#Kauravas and Pandavas

[recsspecs]

सुनो द्राैपदी ! शस्त्र उठालो अब गोविंद ना आएंगे... छोड़ो मेहंदी खड्ग संभालो खुद ही अपना चीर बचा लो द्यूत बिछाए बैठे शकुनि, ...मस्तक सब बिक जाएंगे सुनो द्राैपदी ! शस्त्र उठालो अब गोविंद ना आएंगे...

कब तक आस लगाओगी तुम, बिक़े हुए अखबारों से कैसी रक्षा मांग रही हो दुःशासन दरबारों से स्वयं जो लज्जाहीन पड़े हैं वे क्या लाज बचाएंगे सुनो द्राैपदी ! शस्त्र उठालो अब गोविंद ना आएंगे...

कल तक केवल अंधा राजा, अब गूंगा-बहरा भी है होंठ सिल दिए हैं जनता के, कानों पर पहरा भी है

तुम ही कहो ये अंश्रु तुम्हारे, किसको क्या समझाएंगे? सुनो द्राैपदी ! शस्त्र उठालो अब गोविंद ना आएंगे...

- पुष्यमित्र उपाध्याय

Listen Draupadi! Pick up your weapons, now Govinda will not come... Leave mehndi, hold the sword save yourself your own rip Shakuni sat down to play dice, ...all the heads will be sold Listen Draupadi! Pick up your weapons, now Govinda will not come...

How long will you keep hoping, what kind of protection are you seeking from the sold newspapers, from the courts of Dushasan, how will those who themselves are shameless save your honour, listen Draupadi! Take up arms, now Govind will not come...

Till yesterday the king was only blind, now he is also deaf and dumb. The lips of the people have been sealed and their ears are under guard. You tell me these tears of yours, what will you explain to whom? Listen Draupadi! Take up your weapons, now Govind will not come...

- Pushyamitra Upadhyay

[stxrrynxghts]

Thinking about how Bhishma loved the children of his father, then the children of his brother, and then the children of his nephews, cherishing them like his very own. Perhaps he loved them more than he would have loved his own children. He must have let them climb on top of his shoulders. He must have let them play with his hair and beard. He must have kissed their tiny bellies as they burst into giggles. He must have held their fingers as they tried to walk for the first time. He must have let them sleep in his lap, all day long. He must have taught them how to ride a horse, how to hold a bow, how to swing a sword.

He must have cried as he turned his weapons against them.

He must have cried as he saw them die, one by one.

He must have cried as his blood and tears mixed into one.

[incorrectmahabharatquotes]

A snippet of a normal day at the Hastinapur playground

Bheem: *yeets Mahodar on the ground*

Mahodar: *starts crying and yelling like anyone would if that happened to them*

Bheem: Why are you crying, I did it to Sahadev too and he's okay.

Sahadev, one of the five demigod freaks of nature: (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)

Mahodar: *traumatized for life*

(My headcanon for the "canon" childhood bully Bheem is that growing up, the Pandavas played rough. He probably dangled Arjun and the twins off high places by their legs and all they did was giggle and ask to be thrown higher. Since they're all demigods, they have different standards of pain tolerance than normal people. He continued doing that to the Kauravas who are decidedly not demigods and he ended up hurting them every time. Bheem thinks that it's a skill issue. The Kauravas hate him for it and they're valid for that.)

-Mod S

[seohyun0306]

I’m by no means an expert on the Mahabharata or Hinduism in general (I’d say my knowledge on Hinduism especially is rather limited) but am I wrong in thinking that the game was rigged against Duryodhana from the start?

There’s no denying that he’s far from a saint and some of the things he did were awful but I feel like he’s portrayed as such a completely morally black and bankrupt character when it’s sort of far from that.

Like as far as major characters are concerned, he’s the only one who has absolutely no interest or regard in the caste system whatsoever. There’s like three speeches of his that very very clearly show that. His intervention with Karna at their first meeting, although perhaps partly due to opportunism depending on your interpretation, is one of the most honourable scenes in the entire epic to me.

Not once has he ever even implied that Karna’s caste is of any importance and throughout their entire relationship, there was no one who he treated with more love and respect than Karna. Even in general, it’s well established that his judgements of people are based on their individual qualities and not caste.

Again, not saying that he was a good guy at all but he was also known for being generous and a good ruler. He’s almost always interpreted as a power hungry yet incompetent person but that’s also far from the truth. He was Balarama’s favourite student which means that there was a lot of good about him or why would someone like Balarama even bother with him?

Also, being told that on the day of his birth his uncle told his father to kill him and then his mother saying she should have killed him, is not something that anyone should hear lmfao so I think, in certain aspects, his anger is justified.

It’s also very clear that from the start, Krishna was against him. Every act of his towards Duryodhana was deliberately meant to sabotage him in some way. Even Balarama acknowledged this so it’s basically a matter of fact.

So yeah, I’m not saying he was a good guy or that he’s just some misunderstood pookie but I think that not acknowledging some of his very good traits and the fact that everything was rigged against him since day 1 is a disservice to the whole point of the epic.

I hope I didn’t offend anyone with this. I know for over a billion people the Mahabharata is a religious text and the last thing I want to do is disrespect that regardless of whether I believe in it or not. I’d really like to hear some of your opinions on this take and I’m also really keen on engaging with people about the epic in general <3

[lovelyllamasblog]

"In his dream"

OG Artist: @/siraco (Danbooru) (Twitter)

[aru-loves-krishnaxarjuna]

In this universe the battle of Kurukshetra never happens. Pandavas along with Arjuni are married to Draupadi, whereas Arjuni is also married to Krishna.

