Do You Know?-1 - About Mahaabhaarat
Abhimanyu
--That Abhimanyu was the youngest warrior and fought
alone with 6 great warriors of Kuru army - Karn, Drone, Kripaa, Vrishsen, Dushaasan
and Dushaasan's son, at the age of 16 years.
--He was not killed by Jayadrath, as may be depicted by Arjun's oath to
kill him, but was killed by Dushaasan's son. Karn was the first man to
find about the method of killing him.
Arjun
--Arjun was the only one who had 10 names.
--Arjun was the only one who could handle his bow with both hands.
--Arjun got his first powerful celestial bow Gaandeev, two inexhaustible quivers
and chariot from Agni Dev before burning Khaandav Van. (G-3-Youth/16)
--Arjun had three conches - One Devadatt Conch was given to him by Maya Daanav;
second time he got one Devadatt Conch from Rishi (G-4-Van/29)
and third time he got one from Indra (G-4-Van/30).
--After giving celestial weapons, Indra says to Arjun - "...nobody can defeat
you in a battle. Even Bheeshm, Drone, Kripaa and Karn and Shakuni together with
other Kshatriya are not even 1/16th part of you."
(G-4-Van/30)
Ashwatthaamaa
--That Ashwathaamaa and his maternal uncle Kripaa were immortal? He
himself said this to Duryodhan in Mahaabhaarat, [Karn, 88] while Karn and Arjun fight started.
(G-6-War, 35-battle-17-4)
Banners, Shankh and Standards (Dhwaj)
--Drone, 104.
Here Sanjaya describes banners of many kings and warriors.
--Drone, 104.
This section describes the standards of many warriors.
Bhagadatt
--Bhagadatt's elephant's name was Supratikaa. He was a
special elephant. Neither Bhagadatt, nor his elephant could be hurt in battle. In
fact he had an armor on his body. Only Arjun or Krishn could break it. He was killed
by Arjun by Vaishnav Astra in Mahaabhaarat war on 12th day, when Arjun was taken away
from the battlefield in pursuit of capturing Yudhishthir. He got this armor from
Narakaasur, the son of Prithvi.
He used it to kill Arjun but Krishn took it on His chest, saved Arjun, and made Bhagadatt
and his elephant ordinary.
Bheeshm
--When Bheeshm heard that Krishn will not take up weapon in
Mahaabhaarat war, Bheeshm said smilingly - "If I did not cause you to take up a weapon
in the war, then you tell me.." At this Krishn only smiled. And he indeed caused Krishn
to take up weapon in the war. On the 3rd day of the war Krishn took up His Chakra and ran
towards Bheeshm to kill him. This was repeated on 9th day of the war too.
--Bheeshm had already declared before war started that he wouldn't kill
Paandav, but he will kill 10,000 chariot-riders everyday, and that is what he did.
--He himself told the way to be killed to Paandav, otherwise as it is known to all,
he had the boon of Ichchhaa Mrityu. He could not be killed.
Bheeshm Parv
--Bheeshm Parv alone has 100,000 verses (Shlok).
Geetaa is in Bheeshm Parv and contains only 700 verses.
Bows and Gadaa and Chariots
--Krishn's Bow was Shaarng
--Krishn's Gadaa was Kaumodakee
--Krishn's Divine Disc is Sudarshan
--Krishn's Sword's name is Nandakee - Vishnu Sahastra Naam,
107-108
--Krishn's Chariot's name was Sugreev Pushpak
[Padm Puraan, 5/45]
--Krishn's Chariot's name was Jaitra [Vishnu Puraan, 5/14]
--Balaraam's weapon was Sthoonkarn
--Raam's Bow is Kodand
--Shiv's Bow is Pinaak
--Yudhishthir's Bow was Mahendra (celestial)
--Bheem's Bow was Vaayavya (celestial)
--Bheem's Gadaa was brought by Maya Daanav when he built the Royal Court for
Yudhishthir after being saved from Khaandav forest fire by Arjun
--Arjun's Bow was Gaandeev (celestial) - Agni Dev gave him at the time of
the burning of Khaandav forest along with two inexhaustible quivers and a chariot
--Nakul's Bow was Vaishnav (celestial)
--Sahadev's Bow was Ashwin
--Ghatotkach's Bow was Paulastya (celestial)
--Draupadee's five sons' Bows were Raudra, Aagneya, Kauveerya, Yamya, Gireesh
--Abhimanyu's Bow was Raudra (excellent and the best bow - given by Balaraam)
--Rukmee's bow was Vijaya (of Indra)
--Prithu's (Vane's son) Bow was Ajagav (Shiv's bow) with which he flattened the Prithvi.
