Strange Narrations in Mahabharata! - Page 2

Originally posted by: medha00

mahabharat is taught as history and not mythology in schools.
We have a whole chapter dedicated to mahabharat in 12th std. History book l.
It is taught under kinship,caste and class (early societies) and is very detailed.
Just take out all the supernatural stuff out.

Originally posted by: Cool-n-Fresh

There are certain narrations in Mahabharata, that defies any rational explanations. Some examples :

Involvement of Nature Elements

1) River Ganga was the wife of Shantanu and mother of Bhishma.

Was she really River Ganga or any lady(Princess/Queen) named Ganga!?

Ganga was the River Ganga herself. In Ved Vyas Mahabharat, Rishi Lomasa explains the story of Bhagiratha to Yudhishtir here: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03109.htm

2) All the sons of Pandu were the products of the main elements of nature.

From Kunti :

- Karna was the son of Surya (the Sun)

- Yudhisthir of Dharma ( Truth)

- Bhima of Vaayu (Air)

- Arjun of Indra and

From Maadri :

- Nakul and sahdeva from Ashinikumars.

Were they really nature elements or some men disguised under those names.How can nature elements make human physical relations and produce human children!?

They really were demi-gods who controlled elements. When you read it as Surya you need to understand that it isn't the Sun itself, but the demigod that controls the Sun.

3) Presence of Indra in many episodes of Mahabharat,Arjun visiting Indra's place.Indra taking Karna's Kavacha Kundala.

Who's Indra?Was he a Human!?

Indra is the Lord of all demigods.

4) Reference of 100 sons,10,000sons,1,00,000 sons,16,000 wives,1,00,000 maids...having only sons in great numbers and each man having number of women giving birth only to sons...

How come they didn't beget any girls as offsprings!?If everyone had sons and only grandsons,how did each man have many women for his own!?

This is a weird question. The reason these numbers are mentioned in Ved Vyas Mahabharat was because it had some significance with the story itself. Like 100 strong sons of Dhritharashtra had to be mentioned for glorification of Pandavas victory. 16,000 wives of Krishna had to be mentioned because of him rescuing them all from Narakasura.

5) Birth of Pandavas took place in 5 consecutive years!

How on earth is this possible!?

It was possible during Dwapara Yuga. Krishna was 89 years 8 months and 4 days old when he went to Mahabharata war. 1 year in Dwapara Age was very less as people of that age lived very long compared to Kali Age. Arjuna was 88 years 1 month and 22 days old and Abhimanyu was the youngest in the war being only 16 years old. If you look at it this way, Abhimanyu was a child in comparison to grown ups like Karna, Drona, Kripa, Duryodhana, Dushasana etc when he fought all of them at once.

Lord Krishna departed this world when he was 127 years and 3 months old.

6) The narration of the birth of Kauravas from a mass of flesh outside the womb of a woman.

This is possible even today. Test tube babies are one example. Stem-cell reproductive cloning is another example.

Aliens in Mahabharat!?

Mention of Devas, Asuras, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Pisachas, Kinnaras, Kimpurushas, Vanaras, Nagas, Suparnas, Vidyadharas, Valkhilyas, Siddhas and Charanas.Devas were further classified into Vasus, Rudras, Maruts, Sadhyas and Adityas. Asuras were similarly divided into Daityas, Danavas, Kalakeyas etc. Among the Daityas were a group called the Nivata Kavachas.

If they were non-humans and not even animals,how they existed on earth!?How their presence was felt!?

The same way Dinosaurs once existed on earth. You need to realize that maybe we, humans, are aliens on earth as we are the latest entrants to this planet.

- Salwa's attack of the city of Dwaraka in a flying city named Saubha.

Did ordinary kings have such powers!?

- Reference to great explosions and destruction of many lives!?The narration about the after effects of such weapons!?

So are we seeing the effect of those hazards?Did they influence the health of our ancestors?But our ancestors lived in great harmonious environment and had excellent health!Right!?

Though some seem to be interesting,many have been greatly exaggerated!!

Not accurate. When Ashwatthama releases his Brahmashira towards Uttara's unborn son, Lord Vishnu protects the unborn child (Parikshit/Vishnurata) for 9 months from the radiation blast of the Brahmastra. This incident happens at a city close to the present Mohenjo-daro/Harappa (Indus Valley) and there was a documentary released by History Channel recently that showed this. The recorded radiation levels in these areas are magnitudes higher than what it should normally be and can only have happened if there was a nuclear explosion. There are also high amount of radiations found in areas around Jodhpur, Rajasthan. I forgot the episode but I can give you links to findings by various scientists that investigated this matter: http://www.rense.com/general3/8000.htm and http://twitscope.wordpress.com/2008/07/12/evidence-of-nuclear-explosion-in-ancient-india/

What is the explanation that can be given to these strange narrations? Can we say that the ancient authors of Mahabharata imagined all these?

