Collection of My articles on Mahabharata.. - Page 2

1. Aswathama attended Draupadi Swayamvar . As per South version he tried but failed to hit the target.
2. Aswathama unlike Karna was never involved in Duryodhana’s conspiracies be it laksha grih,Dice game or ghosha Yatra.
3. Aswathama participated in Uttara gograhan but got into verbal argument with Karna. He praised Arjuna’s valour and insulted Karna.
4. Apart from Arjun only Drona and Aswathama possessed devastating astras like Narayanastra And Brahmasira.
5. Aswathama was not an incarnation of Siva. He was born from the powers of Rudra,Yama,Kama And Krotha.
6. Aswathama never won a duel with Arjuna,though he fought with him number of times.
7. Before the Karna Arjuna final battle,Aswathama tried his best to convince Duryothana to make peace with Pandavas .
8. Aswathama saved Karna and Duryothana from Arjuna on 14 th day.He kept aside his differences with Karna and helped him in battlefield.
9. We don’t see Aswathama’s presence felt in Dice hall. He must be at Ahichatra by that time.
10. Aswathama’s soft corner for Duryothana made him forget all other emotions and his real self . He was never against Pandavas and tried to mend Duryothana’s Ways..by suggesting him to stop the war. Strangely he lost his sensibilities on seeing Duryothana with broken thighs and the rest resulted in mass destruction at midnight.
11. We don’t have any sign that suggests that Aswathama was Chiranjeevi.Krishna’s curse specifically said 3000 years. After that what happened to him is a mystery unsolved.
12. Aswathama worshipped Siva’s embodied form while Krishna and Arjuna worshipped Shiv ling as per Vedavyasa’s word.
13. Aswathama’s Agneyastra which was so powerful got pacified by Arjuna’s Brahmastra. Before that it burnt one akshouhini Pandava army.
14. As per Dhritarashtra Aswathama and Arjuna loved each other so much. Still Aswathama targeted Arjuna also with Brahmasira. His loyalty for Duryodhana superseded his love for Arjuna.
15. Aswathama tried to move Sudarsana chakra with his right hand and failed to do so. He desired to become invincible by possessing Sudarsana.
16. Aswathama admitted before Vyasa that he was of uncleansed soul and thus can not take back Brahmasira.
17. Aswathama stands as an example for a man who met with doom due to his anger and rage. Such a Brahmin by birth became revengeful and got cursed by the almighty himself.
18. Drona loved Aswathama so dearly but admitted that he loved Arjuna more than Aswathama. He also said that Arjuna served him better than Aswathama.
19. As per Bhishma,Aswathama’s arrows travel in continuous line touching one another just like Arjuna’s arrows.
20. When we hear Aswathama’s name the above picture will certainly come to mind. Aswathama’s Brahmasira,Arjuna’s Brahmasira Vedavyasa Narada standing in the middle with Krishna Vasudev ,Parth and his brothers..standing there in control of the situation…One of the riveting moments of the greatest Epic..ever told.

Normal birth

Karna’s birth was normal. He was not Sadyo garbha jata born instantly like VedaVyasa or Ghatotkacha did.

Suryanarayana persuaded Kunti to accept him and even threatened her with dire consequences if she refuses union with him. Kunti was afraid of his anger and obliged finally expressing her wish to have her son born with natural armour and ear rings.

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of hers Surya said, 'So be it!' And that ranger of the skies, that enemy of Swarbhanu, with soul absorbed in Yoga, entered into Kunti, and touched her on the navel. At this, that damsel, on account of Surya's energy, became stupefied. And that reverend lady then fell down on her bed, deprived of her senses. Surya then addressed her, saying, 'I will now depart, O thou of graceful hips! Thou shalt bring forth a son who will become the foremost of all wielders of weapons. At the same time thou shalt remain a virgin.'"CCCV

Kunti became pregnant and hid her pregnancy ,staying in the inner apartments.

