra patiently said - "If one doesn't have the strength to fight with situation then it is always better to compromise with it." But Shakuni was not ready to agree with it.

After some time Satyavatee asked Bheeshm to tell Dhritraashtra to call Paandu back from the forest. When Bheeshm said this to Dhritraashtra, he asked - "Whether it is a message or the order?" Bheeshm said - "Message of elders is also an order." Dhritraashtra had to obey it. Dhritraashtra came to Shakuni, he was playing dice game at that time. Dhritraashtra asked - "Whom you are playing with, Shakuni?" Shakuni replied - "Between my soul and ambition." Dhritraashtra asked - "Whom do you want the winner?" Shakuni said - "Shakuni plays only for winning." Dhritraashtra said - "But here the soul is also yours and the ambition is also yours." Shakuni said - "No Mahaaraaj, Soul is not hundred percent mine, it is of Vidhaataa (Bhagvaan) also, yes, ambition is surely hundred percent mine whether it is fulfilled or not. Therefore I will favor my ambition only." Shakuni asked - "But how did you come here?" Dhritraashtra said - "Maataa Satyvatee wants to call Paandu back from the forest. My head will again be without crown." Shakuni said angrily - "Whatever I will have to do, but my sister will definitely rule." Dhritraashtra said - "When Bheeshm was helpless in front of Vidur's ethics, then what are you?" Shakuni said - "Jeejaa Jee, Don't compare me with Bheeshm. So if Maataa Satyavatee has asked you to call Paandu back then call him back, but never leave trust on Shakuni who has many unfailing arrows in his quiver." Paandu was enjoying in forest that one day, Paandu went for hunting. He saw two deer playing with each other happily together. Paandu knew shooting Shabd-Vedhee Vaan also, so as those two deer disappeared from his eyes and he heard their cries of joy, he shot a Shabd-Vedhee Vaan and by chance both died. When he went to take his game he found that there were Kindam Rishi and his wife together. Paandu repented a lot but Kindam Rishi gave him Shaap before dying "You will die only when you will be with your wife." In fact what happened that Kindam Rishi didn't have a child and was trying to have one, so he wanted to love his wife without any restraint. Since only animals are able to love without any thought of the openness of it, the Rishi and his wife changed themselves to a couple of deer. Thus they were always together. With a heavy heart Paandu came back and told this to his queens. He had got a black spot of Rishi's killing on his head, so he had to do some kind of Praayshchit. He had decided to live a different life. "I will not be happy in pleasures, nor I will be sad in sorrows. I will not love my life, nor I will hate it. I will do severe Tap not by sitting under a tree but by renouncing all the worldly things mentally."

As Paandu came back to Hastinaapur, he went to greet Dhritraashtra. He told the whole episode of Kindam Rishi to him. Gaandhaaree once said - "You cannot kill Kindam Rishi, and you have no control on accidents." Dhritraashtra returned the crown to Paandu saying that "we will talk tomorrow in the court, Vidur will find some solution.". When Paandu came to the court next day as king, it was decided that whatever it was, but the truth was that Kindam Rishi died and Paandu bagged the sin of Brahm Hatyaa. Dhritraashtra also said - "He died, but it was not by killing, so why punishment?" Vidur said - "This is an accident that is why he will have to do only Praayashchit, otherwise if this had been a killing then according to the country's law he should have prescribed death sentence to himself." Paandu told his decision as he had already decided about himself for Praayashchit. Bheeshm said - "Because you were the only witness of this accident, you could hide this accident very easily, but you did not do so, for which Hastinaapur will always praise you." Paandu returned the crown to Dhritraashtra saying - "Now my elder brother will take care of the kingdom on behalf of me." And once more the crown came on the head of Dhritraashtra, but still it was not of Dhritraashtra. He was only the representative of Paandu. Kuntee and Maadree also went to forest with Paandu. Paandu once stopped them from going to forest with him, saying that he had killed the Rishi so he had to do Praayashchit, then why they should go with him. But Kuntee said - "We are your Ardhaanginee (half body or better half). Without us you can neither do any religious activity nor any Praayashchit so we will go with you. We have not come here only to live in palaces but wherever you will go, we will go with you. Neither Raam's exile could have been completed without Seetaa, nor your Praayashchit will be completed without us." So the three came to bid farewell to Gaandhaaree, and Ambikaa and Ambaalikaa and then went to forest. Bheeshm was very much grieved with these happenings. He felt that once again the burden had come to his shoulders. He had to rule the kingdom again. Shakuni congratulated Dhritraashtra - "Now you are on the throne and Paandu is in exile."