What do you think of such depictions in Epics like Mahabharat!?

Its all about belief. Imagine you were born in the year 1900... it would be hard to accept that there would be such a thing as computers/mobile phones. But today it isn't strange at all. According to me, in Dwapara Yuga (and previous Yuga's) we were more advanced in technology and science than we are today. Kali Yuga has seen deterioration and is again picking up as we head towards Satya Yuga. Thats why the four yugas are combined into a Kalpa (cycle). Satya Yuga is the best in everything (Utopian) and Kali Yuga is worst in everything (anarchism) and this cycle repeats infinitely. So you might feel that somethings in Mahabharat were exaggerated or could not have been possible only because you are thinking keeping the present tech/science as reference. If you can accept that Dinosaurs walked on this planet then it isn't that hard to accept that Mahabharat did happen.

References - [Mahabharat by Ved Vyas Sambhava Parva,Section XCVII]

Mahabharat Ved Vyasa-Sambhava Parva,Section CXXIV]

[Mahabharat Ved Vyas Adi Parva]

[Mahabharat -Ved Vyas Udyoga,Bhishma,Drona,Shalya,Sauptika Parvas]

Na dvitityo Na triyaschthurtho naapyuchyate|

N a panchamo Na shshtah sapthmo naapyuchyate|

Nashtamo Na navamo dashamo naapyuchyate|

Yagna yetham devamekavritham veda||

Sa sarvassai vi pashyathi yachha praanathi yachhana|

Tamidam nigatam sah sa yesha yeka yekavrideka yeva|

Ya yetham devamekavritham veda||

Atharva 13.4[2]19-20

There is no second God, nor a third, nor is even a fourth spoken of

There is no fifth God or a sixth nor is even a seventh mentioned.

There is no eighth God, nor a ninth. Nothing is spoken about a tenth even.

This unique power is in itself. That Lord is only one, the only omnipresent. It is one and the only one.

The entire world rests with him. He is "Yeshah yekah" i.e. only one. He is conscious, indivisible. He is Yekah yevah" Only one.

Originally posted by: Cool-n-Fresh

Few members used the term 'Demi-Gods'(this is something new for me!Never heard it or read anywhere.) on the other hand there is a post highlighting 'God is One'.

I'm confused!Am I perceiving it in a different way!?🤔

Originally posted by: Cool-n-Fresh

Encountered some more...

1) The Muni had a son, born of a cow, of the name of Sringin. He was widely known, possessed of great prowess and energy, and very wrathful.[Astika Parva]

2) 'That Brahmana of rigid vows then wandered over the earth for a wife but a wife found he not. One day he went into the forest, and recollecting the words of his ancestors, he thrice prayed in a faint voice for a bride. Thereupon Vasuki rose and offered his sister for the Rishi's acceptance. But the Brahmana hesitated to accept her, thinking her not to be of the same name with himself. The high-souled Jaratkaru thought within himself, 'I will take none for wife who is not of the same name with myself.' Then that Rishi of great wisdom and austere penances asked him, saying, 'Tell me truly what is the name of this thy sister, O snake.'

"Vasuki replied, 'O Jaratkaru, this my younger sister is called Jaratkaru. Given away by me, accept this slender-waisted damsel for thy spouse. O best of Brahmanas, for thee I reserved her. Therefore, take her.' Saying this, he offered his beautiful sister to Jaratkaru who then espoused her with ordained rites.'"'[Astika Parva XIV]

3) "And when king Vasu took his seat in that crystal car, with the gift of Indra, and coursed through the sky, he was approached by Gandharvas and Apsaras (the celestial singers and dancers). And as he coursed through the upper regions, he was called Uparichara. And by his capital flowed a river called Suktimati. And that river was once attacked by a life-endued mountain called Kolahala maddened by lust. And Vasu, beholding the foul attempt, struck the mountain with his foot. And by the indentation caused by Vasu's stamp, the river came out (of the embraces of Kolahala). But the mountain begat on the river two children that were twins. And the river, grateful to Vasu for his having set her free from Kolahala's embraces, gave them both to Vasu. And the son was made the generalissimo to his forces by Vasu, that best of royal sages and giver of wealth and punisher of enemies. And the daughter called Girika, was wedded by Vasu.

