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Mahabharat

Ganesha the scribe

Sage Veda Vyasa decided to compose the Mahabharata. He thought he would dictate the epic and someone could write it down. But who would write down the great epic? After a careful search, Veda Vyasa selected Ganesha, Lord of Wisdom. “Only you are capable of writing down the epic as…
  • by Subba Rao
  • April 22, 2020
  • 2 minute read
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Spirit of Freedom: Call of Vidula

In India, the first ever Call to Freedom was given by a mother. Her story is told in the Mahabharata. Prince Sanjaya was young and inexperienced. When his father died, he became the king of Sauvira. The king of the neighbouring kingdom of Sindhu felt this was the right moment…
  • by Subba Rao
  • August 15, 2020
  • 3 minute read
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Father’s Day: Lunch for Hidimba

Mumma, take me to Papa,” said Ghattu to his mother, Hidimba. It was Father’s Day. Ghattu wanted to wish his father. But Ghattu, who was 14-years-old, had never seen his father. He was brought up by his mother, Hidimba, and the two lived in a dense forest. “Ghattu, have patience.…
  • by Subba Rao
  • April 22, 2020
  • 3 minute read
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Father’s Day: Ghattu meets his match

Ghattu, the young Rakshasa, nabbed a young man as food for his fasting mother, Hidimba. He named his victim Madhyama — or the middle one — since he was the second of the three brothers. Ghattu allowed him time to have a dip in a pond and refresh himself. While…
  • by Subba Rao
  • April 22, 2020
  • 3 minute read
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Tales from Mahabharata: Savitri’s choice

Savitri was the only daughter of King Ashvapati of Madra and his queen, Malavi. The king had prayed to goddess Savitri for this child. So when she was born, she was given the name Savitri. Savitri grew up into a beautiful young woman. Those who looked at her were dazzled.…
  • by Gayatri Madan Dutt
  • April 22, 2020
  • 7 minute read
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Tales from Mahabharata: Savitri and the Lord of Death

Princess Savitri chose the simple hermit, Satyavan, for her husband, though she knew that he was destined to die within a year.  They were married. With each passing hour, Savitri’s sorrow grew. On the fated day, in the forest, Satyavan suddenly became ill and lay down. Savitri took his head…
  • by Gayatri Madan Dutt
  • April 22, 2020
  • 7 minute read
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Tales from Mahabharata: The reunion of Nala and Damayanti

Damayanti chose Nala for her husband in preference to the gods. This angered one of the demigods, Kali. He caused Nala to lose his kingdom and all his possessions. Nala and Damayanti went into the forest, but got separated. They took up work under different kings, hiding their true identity. …
  • by Gayatri Madan Dutt
  • April 21, 2020
  • 8 minute read
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Tales from Mahabharata: Damayanti’s swayamvara

The strong and handsome Nala ruled over the kingdom of Nishada. Known as the ever-just and always-truthful king, he looked after his people like a father. The people loved him in return. He was an expert bowman, his arrows always finding their mark. He had a deep knowledge of horses…
  • by Gayatri Madan Dutt
  • April 21, 2020
  • 8 minute read
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Tales from Mahabharata: The separation of Nala and Damayanti

Nala and Damayanti’s love messages to each other were carried by a swan. During her swayamvara, the gods themselves came to try and win her hand. But Damayanti chose Nala for her husband. The gods blessed them for being true to each other. Twin children were born to them. They…
  • by Gayatri Madan Dutt
  • April 21, 2020
  • 7 minute read
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Tapati — The daughter of Surya

Once, long ago, the kingdom of the Bharatas was faced with drought, famine and disease. Its king, Samvarana, was filled with sorrow on hearing the sufferings of his people. Then worse news arrived. The Panchala king declared war on him. How could his small, weakened army face the might of…
  • by Gayatri Madan Dutt
  • April 22, 2020
  • 4 minute read
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