Being a woman, Arjuni was always criticised and underestimated by her own family members, especially her so called cousins known as the Kauravas, even though she was the best student of Dronacharya and the best Archer in the whole Aryavart.

Hastinapur is faced with a war from the enemy kingdom, Magadha. The Kauravas and Pandavas, forced to work together, were discussing in the court of Hastinapur. Arjuni, being the brilliant strategist she is, tries to put forth her ideas but is put down by Duryodhan.

"Just listen to me once—" She tries again.

"Oh just stop it, dear cousin! You are a woman. Go work in the kitchens or something. This is not your cup of tea! We are men and better than you!" Duryodhan, the evil git, spats out. He even convinces his father, the blind fool Dhritarashtra. "Pitashree! Tell Arjuni that she is not allowed to participate in the war! Women are not made for fighting! They are only good with dancing, cooking and the other womenly talents and nothing else!"

"Of course, Putra, of course! You are right! Putri Arjuni, please do understand. You should not participate in this war." Arjuni scoffed in anger. She glanced at her brothers, who just looked the other way. She seethed at rage. How dare they talk this way about them and underestimate them WOMEN!? That enraged her.

Duryodhan smirked at her. As Bheem sensed his sister's anger, he reached his hands towards her, only for his hand to be smacked away.

"Don't come crawling back to me then, Bhrata Duryodhan!" She said, her voice laced with poisonous venom. Arjuni turned away and stormed out of the Sabha, angrily.

The Pandavas regretted their decision of staying quiet. They just made their sister angry at ALL the men in the court, except for maybe her husband. As Nakul was about to follow, Draupadi was faster and she rushed behind her beloved wife. Krishna gave a disapproved look at Yudhishthir and followed behind his Sakhi, Yudhishthir sulking under his brother-in-law's gaze.

Both Krishna and Draupadi rushed to Arjuni's room. Arjuni had punched a mirror, whose shards dug into her hand but she didn't care. Her right hand was bleeding profusely.

"Aryaputri!" Draupadi yelled, tensed. Arjuni stopped with her rage and turned around slowly with anger written all over her face. Draupadi rushed forward and started to pull the mirror shards out of Arjuni's right arm and hand. "...i am alright, Drau."

"You are not alright, Parthavi. Both of us can sense it. Please stop hiding your true emotions, when with us atleast. Calm your anger down, priye, because we don't want to an angry Mahakali to destroy Hastinapur, now do we?" Krishna joked to calm his wife down, which seemed to work. Both the 'Krishnaa's laughed heartily as Kanha smiled goofily.

"I sense something is going to happen and you might have to go to the war, Priye Parthavi." Krishna said again. "Mhm...maybe. But i will never forgive them for belittling us women. Do they not understand..."

"Settle down, Aryaputri." Told Draupadi as she tied a cloth coated with medicine around Arjuni's arm for the wounds to heal. "As Govind said, you might have to go to the war. I mean, no one is a better warrior than you in our kingdom, not even Angaraj. Trust us." Agnisutaa soothed her. Savyasachi finally calmed down and gave a smile to the other two people, who blushed at her charming, pleasant smile.

---------------

As the Kuru heirs got ready for the war, Arjuni just stood there as they took their blessings. Nakul and Sahadev as well as some of the Kauravas, who saw her as their second mother and teacher, apologised and took her blessings. Arjuni being Karunamayi, blessed and forgave them as they didn't have any other choice other than to listen to their older brothers.

She watched as her brothers and cousins left for the war on their horses.

Soon in the evening, she recieved the news of all the Kuru princes being held hostage by the Magadha Raj Jarasandha and Vanraj Putra Ekalavya. Arjuni didn't even bother to do anything or show any emotion as she just walked away gracefully, ignoring all the stares and calls for her. Later, when she was alone, Dhritarashtra himself visited her and begged her to help his sons and her brothers. "Putri! Please heed this request of your tatshree! Please save them and assist them!"

Arjuni scoffed. "Oh please, tatshree! Women are not meant on the battlefield, like you said! Right? That will hurt their male ego if i go there! When they are so egoistic, they should help themselves without my help." She said no more and ignored and her uncle.

But Arjuni being her Karunamayi self, couldn't let her brothers and by default her cousins be hurt or killed, so she decided to go and prepare for war for the following day.

"Madhav, what should i do? I can not even let them get hurt as their sister, but they did so many hurtful things to me. I can not even decide..." Vijayaa exasperated. Shyamsundara put his hand on his wife's shoulder. "Don't you worry, Parthavi. I will be your charioteer, and charioteers are meant to show you the right path. I won't take any declination as an answer!" He said, smug. And she was forced to agree.

--------

Gandivdhari left with her deadly bow, with Krishna as her charioteer. Upon reaching, she immediately starts firing thousands of arrows, destroying half of the Magadha forces. As she performed her dance of Destruction on the battlefield, she faced Ekalavya. Arjuni's trauma from Ekalavya's cut off thumb all those years ago came back. Vijayaa and Ekalavya kept firing deadly arrows with dealier accuracy at each other.

As she tensed, she was enveloped with sweet, flute melodies. It was not seeming like Ekalavya could hear them, so why was she....

Then it clicked. Muralimanohar was doing that!

She smiled at her husband, who smiled back.

Savyasachi then did something which no one could think of. She created an expanse of ice mirrors all around her opponent, who looked here and there, alarmed, as Savyasachi's reflection appeared in all of those mirrors, and she looked more and more deadly in each of them.

