Arjuna Read online

  SAGA OF A PANDAVA WARRIOR-PRINCE

  ANUJA CHANDRAMOULI

  ISBN 978-9381576-39-7

  © Anuja Chandramouli, 2013

  Cover Design Fravashi Aga

  Editing Abhijit Basu

  Layouts Ajay Shah

  Printing Repro India Ltd

  Published in India 2013 by

  PLATINUM PRESS

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  Disclaimer This is a work of fiction. The contents of this book are the expressions and opinions of its author and a work of imagination. It does not claim scriptural authenticity. This work does not represent the views of the Publisher nor endorses them in any way. The Publisher makes no representations or warranties as to the completeness or accuracy of the information used in this work.

  For Veda Vyasa ~

  the finest storyteller this world has ever seen

  and the man who gave me the great love of my life

  About the Author

  Anuja Chandramouli is a full-time mother of two lovely girls, as well as a part-time writer. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s in English. Having started out as a freelance writer with articles published in Women’s Era, Lonely Planet and The Hindu, she currently works as an e-reporter and columnist.

  Anuja is a self-confessed, big-dreamer, who is driven by an inner passion to contribute her mite to the great pool of human endeavour, thought, and wisdom. An ardent admirer of Veda Vyasa’s Mahabharata, Anuja holds the Great Epic to be one of a kind, the Homers and Virgils of the world notwithstanding. Drawing her creative inspiration from the epic’s timeless track record of sustenance through centuries of retelling, Anuja chose to debut as a storyteller with the immortal and eternally captivating saga of Arjuna, the non pareil hero. Putting together episodes from Arjuna’s life (some well known, others relatively obscure), gleaned through years of painstaking research and then presented in a seamless narrative with the uninhibited panache and style of a 21st century writer, has been an immensely satisfying and self-actualising endeavour for this New Age Indian classicist.

  Chandramouli can be reached at: [email protected]

