SAGA OF A PANDAVA WARRIOR-PRINCE
ANUJA CHANDRAMOULI
ISBN 978-9381576-39-7
© Anuja Chandramouli, 2013
Cover Design Fravashi Aga
Editing Abhijit Basu
Layouts Ajay Shah
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Published in India 2013 by
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Disclaimer This is a work of fiction. The contents of this book are the expressions and opinions of its author and a work of imagination. It does not claim scriptural authenticity. This work does not represent the views of the Publisher nor endorses them in any way. The Publisher makes no representations or warranties as to the completeness or accuracy of the information used in this work.
For Veda Vyasa ~
the finest storyteller this world has ever seen
and the man who gave me the great love of my life
About the Author
Anuja Chandramouli is a full-time mother of two lovely girls, as well as a part-time writer. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s in English. Having started out as a freelance writer with articles published in Women’s Era, Lonely Planet and The Hindu, she currently works as an e-reporter and columnist.
Anuja is a self-confessed, big-dreamer, who is driven by an inner passion to contribute her mite to the great pool of human endeavour, thought, and wisdom. An ardent admirer of Veda Vyasa’s Mahabharata, Anuja holds the Great Epic to be one of a kind, the Homers and Virgils of the world notwithstanding. Drawing her creative inspiration from the epic’s timeless track record of sustenance through centuries of retelling, Anuja chose to debut as a storyteller with the immortal and eternally captivating saga of Arjuna, the non pareil hero. Putting together episodes from Arjuna’s life (some well known, others relatively obscure), gleaned through years of painstaking research and then presented in a seamless narrative with the uninhibited panache and style of a 21st century writer, has been an immensely satisfying and self-actualising endeavour for this New Age Indian classicist.
Chandramouli can be reached at: anujamouli@gmail.com
Contents
Select Cast of Characters
Prologue
1. Arjuna’s Story
2. Early Days
3. Mentor Extraordinaire
4. The Honour Student
5. The Tournament
6. Sworn Rival.
7. Arjuna Wins a Bride
8. Serpent Princess.
9. The Abduction that Saved the Lineage
10. Feeding Agni
11. Arjuna’s Quest for Celestial Weapons
12. Brihannala, the Eunuch
13. Arjuna’s Charioteer
14. Death of a Hero
15. Arjuna Avenges His Son’s Martyrdom
16. The Possessed & The Pledged
17. Kurukshetra
18. Duel Unto Death
19. Midnight Massacre
20. Restitution
21. The Final Journey
Select Glossary
Select Bibliography
Select Cast of Characters
KURU ELDERS
SHANTANU, King of the Kurus
GANGA, Shantanu’s first wife
BHISHMA, Shantanu’s son by Ganga
SATYAVATI, Shantanu’s second wife
CHITRANGADA, Shantanu & Satyavati’s elder son
VICHITRAVIRYA, Shantanu & Satyavati’s second son
AMBIKA, Vichitravirya’s Queen
AMBALIKA, Vichitravirya’s second Queen & Ambika’s sister
DHRITARASHTRA Eldest son of Vichitravirya & Ambika, born blind
GANDHARI, Dhritarashtra’s Queen and mother of the Kauravas
PANDU, son of Vichitravirya & Ambalika
KUNTI, Pandu’s first wife
MADRI, Pandu’s second wife
VIDURA, King Dhritarashtra’s advisor; born to Veda Vyasa & a maid
SANJAYA, King Dhritarashtra’s advisor
KRIPA, Guru to the Pandavas & Kauravas
DRONA, Guru to the Pandavas & Kauravas
PANDAVAS, WIVES & SONS
YUDHISHTHIRA, eldest son of Pandu & Kunti
BHEEMA, second son of Pandu & Kunti
ARJUNA, third son of Pandu & Kunti
NAKULA, one of the twin boys born to Pandu & Madri
SAHADEVA, one of the twin boys born to Pandu & Madri
DRAUPADI, common wife of the five Pandava brothers
ULOOPI, a Naga Princess and Arjuna’s second wife
IRAVAN, Arjuna & Uloopi’s son
CHITRANGADA, Princess of Manipura & Arjuna’s third wife
BABHRUVAHANA, Arjuna & Chitrangada’s son
SUBHADRA, Yadava Princess & Arjuna’s fourth wife
ABHIMANYU, Arjuna & Subhadra’s son
UTTARA, a Princess of Matsya & Abhimanyu’s wife
