MAHABHARATA A Modern Retelling CAROLE SATYAMURTI Adjusting type size may change line breaks. Landscape mode may help to preserve line breaks. In memory of T. V. Sathyamurthy (1929–1998) My gateway to India Contents Map Foreword by Wendy Doniger: The Mahabharata, a Text for All Seasons Preface by Carole Satyamurti MAHABHARATA Prologue Introduction to the poem and its main storytellers: Vyasa, Vaishampayana, and Ugrashravas. I • THE BOOK OF THE BEGINNING 1. The ancestors: The Bharata lineage; the story of Satyavati and the birth of Vyasa; Shantanu marries the goddess Ganga, and Bhishma is born. Shantanu later marries Satyavati and they have two sons, Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. Chitrangada dies in battle. Bhishma abducts three royal sisters, Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika, as brides for Vichitravirya. Amba had already chosen another husband, and leaves the court. Vichitravirya dies childless, and Vyasa fathers two sons on the royal widows—Dhritarashtra (born blind) and Pandu (born pale)—as well as a son, Vidura, by a maid-servant. 2. Dhritarashtra and Pandu: Bhishma, as regent, arranges marriages for the Bharata princes: Dhritarashtra marries Gandhari, who chooses to wear a blindfold lifelong; Pandu marries Kunti and Madri; Vidura, being born of a shudra mother, marries a woman of equivalent parentage. Pandu is cursed by a brahmin to die during the sexual act, so has to remain celibate. Kunti deploys a boon she has received previously, and gives birth to three sons, fathered by different gods. Madri gives birth to two sons in the same way. These five sons—Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva—are known as the Pandavas. Gandhari, blessed by Vyasa, gives birth to one hundred sons (the Kauravas), and a daughter. Evil omens attend the birth of the eldest, Duryodhana. Pandu gives way to temptation and dies in the act of love with Madri. Madri climbs on his funeral pyre, and Kunti takes the five boys to Hastinapura, the capital of the Bharata kingdom. 3. Cousins: The five Pandavas and the hundred Kaurava boys get on badly together. Encouraged by his uncle, Shakuni, Duryodhana makes an unsuccessful attempt on Bhima’s life. The young princes are trained in the arts of war, first by Kripa and then by Drona—both brahmins. Drona plans vengeance on his former friend, Drupada, king of Panchala. 4. Learning the arts of war: Drona trains the royal princes in his weapons school. Arjuna becomes an outstanding archer, and Drona’s favorite. Drona’s son, Ashvatthaman, also receives special attention. Karna, foundling son of a suta, joins the weapons school, and is despised. He becomes deeply envious of Arjuna. Ekalavya, a tribal boy, is turned away by Drona, but becomes a great archer through diligent practice. 5. Karna: We learn Karna’s real parentage. He seeks out the great weapons teacher, Rama Jamadagnya, and acquires celestial weapons but, finally, is cursed by his teacher for deception. 6. The tournament: Drona organizes a public display to show the young princes’ skills. Karna arrives and humiliates Arjuna. Duryodhana befriends Karna. 7. Revenge: Drona mounts an attack on Drupada’s city, Kampilya. Drupada is humiliated. Through prayer and austerity, he acquires a son, Dhrishtadyumna, born to avenge his father, and a daughter, Draupadi, who will, he hopes, marry Arjuna. 8. The lacquer house: Duryodhana persuades his father to send the Pandavas and Kunti off on a visit to Varanavata. Duryodhana plots the death of his cousins, but the plot is unsuccessful and they escape into the forest. 9. Flight: In the forest, the Pandavas encounter the ogre Hidimba and his sister, whom Bhima marries. She gives birth to their son, Ghatotkacha. At Vyasa’s prompting, the Pandavas move to the city of Ekachakra, where Bhima kills the ogre Baka. 10. Draupadi’s bridegroom choice: The Pandavas, disguised as brahmins, go to Kampilya where Arjuna wins the contest for Draupadi’s hand. Owing to a misunderstanding, all five brothers become her husbands. They meet their cousins, Krishna (an incarnation of Vishnu) and Balarama, for the first time. 11. Acquiring a kingdom: Duryodhana is enraged by the Pandavas’ good fortune. His father, the king, agrees to divide the kingdom in half. Yudhishthira will be king of the barren Khandava tract. In time, the Pandavas transform it, building the beautiful city of Indraprastha. The brothers make an agreement to avoid jealousy arising between them over Draupadi. Arjuna transgresses, and insists on going into exile. 12. Arjuna’s exile: Arjuna visits sacred sites, has liaisons with Ulupi and Chitrangadaa, visits Krishna’s city, Dvaraka, and marries Krishna’s sister, Subhadra. Back at Indraprastha, Subhadra gives birth to Abhimanyu, and Draupadi to five sons, one by each brother. 