As Ekalavya stammered with his movements, Arjuni from who knows where appeared behind him. When Ekalavya turned to face her, she had already bind him with powerful paranormal ropes, and he hadn't even noticed. He then faced a powerful punch in his gut, resulting in him coughing out blood and falling unconscious.

-------------

Arjuni arrived where her cousins and brothers were held hostage, and with quick fluid movements, made each and every soldier on gaurd unconscious. She kicked down the jail gate.

"Arjuni?"

"Jyeshtaa!"

"You!—"

"Shut the hell up and follow me without making any sound. Or else we all will be in trouble." Arjuni said emotionlessly as she freed everyone from their binds.

With her help and guidance, Jarasandha was defeated that day and killed. His body was tore open by Bheem and thrown in two opposite directions, resulting in Jarasandha's death.

------------

From that day onwards, no one belittled her or any other woman and always took her help, with almost everything.

The most shocking was Duryodhan's apology and ask for help from her.

"Hey..uh— Arjuni. I came here to apologise from you. I also need a little help—" as Duryodhan looked at his cousin's face, and was met with a gobsmacked expression on her attractive, bewitching face.

Arjuni checked if she was sick or if Duryodhan was ill by checking his forehead's temperature. She then rubbed her eyes and shook her head, not believing the sight infront of her. She then checked if her ears were working properly or not.

All the while Duryodhan looked embarrassed and Krishna and Draupadi were dying from laughing so much. Yajnaseni nearly fell from her place and Keshav have to support his Sakhi while clutching his hurting stomach from laughing so much. Yudhishthir was chuckling and Bheem was laughing merrily. Even the Kauravas laughed at their brother's poor state.

That was one of the most happiest and pleasant sights the castle had ever witnessed.

[sofiamerliah]

Why ???

Ch-1 You Must Go

The setting of the story -

Pandavas lost their Kingdom in the Game of Dice, Draupadi was humiliated and they were asked to go for Exile for 12 years and 1 year in Incognito.

When the battlefield echoed with the clash between Shri Krishna and King Shalva, a poignant scene unfolded. In the midst of chaos, Rukmini's silent prayers filled the air, her unwavering faith weaving a symphony of hope amidst the looming shadows of misfortune.

Krishna and Rukmini sat together in the serene chambers of Dwarka's royal palace; the soft glow of the oil lamps bathed the room in a warm, golden light. The gentle flicker of the flames cast dancing shadows upon the walls, painting intricate patterns that seemed to sway and undulate with the rhythm of their conversation.

Rukmini gently tended to the minor wounds that Krishna had sustained during the battle against King Shalva. While she was doing her work, Krishna couldn't resist a playful quip, "You know, my dear, I'm not actually feeling any pain. I could easily use my divine powers to heal myself."

Rukmini chuckled softly, "Oh, Krishna," she said with a fond shake of her head, "always ready to remind me of your Godliness. But for just this moment, let us set aside our original roles and normally behave as human beings, sharing in each other's pains and cares. It feels nice sometimes."

Krishna's playful demeanor softened as he looked into Rukmini's eyes, his gaze filled with love and appreciation. "You're right, my beloved," he replied, his voice tender with affection. "In your hands, even the simplest act becomes sacred. Thanks for reminding me of the beauty of our shared humanity."

With a warm smile, Rukmini leaned in to place a gentle kiss on Krishna's cheek, a silent expression of their deep connection and shared love. Her touch was tender, her hands moving with practiced care as she cleaned and dressed the injuries.

As she worked, Rukmini's gaze fell upon Krishna's right hand, where a faded scar marred the smooth skin of his palm. Her breath caught in her throat as she traced the outline of the scar with her fingertips, a flood of memories washing over her.

With a soft sigh, Rukmini looked up at Krishna, her eyes filled with understanding and love. She knew that this scar was a reminder of a different incident, one where Draupadi had torn a piece of her cloth to bind Krishna's wound when he had injured his hand.

"Hrishikesh," Rukmini began softly, her voice filled with reverence, "this scar... it reminds me of the day Panchali bound your wound with a piece of her cloth, and you vowed to retain the debt to her."

Krishna met his wife's gaze with a gentle smile, his eyes reflecting the depth of his gratitude and admiration for Draupadi. "Indeed, Vaidarbhi," he replied, his voice tinged with reverence, "My Krishnaa holds a special place in my heart, and I will always be there to protect her, no matter the distance."

As Rukmini diligently tended to Krishna's wounds, her mind weighed heavy with unspoken thoughts and worries. Despite her efforts to maintain a calm demeanor, Krishna could sense her hesitance and sadness lingering beneath the surface.

Just as she reached for another jar of medicine, Krishna tenderly grasped her hand, his touch gentle yet firm. "Rukmini," he said softly, his eyes filled with warmth and concern, "I can sense that something troubles you. Please, share your burden with me. You know, you don't have to carry it alone."

Rukmini's heart swelled with emotion at Krishna's compassionate gesture, and she found herself unable to resist the urge to confide in him. With a heavy sigh, she met his gaze, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Krishna," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "You are Omniscient, why do you ask me what troubles me when you already know?"

A gentle smile tugged at the corners of Krishna's lips as he reached out to wipe away a tear from Rukmini's cheek. "My dear," he replied tenderly, "your words speak volumes of your love and concern for me. Though I may possess Omniscience, your voice is the balm that soothes my soul, the anchor that grounds me in the realm of Humanity."