Paandu's Other Children, Paandu Dies and Paandav Come to Hastinaapur Paandu's Other Children After these two children were born to Kuntee, Gaandhaaree gave birth to a son. They named him Duryodhan. He was born on the same day as Bheem was born. Dhritraashtra was very happy. He called Vidur and said - Paandu has already got a son who is a year older to my son, so he should be the rightful heir of the throne, isn't it? I am worried about one thing more, that when my son was born, certain omens were not auspicious, Can you explain me that?" Vidur said - "These omens prophesy, that your son will be the cause of destruction of the entire world." Dhritraashtra was shocked hearing this, he asked - "How can I avert this calamity?" Vidur said - "There is only one way, that you should kill him for the sake of the family, for the sake of community, even for the sake of the world." Poor Dhritraashtra could not have done so, after all he was his first-born son. In course of time he had 101 sons and a daughter named Dushalaa. Paandu's children were growing. After Yudhishthir and Bheem he had Arjun from Indra Dev. Voice from Heavens said - "This child will bring Paandu an imperishable fame. There will be none like him." Then Indra came to Paandu - This son of mine will be the conqurer enttire world. Your son Yudhishthir will perform Raajsooya Yagya and Ashwamedh Yagya with this son of mine by his side. My son is the other half of Vishnu, he is Nara. Krishn the son of Devakee and Vasudev is Naaraayan." Kuntee taught her Mantra to Maadree too and she invoked Ashwinee Kumaar. They gave her twins - Nakul and Sahadev. The voice from the Heavens spoke once more - "These two sons will be the most handsome men in the world. They will be famous for their bravery, devotion and wisdom." In the forest lived Shuk, the son of Sayyaati. There was no archer like him. He volunteered to train the youngsters in the use of arms. Gradually Paandav - as the five of them are called together, were proficient in using weapons. Yudhishthir was good at spear, Bheem was good at Gadaa (mace), Arjun became a good archer. Pleased with Arjun's skills in archery, Shuk gave his bow to him. Paandu spent 15 years with his sons happily. Paandu Dies At one time when spring season was on its height. One day Maadree was alone with Paandu. Paandu saw her, she looked enchantingly beautiful to him. Eighteen years had passed since Paandu sacrificed everything. But on that he could not control himself. His desires arose in his heart to have her. He forgot all about his Shaap. He showed his love to her. Although Maadree tried her best to stop him, but Kaal's game was like that and they got engaged in making love. According to Kindam Muni's Shaap, Paandu died. Maadree explained Kuntee that she tried her best to stop him but could not stop him. Kuntee consoled her, that she should not consider herself responsible for Paandu's death, because whatever has to happen in whichever way, the same happens in the same way. When this was written in our fate, it had to happen in the same way. Kuntee insisted that she would be Satee with Paandu because she was elder queen, but Maadree said - "No, You be here. Raajaa was in love with me at the time of death, so I will be Satee with him. Besides, my children have also grown up under your care, they don't know me well. You can take care of them more than me. You are their mother therefore your right on them is more than mine, that is why I will be Satee with Raajaa. Please take special care of my Sahadev." And Maadree became Satee with Paandu. By chance Vasudev and Devakee were passing through that way. They stopped seeing all this. After the last rites of Paandu, they wanted to take Kuntee to Mathuraa, but the Braahman living there said to Vasudev - "Kuntee cannot go to Mathuraa, because she is still the Chief queen of Hastinaapur and now the queen mother also. We are the caretaker of her, so this is our responsibility to give her back to Hastinaapur. So Hey Raajan, You don't worry, we will take her to Hastinaapur. And if Hastinaapur allows you to take her to Mathuraa, then you can take her to Mathuraa from there." Vasudev and Devakee went away, And those Braahman took Paandu's widow Kuntee and his five sons to Hastinaapur. Bheeshm, Dhritraashtra, Baahleek (Shantanu's brother), his son Somedatt, Vidur, Satyavatee, Ambikaa and Ambaalikaa, Gaandhaaree and others received Kuntee and Paandu's sons at the gates of the city. The Rishi told them the whole story of Paandu and Paandav's birth. Bheeshm was speechless with sorrow. Dhritraashtra arranged for the royal mourning and funeral rites of Paandu. Rishi Vyaas also came. Satyavatee was very sad at the death of Paandu. She just sighed and said to herself - "Whatever injustice has been done with Bheeshm, I don't know how much more we will have to pay for it?" Duryodhan felt very bad with the coming of Paandav to the palace, that why they had come to palace from Van. Gaandhaaree said - "Then where they will go" This is their home also." Duryodhan said in anger - "This is my home only, nobody else's."