--Maandhaataa's Bow was also Ajagav (
MBH, G-4-Van/21)
Paandav's bows and arrows description is
given in MBH, 4-Viraat Parv, 42;
when Uttar sees them.
See Saarathee's names below
Conchs
Conch is a shell which gives sound. Every shell doesn't give
sound that is why it is only shell, but whatever shell gives sound is called conch shell.
In Mahaabhaarat everybody had his own conch and surprisingly enough their sounds also had
their own significance. Some conchs are famous in Mahaabhaarat and their sound was recognized
by others. For example:
--Krishn's conch was Paanchjanya (Gigantea) - Paanch means five, and Janya means
created. His conch's sound used to bring together or integrate all the five elements
(earth, water, fire, air, and sky). Thus it had the quality of creation. He got it
after killing Panchjan Daitya.
--Yudhishthir's conch was Anantvijaya (Triumpphatrix) - Anant means endless, and
Vijaya means victory. His conch's sound used to convey the message of all over victory.
--Bheem's conch was Paundra (Arundinca) - His conch's sound used to disintegrate the five elements.
--Arjun's conch was Devadatt (Theodotes) - His conch's sound used to spread joy among
people. Maya Daanav brought
it to him to show his gratitude to him when he saved him from Khaandav forest fire. It belonged
to Varun Dev. But MBH, G-4-Van/29
says that Rishi gave him this conch when he went to take celestial weapons from Indra and when
he was going to kill Nivaat Kavach.
--Nakul's conch was Sughosh (Dulcisona)
--Sahadev's conch was Manipushpak (Gemmiflora)
These English names have been given by Schlegel and are
approved by Professor Wilson.
Divine Weapons
Divine weapons are those weapons which are eithr of Devtaa's own, or are received from Devtaa.
There are many people in who received Divine weapons directly from
Devtaa or from their Guru. Some were used in the war while others
were not.
--Shiv's Bow is Pinaak
--Raam's Bow is Kodand
--Indra's weapon is Vajra
--Indra has a bow too - Vijaya - he gave it to Parashuraam when
Parashuraam killed Sahastrabaahu, Parashuraam gave it to Karn
--Krishn's Bow was Shaarng
--Krishn's Gadaa was Kaumodakee - Agni Dev gave it at Khaandav
Van Dahan
--Krishn's Divine Disc is Sudarshan - Agni Dev gave it at
Khaandav Van Dahan
--Krishn's Chariot's horses names are Meghpushp, Shaivya, Balaahak and Sugreev
--Krishn's Chariot's name was Jaitra [Vishnu Puraan, 5/14]. Padm Puraan, 5/45
says His chariot's name was Sugreevpushpak.
--Balaraam's weapon was Sthoonkarn
--Karn had Indra's bow Vijaya
--Yudhishthir's Bow was Mahendra (celestial)
--Bheem's Bow was Vaayavya (celestial)
--Arjun's Bow was Gaandeev (celestial) - Agni Dev gave him at the time of the
burning of Khaandav forest along with two inexhaustible quivers and a chariot
--Nakul's Bow was Vaishnav (celestial)
--Sahadev's Bow was Ashwin
--Ghatotkach's Bow was Paulastya (celestial)
--Draupadee's five sons' Bows were Raudra, Aagneya, Kauveerya, Yamya, Gireesh
--Abhimanyu's Bow was Raudra (excellent and the best bow - given by Balaraam)
--Rukmee's bow was Vijaya (of Indra)
--Shrutaayu, the
Son of Varun Dev, had a Divine Gadaa (Mace)
--Prithu's (Vane's son) Bow was Ajagav (Shiv's bow) with which he flattened the Prithvi.
--Maandhaataa's Bow was also Ajagav (MBH, G-4-Van/21)
Drone
--Drone was 85 years of age at the time of Mahaabhaarat war.