Rukmini smiled with tears as Krishna hugged her. The weight of the Pandavas' plight hung heavy in the air. Rukmini's heart ached for Draupadi, her friend and sister-in-law, who had suffered such indignity. With the wisdom of the divine coursing through him, Krishna listened intently to Rukmini's concerns.

"O Madhav," she began as she breaks from the embrace, her voice laced with sadness and anger, "my heart aches for the plight of the Pandavas. The deceitful acts of the Kauravas have brought nothing but suffering and injustice upon them."

Her eyes flashed with righteous anger as she continued, "To see our dear friends, who are noble and virtuous, subjected to such cruelty fills me with rage. It is unjust, it is unfair, and it is utterly heartbreaking."

"And Draupadi... What was her fault Keshav ?? Why she ??," Rukmini's voice laced with concern. "She is your most Beloved Friend and she is very much dear to me as well. So, please, take extra care of her. She is broken-hearted, and I fear she will not heed anyone's words except yours."

Krishna listened attentively, his own heart heavy with empathy for his Pandav Cousins and his Sakhi, Draupadi. He reached out to gently caress Rukmini's hand, offering her a silent gesture of comfort and support.

"Vaidarbhi," Krishna said softly, his voice filled with compassion, "I share in your sorrow and your anger. The actions of the Kauravas have indeed brought great suffering upon the Pandavas, and it pains me to see them endure such hardships."

He looked into Rukmini's eyes with unwavering resolve. "Don't worry, my love," he reassured her, "I will do everything in my power to ease the burdens of our dear Pandavas. I will go to their aid. Their trials have not gone unnoticed, and their cries for justice shall not be in vain."

"As for my Krishnaa, I will be her pillar of strength, Dearest," he assured her, his voice gentle yet resolute. "Her pain is no alien to me. She will find solace and strength in my presence, and together, we will navigate these troubled waters."

Rukmini's eyes softened with gratitude as she clasped Krishna's hand in hers. "Thank you, Madhusudan, you are the embodiment of compassion and strength," she whispered, her voice filled with love and appreciation. "With you by their side, I have no doubt that the Pandavas and Draupadi will find solace and hope."

Krishna pressed a kiss to Rukmini's forehead, his love for her shining brightly in his eyes. "You and I, both of us will guide our dear friends through the darkness and into the light, I promise," he vowed, his voice steady and sure.

With his assurance, Rukmini felt a glimmer of hope stirring within her heart. Though the road ahead was fraught with challenges, she found comfort in the knowledge that Krishna would be by their side, guiding them through the darkest of times.

Next Day, Krishna departed from Dwarka, his mind already weaving plans to comfort and support the Pandavas in their time of need. As Dwarkadhish and the Supreme Advisor and Guide to the Pandavas, he knew that his presence would bring solace and hope to their troubled souls.

≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾

As Krishna prepared to depart from Dwarka, Rukmini stood at the palace balcony, her heart heavy with foreboding. She watched as her beloved husband mounted his chariot, his divine presence radiant even from a distance. A sense of impending devastation lingered in the air... Despite her knowledge of her own divine nature as an avatar of the Supreme Goddess, Rukmini couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of concern that enveloped her.

It wasn't any fear for Krishna that troubled her, for she knew his true essence as the Almighty, free from the bonds of mortal attachments. Instead, but it was the emotional toll of the impending trials that weighed heavily on her heart. Even though Krishna transcended earthly emotions, Rukmini couldn't help but worry about the toll that witnessing the suffering of their friends would take on him.

Just then, Satyabhama, Rukmini's co-wife but dear sister and confidante, approached her with a concerned expression etched upon her features. Sensing Rukmini's distress, she reached out a comforting hand.

"Didi, what weighs so heavily on your mind?" Satyabhama inquired softly, her eyes filled with worry. "I can sense a deep sorrow within you, as if the winds of fate whisper of impending doom. Are u alright??"

Rukmini turned to Satyabhama, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I am fine Bhama, just wondering that the ways of destiny are indeed strange," she began, her voice tinged with sadness. "Despite our best efforts, people still make choices that lead to destruction, blinded by their own desires and ego."

Satyabhama nodded in understanding, her expression grave. "Indeed, Didi, Karma is a relentless force," she murmured, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Those who sow seeds of injustice shall reap the whirlwind of their actions. Time is a merciless arbiter, and none can escape its judgment."

Rukmini took a moment to absorb Satyabhama's words, her heart heavy with the weight of truth. "We can only hope and pray that righteousness prevails in the end," she said, her voice filled with determination. "May Vaasudev guide us through these turbulent times, and may justice be served to those who deserve it."

"Don't worry, Didi," Satyabhama said, her voice filled with unwavering confidence. "Our Vaasudev, the protector of all, will weave his divine canvas of protection. He won't allow the shadows of despair to darken our path or cast their pall over those we hold dear." With a reassuring smile, she placed a gentle hand on Rukmini's trembling shoulder, her gaze alight with steadfast belief in the omnipotent love of their husband. "His divine embrace, painted with strokes of love and compassion, will shield us from harm and guide us through the darkest of nights."

"My dear Bhama," Rukmini began, her voice tinged with concern, "while I have faith in Krishna's divine protection, I cannot shake the worry that gnaws at my heart. I am troubled by the emotional toll these trials may take on him. Despite his divine nature, witnessing the suffering of our dear friends will surely affect him deeply." She sighed softly, "I pray that amidst the challenges ahead, Madhav finds the strength and solace he needs to endure," she added, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and apprehension.