Vaisampayana said, "It was, O lord of earth, on the first day of the lighted fortnight during the tenth month of the year that Pritha conceived a son like the lord himself of the stars in the firmament. And that damsel of excellent hips from fear of her friends, concealed her conception, so that no one knew her condition. And as the damsel lived entirely in the apartments assigned to the maidens and carefully concealed her condition, no one except her nurse knew the truth. And in due time that beauteous maiden, by the grace of deity, brought forth a son resembling a very god. And even like his father, the child was equipped in a coat of mail, and decked with brilliant ear-rings.

This was how Karna was born. Kunti kept her pregnancy secret from even her maids,taking into confidence only her nurse. Karna’s birth was pre destined and inevitable. Gods themselves motivated his birth as he was essential to ignite the fire of rivalry between the cousins that would lead to the biggest battle ever fought on such large scale.

Ultimately Karna also contributed towards the Devine plan of establishing dharma by removing the burden of earth.

Kisari mohan Ganguli English Translation Vanaparva CCCV,CCCVI

Narayanastra

Bhima did not relinquish weapons despite Krishna’s urge to do so. Others did.

Then Narayanastra started intensifying it’s power and surrounded Bhima’s chariot.

After they had thrown their weapons and alighted from their vehicles, that weapon of exceeding energy fell upon the head of Bhima. All creatures, especially the Pandavas, uttered cries of Oh and Alas, beholding Bhimasena overwhelmed by the energy of that weapon.'"cc

Bhima still was shooting and he was attacked by the fire of Narayanastra.

Everyone in Pandava side panicked on seeing Bhima in the midst of Narayanastra fire.

Arjuna hurled Varunastra

Sanjaya said, "Beholding Bhimasena overwhelmed by that weapon, Dhananjaya, for baffling its energy, covered him with the Varuna weapon. In consequence of the lightness of Arjuna's arms, and owing also to the fiery force that shrouded Bhima, none could see that the latter had been covered with the Varuna weapon.

Krishna and Arjuna dragged Bhima down

Arjuna and Vasudeva, both endued with great splendour, quickly alighting from their car, ran towards Bhima. Those two mighty men, diving into that energy born of the might of Aswatthaman's weapon, had resorted to the power of illusion. The fire of that weapon consumed them not, in consequence of their having laid aside their weapons, as also in consequence of the force of the Varuna weapon, and owing also to the energy possessed by themselves. Then Nara and Narayana, for the pacification of Narayana weapon, began forcibly to drag Bhima and all his weapons.

Answering the question now

1. Giving up the weapons was adopted as a remedy against Narayanastra.
2. Pandavas submitted before Narayanastra but not before Kauravas or Aswathama.
3. Despite submission Arjuna hurled Varunastra..this proves the point. He did act..with his Gandiv and even hurled Varunastra ,to suppress the energy of Narayanastra.
4. Krishna and Arjuna jumped into the fire surrounding Bhima,dragged him down and made him submit before Narayanastra.

Why did Narayanastra not harm Krishna and Arjun?

1. Because they did show their regard first by submission.
2. Due to Varunastra
3. And mainly because of the energy they posessed.

Vyasa purposely said that Nar and Narayan dragged Bhima.. He indicated the fact that Narayanastra won’t harm Nar and Narayan.

tatashchakRRiShaturbhImaM tasya sarvAyudhAni cha |
nArAyaNAstrashAntyarthaM naranArAyaNau balAt || 13||

While this much action was going on despite submission,how could it be considered as surrender and a win for Kauravas?

Submission happened for a purpose..Narayanastra gradually got pacified.

With Arjuna and Bhima around ,guided by Krishna ,Kauravas can not even dream of a win ..

The warrior who fearlessly hurled Varunastra in presence of Narayanastra ,I mean Arjun proved the point..that he can act even after submission.

So submission before the Astra can not result in win for Kauravas.