13. The burning of the Khandava Forest: Walking in the forest, Arjuna and Krishna encounter the god Agni, who wishes to burn down the forest, but is being thwarted by the god Indra (Arjuna’s father). They agree to help him, and are given celestial weapons. Through their efforts, the forest is burned down, only a few creatures escaping. II • THE BOOK OF THE ASSEMBLY HALL 14. The decision: The divine architect, Maya, builds a beautiful assembly hall for Yudhishthira. The seer Narada suggests that Yudhishthira make an attempt to become king of kings. The king of Magadha, Jarasandha, stands in the way of this ambition, and Krishna and Bhima challenge him and defeat him. 15. King of kings: Yudhishthira’s brothers take armies to other kingdoms throughout the land, and secure the fealty of a number of other kings. A great consecration sacrifice takes place, to which the Kauravas are invited. The king of Chedi, Shishupala, challenges Yudhishthira’s choice of Krishna as guest of honor, and Krishna kills him. After the ceremony, Duryodhana tours the assembly hall and is consumed by envy and despair. 16. Duryodhana’s despair: Back in Hastinapura, Shakuni suggests that Yudhishthira be invited to a gambling match, which he is sure to lose. Dhristarashtra agrees to this. Yudhishthira, despite misgivings, accepts the invitation. 17. The dice game: Due to Shakuni’s sleight of hand, Yudhishthira loses everything he owns, including his brothers, himself, and his wife. Draupadi challenges the elders to say whether her husband could have lost her, when he had already lost himself, and therefore had no right to property. Duhshasana, second eldest Kaurava, tries to strip Draupadi, but fails. Duryodhana lewdly insults Draupadi, and Bhima vows to kill both him and his brother. Draupadi’s question remains unresolved, but Dhritarashtra cancels Yudhishthira’s losses and allows the Pandavas to leave. 18. The dice game resumes: Duryodhana and Shakuni devise a new basis for a dice game, and the Pandavas are brought back. Whoever loses this time will go into exile for thirteen years, while the winner takes possession of their lands. Only if they remain unrecognized during the thirteenth year will their lands be returned. Yudhishthira agrees, plays, and loses. The Pandavas depart for their forest exile. III • THE BOOK OF THE FOREST 19. Exile begins: The Pandavas, accompanied by devoted brahmins, settle in a pleasant spot in the forest. Back at court, the seer Maitreya curses Duryodhana. He and Dhritarashtra learn that Bhima has killed an ogre in the forest, and fear for the future. Krishna and other allies visit the Pandavas in the forest. 20. Discord: Draupadi and Bhima urge Yudhishthira to ignore the terms of the dice game and attack the Kauravas. Yudhishthira refuses. Vyasa appears and counsels them. He advises that Arjuna should go on a quest to acquire celestial weapons. Arjuna departs. 21. Quest: Arjuna travels to the Himalaya where he is tested by Indra, and embarks on a period of strict austerities. He is tested by the god Shiva, who promises to give him the terrible divine weapon Pashupata. He spends five years in Indra’s heaven. In the forest, Yudhishthira is disconsolate, and the sage Brihadashva tells him the story of Nala and Damayanti. 22. Pilgrimage: The seer Lomasha, sent by Indra, visits the Pandavas who are restless, missing Arjuna. He proposes that they go with him on a pilgrimage to sacred sites, and as they travel, he tells them enlightening stories—the tales of Rishyashringa, King Shibi and the hawk, and King Yuvanashva. The party journeys into the Himalayan mountains, and Bhima encounters Hanuman, the great ape of the Ramayana, and does battle with yakshas. The Pandavas are reunited with Arjuna. Bhima has an encounter with the snake Nahusha. After some years, the Pandavas begin their slow descent to the forest on the plain. 23. Duryodhana’s mistake: The exile enters its twelfth year. The Pandavas are visited by the ascetic Markandeya, who tells them marvelous stories, and offers them wise advice. Krishna visits with his chief wife, Satyabhama. She asks Draupadi what is the secret that keeps her husbands devoted to her, and Draupadi says there is no secret; only her own assiduous devotion as a wife. With the period of exile soon coming to an end, the Kauravas become increasingly apprehensive. They undertake a huge expedition into the forest with the aim of intimidating the Pandavas with a show of strength. Their rash encounter with the king of the gandharvas results in Duryodhana being beaten and humiliated. Karna vows that he will grind Arjuna into the dust. 24. The end in sight: The Pandavas are visited by Vyasa. He advises Yudhishthira and tells the story of Mudgala the gleaner. Jayadratha, Duryodhana’s brother-in-law, attempts to abduct Draupadi and is punished and humiliated by Bhima. He vows to have revenge. Markandeya visits and tells the story of Savitri and Satyavat. Karna’s father, Surya the sun god, warns him that Indra will try to obtain the protective armor he was born with. Karna encounters Indra disguised as a brahmin. He gives him the armor and receives Indra’s spear in exchange. The Pandavas begin to prepare for their thirteenth year of exile. The god Dharma, Yudhishthira’s father, tests them and promises that they will succeed in remaining unrecognized until their exile expires. IV • THE BOOK OF VIRATA 25. Virata’s court: The Pandavas plan the disguises they will assume during their thirteenth year. They travel to the kingdom of King Virata and obtain employment in the royal court. Bhima protects Draupadi from the lustful advances of Kichaka. 