4) "The hawk, swift of speed, took it from the king and rapidly coursed through the air. While thus passing, the hawk was seen by another of his species. Thinking that the first one was carrying meat, the second one flew at him. The two fought with each other in the sky with their beaks. While they were fighting, the seed fell into the waters of the Yamuna. And in those waters dwelt an Apsara of the higher rank, known by the name of Adrika, transformed by a Brahmana's curse into a fish. As soon as Vasu's seed fell into the water from the claws of the hawk, Adrika rapidly approached and swallowed it at once. That fish was, some time after, caught by the fishermen. And it was the tenth month of the fish's having swallowed the seed. From the stomach of that fish came out a male and a female child of human form. The fishermen wondered much, and wending unto king Uparichara (for they were hissubjects) told him all. They said, 'O king, these two beings of human shape have been found in the body of a fish!' The male child amongst the two was taken by Uparichara. That child afterwards became the virtuous and truthful monarch Matsya.[Adivansavatarana Parva LXIII]

This might sound stupid but I would like to know how such depictions are to be perceived!?Do they have any extraordinary meaning?(Something Symbolic!)

Actually I'm reading Mahabharat(KSG Translation) from the beginning.This is causing all the trouble.😆

Originally posted by: Cool-n-Fresh

Encountered some more...

1) The Muni had a son, born of a cow, of the name of Sringin. He was widely known, possessed of great prowess and energy, and very wrathful.[Astika Parva]

2) 'That Brahmana of rigid vows then wandered over the earth for a wife but a wife found he not. One day he went into the forest, and recollecting the words of his ancestors, he thrice prayed in a faint voice for a bride. Thereupon Vasuki rose and offered his sister for the Rishi's acceptance. But the Brahmana hesitated to accept her, thinking her not to be of the same name with himself. The high-souled Jaratkaru thought within himself, 'I will take none for wife who is not of the same name with myself.' Then that Rishi of great wisdom and austere penances asked him, saying, 'Tell me truly what is the name of this thy sister, O snake.'

"Vasuki replied, 'O Jaratkaru, this my younger sister is called Jaratkaru. Given away by me, accept this slender-waisted damsel for thy spouse. O best of Brahmanas, for thee I reserved her. Therefore, take her.' Saying this, he offered his beautiful sister to Jaratkaru who then espoused her with ordained rites.'"'[Astika Parva XIV]

3) "And when king Vasu took his seat in that crystal car, with the gift of Indra, and coursed through the sky, he was approached by Gandharvas and Apsaras (the celestial singers and dancers). And as he coursed through the upper regions, he was called Uparichara. And by his capital flowed a river called Suktimati. And that river was once attacked by a life-endued mountain called Kolahala maddened by lust. And Vasu, beholding the foul attempt, struck the mountain with his foot. And by the indentation caused by Vasu's stamp, the river came out (of the embraces of Kolahala). But the mountain begat on the river two children that were twins. And the river, grateful to Vasu for his having set her free from Kolahala's embraces, gave them both to Vasu. And the son was made the generalissimo to his forces by Vasu, that best of royal sages and giver of wealth and punisher of enemies. And the daughter called Girika, was wedded by Vasu.

4) "The hawk, swift of speed, took it from the king and rapidly coursed through the air. While thus passing, the hawk was seen by another of his species. Thinking that the first one was carrying meat, the second one flew at him. The two fought with each other in the sky with their beaks. While they were fighting, the seed fell into the waters of the Yamuna. And in those waters dwelt an Apsara of the higher rank, known by the name of Adrika, transformed by a Brahmana's curse into a fish. As soon as Vasu's seed fell into the water from the claws of the hawk, Adrika rapidly approached and swallowed it at once. That fish was, some time after, caught by the fishermen. And it was the tenth month of the fish's having swallowed the seed. From the stomach of that fish came out a male and a female child of human form. The fishermen wondered much, and wending unto king Uparichara (for they were hissubjects) told him all. They said, 'O king, these two beings of human shape have been found in the body of a fish!' The male child amongst the two was taken by Uparichara. That child afterwards became the virtuous and truthful monarch Matsya.[Adivansavatarana Parva LXIII]

This might sound stupid but I would like to know how such depictions are to be perceived!?Do they have any extraordinary meaning?(Something Symbolic!)

Actually I'm reading Mahabharat(KSG Translation) from the beginning.This is causing all the trouble.😆