Apasmāra

Drona was satisfied that all his students were skilled enough to use weapons, and therefore their training period was over. It was time to ask for Gurudhakshina from them. After assembling them together, he told them,“Defeat Drupada, the King of Panchala in  battle and bring him to me. This will be the Gurudhakshina (offering to the preceptor) that will satisfy me the most.” The Kuru princes marched to Panchala with their army and laid siege to the capital of Panchala. The troops were led by Duryodhana, his brothers and Karna. As the Kurus approached Drupada's capital, they informed the King of their desire for battle. King Drupada, not tolerating the attack on his kingdom, mounted his chariot and along with his brothers met the Kuru army head on. Duryodhana and his followers then competed with one another to see who could capture King Drupada first. Before the battle started, Arjuna saw the vanity of Duryodhana and his brothers. He therefore informed Drona, "O best of the b...

When Dronacharya saw that his students had been sufficiently educated, he assembled the Kuru elders and informed them, the Kuru princes have now completed their education. I suggest there be a tournament of arms where they may display their prowess.Vidura made the necessary arrangements so that all will be able to witness the prowess of these mighty youths. Understanding the intentions of the King, Vidura left the palace and began making preparations for the tournament of arms. Drona chose a piece of land devoid of trees for holding the demonstration. He also chose an auspicious day and offered a sacrifice to God in the presence of a vast crowd. After this, skilled artisans built a large stage as per the specifications prescribed by the scriptures. They also built a large hall for the lady spectators. On the day of Tournament, the king accompanied by his ministers, Bhishma and Kripa arrived at the arena. Gandhari, Kunti, and the other royal ladies were also present. The public al...

As stated earlier, Kunti, before her marriage to Pandu, had conceived a child by the Lord Surya, the sun god. Due to fear of her relatives, she placed the child in a basket and set it afloat on the river Ganges. The child was picked up by Adhiratha, a well known carpenter and charioteer and his wife Radha. He was given the name Karna. They raised the child very carefully for sixteen years. On Karna's sixteenth birthday, his father offered him a new chariot with horses. Not feeling a desire to drive the chariot, karna addressed his mother, expressing his desire to learn archery and fight. Radha then explained to her foster son Karna all that had happened on how she had found him at the bank of the Ganges wrapped in precious silk and floating in a basket. Hearing about his mysterious past, he was struck with wonder. After consulting with his mother and father, he took permission from them and left for the city of Hastinapura, desiring to find a martial guru. Karna's goal wa...

The chief of the Yadu dynasty was Surasena . He was the father of the magnanimous Vasudeva . He also had a daughter named Pritha , who was unrivaled in beauty among earth women. As per a promise he had made to his cousin Kuntibhoja, Surasena gave his daughter in adoption to him.She was adopted by King Kuntibhoja , who had no children. This was an agreement made previously by the two Kings. Thus Pritha, who later became known as Kunti , lived in the palace of King Kuntibhoja and looked after the duties of greeting important guests and brahmanas. Once, during her youthful years, the easily angered Sage Durvasa visited Kuntibhoja Kingdom. Kunti  looked after his needs diligently as she would of any other guest. Durvasa gratified by her care and attention of Kunti. Gave her a benediction that she could call any celestial being from the heavenly regions to produce children of the highest quality. Kunti, while still a virgin girl, once called, out of curiosity, Surya, th...