Satyabhama listened attentively to Rukmini's words, her expression thoughtful as she considered her sister's concerns. Placing a reassuring hand on Rukmini's arm, she spoke with quiet conviction. "Let us place our trust in Vaasudev's infinite wisdom and love," Satyabhama continued, her voice filled with conviction. "For in his divine hands, even the greatest trials can be transformed into opportunities for growth and redemption."

Rukmini nodded to Satyabhama's words, faintly smiling. With a shared understanding of the harsh realities of life, Rukmini and Satyabhama watched as Krishna's chariot disappeared into the horizon.

But the Dwarkeshwari felt a pang of sorrow deep within. Her heart clenched with a sense of helplessness. Though she understood the nature of Krishna's divine mission, her love for him compelled her to worry about his emotional well-being; and also about the specter of impending doom loomed large in her mind, casting a shadow over her optimism. She could only hope that her Krishna, in his infinite wisdom, would find solace and strength amidst the darkness, even as she prayed fervently that Krishna would return unscathed from the trials that lay ahead....

➽─────────────❥➽─────────────❥

The next chapter is very close to my heart. It will be updated soon. This is one of my favourite moments in Mahabharat. I know this chapter is long but Please enjoy 😁

[samissobsessed]

'What did the characters of Mahabharat go to prison for?' Pt1.

Pt2.

[musingsonthemahabharata]

Forgiveness and Justice in the Mahābhārata

The main antagonists of the Mahābhārata, namely, Duryodhana, his uncle, Śakuni, and Karṇa (yes, if antagonists are to be named, Karṇa is one per the Critical Edition and per Kṛṣṇa’s comments) commit a series of horrific actions throughout the epic, motivated by greed, jealousy, and spite. Offences include assassination attempts, deceit, sexual harassment and assault. Still, what I love is that Kṛṣṇa and the Pāṇḍavas continue to offer them opportunities for redemption, which they refuse. The war comes to be, justice is delivered, and all the Kauravas perish. However, by finding their end, they find redemption in relative terms, and, as we learn in the last parva, all proceed to svarga, or to heaven.

First, I find it significant to underline that the characters are not passively forgiven and welcomed into svarga. As they refuse to redeem themselves, they are forgiven only AFTER justice is delivered and they are made to take responsibility for what they have done, and after direct action is taken against their misdeeds. Forgiveness or compassion are therefore not passive in this context. I would maintain that what is underlined here is that forgiveness and love do not imply blindness to another’s harmful behaviour; on the contrary.

Second, I highlighted that their redemption occurs in relative terms, because, at the level of the Absolute / Consciousness, there is nothing to be redeemed as there is no fracture, only flow; however, as Ādyashanti teaches, the relative concomitantly and paradoxically very much exists in the container of its own laws.

Of course, the cosmology of the war is much more complex than this and is neither an act of punishment nor one of revenge; I would say it is more of a re-establishment of equilibrium in the relative playing field.

I think this is beautiful to ponder on. No matter how far they fell into cruelty and dejection, they found redemption. Indeed, Draupadī herself as Śrī forgives Aśvatthāmā after justice is delivered, who commits the most gruesome crime there is per Kṛṣṇa (that of killing a child).

And, so can we, can't we? Redeem ourselves and make amends for our cruelties and for our mistakes. Take action when action is needed. And rest in “redemptive love” (another beautiful coinage by Ādya. I love him so much 😊 )

IG: @musingsonthemahabharata

[eremin0109]

mahabharata fix it headcanon (kind of??)

Man, sometimes I wish to read a funny, crack-y retelling of the Mahabharat. Of Pandavas and Kauravas having more or less a friendly, playful rivalry than the blood feud they have in the canon. Of Karna being the mediator between the cousins if things got a little too heated. Of Abhimanyu, Ghatotkach and other Upapandavas being spoilt rotten by their 100 uncles and Lakshman Kumar and other Kaurava children having study sessions with Yudhishthir and Sahadev, going on adventures with Bheem and Arjun.

Yudhisthir would be the King of Indraprastha and Duryodhan, the King of Hastinapur and the Kuru empire stretches from Gandhar in the north-west to Anga in the north-east, with two stronghold capitals to keep it secure instead of just one. Karna, despite being offered to be crowned the King of either kingdom, chooses to let his younger sibling and cousin take over, being content in his small, prosperous territory of Anga.

Kunti and Gandhari would both be mother figures for both sets of cousins, acting as advisors in the family. Bhishma, ever the guardian of his large family and Vidur, the maverick politician, retain their roles but have relaxed responsibilities as the kingdom (and the household) is at peace.

Dhritarashtra and Shakuni would have some skirmishes between them, classic brother-in-law tussle but for the most part would be harmless. The former king sits at the advisory board of Hastinapur while Shakuni is properly coronated the king of Gandhar, to keep him from meddling in the internal matters of the crown.

The Queens, Draupadi and Bhanumati would be great friends with respect and affection for each other. Being in charge of not just the palace but also crucial departments (finance for Draupadi, public welfare for Bhanumati) of their respective kingdoms. Draupadi acting more or less as an older sister to all of her fellow co-queens, but she has very special affection for Subhadra. It's no wonder Panchali loves her, as she's Krishna and Arjun's darling too.

The Rakshabhandhan at the Hastinapur palace is nothing short of an annual grandiose event. There are friendly bets amongst all the brothers on who can get their dearest sister/cousin the best gift. Of course, Dusshala loves her brothers and cousins too much (though Duryodhan and Nakul-Sahadev are secretly her favourites) to actually give a ranking of the gifts, so the contest remains at a draw for year after year.