PARIKSHIT, Abhimanyu & Uttara’s posthumous son
JANAMEJAYA, Parikshit’s son
GHATOTKACHA, Bheema’s son
KAURAVAS, WIVES & SONS
DURYODHANA, eldest son of Dhritarashtra & Gandhari
BHANUMATI, Duryodhana’s wife
LAKSHMANA, Duryodhana’s son
DUHSHASANA, second son of Dhritarashtra & Gandhari
DURMARSANA, a Kaurava
DUHSHALA, daughter of Dhritarashtra & Gandhari
JAYADRATHA, son of King Vriddhakshatra & Duhshala’s husband
PANDAVA ANCESTORS
MANU, grandson of Aditi, mother of the Devas
ILA, Manu’s daughter
PURURAVAS, Ila’s son
AYUS, born to Pururavas & Urvashi
NAHUSHA, son of Ayus
YAYATI, Nahusha’s son
YADU & PURU, sons of Yayati, forefathers of the Yadavas & Kurus
GODS, GANDHARVAS & OTHER CELESTIALS
SHIVA, the Destroyer
VISHNU, the Protector of the Universe
BRAHMA, the Creator of the Universe
PARVATI, Shiva’s consort
KRISHNA, avatar of Vishnu; cousin to the Pandavas & Kauravas
PARASHURAMA, a warrior-Brahmin and incarnation of Vishnu
INDRA, King of the celestials & Arjuna’s divine father
DHARMA/ YAMA, God of Death, Guardian of the Universe & Yudhishthira’s father
VAYU, God of Wind & Bheema’s divine father
VARUNA, presiding deity of water bodies & Guardian of the Universe
PARNASA, a River Goddess
DURGA, Mother Goddess
KUBERA, God of Wealth & Guardian of the Universe
AGNI, God of Fire.
SURYA, Sun God
ASHWINI TWINS, the divine fathers of twins, Nakula & Sahadeva
KAMA, God of Love
ANGARAPARNA, King of the Gandharvas
KUMBHEENASI, Angaraparna’s Queen
CHITRASENA, King of the Gandharvas; skilled musician & dancer
URVASHI, an apsara and ancestor of the Pandavas
GHRITACHI, JAANAPADI, TILOTTAMA, apsaras
RISHIS & SAGES
VEDA VYASA, son of Satyavati & Sage Parashara; biological father of Dhritarashtra, Pandu & Vidura; author of the Mahabharata;
NARA & NARAYANA, ancient rishis reborn as Arjuna & Krishna
SAGE BHARADWAJA, Drona’s father
SHARADWAN, Kripa’s father
RISHI SVETAKETU, enf
orced stricter moral & sexual codes
SAMIKA, instrument in bringing about Parikshit’s doom
SHRINGIN, Samika’s son
SAGE DHAUMYA, Guru to the Pandavas
SAGE BRIHADASHWA, expert dice player & Yudhistira’s coach
RISHI LOMASHA, accompanied the Pandavas on their Teerthayatra
YAJA & UPAYAJA, sages skilled in performing wish-fulfilling sacrifices
SAGE CHANDAKAUSHIKA, fulfills King Vrihadratha’s wish for a son
SAGE DURVASA, sage who gave Kunti, the son-bearing mantra
BRIHASPATI, preceptor of the Devas
KACHA, Brihaspati’s son
SUKRACHARYA, preceptor of the Asuras
SAGE VISHWAMITRA, a King turned sage
SAGE KANVA, a sage who pronounced a curse on the Yadava race
SAGE AGASTYA, one of the seven ancient rishis
PANDAVA SUPPORTERS
DRUPADA, King of the Panchalas; Drona’s sworn enemy; Arjuna’s father-in-law
DHRISTADYUMNA, Draupadi’s brother & son of Drupada
SATYAKI Arjuna’s student & beloved friend of Krishna
VIRATA, King of Matsya
UTTARA, Virata’s son
SHIKANDIN, Princess Amba, reborn to slay Bhishma
MAYA, the architect of the Asuras
KAURAVA SUPPORTERS
KARNA, son of Surya & Kunti; raised by Adhiratha & Radha
SHAKUNI, maternal uncle of the Kauravas; Queen Gandhari’s brother
ULUKA, Shakuni’s son
ASHWATHAMMA, Drona’s & Kripi’s son
BALARAMA, Krishna’s brother; whose favorite student is Duryodhana
JARASANDHA, Emperor of Magadha & Krishna’s sworn enemy
KAMSA, Jarasandha’s son-in-law
SHISUPALA, King of Chedi
BHAGADATTA, son of the asura Naraka; King of Pragjyotishapura
BHURISHRAVA, enemy of Satyaki
SRUTAYUDHA, King & mortal son born to Varuna & Parashara
SUSHARMA, King of Trigarta
EKALAVYA, Nishada Prince who joined the Kauravas to protect his Guru, Drona, from Arjuna
SHALYA, King of Madra; Nakula & Sahadeva’s maternal uncle
KRITAVARMAN, King of the Bhojas
Prologue