Fate is not the same as destiny. Destiny is "the events are happening in whichever fashion the future will depend on it. The design of wall depends upon how the bricks are laid down. This wall's first brick is Dhritraashtra, so when the very first brick is not laid down straight then how the rest of the wall can rise straight? Among other bricks, one brick is of Satyavatee's ambitions also." After all rites were over, Vyaas Jee came to Satyvatee and said - "Now I have to do my final duty. Kaal (time) flows like a river and this body is like a boat which cannot stay stable in that river, and the soul is like a traveler who is in continuous search of his Ghaat (staying place on the bank of a river) or aim." Satyvatee asked - "Putra, What are you saying today?" Vyaas said - "How would you understand it? Neither Dharm has its consciousness, nor mother is aware of herself. But for how long you will be standing on the Ghaat of your motherly love? Mother, crying on one's generation's dead bodies cannot be the aim of one's life. Come out of this bondage." Satyavatee said - "But where do I go?" Vyaas said - "Mother, Tapovan (in forest where many Rishi do Tap etc religious duties) is open for you. Your work in Hastinaapur is over now. Take along Ambikaa and Ambaalikaa also." Satyavatee asked - "Why are you talking like this today?" Vyaas said - "Dhritraashtra is blind, he cannot see it, and you will not be able to see it. This is good that a family person doesn't know the script of Fate, and this is also true that whatever has to happen, the same will happen. Whatever is going to happen here, you will not be able to see it." Satyavatee got surprised to hear this, she asked - "Putra, What is going to happen here?" Vyaas said smilingly - "Whatever is going to happen tomorrow, why do you want to know it today? Sometimes A-Gyaan (ignorance) becomes shield and Gyaan (knowledge) becomes the cause of sorrows. I will say only this much that whatever I am foreseeing, you will not be able to see it, so come with me. Another few years and sin will prevail in the mind of your grandson Dhritraashtra and his sons. Mother, you have no strength of mind to watch your great grand-children's destroy each other. Your son has come to take you." Hearing all this Satyavatee got ready to go with Vyaas along with Ambikaa and Ambaalikaa. They all went to see Dhritraashtra. As they entered his chamber, he said - "Oh Rishi Vyaas?" Vyaas said - "As you recognize the sound of everybody's footsteps, may God give you the power to recognize the sound of your future also." Dhritraashtra said - "How this unfortunate Dhritraashtra will recognize the sound of anybody's footsteps?" Vyaas said - "Don't blame fate for any kind of event or accident, because if the fate had been everything, then there would be no meaning of Karm (actions) in life. Whatever happens, a person himself is responsible for it. Fate means that only Bhagvaan knows that what a person is going to do in future, but He never interferes in his Karm. Therefore if Gaandhaaree has tied the strip on her eyes, then at least you don't tie any strip on your soul's eyes (soul's eyes means consciousness); and at the same time don't forget this also that Duryodhan is only your eldest son, but Yudhishthir is the eldest of Kuru family." Dhritraashtra said - "Guruvar, then please take me also along with you." Vyaas said - "Sanyaas is not the name of running away from oneself, rather it is the name of facing one's own "Aham" (ego or self). If you can follow, then be the Sanyaasee of Grihasth Aashram." Dhritraashtra asked - "How?" Vyaas said - "Whatever is not yours is not yours. You should know it and you should be aware of it." Satyavatee said to Dhritraashtra - "I am handing over Paandu's sons to you. Pay full attention to them. If they become obstinate, don't scold them, treat them with love. And when they are grown up, give them their rights. And keep in mind that they should not have to ask for their rights, asking for one's rights splits hearts, So rather you should give them that yourself. Keep this also in mind that Duryodhan is your son and these five Paandav are Mahaaraaj Paandu's sons." Satyavatee called Bheeshm and told him about her decision. He also said - "Mother, Will you not stay with me and help me to bear the burden of sorrow. Vyaas has told me everything that this Kuru family is going to be destroyed. I cannot see its destruction." Hearing this Bheeshm's face went white, he said - "Mother, I have my gather's Var that Incan die when I want, so I will also die." Satyavatee said - "No, You shall knot. I leave these youngsters in your hand. Make sure that Kuru's house is well-established. You will not die until then." Bheeshm bent his head in silence. And Vyaas Jee took Satyavatee, Ambikaa and Ambaalikaa with him.