26. The cattle raid: The Kauravas mount a raid on King Virata’s cattle. Arjuna, still disguised as a eunuch, defeats them, with Virata’s son, Uttara, as his charioteer. The Kauravas recognize him, but the thirteenth year is up. Virata offers Arjuna his daughter, Uttaraa, in marriage, but Arjuna suggests that his son, Abhimanyu, marry her instead. V • THE BOOK OF PERSEVERENCE 27. Suing for peace, preparing for war: Duryodhana refuses to return Yudhishthira’s kingdom and the Pandavas, expecting war, meet with their main allies. In the hope of achieving a resolution, Drupada sends his household priest to Hastinapura. Both Arjuna and Duryodhana seek Krishna’s support; Krishna will act as Arjuna’s charioteer, and Krishna’s army will join the Kaurava side. Shalya, Madri’s brother, takes the side of the Kauravas. Dhritarashtra sends Sanjaya to urge the Pandavas not to make war. 28. Diplomacy continues: Dhritarashtra is extremely agitated, and Vidura tries to soothe him with stories and wise words. The council meets to hear a report from Sanjaya. Duryodhana is confident of victory and refuses to make any concessions. 29. Krishna’s mission: The Pandavas are pessimistic about the chances of peace. Krishna decides to make one last attempt, and travels to Hastinapura. He addresses Duryodhana in the council, but the Kaurava insists that he is in the right. Krishna reveals his divine power. 30. The temptation of Karna: Before leaving Hastinapura, Krishna reveals to Karna the truth about his origins —he is really the eldest brother of the Pandavas—in the hope of persuading him to change sides and share the kingdom with the Pandavas. Kunti makes the same attempt, but Karna refuses on principle. 31. Marshaling the armies: Huge forces are assembled on the plain of Kurukshetra. Bhishma is appointed commander of the Kauravas, but he and Karna declare that they will not fight alongside each other; and Bhishma will not fight Shikhandin because he was born a woman, Shikhandini, and, in a previous life, was Amba, whose goal was to have revenge on Bhishma for ruining her life. VI • THE BOOK OF BHISHMA 32. The song of the Lord: Through the gift of divine sight, Sanjaya will report every stage of the war to the blind king. Arjuna suddenly sinks down in his chariot declaring that he will not fight, that he cannot commit the sin of killing his kinsmen. Krishna, through teachings and through revelation, persuades him that his attitude is wrong (the “Bhagavad Gita”). 33. The war begins: Yudhishthira approaches the Kaurava elders to ask for their blessing. Battle begins. The first day brings heavy losses for the Pandavas. 34. Bhishma in command: The second day goes better for the Pandavas. On the third day Arjuna engages in combat with Bhishma, but so half-heartedly that Krishna intervenes. The fourth day favors the Pandavas; several Kaurava princes are killed. Duryodhana starts to worry. Bhishma urges him to make peace but he refuses. On the fifth day, many thousands of troops are killed. Bhima fights heroically and, on day six, wounds Duryodhana severely. 35. Bhishma implacable: Bitter fighting involves many named warriors, including Arjuna’s son Iravat. Ghatotkacha inflicts huge damage on the Kauravas. Duryodhana is discouraged and suspects Bhishma of favoring the Pandavas. Next day, Bhishma scorches the allies of the Pandavas. Again, Arjuna is reluctant to fight him. 36. The fall of Bhishma: Bhishma is felled by Arjuna, using Shikhandin as a shield. Bhishma has been given the boon that he can choose the time of his death, and this is not an auspicious time. He will lie on the field of Kurukshetra, pierced by arrows, but alive, until the winter solstice. VII • THE BOOK OF DRONA 37. Drona leads the Kauravas: Karna and Bhishma are reconciled. Drona fails to capture Yudhishthira. Arjuna is challenged by the Trigartas. Death of Bhagadatta. 38. The death of Abhimanyu: Arjuna is drawn away to fight the Trigartas. Jayadratha’s revenge leads to Abhimanyu being trapped by the Kauravas and killed. Arjuna vows to kill Jayadratha the next day. 39. In pursuit of Jayadratha: Arjuna and Krishna make every effort to reach Jayadratha before nightfall, but he is heavily defended. Bhurishravas is killed by Satyaki in dubious circumstances. Thanks to a ruse of Krishna’s, Arjuna succeeds in killing Jayadratha, fulfilling his vow.