Kisari mohan Ganguli English Translation Drona Parva CC,CCI

Bori Critical Edition Sanskrit version Drona Parva ch 171

War without astras

There was not even one incident that could point out towards the statement given in the question…I mean in Vyasa Bharat not in fiction or TV shows.

Let us trace the track record based on only archery skills.

1. Draupadi Swayamvar…..It was the greatest test ever conducted to pronounce the best archer of Aryavarth….Arjuna was the winner.
2. Khandav dahan….Arjuna covered the forest with arrows in such a way that not even one water drop reached down.The thick cover of arrows was a fine display of archery skills that irked the king of gods and foiled his attempt.
3. Arjuna was fighting away from Bhurisravas who was going to kill Satyaki with sword upheld. The sword did not come down on Satyaki instead the swordhand was cut with great precision . Like I always said,any lapse in execution would have cost the life of Satyaki.
4. Jayadratha’s head was played in space with arrows ,all the while tackling the rivals ,by Arjun.
5. The final shot was mindblowing..the head travelled past Kurukshetra to Samantha panchaka and got it fall on Vriddhakshatra’s lap.

These are some of his feats without using astras..

Could shoot at vital limbs

1.Arjuna ,Bhishma battle on 10 th day

This was a proven fact. It was Arjun’s ability to shoot at the vital limbs from far off distance that made Bhishma fall on the arrow bed. No astras but sheer excellence did the trick.

These are not Sikhandin's. Like angry snakes of virulent poison, projecting their tongues out, these are penetrating into my vitals. These are not Sikhandin's--these that cut me to the quick like the cold of winter cutting kine to the quick. Save the heroic wielder of Gandiva, viz., the ape-bannered Jishnu, even all other kings united together cannot cause me pain.

2. Arjuna Karna final battle 17 th day

Arjuna severely injured Karna shooting at his vitals,not with astras.

tato.arjunaH saptadasha tigmatejAnajihmagAn |
indrAshanisamAnghorAnasRRijatpAvakopamAn || 46||

nirbhidya te bhImavegA nyapatanpRRithivItale |
kampitAtmA tathA karNaH shaktyA cheShTAmadarshayat || 47||

Acquainted with all the vital parts of the human body, Partha, possessed of prowess like that of Indra, pierced those vital limbs with hundreds of arrows even as Indra had struck Vala with great energy. Then Arjuna sped ninety arrows, each resembling the rod of Death at Karna. Deeply pierced with those shafts, Karna trembled like a mountain riven with thunder.

So these are the instances that validate Arjuna’s archery skills.

Astras will never fetch victory if the warrior is not endowed with superior skills in archery.

Leaving the option open..to decide who could vanquish whom with mere archery skills.

Kisari mohan Ganguli English Translation Bhishma Parva CXX

Karna Parva 90

Bori Critical Edition Sanskrit version Karna Parva ch 66

Kaurava women..aftermath of war

Pandavas took care of the widows of Kauravas.

All the wives of Kauravas co existed with the wives of Pandavas in Hastinapur Royal Palace.

Daughters in law of Dhritarashtra visited him, Gandhari and Kunti along with Pandavas and their queens.

Sanjaya mentioned them after introducing the wives of Pandavas..to the residents of the forest.

etAstu sImantashiroruhA yAH; shuklottarIyA nararAjapatnyaH |
rAj~no.asya vRRiddhasya para.nshatAkhyAH; snuShA vivIrA hataputranAthAH || 15||

These ladies, the hair on whose heads shows not the parted line, and who are clad in white, are the widows of the slain sons of Dhritarashtra.They are the daughters-in-law of this old king, the wives of his hundred sons, now deprived of both their husbands and children who have been slain by heroic foes. I have now pointed them out in the order of precedence.XXV

When VedaVyasa brought to life, all the warriors who were slain in war, their widows entered Bhagirathi river and accompanied them to heaven. And they took the permission of their father in law Dhritarashtra,to do so.

