Sushmajee
Mahaabhaarat | General
 

Questions

Home | Mahaabhaarat | General

4-Paandav

Previous | Next

   
4-About Paandav

Was Yudhishthir Addicted to Dice Game?
The way Yudhishthir played the Dice Game with Duryodhan, it clearly shows that he was addicted to Dice game. Why? Because nobody would play the game to put on stake one's own brothers and wife. When Yudhishthir asked Maarkandeya Jee to tell him whether he had seen any other king as unfortunate as him, he tells him the story of the King Nal. But even Nal did not put his wife and children on stake. That special behavior of Yudhishthir shows that he was really addicted to the Dice game because he could not think properly what he was doing in that addiction. Let us see what MBH says about it...

G-O-Prolog/12


About Yudhishthir's Angry Eyes
Several times it has been mentioned by several people in Mahaabhaarat, (see G-6-War/23) that Yudhishthir can burn the whole world with his one angry look.

Anybody knows where this information came from?


Why Yudhishthir did not want to leave his dog?
He was a king and a Kshatriya and no true king or Kshatriya can abandon any creature that has taken refuge in him even for the three worlds. This is his Swa-Dharm and he would never abandon it. That is why his decision is instantaneous. But this is strange that when Draupadee and his brothers were falling... he enumerates what he thinks that they fell because of their weaknesses in their personalities, for example, Draupadee was too enamored of Arjun... Arjun too proud of his bravery and Gaandev etc, etc etc. Thus he abandons them even before they die, for what can be a more cruel abandonment than criticizing a dear wife or brother at the time of their death. He does not even look back or stop, he just keeps walking. Was that a show of his power of renunciation? Where was his compassion then, which he flaunts in case of the dog now?


Why Yudhishthir was taken to Hell?
MBH by Ganguli says that "every king has to see Hell and since everybody deceived in one way or the other that is why they also had to see Hell for a short duration.

But for Yudhishthir he gave the reason that "you lied with Drone" that is why you had to come here. At that time why did he not say that "I was advised by God Himself, I myself did not say that, and still I said elephant at the end."


Why only Paandav Should get the Kingdom?
Many people think that the kingdom should go to Duryodhan, because he was the son of the current king, while many argue that he kingdom should go to Yudhishthir as he was elder to Duryodhan; but MBH is very clear on this issue. Bheeshm, in Udyog Parv, just before the war, says to Dhritraashtra

Andhah karanaheeneti na vai raajaa pitaa tava;  Raajaa tu paandur abhavan mahaatmaa lok vishrutah
Sa raajaa tasya te putrah pitur daayaadyahaarinah;  Maa taata kalaham kaarshe raajyasya ardham pradeeyateaam
"Since your father was blind, he could not become king, being disqualified because of that. It was the noble Pandu, renowned everywhere, who became king. Since he was king and the Pandavas are his children, they are the heirs to his property. Don’t quarrel, son, and give [at least] half the kingdom to them."

There is only one single reason is given here for the Paandav's claim to the throne: that they are the sons of Paandu and Paandu was the king, so Yudhishthira was older than Duryodhan is not an issue at all.

On this occasion, Gaandhaaree was also present there. She adds this clear statement supporting what Bheeshm says:

Raajyam tu paandor idam apradhrshyam;  tasyaadya putrah prabhavanti naanye.
Raajyam tad etan nikhilam paandavaanaam;  paitaamaham putra pautraanugaami.
"This powerful kingdom, indeed, belonged to Paandu. And after him it belongs to his children, and to no one else. The entire kingdom belongs to the Paandav, for, the tradition is that the kingdom comes down from the father to the son and then to his son."

Here too only one single reason is given for the claim of the Paandav over the kingdom – that they are the children of Paandu and Paandu was the king. The kingdom passes down from the father to the son., and that Yudhishthir was older than Duryodhan is not an issue at all.

