- Second Longest Epic of the World - "What's not in Bharata, is not in Bharata" - "A Buffet of Ideologies." - Written around 3000 BC. - "Harappan" Cultre. Urban Way of life. - Narrated thrice :
- "Jaya" by Vyasa to Ganesha - "Bharata" by Vaishampayan to Janamejaya - "Mahabharata" by Suta/Sauti to the Rishis at Naimisharanya.
- Has "mindboggling" revelations.
- Astronomy: Existence of Uranus(Shweta) and Neptune(Ksharaka). - Geography. Lands as far as Cambodia(Kamboja), Kazakhistan and/or Scandinavia(Uttarakuru), - Mathemetics: Nos to the range of 10 raised to powers of 16 and -16. - Descriptions of Weapons which resemble modern day weaponry including Nuclear and/or Chemical Weapons. - Complex Millitary Formations and Strategies. - Philosphy, Psychology, Sociology, Spirituality, Religion, Politics. - Even Mangement Lessons.
Exiled for 13 years. Have no kingdom. Their main strength both in terms of political and financial power depends on their friends and relatives : The Pancalas, The Yadavas, The Magadhas and The Chedis.
*Kauravas : *
In power for 13 years. Duryodhan has been a benevolent king. Theres no guarantee that the Subjects really miss the Pandavas. Not only have they the wealth and power of Hastinapur, but also that of Indraprastha, the kingdom that the Pandvas had taken such labors to build and which had surpassed the Hastina of old in all degrees. Karna had gone on a nation-wide conquering on behalf of Duryodhana. They are the national sovereigns
Motivation
*Kauravas :*
*"Without war, will concede not a needle-prick of earth." - Duryodhna*
Duryodhana was completely focused on the War.It was his moment of truth. He had usurped a kingdom, and he meant to keep it. He had resorted to any means, foul or fair to get the kingdom, which he believed to be rightfully his, and he was in no mood to give it up.
*Pandavas : *
*"We fight over a Kingdom, as dogs over a piece of meat."-Yudhisthira*
The Pandavas had been humiliated, their wife insulted, their kingdom taken. But…still they wanted to avoid the War. The three elder Pandavas were against the War. They even went as far as making an offer that they will stop the War in exchange of 5 villages.
Result
*War Lasted : *18 Days. 10 Days (Bhisma), 3 Days(Drona), 1½ Days (Karna) ½ Day (No General),1 Day (Shalya), 1 Night(Ashwatthama)
*18th Night of the War :*
Ashwatthama slaughtered the Pandava camp in sleep.
*Before That :*
*Kauravas :*
Bhishma, Drona, Karna and his sons, Shalya, Bhagadutta, Bhurisrava, Susharma, Jayadrath, Duhsasana and all of Duryodhana's brothers, Shakuni and Ulooka.
*Pandavas :*
Drupad, Virat and his sons, Abhimanyu, Ghatotkach and Iravan.
SO
HOW
DID
THE
PANDAVAS
WIN
?????
Preparation
*Kauravas* :
- *Karna* went on a country-wide military mission, subdued the different kingdoms and acquired wealth. But it meant a loss in terms of both men and money and creation of new enemies.
*Pandavas* : Though in exile they turned their attention to improving over their weakness
- *Arjuna* set out on a mission to acquires Divyastras. - *Bhima* met his brother Hanuman and got a blessing of enhanced strength. - *Yudhisthira* acquired teachings from the various wise rishis, and also learnt the Game of Dice from Gandharava Chtrasena, lest he was challenged to yet another dice game. Its said that he had become undefeatable in Dice.
*Turn your weakness into your Strength.*
Allies
*Kauravas* : Centralized power system. The greatest empire of the time. But not many powerful allies, except from old relations from far off places like Gandhara(Shakuni), Sindhu(Jayadrath) and Kambodia(Camboja - Bhagadutt)
*Pandavas* : No wealth. No power of their own. But powerful allies all over India.
- Panchala through Marriage with Darupadi. - Dwarka through marriage with Arjuna and Subhadra. - Magadh through marriage of Shadeva and Vijaya. - Chedi through marriage of Nakula and Karenmayi. - Kasi through marriage of Bhima and Balandhara. - Kekaya through marriage of Yudhisthira and Devika. - Matsya through marriage of Abhimanyu and Uttara. - The Rakshasas through marriage of Bhima and Hidimba. - The Nagas through marriage of Arjuna and Uloopi.
*Make Powerful Allies.*
Leadership
*Kauravas* : Centralized leadership. One Head of Army at a time, who has supreme authority of 11 akshouhini of army. Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Shalya and Ashwatthama.
*Pandavas* : Distributed leadership. Seven commanders for the seven divisions.(1 man command 1 akshouhini each).
- Virat (King of Matsya). - Drupad (King of Pancala). - Sahadeva(King of Magadha). - Dhrshtaketu (King of Chedi). - Satyaki (Only warrior from Dwarka). - Shikhandi (Prince of Pancala).
Dhrshtadymna – Commander in Chief.
Arjuna –Supreme Commander.
Krishna – Arjuna's charioteer and counselor.
*Share your responsibilities.*
Team Spirit
*Kauravas* : No team spirit. They all fought their individual wars.
- Bhishma : For his Vow to protect the throne Hastinapur. - Drona and Kripa : They owed allegiance to the throne. - Shalya : Simply cheated by Duryodhana to be there. Was originally a Pandava ally. - Karna : To prove his mantle against Arjuna. Friendship for Duryodhana.
They didn't gel well with each other. Bhishma and Karna. Bhisma and Shakuni. Karna nd Shakuni. Karna and Shalya. Shalya and Bhishma. It was like a bees, hornets and mosquitoes put together in a jar.
*Pandavas* : One team. One Goal. As men, they all had huge respect for Krishna and Yudhisthira. While as warriors they were in complete awe of Bhima and Arjuna. Most of them were close relatives – cousins, brother-in-laws, father-in-laws. More than that they all were part of the decision-making process. It was thei
The prime difference, from my view, was Krishna and his governance. Kauravas were far more superior in power and balance, in human terms. Ofcourse, Krishna alone, made the difference.
Homer's Illiad is normally regarded as the first longest epic. It is a debatable statement as much of the Illiad is lost with time and out of the supposed 24 books are not available as original. Technically speaking then our Mahabharat is the longest epic as it exists assuming we have the full original.
In Darasuram Airavatheswarar temple there is a rare sculpture .. mix of some animal / bird.. and the very elderly Guide ( think Balu .. now passed away) explained me ten years back that it figured in HOMERs ODYSSI. !
Dear Vijay, I will try to locate some photo for you.
An Animal/Bird sculpture from Krishna Mandapam from Mahabalipuram. :) Enjoy the show.One was identified as Griffon(Eagle face and Lion Body with Wingsto fly)and another asSphinyx(Human face and lion body)by the Guide.
Says..Krishna lived for 125 years and gives proof for that.
We have discussed a lot about Mahabaratha, and a lot of questions were unanswered to many of us.
Came across these links from www.tamilhindu.com..
Mr.Harikrishnan has taken the original source 'Vyasa Bharatham' to explain many of the questions we came across in our threads years ago. MAY BE USEFUL TO MEMBERS. IF NOT PLEASE IGNORE THIS POST.
Dear Nanda, My 'take' on this is that it's a portrait of the Pallava ruler responsible for excavating that cave. Name? {not my specialty}
He's put his face, w mustache, on a lion, shown worshipping the great act performed by Krishna Govardhana: of protecting friends & cows from Indra's wrath. Kathie