After all of them had gone away, the great sage, who was standing in the waters of the sacred stream viz., Vyasa of great righteousness and energy, that benefactor of the Kurus, then addressed those Kshatriya ladies who had become widows, and said these words, 'Let those amongst these foremost of women that are desirous of attaining to the regions acquired by their husbands cast away all sloth and quickly plunge into the sacred Bhagirathi.-

Vyasa asked them to enter the river,if they want to be with their husbands.

-Hearing these words of his, those foremost ladies, placing faith in them, took the permission of their father -in -law ,and then plunged into the waters of the Bhagirathi. Freed from human bodies, those chaste ladies then proceeded, O king, with their husbands to the regions acquired by the latter. Even thus, those ladies of virtuous conduct, devoted to their husbands entering, the waters of the Bhagirathi, became freed from their mortal tenements and attained to the companionship of their husbands in the regions acquired by them. Endued with celestial forms, and adorned with celestial ornaments, and wearing celestial vestments and garlands, they proceeded to those regions where their husbands had found their abodes. Possessed of excellent behaviour and many virtues, their anxieties all dispelled, they were seen to ride on excellent cars, and endued with every accomplishment they found those regions of happiness which were theirs by right.

Vyasa granted those widows ,heavenly regions,occupied by their husbands.They happily got united with their husbands,by entering Bhagirathi.

Points to be noted.

1. There was no mention of names of any of them. They were collectively mentioned as daughters in law.
2. No mention of Karna’s wives separately.
3. No Vrishali or Vrishaketu mentioned any where in these incidents.
4. It was the reunion of Kunti with Karna and Pandavas with Karna,that’s all
5. Bhanumati was not mentioned as Duryodhana’s wife. All the wives of Kauravas together got reference as daughters in law and widows.

Karna’s reunion with his brothers and mother( no mention of his wives)

All of them were happy of hearts and looked like gods moving in Heaven. Son met with sire or mother, wives with husbands, brother with brother, and friend with friend, O king. The Pandavas, full of joy, met with the mighty bowman Karna as also with the son of Subhadra, and the children of Draupadi. With happy hearts the sons of Pandu approached Karna,and became reconciled with him. All those warriors, O chief of Bharata's race, meeting with one another through the grace of the great ascetic, became reconciled with one another. Casting off all unfriendliness, they became established on amity and peace. It was even thus that all those foremost of men, viz., the Kauravas and other kings became united with the Kurus rid other kinsmen of theirs as also with their children. The whole of that night they passed in great happiness

So that was how the Epic described the last journey of wives of Kauravas.

Kisari mohan Ganguli English Translation Asramavasa Parva XXXIII,XXV

Bori Critical Edition Sanskrit version Asrama vasa Parva ch 32

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There were many stages involved in hitting the target fixed by Drupada.

Description of the bow in SE and in CE ( without naming)

तद्धनुः किन्धुरं नाम देवदत्तमुपानयत्॥ 1-200-13 (8861)
आयसी तस्य च ज्याऽऽसीत्प्रतिबद्धा महाबला।
न तु ज्यां प्रसहेदन्यस्तद्धनुःप्रवरं महत्॥ 1-200-14 (8862)
शङ्करेण वरं दत्तं प्रीतेन च महात्मना।
तन्निष्फलं स्यान्न तु मे इति प्रामाण्यमागतः॥ 1-200-15

While searching for Pandavas he got a bow for the contest that would not bend that easily.

It was the mighty bow named Kindhura a gift by the gods to Srinjaya Vaiyaghra pada.

The bow string was made with steel,iron.The great bow would not bear another string.

Drupada took so much care in selecting the bow..

Probable steps involved in hitting the target.