Another supportive statement comes from Dhritraashtra - he point blank tells his son that he has no right to the kingdom. The kingdom belonged to Paandu, since he, Dhritraashtra, was disqualified by his blindness, ever since Paandu's death, it belonged to his son Yudhishthir. Dhritarashtra concludes his long discourse to Duryodhan, saying:

Mayyabhaaginee raajyaaya katham tvam raajyam icchasi;  Yudhishthiro raajaputro mahaatmaa;
nyaayaagatam raajyam idam ca tasya;  Sa kauravasyaasya janasya bhartaa; prashaasitaa chaiv mahaanubhaavah.

"I was not fortunate to have the right over the kingdom; how can you then desire to be king? You are not the son of a king and therefore the kingdom does not belong to you. You are coveting what does not belong to you and trying to snatch it away from its rightful owner. The noble Yudhishthir is the son of the king, and this kingdom has rightfully been inherited by him. He is now the Lord of all of us Kaurav, and that generous one is the [rightful] ruler of this land."


In what form Paandu and Maadree came to Hastinaapur?
Here, G-1-Beginning/8, the description of the last rites of Paandu and Maadree is given.

(1) First point - "Paandu dies 17 days ago, and Maadree ascended his pyre herself."
This shows that the Rishi could not have brought their physical bodies to Hastinaapur. Paandu had 17 days ago and Maadree had also died along with im 17 days ago.

It is further written that - "they [means Rishi] left for Hastinaapur with Kuntee, her five children, and remains of the two dead bodies."
This also shows that Rishi brought only the remains of their physical bodies to Hastinaapur, not physical bodies Themselves.

Next Dhritraashtra orders for the last rites of remains of both the dead bodies -
--"Kuntee should perform the rites for Maadree as she pleases. Her body should be covered in such a way that neither the Sun, nor the wind can touch it.
Here there are two points -
(1) last rites of a woman are normally performed by the customs of the husband's family. Since Gaandhaaree was the eldest, all religious rites should have been performed with the consultation of Gaandhaaree, not by Kuntee's will.
(2) secondly, he said "her body should be covered in such a way that neither the Sun, nor the wind can touch it." - I do not understand what did he mean by this, because this statement shows tat he was talking as if they were physical bodies, while they ere not. And if they were not, then the ash was already covered it is not kept in open.
--So the question is in what state their bodies were brought to Hatinaapur?

Besides Rishi's this statement is also considerable that "Paandu died 17 days ago and Maadree had ascended his pyre".

Both statements seem contradictory. If we assume that they brought the physical bodies of Paandu and Maadree to Hastinaapur, then it shows that at that time there was some technique to preserve the dead bodies up to at least 17 days. But then their this statement becomes untrue that "Maadree ascended Paandu's pyre."

It is further written that "Rishi left for Hastinaapur with the remains of the two dead bodies."
(see G-1-beginning/8)

So the question is in what form Paandu and Maadree's bodies came to Hastinaapur?


When Did Sahadev Send Ghatotach to Vibheeshan
There is a controversy that when Paandav went on victory tour, to collect wealth, to rule over all the kingsfor the Raajsoya Yagya of Yudhishthir, Bheem, Arjun and Nakul and Sahadev went for this purpose, certainly Yudishthir did not go. In KMGs translation of MBH does not give any other important name in this list. Besides, when Sahadev arrived in south, he sent his messengers to Vibheeshan, the king of Lankaa, and does not give messengers name.

But Gita Press edition of MBH, 2007, vol I, Sabhaa Parv, Chap 31, about 100 unnumbered Shlok, Southern recension (according to the editors) are given. These Shlok describe the episode in which Sahadev sent Ghatotkach to Vibheeshan for collecting tribute.

After Shlok 72, 16 unnumbered Shlok from Southern Recension are given (Pages 758-759)
The summary is as follows :
After reaching the southern sea shore, Sahadeva consults his officers.
Then he thinks about Ghatotkach.
Instantly Ghatotakach appears before Sahadev.
Ghatotakach's appearance is described in detail
Sahadev asks Ghatotakach to go to Lanka, and ask Vibhishan to offer tribute for Yudhishthir.