(Drone, 121)
--He killed 2 Akshauhinee (about 450,000 heads) army of Paandav before he was killed by Dhrishtdyumn.
(Drone, 8)
--Among Drone's disciples were Rukmee, Dhrishtdyumn and even his own son Ashwatthaamaa
also, besides Kaurav and Paandav
Durgaa's Prayer
--Arjun says prayer to Durgaa to win war. It is said that this
prayer if said at dawn removes fear from Raakshas, Asur and Pishaach. With health and
energy the person lives for 100 years. This prayer may be taken from Bheeshm Parv, Section 23.
Geetaa
--That Geetaa is given in Mahaabhaarat at two places? Where?
--Where Geetaa is found originally?
----In Mahaabhaarat, Bheeshm
Parv, Sec 25-42.
and then in
----In Mahaabhaarat, Ashwamedh Parv, Sec 16-51
How many chapters and verses (Shlok) are in Geetaa?
--18 chapters and 700 verses.
Who are the creator and author of Geetaa?
--Krishn is the creator and speaker of Geetaa; and Ved Vyaas Jee is the author. Ganesh Jee was only the scriber.
Arjun, Sanjaya and Hanumaan heard the Geetaa.
When was Geetaa heard by Dhritraashtra?
--On the 10th day of the war when Sanjaya reports him about the fall of Bheeshm. The account of
war was heard by him only from the 10th day when Bheeshm fell down. Before this he did not hear
anything about war.
How many dialogs are spoken by Dhritraashtra
while listening to Geetaa?
--Only one - the opening Shlok.
Who and who heard Geetaa?
--Only three people heard Geetaa - Arjun - to whom it was told, Sanjaya - who got
Divine sight by Vyaas, and Hanumaan who was sitting on the banner of Arjun.
In which chapter of Geetaa Krishn showed His Viraat Roop?
--In 11th chapter.
Who and who saw Krishn's Viraat Roop?
--Only two people could see it as only two people were bestowed with Divine sight -
Arjun and Sanjaya. Nobody else could see it as nobody had divine sight
except Arjun and Sanjaya.
Ghatotkach
--His chariot was made of black iron and was covered with
bear skin. It was 30 Nalavaa wide and high - Nalavaa being equal to 400 cubits
(1 cubit = 18"), 400 cubits x 30 = 2,000 yards. The account of his standard, horses,
bow, chariot etc is given in
Drone Parv, 175. It had eight wheels. It had no horses or elephants yoked to it rather
it had beings, who looked like elephants, yoked to it.
--He had a son also named Anjanparv who was killed by Ashwatthaamaa before Ghatotkach was
killed on the 14th day of war.
--It is believed that he had one son more, other than Anjanparv,
Barabareek, who sacrificed himself for the victory of Paandav in MBH war.
Horses
--In
Drone, 23, Sanjaya describes colors of horses of many warriors here.
--Krishn's horses' names were - Meghpushp, Shaivya, Balaahak and Sugreev
Karn
--How he got the name
Karn? Indra gave it when he gave his Kundal to Indra.
--How he got his name Vaikartan? Indra
gave it when he gave his Kavach to Indra.
--The name of the Power, Karn got from Indra to kill Arjun, was Naikartan.
--Karn had a Divine bow named Vijaya, given to him by his Guru Parashuraam Jee. He claimed
that it was better than Arjun's Gaandeev. (
G-6-War/32)
--That Karn had four brothers. Two brothers' names are given as Shatrunjaya and Vipath
[Drone Parv, Sec 30] but the third brother's name is not given.
(G-6-War/16)
--[Drone, 38 and 39] again
mention about his one brother who fought with Abhimanyu - his name is also not given.
Krishn
--Krishn got His Chakra from Agni Dev while
helping Arjun to burn Khaandav Van. (G-3-Youth/16)
--Krishn did not fight in Mahaabhaarat war, but Bheeshm had vowed
that he will force Krishn to pick up the weapon, and so He did. Mahaabhaarat cites two incidents
when Krishn ran to kill Bheeshm with His Chakra in His hand.