1. Lifting the bow with good grasp ..holding it well to be in a proper position to string it..
2. Tying up the string by bending the bow with good control over the weight of the bow.
3. Taking the position along with the bow with good command over the posture ( body positioning)
4. Fixing the arrows on the string,keeping them intact with strong grip on the positioning of the arrows.
5. Estimating the distance between the arrow and the revolving target with great precision..and calculation
6. Undeterred concentration..singleminded focus and steadiness in keeping the body,the bow and the arrows in sink with perfect eyesight .
7. Confidence and conviction ..belief in one’s own skill.

And the final act..shooting the target through the hole to strike it and make it fall in a splash

Possible reasons for Karna’s failure.

Karna was a good archer..no doubt about it…but there is much more than mere archery skill that would result in success.

Karna was physically strong as per the Epic..there shouldn’t be any lapse in handling the bow and stringing it but SE says he failed to string it by hairbreadth distance.

Karna fans might refuse to accept this version because they feel he was strong enough to lift it and string it.

But barring 4 or 5 versions out of 1200 versions ,remaining upheld his defeat..specially Critical Edition provided much reasoning reg their stand..Sukhtankar clarified..Nilalatha and Pandit Ramnarayan opined the same.

So Karna failed due to his incompetence ..he did not meet with the requirement..as given by me above stepswise.

Unless the contestant gets all the steps right he won’t be able to move towards the final shot..which is the ultimate act that fetches success..victory will smile at him..and the bride also.

So possibly Karna failed due to his lack of focus as I said earlier that made him falter at any stage..

Advantage Arjun….

His focus…..He was not distracted at any stage..

Respect towards the preceptor( Drona) Almighty ( Shiv And Krishna)..

passion and regard towards the bow..and the science of archery.

Unparalalled skill combined with mathematical precision…got all the steps co ordinate with each other and resulted in the final shot…winning shot…

And the bride garlanded him with a smile..

Bori Critical Edition Sanskrit version of Mahabharata Adi Parv ch 179

Southern Recession Kumbhakonam Edition Adi Parv ch.200

Gurudakshina to Indra

Why should Indra ask Krishna? I question back. Where was the necessity?

Was slaughtering of Nivatakavachas beyond the ability of his son Arjun?

Let me tell Indra’s own confession on this issue.

Once Rishi Lomasa visited Indra and expressed wonder on seeing Arjun sitting with Indra on Indra simhasan.

Then Indra revealed that Arjuna was Nara and Krishna was Narayana. He also said that an important divine mission also was there for Partha to accomplish.

Here he gives the reason why he did not request Krishna to kill Nivatakavachas Kavachas.

The blessed Vishnu--the slayer of Madhu--he, indeed who is known on earth as Kapila, and whose glance alone, O exalted one, destroyed the illustrious sons of Sagara, when they approached him with loud sounds in the bowels of the earth,--that illustrious and invincible Hari is capable, O Brahmana of doing us a great service. Either he or Partha or both may do us that great service, without doubt. Verily as the illustrious Hari had slain the Nagas in the great lake, he, by sight alone, is capable of slaying those Asuras called the Nivatakavachas, along with their followers. But the slayer of Madhu should not be urged when the task is insignificant. A mighty mass of energy that he is. It swelleth to increasing proportions, it may consume the whole universe. This Arjuna also is competent to encounter them all, and the hero having slain them in battle, will go back to the world of men

Indra said that either Krishna or Arjuna could kill asuras.

Indra felt that it is not proper to seek Krishna’s help as the task is too small for him.

The proportion of the task will expand and consume the whole universe,if Krishna is involved.

Having said thus Indra expressed confidence in Arjuna’s ability to kill Nivatakavachas.

Indra would have sought the help of Krishna,had Arjuna lacked the skills to tackle the asuras.

Five years of rigorous training in heaven, and achieving Pasupata and Shiva’s grace certainly made Indra rest assured of Arjuna’s prowess.

He also considered this as Gurudakshina that Arjuna has to offer after acquiring superior astras from him and gods.