After shloka 73, 64 unnumbered Shlok from Southern Recension are given (Pages 759-763)
The summary is as follows :
Ghatotkach goes to Lanka, crossing the ocean.
On his way, seeing Raam Setu, he remembers Raam.
The city of Lankaa is described in detail.
Ghatotakach asks the palace guard to inform Vibheeshan about his arrival. Vibheeshan asks the guard to bring Ghatotkach to his presence..
Ghatotkach describes Vibheeshan in detail.
Vibheeshan asks Ghatotkach the details of the king seeking tribute from him.
--------------------------

Besides Gita Press edition, Kumbaakonam Edition (1906) also mentions the same - that Sahadev sent Ghatotkach to Vibheeshan, see its Shlok 76 to 82 , Chapter 32 of Sabhaa Parv ----

uttaram teeramaasaadya saagarasyormimaalinah |
chintayaamaasa kaunteyo bhraatuh putram ghatotkacham || 2-32- 76
Then, as soon as he was thought of, the Raakshas came into appearance. The intelligent son of Paandu, the slayer of enemies, said to him, who had come and looked like mount Meru, in a friendly manner, on the command of Yudhishithir, "Come".

tatashchintitamAtrastu raakshasapratyadrishyata |
tam meru shikharaakaaram aagatam paandunandanah || 2-32-77

bhrigu kachchaattato dheemaan saam naivaamitrakarshanah |
Agamyataamiti praaha dharmaraajasya shaasanaat || 2-32-78

sa raakshasapareevaarastam pranamyaashu sansthitah |
Ghatotkacha stood there after bowing down to him.
ghatotkacham mahaatmaanam raakshasam ghoradarshanam || 2-32-79

tatrastah preshayaa maas paulastyaaya mahaatmane ||
vibheeshanaaya dharmaatmaa preetipoorv marindamah || 2-32-80
The slayer of enemies and pious one, sent Ghatotkach, the noble souled one, the Raakshas with terrible appearance, with love, to the noble souled Vibheeshan, who belonged to the race of Pulatsya.

sa chaasya pratijagraaha shaasanam preetipoorvakam |
tachcha kR^iShNakr^itaM dhImAnabhyamanyata sa prabhuH || 2-32-81
He accepted his command with love. That done by Krishn was accepted by the intelligent (Ghatotkach?)

tatah sampreshayaamaas ratnaani vividhaani cha |
chandanaagurukaashthaani divyaanyaabharanaani cha |
vaasaaMsi cha mahaarhaani manimshchaiva mahaadhanaan || 2-32-82
Then he sent various gems, sandalwood, Agar, divine ornaments, expensive clothes and enormous amount of wealth.


Meeting With Their Father or Brother
In Mahaabhaarat, at any given time, Bheeshm, Karn Yudhishthir, Bheem and Arjun, all three met their relations -
Bheeshm sees Gangaa several times
Karn sees his father Soorya Dev in the dream when he warns him about the coming of Indra to beg for Kavach and Kundal
Karn sees Indra when he comes to beg his Kavach and Kundal
Yudhishthir meets his father Dharm Raaj (Yaksh-Yudhishthir Dialog) at the lake,
Arjun also meets his father Indra (went to Swarg and lived there for 5 years), and
Bheem meets with his brother Hanumaan (while he went to take divine flower for Draupadee),
but poor Nakul and Sahadev did not see their father (Ashwinee Kumaar) or brother or anyone else in their life time. WHY?.

Arjun's Two Sons - Iraavaan and babhruvaahan
Apart from one son from Draupadee and one son from Subhadraa (Abhimanyu), Arjun had two sons more -
One from Uloopee - Iraavaan, and
Another from Chitraangadaa - Babhruvaahan - whom he fought with during Ashwamedh Yagya, and was killed by him

 

 

Home | Mahaabhaarat | General

 

Previous | Next

Created by Sushma Gupta On 03/09/02
Contact: sushmajee@yahoo.com
Modified on 05/29/12