--Krishn also had a Kavach like Karn. Once Durvaasaa Muni visited
Dwaarakaa and yoked Krishn and Rukminee like horses to a chariot to test Him and whipped them
along. Then he ordered for a dish of hot rice pudding and proceeded to smear it all over Krishn's
body. As he was doing it, when he came to smear His feet, He stopped him from doing so. Durvaasaa
Muni told Him that that pudding was impenetrable armor and since He refused to get smeared His
feet from it, He had doomed himself as His feet were now unprotected. Jaraa hunter shot him in
His foot and He died because of that only.
By this story, we are reminded of
Achilles who was dipped
into the deathly river Styx by his mother Thetis to make him impenetrable, but for his
ankle by which she held him upside down in the river. And it is in the ankle that Paris
shot his mortal arrow. The hero was invulnerable, but for one weak spot in his body, is
a standard mythic image. In the same way,
Samson had his hair. No one remarks on the fact
that Karn's skin-armor was only to protect his chest and presumably his head (by the ear-rings).
He is never hit in other exposed parts of his body. Even Kevin McGrath does not look into
this in his recent research work on Karn (EJ Brill, Leiden). Gaandhaaree also tried to put
a Kavach on Duryodhan's whole body, and that is why she asked him to come to her naked, but
by Krishn's mischief, he came to her wearing a loin cloth and that cloth made his that body
part unprotected where Bheem hit his Gadaa and killed him.
Mahaabhaarat
--It is very well known that Mahaabhaarat was written by Ganesh Jee.
But in Mahaabhaarat, Aadi, 63, Vaishampaayan Jee says that "Bhaarat was written by his
disciples in three years", although in the beginning it is said that it was written by
Ganesh Jee.
--Mahaabhaarat was written in three years. (
G-0-Prolog/12) (Aadi Parv, 62)
--Mahaabhaarat has 18 Parv. Its Geetaa is in Bheeshm Parv.
--That Pareekshit ruled for 60 years, while Janamejaya performed his Sarp Yagya after 1,000
years of his coronation. (Aadi
Parv, 49)
--It seems that the account of war was not heard by Dhritraashtra everyday or as it happened
(like running commentary). The first account was told him after Bheeshm had fallen - means
the 10th day of the war. The second account was told to him on the 15th day when Drone was
killed.
Mahaabhaarat Events
See also Timeline
--Dhritraashtra left for forest on Kaarttik Poornimaa.
(G-7-Post-War/26)
--After a few days, when Dhritraashtra and others were with Vyaas, Naarad Jee came and told
him that he would live only for three years more and then will go to Kuber's regions. Vidur
will enter Yudhishthir's body.
--When Yudhishthir went to forest to see Dhritraashtra, Vidur entered the body of Yudhishthir
[as Naarad forecast]. (G-7-Post-War/28)
Saarathee
--Shaantanu's Saarathee's name was Adhirath, who brought up Kuntee's abandoned son Karn.
--Dhritraashtra's Saarathee's name was Sanjaya - who told the account of Kurukshetra war to him.
--Abhimanyu's Saarathee's name was Sumitra.
--Bheem's Saarathee's name was Vishok - He was Krishn's Saarathee Daaruk's son.
--Krishn's Saarathee's name was Daaruk. [Padm Puraan, 5/45]
--Indra's Saarathee's name is Maatali.
--Karn's Saarathee was Shalya in MBH war- Maadree's brother.
--Arjun's Saarathee was Krishn in MBH war.
--Nal's Saarathee was Vaarshneya (MBH, Stories,
4-7-Nal-2)
Shiv
--Shat-Rudra Paath in Drone
Parv, 202. (G-6-War/29)
Vishnu
--Vishnu Sahastra Naam
Yudhishthir
--Yudhishthir was Dharm Raaj's son, while Vidur was Dharm Raaj himself
born as a Shoodra as a result of Shaap of
Rishi Animaandavya. Vidur entered Yudhishthir's body in the end.
(G-7-Post-War, 28)
--Yudhishthir was famous for his truth speaking quality. Drone did not believe Bheem when he
told him that "Ashwatthaamaa died". He asked Yudhishthir to tell about the truth
in this matter. Fearing to tell the lie, and desirous of victory he said "Ashwatthaamaa
is killed.", although after speaking this sentence he said "elephant" very
slowly. His chariot used to stay four fingers above the ground before this statement to
Drone, that "Ashwatthaamaa died", but after that his chariot and horses started
touching the ground.
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