Indra asked Arjun

Now, O represser of foes, the time hath arrived for thy paying the preceptor's fee. Do thou promise to pay the fee; then I shall unfold unto thee what thou wilt have to perform.' Thereat, O king, I said unto the ruler of the celestials, 'If it be in my power to do the work, do thou consider it as already accomplished by me.' O king, when I had said these words, Indra with a smile said unto me 'Nothing is there in the three worlds that is not in thy power (to achieve) My enemies, those Danavas, named, Nivata-Kavachas dwell in the womb of the ocean. And they number thirty million and are notorious, and all of equal forms and strength and splendour. Do thou slay them there, O Kunti's son; and that will be thy preceptor's fee.'

So Arjuna paid Gurudakshina by destroying Nivatakavachas .

Kisari mohan Ganguli English Translation Vana Parva.XLVII,CLXVII

Most of the kings who supported Duryodhana did so for their own reasons.

1. ,Somadatta And Bhurisravas had this long lasting rivalry with Vrishni clan. Sini and Somadatta vied over princess Devaki. Somadutta was defeated by Sini but got a boon from Mahadev that he will get a son who will vanquish Sini’s grand son in battle. So Satyaki was on Pandava side and Bhurisravas,son of Somadatta was on Duryodhana’s side . Bahlika the Kuru elder naturally stayed with Dhritarashtra’s Sons due to his association with Bhishma and Dhritarashtra.
2. Bhagadutta had his own reason ..he was defeated by Arjuna at Rajasuya conquest and was made to wait at the gate of Indraprastha with tributes.His father was killed by Krishna ..Enough to fight for Duryodhana.Moreover, he had felt that he was humiliated by Pandavas during Rajasuya function as I already mentioned in other answers.
3. Jayadratha Ofcourse fought on Duryodhana’s side but he had personal revenge also to fulfill. He could not forget his failed attempt to abduct Draupadi and his humiliating submission before Pandavas. This brother in law of Duryodhana chose Kaurava side by relation and for revenge.
4. Trigartas under the leadership of Susarma and his brothers were defeated by Arjuna during Rajasuya conquest and when Jayadratha abducted Draupadi. They became his sworn enemies Samsaptakas to take revenge or to die in that purpose. They supported Duryodhana due to their grudge towards Arjuna. Susarma supported Duryodhana by taking active part in dakshin gograhan also.
5. Nila Of Mahishmati was defeated by Sahadeva at the time of Rajasuya conquest. He supported Duryodhana
6. Vinda Anuvinda also got defeated by Arjuna and they joined Kauravas.
7. Salya did not support Duryodhana on his own. He was cheated by Duryodhana and so he landed up with Kauravas.
8. Kritavarma willingly supported Duryodhana with two akshouhinis. He was requested by Duryodhana and he responded positively..probably because of his differences with Krishna and Satyaki. On 14 th day Krishna tells Arjuna not to spare Kritavarma.
9. Aswathama stayed with Duryodhana mostly because of Drona Ofcourse Not to forget his good equation with Duryodhan.
10. Adhiradha’s other sons joined war and stood by Duryodhana because of Karna who was treated as the eldest of the family. They sacrificed their lives due to their loyalty towards Karna.
11. While most of the supporters of Pandavas did so due to their alliance with them,Supporters of Duryodhana had their own reasons also to fight against Pandavas.
12. Most of Duryodhana supporters did so due to their animosity towards Pandavas. The Rajasuya conquest of Pandavas made them emperors but on flip side they became the targets of jealousy for their acquisition of power and prosperity. So the defeated kings opted to fight for Duryodhana who conveniently befriended them

Just like Bhagadutta,many kings and tribes waited at the gate of Indraprasth to get a permission to enter inside. They brought tributes since they were defeated in war. So they did feel humiliated waiting with the tributes at the gate. Victors will reign supreme while losers will sulk. Human nature..So all these mentioned here ,supported Duryodhana whose enemy is their enemy.

