Leaser know stories of Mahabharata

Share some of the lesser known stories of Mahabharata. It can be a folklore also stories mentioned in other versions of Mahabharata

Indonesian version of Mahabharata mention shakuni lusting after kunti

Drapaudi being only yudhishtra s wife

And instead of archery competition it was mace fight in drapaudi Swamyvaar. Bheem won

Arjuna having a daughter named Pragati

In an Indonesian folklore I had read that Draupadi had another daughter from Nakul (not sure of her name though)

Had read a research article that the Pratigya of Bheeshm was only to not ascend to the throne, either by himself nor by his progeny, so he wasn't a celibate for life but did have wife n kids, they however weren't at all involved in Kuru politics

A speaking tree article in the past stated that Duryodhan had offered his right thigh to Draupadi to sit during the Dyut Sabha, this is for the daughter, so his actions were misinterpreted

Babhruwahan had killed both Arjun and Vrishketu, while Arjun was revived by Uloopi, Krishna ji himself revived Vrishketu. Vrishketu then was given the lands of eastern side including Anga Pradesh. Also Arjun taught Vrishketu the use of Brahmast, Krishna ji however asked him neither to use it ever nor to transfer/teach it to anyone. Vrishketu was the last living human (excluding Ashwathama) to have the knowledge of Brahmast

Will add more as I recall

Well known but with slight twist:

1. Draupadi's earlier birth was as Nalayani. Nalayani had prayed to Shiva for a husband with five qualities. Not finding such a man, Shiva said that in her next birth she would wed five husbands with these qualities.

Now, in MBH, there's the story of Nala & Damayanti. Nala, like Yudhisthira was invited for a dice game which he lost. Nala however was wiser than Yudhisthira in knowing when to stop. He lost kingdom n riches but not himself and neither did he stake Damayanti, his wife.

Nala & Damayanti had two children, one of which was Nalayani. It's anybody's guess whether this Nalayani is the same as the Nalayani in the five husband story.

Kavita Kane has clubbed these two together in her book Ahalya's awakening. Don't know how much is true. She has further clubbed Nalayani being wife of Rishi Mudgala. But ultimately, she has made Draupadi in earlier birth as the mother of Ahalya. Lol.

No clue regarding authenticity.

2. This links Ramayana & Mahabharata together. During Uttar kanda, when Rama asks Sita to give Agni Pariksha just before going back to Ayodhya, he calls upon Agni dev to bring back real Sita & take back Maya Sita. This Maya Sita is supposedly Draupadi.

In an article inspired by a quora post (yeah! 😆), I read that Dhrishtadyumna was Eklavya's reincarnation. 😆

To honour Eklavya's great sacrifice, Krishna blessed him that he'd take revenge upon Drona in his next birth. 🤪

Originally posted by: Eloquent

Well known but with slight twist:

1. Draupadi's earlier birth was as Nalayani. Nalayani had prayed to Shiva for a husband with five qualities. Not finding such a man, Shiva said that in her next birth she would wed five husbands with these qualities.

Now, in MBH, there's the story of Nala & Damayanti. Nala, like Yudhisthira was invited for a dice game which he lost. Nala however was wiser than Yudhisthira in knowing when to stop. He lost kingdom n riches but not himself and neither did he stake Damayanti, his wife.

Nala & Damayanti had two children, one of which was Nalayani. It's anybody's guess whether this Nalayani is the same as the Nalayani in the five husband story.

Kavita Kane has clubbed these two together in her book Ahalya's awakening. Don't know how much is true. She has further clubbed Nalayani being wife of Rishi Mudgala. But ultimately, she has made Draupadi in earlier birth as the mother of Ahalya. Lol.

No clue regarding authenticity.

2. This links Ramayana & Mahabharata together. During Uttar kanda, when Rama asks Sita to give Agni Pariksha just before going back to Ayodhya, he calls upon Agni dev to bring back real Sita & take back Maya Sita. This Maya Sita is supposedly Draupadi.

Nalayani story is from Malayalam retellings. It's not the same as Shiva one.

Nalayani was married to an old rishi called Maudgalya. When she devotedly served him, he changed into a young man. They spent the next few years making out like bunnies. 😆 Not kidding... there is an entire description of either cosplaying or positions. They even went to Indralok once and Maudgalya converted himself to 5 men, making all the women of Indra's court jealous. Finally, the rishi got burnt out, but Nalayani wanted to enjoy life some more. So Maudgalya cursed her with 5 men to satisfy her. I think she did ask Shiva for a solution, but Shiva agrees she'd have to marry 5 men.

Kavita Kane is mistaken in that Nalayani was not married to Mudgala. Maudgalya mentioned was the contemporary of Srinjaya, ie, 4-5 generations AFTER MUDGALA.

Strange thing is Panchali's Maudgalya was still around during the MBh story. In fact, Yudhishtira asked one of the rishis for the story of Maudgalya during Vana Parva.

Imagine that! I wonder what Panchali's ex had to say about all the goings-on in her life. 😆

As mentioned before, another strange thing is that Maudgalya was the descendant of King Mudgala who used to rule Northern Panchala.

Even stranger is this: Nala/Damayanti's daughter was called Indrasena. Panchali's personal maid in MBh was called Indrasena (she is mentioned a couple of times in Vana pava, once yelling at Yudhishtira😆)

With all the connections, I'm inclined to believe there was a kernel of truth to the story

Karna pushing Arjun's chariot and Krushna telling Arjun that Karna is so strong because he could push incarnation of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu

Our professor told this story in one of the lectures and that's when I started admiring Karna, didn't cross check it 😂 Still haven't

Bheeshm having killed 99 brothers of Shakuni by allowing them all only one grain of rice each day (this I am 200% sure in false)

The throne actually should have gone to Chitrangad after Bheeshm decided not to get it for himself. (This everyone knows for sure but am adding since no one actually remembers him) Chitrangad was a great warrior and only second to Bheeshm in power. He had all the skillsets needed for a king.

However once he got to know about a demon, also named Chitrangad. The demon had a boon that he could die only if he gets killed by some one who has the same name. Our Chitrangad gets to know about this and decides to fight the demon despite it not being the direct threat to him or his state, but for the greater good of the nation. He had a fierce battle with the demon and in the end both of them die. Hence the throne was passed onto his good for nothing younger brother Vichitraveer

Fun Trivia-- Jain scriptures call them Chitra Vichitra instead of Chitrangada and Vichitraveer

P.S. just a random thought, could it be possible that Vichitraveer was actually incapable of progeny and hence got this name-- Vichitra means strange and Veerya means powerful but also mean semen

Thanks a lot for this thread! 👍

Originally posted by: Wistfulness

In an article inspired by a quora post (yeah! 😆), I read that Dhrishtadyumna was Eklavya's reincarnation. 😆

To honour Eklavya's great sacrifice, Krishna blessed him that he'd take revenge upon Drona in his next birth. 🤪

This is full too masala entertainment 🤣

LOL, this is a perfect opportunity to discuss some scrutiny worthy tracks of SP MB.

Like Arjun being a part of Rukmini haran 🤣

Kalyavan kidnapping Subhadra 😆

And so on.