  Contents

  Select Cast of Characters

  Prologue

  1. Arjuna’s Story

  2. Early Days

  3. Mentor Extraordinaire

  4. The Honour Student

  5. The Tournament

  6. Sworn Rival.

  7. Arjuna Wins a Bride

  8. Serpent Princess.

  9. The Abduction that Saved the Lineage

  10. Feeding Agni

  11. Arjuna’s Quest for Celestial Weapons

  12. Brihannala, the Eunuch

  13. Arjuna’s Charioteer

  14. Death of a Hero

  15. Arjuna Avenges His Son’s Martyrdom

  16. The Possessed & The Pledged

  17. Kurukshetra

  18. Duel Unto Death

  19. Midnight Massacre

  20. Restitution

  21. The Final Journey

  Select Glossary

  Select Bibliography

  Select Cast of Characters

  KURU ELDERS

  SHANTANU, King of the Kurus

  GANGA, Shantanu’s first wife

  BHISHMA, Shantanu’s son by Ganga

  SATYAVATI, Shantanu’s second wife

  CHITRANGADA, Shantanu & Satyavati’s elder son

  VICHITRAVIRYA, Shantanu & Satyavati’s second son

  AMBIKA, Vichitravirya’s Queen

  AMBALIKA, Vichitravirya’s second Queen & Ambika’s sister

  DHRITARASHTRA Eldest son of Vichitravirya & Ambika, born blind

  GANDHARI, Dhritarashtra’s Queen and mother of the Kauravas

  PANDU, son of Vichitravirya & Ambalika

  KUNTI, Pandu’s first wife

  MADRI, Pandu’s second wife

  VIDURA, King Dhritarashtra’s advisor; born to Veda Vyasa & a maid

  SANJAYA, King Dhritarashtra’s advisor

  KRIPA, Guru to the Pandavas & Kauravas

  DRONA, Guru to the Pandavas & Kauravas

  PANDAVAS, WIVES & SONS

  YUDHISHTHIRA, eldest son of Pandu & Kunti

  BHEEMA, second son of Pandu & Kunti

  ARJUNA, third son of Pandu & Kunti

  NAKULA, one of the twin boys born to Pandu & Madri

  SAHADEVA, one of the twin boys born to Pandu & Madri

  DRAUPADI, common wife of the five Pandava brothers

  ULOOPI, a Naga Princess and Arjuna’s second wife

  IRAVAN, Arjuna & Uloopi’s son

  CHITRANGADA, Princess of Manipura & Arjuna’s third wife

  BABHRUVAHANA, Arjuna & Chitrangada’s son

  SUBHADRA, Yadava Princess & Arjuna’s fourth wife

  ABHIMANYU, Arjuna & Subhadra’s son

  UTTARA, a Princess of Matsya & Abhimanyu’s wife

  PARIKSHIT, Abhimanyu & Uttara’s posthumous son

  JANAMEJAYA, Parikshit’s son

  GHATOTKACHA, Bheema’s son

  KAURAVAS, WIVES & SONS

  DURYODHANA, eldest son of Dhritarashtra & Gandhari

  BHANUMATI, Duryodhana’s wife

  LAKSHMANA, Duryodhana’s son

  DUHSHASANA, second son of Dhritarashtra & Gandhari

  DURMARSANA, a Kaurava

  DUHSHALA, daughter of Dhritarashtra & Gandhari

  JAYADRATHA, son of King Vriddhakshatra & Duhshala’s husband

  PANDAVA ANCESTORS

  MANU, grandson of Aditi, mother of the Devas

  ILA, Manu’s daughter

  PURURAVAS, Ila’s son

  AYUS, born to Pururavas & Urvashi

  NAHUSHA, son of Ayus

  YAYATI, Nahusha’s son

  YADU & PURU, sons of Yayati, forefathers of the Yadavas & Kurus

  GODS, GANDHARVAS & OTHER CELESTIALS

  SHIVA, the Destroyer

  VISHNU, the Protector of the Universe

  BRAHMA, the Creator of the Universe

  PARVATI, Shiva’s consort

  KRISHNA, avatar of Vishnu; cousin to the Pandavas & Kauravas

  PARASHURAMA, a warrior-Brahmin and incarnation of Vishnu

  INDRA, King of the celestials & Arjuna’s divine father

  DHARMA/ YAMA, God of Death, Guardian of the Universe & Yudhishthira’s father

  VAYU, God of Wind & Bheema’s divine father

  VARUNA, presiding deity of water bodies & Guardian of the Universe

  PARNASA, a River Goddess

  DURGA, Mother Goddess

  KUBERA, God of Wealth & Guardian of the Universe

  AGNI, God of Fire.

  SURYA, Sun God

  ASHWINI TWINS, the divine fathers of twins, Nakula & Sahadeva

  KAMA, God of Love

  ANGARAPARNA, King of the Gandharvas

  KUMBHEENASI, Angaraparna’s Queen

  CHITRASENA, King of the Gandharvas; skilled musician & dancer

  URVASHI, an apsara and ancestor of the Pandavas

  GHRITACHI, JAANAPADI, TILOTTAMA, apsaras

  RISHIS & SAGES

  VEDA VYASA, son of Satyavati & Sage Parashara; biological father of Dhritarashtra, Pandu & Vidura; author of the Mahabharata;