The Kairatas, the Daradas, the Darvas, the Suras, the Vaiamakas, the Audumvaras, the Durvibhagas, the Kumaras, the Paradas along with the Vahlikas, the Kashmiras, the Ghorakas, the Hansakayanas, the Sivis, the Trigartas, the Yauddheyas, the ruler of Madras and the Kaikeyas, the Amvashtas, the Kaukuras, the Tarkshyas, the Vastrapas along with the Palhavas, the Vashatayas, the Mauleyas along with the Kshudrakas, and the Malavas, the Paundrayas, the Kukkuras, the Sakas, the Angas, the Vangas, the Punras, the Sanavatyas, and the Gayas--these good and well-born Kshatriyas distributed into regular clans and trained to the use of arms, brought tribute unto king Yudhishthira by hundreds and thousands. And the Vangas, the Kalingas, the Magadhas, the Tamraliptas, the Supundrakas, the Dauvalikas, the Sagarakas, the Patrornas, the Saisavas, and innumerable Karnapravaranas, who presented themselves at the gate, were told by the gate-keepers at the command of the king, that if they could wait and bring good tribute they could obtain admission. Section LI Sabha Parva.

Not to forget the instance of Sisupala Vadha aftermath,where the kings walked out of the assembly,miffed with the death happened in such a way.

Hence most of the kings nourished grudge towards Pandava valour and Pandava prosperity.

Though Kurukshetra battle appears like a war between cousins ,it also became the stage for past rivals to cross swords with each other

Gandiva bow as described first time in the Epic

Excerpt

He then gave that wonderful jewel of a bow that was endued with great energy. That bow was the enhancer of fame and achievements, and was incapable of being injured by any weapon. It was the chief of all weapons, and the grinder of them all. And it was the smiter of hostile armies and was alone equal to a hundred thousand bows. It was the multiplier of kingdoms, and was variegated with excellent colours. It was well-adorned, and beautiful to behold, and without a mark of weakness or injury anywhere. And it was always worshipped both by the celestials and the Gandharvas

It was said that none can injure the bow.. Ever since Arjuna held it,none of his opponents could bruise the bow any time in any war.

2.In Arjun’s words..

It was embellished with gold and excellent colours

The bow is very smooth with no knots on it.

3. Siva held it for 1000 years Brahma for 503 years Indra for 80 years.Soma for 500 years Varuna for 100 years.

4. Gandiva is of tremendous weight,and very tall in length like a palm tree. The bow had a double curve. It possessed a . string that makes a deep sound resembling that of thunder, inspiring fear amongst enemies when stretched.Every time an arrow was fired, the bow glows so brightly, then not many people could look at it properly.

5. Gandiva bow could be held by Bhima,and Krishna other than Arjuna as per Draupadi’s statement in Vana Parva.

6.The twang Of Gandiva was so deafening and thunderous that people fall unconscious on hearing that.

7. .Arjuna used to moisten his bowstring with the sweat on his forehead, By the way Arjun’s forehead was like the crescent moon..beautiful ..

8.Gandiva bow has 100 or 108 strings..Arjuna could change the string at will like he did it in a split second..during the final battle between him and Karna.

9. Parasurama called Gandiva the best of bows before the whole assembly that included his desciple Karna whom he gave Vijaya bow.

10. Arjuna’s shoulders and arms were too strong . The pace with which he shoots the arrow was so high..He could shoot 500 or even more arrows at one go. As per Drona,Arjuna’s arrows strike two miles behind and two miles ahead when he was moving..

Gandiva complemented Arjuna in every way and perfectly matched his strength when he accomplished such difficult tasks. Gandiva was his soulmate ever since he got that in his hand.

.11. Arjuna vowed that he will kill anyone who asks him to give away his Gandiv.

12..Arjuna never parted with Gandiva not even when he did penance.

Arjuna gave it to Agnidev when he went on his last journey..Agnidev assured him that he will again get it in his hand when the need arises..