Karna chooses to stay at Hastinapur, when Indraprastha should've been a rather obvious choice. Not that he doesn't like spending time with his siblings, but he just has a closer bond with his cousins. Not to mention there's a whole other reason he spends more of his free time at Hastinapur. The Pandavas are well aware of his affection for Duryodhan and tease him endlessly about it, just as the Kauravas tease their eldest for being so enamored by the Pandav-jesth.

Arjun is Karna's favourite sibling (ha, I did say this was a crack-y au) just because of the sheer similarities they have. They help each other to hone their archery skills, with Karna teaching Arjun secret techniques he learnt from his time with Parshuram. Arjun admires Karna and the way he is the amalgamation of all the qualities that the rest of the pandavas possess individually. They also bond closer due to the both of them being gay and Karna acting as a support system for Arjun as he comes to terms with his feelings for men, and Krishna in particular.

Krishna is the Kurus' biggest ally obviously. His relationship with Kauravas is more understated, but there is a mutual respect and admiration there. The Pandavas are his dearest obviously, some of them a LOT dearer than others AHEM but yeah, you get what I mean.

Obviously, they would still have family drama, what Indian household doesn't? But at the end of the day, they all apologise and make up and live happily ever after.

@fanfictionroxs

[pigeons-plastic08]

Anyone wanting to read a Mahabharat fanfiction, here is one. (I am writing it and it has slow updates because I have continuous exams going on)

It's about a girl, Kavya, from the future who has travelled to the Mahabharat timeline and is living her life there. Read to find out about her adventures in the dwapar yug!

And to anyone who considers reading it, thank you so much. It will mean a lot and words aren't enough to describe my gratitude to my readers.

[blackknight-100]

Mahabharat AU: Draupadi does not accompany the Pandavas to the exile + Bonus Subhadra

This is a complementary piece to this Ramayan AU.

Warnings for mentions of harassment, and violence. Major character deaths. Possibly going to make you cry, but +1 should revive you.

1.

Yudhisthir may have lost everything – his kingdom, crown and coins – but he has not yet lost his thirst for justice. It is his folly that has brought this upon them, and he will not let Draupadi take the fall for it. Already once his royal wife has walked barefoot on rough paths, forsaking the joys of her father’s house for her husbands’ sake, and he will be damned before he allows that again. When Draupadi declares her intention to accompany them – and it shames him in a way no taunts or mockery of the Kaurava courtiers might – he turns to her and says, “No, you must stay.”

Yagyaseni, bless whoever named her so, flares up like the fires she was born from, and bares her teeth at him – a flash of lighting across midnight sky. “You would leave me here then, husband, at the mercy of your noble cousins?”

Krishna speaks before he can answer, “Take her, cousin, who knows what is on the way?” Then he smirks daringly and adds, “She is more than five of you put together, are you sure you want to court her wrath?”

Draupadi whacks him across the head. Yudhisthir wishes he had done that. But he will not be moved, and to his surprise, his mother touches his wife’s hand and murmurs, “Stay, little flame, do not leave me alone. Think of your children, of your sister-wives, and stay.”

Subhadra, only too happy at this turn of events, starts chattering about going to Dwarka, and Draupadi, never able to deny her best friend’s sister, reluctantly gives in. Yudhisthir is only glad he has won at least one match today.

2.

It occurs to them that Draupadi would have been the best keeper of the Akshaya Patra – for she had ever  diligently managed the Finances and Kitchens of Indraprastha, but she is not with them, so their eldest brother gives Bheema the vessel to keep. It is only meet, for when it comes to food, he is the most knowledgeable of them all. Every day, he takes care to serve his brothers and their companions and feeds himself last. Every day he wipes the dish clean, for hygiene is as important as the food itself, and Bheema will not have anyone ill under his charge.

Rishi Durvasa arrives with his proteges after he has finished his meal one afternoon, and Yudhisthir – after sending them for a bath – wrings his hands in dismay. “Oh, what shall we do now? How do we feed them?”

“The Akshaya Patra will give no more food, Jyestha,” he tells him, and Yudhisthir moans.

There is a knock on their window, and a peacock feather flashes outside.

“Madhav!” Arjuna exclaims, “Madhav is here. He has come to help us. Have faith yet, Jyestha.”

But the faith is for naught, for Krishna listens to their tale, leans over the empty pot, and shakes his head sorrowfully. “If only Krishnaa were here,” he laments, and Bheema heeds his words no more.

Durvasa returns from his bath and erupts in wrathful tirade, and flings at them a furious curse, “One day, you too shall be given hope, and have it snatched away.”

They bend their heads and listen, for what else is there to be done?

3.

Draupadi feels safest in her city in the hills, in her brothers’ arms, but her father has taught her of duty so she accompanies her twin to check on her mother-in-law. Not for the first time she wonders what keeps her there, in the shadows of the Kaurava’s might, cowering in her brother-in-law's house.

“This is my home,” Kunti says, when she asks her, “and they shall not drive me out of what my husband has left for me.” Draupadi supposes she can respect that.

Outside, Dhristadyumna stops to admire the flowers in the Prime Minister’s garden, ever flourishing under the ministrations of his gentle wife, and Draupadi leans against a tree to rest. A hand snatches at her waist, and before she can react, Jayadratha’s husky laugh tickles her hair. Draupadi does the only thing she can think of then – she screams.