Janamejaya, King of the Kurus, was a disturbed man, nursing a visceral urge for revenge that demanded requittal. He belonged to an exalted house. In his veins flowed the blood of none other than Arjuna, one of the mightiest warriors the world has ever known. The illustrious Parikshit, Abhimanyu’s son and Arjuna’s grandson, was Janamejaya’s father. But he knew nothing of any of his ancestors – not even his father, who had been killed by the naga (serpent) Takshaka, while Janamejaya was still an infant. Even the last rites for his father had been conducted by the Ministers of State. They had then taken the baby who would one day be their King, and schooled him in all the subjects a future King needed to master in order to be an exemplary ruler. Young Janamejaya showed great promise of becoming a worthy successor to the throne and surpassed even the high expectations of his Ministers. When he finally sat on the Kuru throne, there was none to dispute the fact that he was a just and capable Lord.
When Janamejaya discovered the truth about his father’s terrible death, caused by a potent curse and the deception of Takshaka, the Serpent King, fury and hatred transformed his usually benign countenance. He thought long about how he could avenge his father and destroy the snakes that had been his nemesis. The wise men he consulted advised him to perform the Sarpasatra, a yajna that would last twelve years and serve to seriously deplete the ranks of the serpents, if not destroy them entirely. In fact, he was told that Kadru, primordial mother of the snakes, had cursed those who had disobeyed her orders in her bid to enslave her sister, Vinata, pronouncing that they would be consumed by the sacrificial flames when King Janamejaya performed the Sarpasatra.
The information convinced the King that providence was on his side and he decided to go ahead with the Sarpasatra. The entire kingdom was in a state of feverish activity as preparations for the yajna went into full swing. Soon all was in readiness and the sages fixed upon an auspicious day to start the rituals. Janamejaya made an effort to concentrate as the sages began their incantations but he was feeling restless and allowed his thoughts to wander to all that he had been told about his own lineage.
Having grown up with glowing tales of the greatness of his ancestors, Janamejaya yearned to know more. His grandfather Abhimanyu, had died when he had been just sixteen and his great and grandfather Arjuna, had left with his brothers, so legend said, to begin their ascent to heaven, having placed Parikshit on the throne. About these great men, Janamejaya personally knew little, so it had become a habit of his to press older men for information regarding his illustrious forefathers. In this way he heard of the tragic death of his father, Parikshit...
One day, while out hunting, Parikshit had hit a boar but the wounded creature escaped. Knowing that a hurt animal was dangerous to the inhabitants of his kingdom, he went in pursuit of it. The search was long and fruitless. The King, separated from his retinue, was weary beyond endurance and drooping with thirst. But still he kept on till he reached the hermitage of the Sage Samika, who was then deep in meditation. Parikshit impatiently asked the ascetic if he had seen or heard a wounded boar. He also asked for water to slake his thirst. No reply was, however, forthcoming from the holy soul, who remained engrossed in his meditation. When his urgent queries were met with unresponsive silence, it angered the King. He helped himself to some water; then, seeing a dead snake in the vicinity, he picked it up with his bow and perversely placed it around the sage’s neck. Having performed this foolhardy deed, he departed.
Shringin, the venerable sage’s hot-headed son, heard of the incident and possessing none of the temperance or magnanimity of his father, immediately pronounced a curse on the impetuous monarch: ‘Parikshit, the sinner who knows nothing of respecting his betters, shall be despatched to the abode of Yama by the Serpent King Takshaka, who, by the power of my words, shall claim his worthless life seven days from now’. Even the stoical Samika could not make his son retract his sinister curse, although he did send a messenger to warn the King.