Kisari Mohan Ganguli English Translation Adi Parva Section CCXXVII

Karna Kunti

I am an ardent admirer of Kunti. I completely understand her situation when she abandoned Karna..she was helpless. She did which a girl would do when she gave birth to her son while she was unmarried.

Having said that I am answering this question from Karna’s point of view.

Epic did not clearly say that Karna was angry but certainly he was miffed with Kunti for abandoning him as soon as he was born. He expressed his grouse to her when she approached him and revealed his identity.

Karna told Kunti thus.

And he said, 'O Kshatriya lady, I cannot admit what thou hast said, viz., that obedience to thy commands constituteth (in my case) the highest of my duties. O mother, I was abandoned by thee as soon as I was born. This great injury, involving risk to life itself, that thou didst me, hath been destructive of my achievements and fame. If, indeed, I am a Kshatriya, I have, for thee, been deprived of all the rites of a Kshatriya. What enemy could have done me a greater injury? Without showing me mercy, when thou shouldst have shown it, and having kept me divested of all the rites (that are obligatory in consequence of the order of my birth), thou wouldst however, lay thy command on me today! Thou hadst never before sought my good as a mother should.Thou addressest me today, however, desiring to do good to thyself. Who is there that would not be afraid of Dhananjaya having Krishna with him (for the driver of his car)? If, therefore, I go today unto the Parthas, who is there that would not regard me as doing so from fright? Hitherto, nobody knew me to be their brother. If, giving out on the eve of battle that I am their brother, I go to the Pandavas, what would all the Kshatriyas say? Furnished with every object of desire, and worshipped by them with a view to make me happy, how can I render that friendship of Dhritarashtra's sons utterly futile? Having provoked hostilities with others, they always wait on me respectfully, and always bow down to me, as the Vasus bow down to Vasava. They think that aided by my might, they are capable of encountering the foe. How can I then frustrate that cherished hope of theirs? With me as their boat, they desire to cross the impassable ocean of battle. How can I then abandon them that are desirous of crossing that ocean which hath no other ferry?

Precisely he said

Kunti’s act caused harm to his fame and achievements.

He was deprived of his Kshatriya identity and thus he lost the right to follow Kshatriya rites.

No enemy would have done the harm done by Kunti to him.

As a mother she never sought for his good.

She came to him for her good( her sons)

If he agreed to unite with Pandavas who won’t consider him as one afraid of Arjun.

Kshatriyas will ridicule him if he suddenly claim to be the brother of Pandavas.

How could he make Kauravas unhappy since they provided him every joy.

Kauravas bow to him with respect like vasus does to Indra.

How could he betray them ,who relying on his might and ventured into war..

Clearly Karna’s feelings towards Kunti are depicted ..in this outburst..of him before Kunti.

Karna though got respect and position in Hastinapur,can not overlook Kunti’s role in depriving him of Kshatriyahood. He also thought Kunti never wished for his good but approached him for the welfare of her other sons.

Karna stressed that what Kunti did to him was not done by any enemy of him.

Karna did not forgive Kunti but did not curse her like Yudhishtir did.( Ofcourse the curse was meant for women in general, still..)

Karna was apprehensive of public talk…People will call him a coward ,afraid of fighting Arjun ..If he changed sides at the last moment. he will be ridiculed thus.

I appreciate Karna for

Not crossing the limit in blaming his mother though he certainly felt offended by her act .

He expressed his anguish but he did not curse her like the Eldest Pandav did. I still can not digest the way Yudhishtir dishonoured Kunti who suffered a lot to bring them up fighting with adversities. In contrast Karna behaved in a dignified manner. I would like to mention Arjuna also did not blame his mother for hiding Karna’s identity.

On the whole this single scene will offer us an insight into the mindset of Karna who did not forgive his mother but still did what a son should do…to be courteous and formal ….that definitely deserves applause.

Bori Critical Edition Of Mahabharata Udyoga Parva ch.144

Kisari Mohan Ganguli English Translation Udyoga Parva Section CXLVI