Dhristadyumna barrels around the corner and throws himself at them. He is no match for most of the warriors who attend this court, but with Jayadratha he is equal.

Vidura comes running out of his house, and Jayadratha curses and flees, but not without leaving one last gift – a diagonal cut across her brother’s chest. Draupadi watches, and weeps.

.

.

Sahadeva has known premonitions all his life. Experience taught him to believe what they say, and this day, he knows, something ill befalls Panchali, miles away in the elephant city. But they are far away, and their hands are tied, and he must keep his silence, as he did all his life.

4.

Arjuna, now Brinnhala, loathes his- no, her new body, the strange vulnerability, the crawling sensation of lustful eyes trailing across her person as she walks. Nakula – now Granthika – teases her mercilessly, but calls himself her husband, reminds her to refer to herself as a woman, and wraps a loving arm around her when Keechak comes close.

It provides little obstacle for the burly man, for he is the King’s kin and hand, and there are few things he cannot possess. He grabs her when he comes to meet sweet Uttaraa and drags her uncomfortably close.

“Be mine,” he murmurs, hot and sultry, uncaring of his niece’s presence, and Brinnhala shudders. She suddenly has a lot more sympathy for her wife.

When she speaks of this to her brothers, Bheema bares his teeth and Sahadeva shuts his eyes in grief. But it is Nakula, sweet, dear brother that he is, who is the most furious. “I will kill him! I swear, I’ll kill him,” he seethes. “How dare he?”

Yudhisthir, however, shakes his head. “We can hardly afford to reveal ourselves now,” he says, sounding older than his years, “I am sorry, Arj- Brinnhala.”

She dips her head, and accepts that, for what else can she say?

5.

King Virat of Matsya is quietly apologetic when he hears of their true identities but politely refuses his aid. "We are a small kingdom, and can hardly afford to engage in family matters, Your Majesty,” he tells Yudhisthir. “Hastinapur has been ever friendly to us, and already we have offended them by hosting you."

Beside him, Keechak sneers. Perhaps it is the memory of Arjuna’s torment, but the Pandavas had hoped to have this kingdom's support, as if Keechak would ever owe them anything. Arjuna almost wishes Duryodhana would have attacked Matysa, for then perhaps they would have convinced this complacent king. Yudhisthir offers kind words and his farewells, and they leave Matsya with little to their name.

.

.

.

Drupada is eager to avenge his daughter's humiliation. For that they need an army, so the Pandavas call their potential allies to war. They arrive at Kurukshetra with their banners and standards, and Sahadeva sees Uncle Shalya in the Kaurava camp.

"I had hoped to have you fight with us," he cannot help but say, bitter and shamed. His uncle has no answer.

.

.

.

Yudhisthir is not quite sure what the Aacharya is planning. It seemed to him they were planning a chakravyuha before, but it never came to pass. Krishna says it is because Jayadratha has gained no boon. Yudhisthir cannot fathom what that means, but then, no one understands anything his cousin says.

“I have thought of a way to kill Drona,” Krishna tells him.

He had never thought of killing Drona, and he hears the plot with dismay. He has never lied in his life, and yet now he must utter words of deceit to the very person who taught him all he knew.

“It is not lying,” Krishna tells him. “It is not your fault if he does not hear.”

Yudhisthir clings to those words but hopes still that his teacher be spared.

They put it to action the following day. They are close, for already Drona has forsaken his weapons. Arjuna’s hands tremble, and Yudhisthir can sympathise. Dhristadyumna rushes forward and slices his throat. Somewhere close Jayadratha’s conch blows, and a single arrow strikes their commander’s head off his shoulders. Ashwatthama bears down upon them like Rudra come to earth. Krishna turns Arjuna’s chariot away. The rest of them follow, wondering what to tell their wife.

.

.

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Yudhisthir gets away but Nakula’s day is far from over. Karna joins Ashwatthama as they chase him, and the King of Anga challenges him to a duel that he loses. He hopes he will be killed (for how could he live with such humiliation!?) but Karna – bloodied and vicious – laughs and mocks him, his lineage and his brother’s dharma, and leaves him sitting in the dust.

.

.

.

Arjuna grows weary of listening to Karna’s taunts sometime on the fifteenth day, and they finally face each other. The battle around them pauses, and the soldiers from either side give them a wide berth. Their enmity is inflammable, waiting for a spark to burst into conflagration. Both are eager to provide that spark, and no one wants to be in the way when the inevitable comes to pass.

He has to give it to Shalya, the man spews every imaginable insult at the King of Anga, and then some. He sees his ever-loathed adversary lift a simple arrow, and for a moment does not know what it is. Then, Ashwasena’s head appears at its tip, and for a moment, Arjuna panics. Madhav leans forward, forcing his chariot to sink to the ground, and the shot aimed at his neck takes off his diadem instead. Madhav gets down to lift the wheel, when Karna nocks another arrow. Arjuna stares. Surely, for all his rage, Karna would not attack him now? He had mocked Draupadi, true, but all others spoke of his kindness and generosity, and he had already spared his brothers.

But then he thinks of Vrishasena, and all his other sons they have killed, sees Karna lift his bow, and feels foolish for hoping otherwise.

(When he falls, he looks at his adversary standing tall and still, wrath upon his fair face like the sun on earth and is somehow reminded of Kunti after the dice game. ‘They could have been mother and son,’ he thinks, and then his eyes close, and he thinks no more.)

.

.

.

For all that has happened, and for all they have lost, Bheema cares only for this moment, when Dussashana lies dying at his feet, and he finally has a chance to fulfil his oath. “Call Panchali,” he tells his brothers – the ones that remain – his body thrumming with bloodlust.