Parikshit did all in his power to protect himself from the Serpent King. The soldiers of the royal guard screened and checked everything but the thin air that reached the King. But it was all in vain. Takshaka struck just before sundown on the seventh day. He concealed himself in the guise of a worm in a basket of fruit that he had his followers deliver to the King. He then emerged from his pulpy confines to claim his victim.
Janamejaya shuddered at the dreadful mental image of his father dying an agonising death. He felt heartsick over the tragic and untimely demise of his two immediate ancestors – his father dying an accursed death; and his grandfather Abhimanyu, who should have been there to raise him, being killed before he could lay eyes on his own son, let alone his grandson. Craving some solace, Janamejaya’s mournful thoughts went further back – to Arjuna, the veritable jewel of their clan. Pride filled his being, spreading warmth from his toes to the crown of his head. How he would have loved to have known that mighty warrior...
It was while he mused thus that Veda Vyasa arrived at the yajna with his disciples. Janamejaya promptly came forward to welcome this most ancient of his ancestors and prostrated himself at the venerable sage’s feet. Vyasa blessed him and when the formalities were completed, he took the seat of honour assigned to him, next to the King.
Janamejaya spoke up with childlike earnestness, ‘Holy Sire! Pray tell me all about my ancestors. It has been reported to me that you have composed a poem, the very finest, about them. I yearn to learn every single thing about my great and grandfather Arjuna and his illustrious brothers. Tell me about the Great War in which they slew their cousins. Surely they would not have done such a thing without the utmost provocation? What was Krishna’s role in the whole affair? It is believed
that he was Vishnu incarnate and Arjuna was his most beloved friend, and that they achieved marvellous things together. Tell me every small, insignificant detail about Arjuna. What did he like? What did he think? Who was the love of his life? What were the events that led to his becoming the mightiest of warriors whom even the Gods dared not fight? Is it true that he was of divine origin, fathered by none other than Indra, the Lord of the heavens? Did he have a weakness? Is it true that he once died before his time and a Princess who loved him more than life itself, saved him? I want to know him as closely as if I were actually by his side when all the great events in his life unfolded. Tell me all there is to know of Arjuna!’
The young King’s entreaties did not go in vain. The venerable Vyasa smiled to convey his approbation before replying: ‘The time has indeed arrived for me to narrate the Mahabharata to you and through you, the world shall hear this wondrous tale now and forever. Lord Ganesha, while putting my words down as the divine amanuensis, blessed my endeavour and said that my poem would survive as long as the mountains stand and the rivers flow. Listen and become enlighted, oh King! I authorise my able disciple Vaishampayana to tell you the story of your ancestors. Through him you will hear of all those epochal events that transpired so many years ago. And your wish shall be granted – you will come to know Arjuna as well as you know yourself.’
In this way, with Vyasa’s blessing, Vaishampayana began his narrative – and from the moment his first words were uttered, his audience was held spellbound. Janamejaya listened enthralled to all he said and every time Arjuna’s name was mentioned, he savoured every last detail, storing them away in his memory to be retrieved and pondered over later. And this is what he heard about his famous ancestor...
1
Arjuna’s Story
Arjuna was the son of Kunti Devi and Pandu, a scion of the illustrious Kuru clan. But unlike most mortals, he also had a divine father and the events surrounding his birth were mysterious and magical.
Pandu or the ‘Pale One’, was the second son of Vichitravirya and Ambalika, and the father of Arjuna. His own birth took place under quite unusual circumstances. Ambika and Ambalika were the wives of Vichitravirya. Unfortunately, Vichitravirya was afflicted by a wasting sickness and died young, leaving his wives childless. His elder brother, Chitrangada, had been killed even earlier by a belligerent Gandharva of the same name. Bhishma, the half-brother of the deceased monarch, was the sole surviving prince. He was also eminently suited to ascend the throne. But he had taken a terrible vow for the sake of his father, King Shantanu, forfeiting his right to the throne as well as his natural right to procreate. He thus refused the throne and also turned down the suggestion made by his stepmother, to marry his dead half-brother’s wives and beget heirs to secure the Kuru line.