  NARA & NARAYANA, ancient rishis reborn as Arjuna & Krishna

  SAGE BHARADWAJA, Drona’s father

  SHARADWAN, Kripa’s father

  RISHI SVETAKETU, enf
orced stricter moral & sexual codes

  SAMIKA, instrument in bringing about Parikshit’s doom

  SHRINGIN, Samika’s son

  SAGE DHAUMYA, Guru to the Pandavas

  SAGE BRIHADASHWA, expert dice player & Yudhistira’s coach

  RISHI LOMASHA, accompanied the Pandavas on their Teerthayatra

  YAJA & UPAYAJA, sages skilled in performing wish-fulfilling sacrifices

  SAGE CHANDAKAUSHIKA, fulfills King Vrihadratha’s wish for a son

  SAGE DURVASA, sage who gave Kunti, the son-bearing mantra

  BRIHASPATI, preceptor of the Devas

  KACHA, Brihaspati’s son

  SUKRACHARYA, preceptor of the Asuras

  SAGE NARADA, devotee of Lord Vishnu

  SAGE VISHWAMITRA, a King turned sage

  SAGE KANVA, a sage who pronounced a curse on the Yadava race

  SAGE AGASTYA, one of the seven ancient rishis

  PANDAVA SUPPORTERS

  DRUPADA, King of the Panchalas; Drona’s sworn enemy; Arjuna’s father-in-law

  DHRISTADYUMNA, Draupadi’s brother & son of Drupada

  SATYAKI Arjuna’s student & beloved friend of Krishna

  VIRATA, King of Matsya

  UTTARA, Virata’s son

  SHIKANDIN, Princess Amba, reborn to slay Bhishma

  MAYA, the architect of the Asuras

  KAURAVA SUPPORTERS

  KARNA, son of Surya & Kunti; raised by Adhiratha & Radha

  SHAKUNI, maternal uncle of the Kauravas; Queen Gandhari’s brother

  ULUKA, Shakuni’s son

  ASHWATHAMMA, Drona’s & Kripi’s son

  BALARAMA, Krishna’s brother; whose favorite student is Duryodhana

  JARASANDHA, Emperor of Magadha & Krishna’s sworn enemy

  KAMSA, Jarasandha’s son-in-law

  SHISUPALA, King of Chedi

  BHAGADATTA, son of the asura Naraka; King of Pragjyotishapura

  BHURISHRAVA, enemy of Satyaki

  SRUTAYUDHA, King & mortal son born to Varuna & Parashara

  SUSHARMA, King of Trigarta

  EKALAVYA, Nishada Prince who joined the Kauravas to protect his Guru, Drona, from Arjuna

  SHALYA, King of Madra; Nakula & Sahadeva’s maternal uncle

  KRITAVARMAN, King of the Bhojas

  Prologue

  Janamejaya, King of the Kurus, was a disturbed man, nursing a visceral urge for revenge that demanded requittal. He belonged to an exalted house. In his veins flowed the blood of none other than Arjuna, one of the mightiest warriors the world has ever known. The illustrious Parikshit, Abhimanyu’s son and Arjuna’s grandson, was Janamejaya’s father. But he knew nothing of any of his ancestors – not even his father, who had been killed by the naga (serpent) Takshaka, while Janamejaya was still an infant. Even the last rites for his father had been conducted by the Ministers of State. They had then taken the baby who would one day be their King, and schooled him in all the subjects a future King needed to master in order to be an exemplary ruler. Young Janamejaya showed great promise of becoming a worthy successor to the throne and surpassed even the high expectations of his Ministers. When he finally sat on the Kuru throne, there was none to dispute the fact that he was a just and capable Lord.

  When Janamejaya discovered the truth about his father’s terrible death, caused by a potent curse and the deception of Takshaka, the Serpent King, fury and hatred transformed his usually benign countenance. He thought long about how he could avenge his father and destroy the snakes that had been his nemesis. The wise men he consulted advised him to perform the Sarpasatra, a yajna that would last twelve years and serve to seriously deplete the ranks of the serpents, if not destroy them entirely. In fact, he was told that Kadru, primordial mother of the snakes, had cursed those who had disobeyed her orders in her bid to enslave her sister, Vinata, pronouncing that they would be consumed by the sacrificial flames when King Janamejaya performed the Sarpasatra.

  The information convinced the King that providence was on his side and he decided to go ahead with the Sarpasatra. The entire kingdom was in a state of feverish activity as preparations for the yajna went into full swing. Soon all was in readiness and the sages fixed upon an auspicious day to start the rituals. Janamejaya made an effort to concentrate as the sages began their incantations but he was feeling restless and allowed his thoughts to wander to all that he had been told about his own lineage.

  Having grown up with glowing tales of the greatness of his ancestors, Janamejaya yearned to know more. His grandfather Abhimanyu, had died when he had been just sixteen and his great and grandfather Arjuna, had left with his brothers, so legend said, to begin their ascent to heaven, having placed Parikshit on the throne. About these great men, Janamejaya personally knew little, so it had become a habit of his to press older men for information regarding his illustrious forefathers. In this way he heard of the tragic death of his father, Parikshit...

  One day, while out hunting, Parikshit had hit a boar but the wounded creature escaped. Knowing that a hurt animal was dangerous to the inhabitants of his kingdom, he went in pursuit of it. The search was long and fruitless. The King, separated from his retinue, was weary beyond endurance and drooping with thirst. But still he kept on till he reached the hermitage of the Sage Samika, who was then deep in meditation. Parikshit impatiently asked the ascetic if he had seen or heard a wounded boar. He also asked for water to slake his thirst. No reply was, however, forthcoming from the holy soul, who remained engrossed in his meditation. When his urgent queries were met with unresponsive silence, it angered the King. He helped himself to some water; then, seeing a dead snake in the vicinity, he picked it up with his bow and perversely placed it around the sage’s neck. Having performed this foolhardy deed, he departed.

