Traditional Tales

In Panchala, Draupadi’s bridal competition was ongoing with many unsuccessful suitors.   Her father, Drupada, dreamed of Arjuna marrying his daughter, although he thought that Arjuna perished in a fire.  Yet Arjuna was alive.  Disguised as a brahmin, he requested permission to participate in the contest. He won! Drupada, his son and daughter were pleased with the brahmin’s success. However, the unsuccessful suitors were jealous, humiliated and insulted.  They wanted to teach him a lesson.  
 
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The news of the demon Bakasura’s death spread like wildfire in Ekachakra and the surrounding areas.  This made Kunti decide it was time for them to leave Ekachakra. There was concern that Duryodhana and the Kauravas might be suspicious about Bakasura’s death. If the Pandavas were to continue to live unnoticed, it was necessary to move. So, they decided to go towards the Kingdom of Panchala. 
 
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The Pandavas with their mother Kunti continued their journey through the forest, facing many hardships. They came across Sage Vyasa. Recognizing him, Kunti burst into tears, narrating what happened to them. He advised them to follow the path of righteousness and be patient in adversity. He promised that prosperity will follow for those who walk on the path of righteousness. Kunti and the Pandavas went to Ekachakra disguised as brahmins. 
 
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The Pandavas and their mother Kunti entered the magical demonic forest, Maya Vana. Legend said that anyone who entered this forest never returned. The demon, Hidimba, ate humans. She wanted to eat the Pandavas but was attracted to Bhima. Bhima had a duel with her brother Hidimba and killed him, freeing her to fulfill her love.  Bhima married Hidimbi and they had a son, Ghatotkacha. Ghatotkacha vowed to always protect the Pandavas.  
 
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The Pandavas proved their excellence and superiority to the Kauravas.  Due to their noble qualities, the Pandavas gained popularity.  The citizens of Hastinapura wanted Pandu’s eldest son Yudhishthira to be the Crown Prince. This upset Dhritarashtra who wanted his son Duryodhana to be Crown Prince.  Duryodhana’s dream of becoming Crown Prince was shattered.  Burning with jealousy, he devised a plot against the Pandavas.  Dhritarashtra warned Duryodhana against the plot, but eventually agreed to cooperate. 
 
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Guru Drona spent many years teaching the arts of war to the Kaurava and Pandava princes.  As the Guru of the valiant princes of Hastinapura, he was held in high esteem and living a comfortable life.  Despite this, his mind was not at peace.  He had a burning desire for vengeance on someone from his past. Who is that? 
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The princes continued their training at the forest ashram and completed their schooling in all the arts of warfare.  Yudhishthira was very good with the spear, Duryodhana and Bhima with the mace.  Arjuna was the best archer, while Nakula and Sahadeva were wonderful swordsmen.  Bhishma proposed to arrange a show to showcase the princes’ abilities.  Guru Drona gladly agreed. 
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Bhishma planned for the Pandava and Kaurava cousins to work together for the greater good of Hastinapura.  He sent the children far away for education at the forest Ashram. Bhishma created distance between Duryodhana and his uncle Shakuni.  He issued orders that no one contact the children.  At the Ashram, Arjuna’s archery skills amazed everyone and the Kaurava princes were jealous. 
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The Pandavas came to live in the city of Hastinapura.   Even though they were royalty, they had been brought up in forest and were unfamiliar with city life.  Duryodhana and his Kaurava brothers did not enjoy having their Pandava cousins in Hastinapura. As the days passed, the Pandavas began to feel the Kauravas’ hostility toward them due to the way their cousins treated them. 
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King Pandu married two princesses, Kunti and Madri.  Both wives loved each other as sisters.  Under Pandu’s rule, the Hastinapura kingdom flourished.  However, due to a curse, Pandu and his wives had to abandon the city.  They went to live in the forest.  There, Kunti had three sons and Madri had two sons.  These five children were called the Pandavas, meaning sons of Pandu.  Meanwhile, while temporarily leading Hastinapura, the blind King Dhritarashtra and his wife, Gandhari had a hundred sons called the Kauravas, meaning sons of the Kuru Kingdom. 
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King Vichitravirya died without leaving an heir to the throne of Hastinapura.  This created a problem for the kingdom.  Bhishma was there to defend it but had vowed not take the throne.  Satyavati called upon her son, Vyasa, for help.  He provided three sons.  Two were born to Vichitravirya’s wives, but one was born blind - Dhritarashtra, and the other was albino – Pandu.  He also fathered a third son Vidura, who was born to a servant girl. 
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For King Shantanu to marry his love, Satyavati, his son Devavrata gave up claims to the throne.  Devavrata vowed to be brahmachari, never producing an heir. The Gods gave Devavrata a new name, Bhishma, meaning fierce.  They also gave him a boon that he could decide the time and place of his death.  Shantanu and Satyavati had two sons.  
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King Shantanu’s future Queen, Satyavati, was the daughter of a tribal fishermen.  She secretly birthed Krishna Dvaipayana, also called Vyasa. Vyasa compiled the Vedas, authored the Puranas and the Mahabharata.  King Shantanu was the great-grandfather of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. He later married Ganga, who killed their first seven sons.  Shantanu was delighted when Ganga returned his eighth son, Devavrata, a courageous prince.  
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There once lived a king of the Lunar Dynasty, named Dushyanta.  He had a great passion for hunting.  On one of his hunting trips in the jungle, he found Shakuntala, the daughter of Menaka, a celestial nymph of Lord Indra’s court and the great sage Vishwamitra.  It is said that Lord Indra himself, frightened by Vishwamitra's yogic powers and fearful of losing his position as Lord of the devas, sent Menaka from heaven to earth to…
 
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Krishna’s precious Syamantaka Jewel has great powers.  Originally Lord Surya gave king Satrajit the jewel. The jewel disappeared and Krishna was blamed.  Krishna investigated a complicated series of events and found the jewel.  He returned it to Satrajit.  Satrajit was later killed.  Krishna had married Satrajit’s daughter and avenged Satrajit’s death.  In due time, the Syamantaka Jewel came to dwell in Dwaraka, Krishna’s city. 
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