The stories of Mahabharata

Narada, again an avataar of Lord Vishnu, suggested some rules to be followed by pandavas and Draupadi for living together. One of the rules was that: Draupadi should spend one year with each of the pandavas and while she was with one of them, no other Pandavas should visit the palace where they might be. In case of any breach of their rule, one-year pilgrimage was prescribed by way of penance leaving the kingdom. The pandavas and Draupadi were living happily until one day: a brahmana came running to Arjuna saying that the thieves had stolen his cows. Arjuna wanted to rush with him to catch the thieves but he realized that his bow and arrows were kept in Yudhisthira’s palace and he was there in the company of Draupadi. He hesitated for a while, then seeing brahmana’s plight he rushed in to Yudhisthira ‘s palace took his bow and arrows and ran to catch the thieves. After he caught the thieves and punished them, after restoring the cows of the brahmana, Arjuna came back to Yudhisthira and told him about his transgression of the rule. Yudhisthira, knowing the reason of the breach of their rule, said their is no need for Arjuna to take the pilgrimage. Since it is a mistake committed towards him, and that too for a good reason, he will pardon Arjuna . However, Arjuna would never break his word. He immediately set out for a one-year pilgrimage. Maybe this is why Arjuna is such a favorite sakha of Lord Krishna. Morals in the Story: The story shows how important it is to keep up ones word, whether it is of any consequence or not, how much ever difficult it is. Arjuna, knowing that he will be punished for breaching the rule, did not stop doing his duty as a king to protect his people and punish the thief. Thus, one must always perform his duty without any laziness or any kind of fear. Rewards for such people do show up as immediate difficulties, but in the end – it is truth is what always wins (Satyameva jayate). Arjuna’s win was in the way of gaining eternal friendship with the Lord. Imagine if everyone keeps his word and always speaks truth — will we have corruption? will we have poverty? Though its a very difficult to inculcate, unless we are truthful there will be no development. Like Arjuna if everyone does they duty — will there be such slow development for such a large community of intelligent people? Temporal gains got by saying lies never will be permanent. They will not only bring us down on a long run in life, leave aside winning the heart of the God.

Dronacharya was the archery teacher for the Kauravas and Pandavas. In those days, Dronacharya was matchless in archery. Dronacharya had a son named Ashwatthwama. He was named Ashwatthwama because as soon as he was born he started neighing like a horse, and “Ashwa” means horse. Dronacharya was extremely fond of his son. Ashwatthwama learned archery from his father and became a great hero. Ashwatthwama’s mother was the sister of another great archer, Kripacharya. Kripacharya also helped Ashwatthwama, as well as the Kauravas and Pandavas, in archery. It was also Kripacharya who had requested Dronacharya to teach the Pandavas and Kauravas after him. They were very close relatives. Ashwatthwama learned many secret ways to use the bow and arrow and soon became an expert. The Pandavas were in the forest because of Arjuna’s and Yudhishthira’s defeat in a game of dice with Duryodhana and the Kauravas. Ashwatthwama knew that Krishna was very fond of the Pandavas, especially Arjuna. So he thought, “This is the time for me to go to Krishna and get something from him.” He went to Krishna and said, “I am giving you my most powerful weapon, the Brahmashira. It can kill anyone when it is used against them. Will you not give me your Sudharshan Chakra disc in return? Will you not trade with me? I would be so grateful,” Krishna said, “Wonderful! I am ready to exchange. Please take it.” Ashwatthwama tried to lift the Chakra disc up, but it was impossible for him to lift it. Krishna said, “Young man, you cannot even lift my weapon. How are you going to use it?” Ashwatthwama was embarrassed and ashamed. Krishna smiled at him saying, “Be satisfied with what you have and fight against others with the help of your weapon. My weapon is too heavy for you.”