  Shringin, the venerable sage’s hot-headed son, heard of the incident and possessing none of the temperance or magnanimity of his father, immediately pronounced a curse on the impetuous monarch: ‘Parikshit, the sinner who knows nothing of respecting his betters, shall be despatched to the abode of Yama by the Serpent King Takshaka, who, by the power of my words, shall claim his worthless life seven days from now’. Even the stoical Samika could not make his son retract his sinister curse, although he did send a messenger to warn the King.

  Parikshit did all in his power to protect himself from the Serpent King. The soldiers of the royal guard screened and checked everything but the thin air that reached the King. But it was all in vain. Takshaka struck just before sundown on the seventh day. He concealed himself in the guise of a worm in a basket of fruit that he had his followers deliver to the King. He then emerged from his pulpy confines to claim his victim.

  Janamejaya shuddered at the dreadful mental image of his father dying an agonising death. He felt heartsick over the tragic and untimely demise of his two immediate ancestors – his father dying an accursed death; and his grandfather Abhimanyu, who should have been there to raise him, being killed before he could lay eyes on his own son, let alone his grandson. Craving some solace, Janamejaya’s mournful thoughts went further back – to Arjuna, the veritable jewel of their clan. Pride filled his being, spreading warmth from his toes to the crown of his head. How he would have loved to have known that mighty warrior...

  It was while he mused thus that Veda Vyasa arrived at the yajna with his disciples. Janamejaya promptly came forward to welcome this most ancient of his ancestors and prostrated himself at the venerable sage’s feet. Vyasa blessed him and when the formalities were completed, he took the seat of honour assigned to him, next to the King.

  Janamejaya spoke up with childlike earnestness, ‘Holy Sire! Pray tell me all about my ancestors. It has been reported to me that you have composed a poem, the very finest, about them. I yearn to learn every single thing about my great and grandfather Arjuna and his illustrious brothers. Tell me about the Great War in which they slew their cousins. Surely they would not have done such a thing without the utmost provocation? What was Krishna’s role in the whole affair? It is believed
that he was Vishnu incarnate and Arjuna was his most beloved friend, and that they achieved marvellous things together. Tell me every small, insignificant detail about Arjuna. What did he like? What did he think? Who was the love of his life? What were the events that led to his becoming the mightiest of warriors whom even the Gods dared not fight? Is it true that he was of divine origin, fathered by none other than Indra, the Lord of the heavens? Did he have a weakness? Is it true that he once died before his time and a Princess who loved him more than life itself, saved him? I want to know him as closely as if I were actually by his side when all the great events in his life unfolded. Tell me all there is to know of Arjuna!’

  The young King’s entreaties did not go in vain. The venerable Vyasa smiled to convey his approbation before replying: ‘The time has indeed arrived for me to narrate the Mahabharata to you and through you, the world shall hear this wondrous tale now and forever. Lord Ganesha, while putting my words down as the divine amanuensis, blessed my endeavour and said that my poem would survive as long as the mountains stand and the rivers flow. Listen and become enlighted, oh King! I authorise my able disciple Vaishampayana to tell you the story of your ancestors. Through him you will hear of all those epochal events that transpired so many years ago. And your wish shall be granted – you will come to know Arjuna as well as you know yourself.’

  In this way, with Vyasa’s blessing, Vaishampayana began his narrative – and from the moment his first words were uttered, his audience was held spellbound. Janamejaya listened enthralled to all he said and every time Arjuna’s name was mentioned, he savoured every last detail, storing them away in his memory to be retrieved and pondered over later. And this is what he heard about his famous ancestor...

  1

  Arjuna’s Story

  Arjuna was the son of Kunti Devi and Pandu, a scion of the illustrious Kuru clan. But unlike most mortals, he also had a divine father and the events surrounding his birth were mysterious and magical.

  Pandu or the ‘Pale One’, was the second son of Vichitravirya and Ambalika, and the father of Arjuna. His own birth took place under quite unusual circumstances. Ambika and Ambalika were the wives of Vichitravirya. Unfortunately, Vichitravirya was afflicted by a wasting sickness and died young, leaving his wives childless. His elder brother, Chitrangada, had been killed even earlier by a belligerent Gandharva of the same name. Bhishma, the half-brother of the deceased monarch, was the sole surviving prince. He was also eminently suited to ascend the throne. But he had taken a terrible vow for the sake of his father, King Shantanu, forfeiting his right to the throne as well as his natural right to procreate. He thus refused the throne and also turned down the suggestion made by his stepmother, to marry his dead half-brother’s wives and beget heirs to secure the Kuru line.