Panchali comes upon the battlefield dark and fierce and beautiful. ‘If this is how the goddess Kaali had looked like,’ he thinks to himself, ‘then it is no wonder that Shiva lies at her feet.’

He rips open Dussashana’s chest (it is beautiful, but it hurts, oh how it hurts!) and lifts a handful of blood to pour down her open hair. Duryodhana is screaming, and Karna and Ashwatthama can barely hold him back. Panchali walks to him, her eyes alight, and Bheema finally sees some hope in this dire end.

And then, she stumbles and falls, mouth open in soundless cry. “Panchali,” he screams, and he hears his brothers echo his call. There is an arrow – a lonely, treacherous thing out of her back, and Bheema can think of only one who would do this.

“YOU COWARDLY SUTA!!” he roars, but Karna is as stunned as he is, and his bow is slung across his shoulders, his hands still restraining a struggling Duryodhana. He turns around wildly, and a raggedy soldier, a commoner, steps out from the Kaurava ranks, bow in hand.

“You killed a woman. Have you no honour?” Krishna speaks before anyone else can.

The man spits at his feet and then turns to spit at Duryodhana’s. When he speaks, his voice drips with scorn. "This is the witch for whom we must forsake home and hearth and come to war? Shame!"

Bheema sees red. 'She is no witch,' he wants to say. 'She is the kindest of us all.’

But Draupadi lies cold and lifeless, and her hair spread like starless sky mere feet away from her tormentor's blood, so he lunges forward and wraps his hands around the man’s neck, snaps it with a crack. The man falls, dead, and Bheema stands there, quiet and lost. Panchali is gone. Arjuna is no more. The throne is now a distant dream - more of a nightmare. Bheema sinks to his knees and weeps.

+1

Subhadra joins the exile

When Draupadi announces her intention to accompany them on their exile, Subhadra jumps up and begs to be taken along. No one wants her to come, but she will not be swayed, and never has any of the Pandavas or their Queen managed to deny her. So, with them she goes, much to Krishna’s dismay.

The two women share custody of the Akshaya Patra. When Durvasa comes to their place, it is Draupadi's day with the vessel. Already, she has eaten, and Yudhisthir frets. Subhadra pats his hand and goes out to meet the sages. There is but a small particle of food stuck to a corner, and when she places it upon Durvasa’s plate, Arjuna prepares himself to be cursed. But then Yogmaya's magic fills every plate with food, and there are singers and dancers in their forest glade, and the sages leave sated.

Things are bearable until Jayadratha comes to kidnap Draupadi one miserable morning. Subhadra stands before her sister-wife. When Dushala’s husband looks upon them, all he sees are grotesque rakshashis, and he runs all the way back to Hastinapur to tell tales of the company the Pandavas keep.

The Pandavas settle in Matsya for their year of exile in incognito, but all they need are new names, for somehow Draupadi and Subhadra are the commonest of women instead of their blue-blooded beauteous selves. It hardly stops Keechak, and when Bheema beats him to death, Subhadra runs her hands upon his bruised face and leaves it marred beyond recognition.

[stxrrynxghts]

What do you think about the popular fix it troupe where Karna's birth secret is divulged before the war, and it somehow miraculously brings both factions of the cousins together?

Yudhishthira might develop a sudden love for his brother, and try to give up his throne or something, but I don't think the other Pandavas will have much of a reaction.

It will def not bring all the sides together. Knowing that Karna is Kunti's son won't make everyone develop a sudden love for him. Duryodhana might start to distrust Karna, thinking that he won't help him truly, and well, as I said, Yudi will try to accept his bro or smth.

But Pandu died before he knew Karna was Kunti's son. He never accepted Karna as his child, as he did with his other sons. Can Karna inherit Pandu's property, and hold a claim to the throne then? Hm, I don't think so.

The Pandavas and Kauravas will not forget their grudges due to Karna being their "common" link or whatsoever. Yudi is another story, but Bhima will NOT forget all that has happened till that point. If Yudi does try to give up his right for Karna (as many ppl think so, in this trope), there is one more important factor too.

The allies.

Before the war, the Pandavas depended heavily on their allies. Most of the allies had relations with the other Pandava brothers. Even if they held any grudge towards Yudi, they still chose the Pandava faction due to their relationship with his brothers.

Will they support Karna's claim? No.

Will Hastinapur support Karna's claim? NO.

Because unlike popular belief, Duryodhana will not give up his throne for anyone. Yes, he gave Karna a kingdom, but that did not hinder his own prospects, instead, it benefitted him. Why tf would he give up his throne for KARNA?!

LOL, the most likely thing in this scenario is Karna getting ostrachized by both sides, instead of how it is shown that everything miraculously was forgiven.

Karna being the Pandavas' brother will not invoke any love for him in their hearts. No truces will happen, and war will still take place. The only thing that happens is that out of fear, Duryodhana might just not take Karna's support in the war. Which means that the war will end earlier than it did in canon.

[meghavahana]

When we talk about Karna in the Mahabharata, many people think that the reason for Karna not fighting in the first ten days was Bhisma. He didn't want a fighter like Karna under his banner. But the reality is the opposite of it. Duryodhana asked Bhishma before the war to rank the warriors on both sides, and grandsire called Karna an ardha rathi. This enraged Karna, and he said: 

O lord of men! You have appointed Bhishma your commander and the commander is credited with qualities, never the warriors. O king! I will never fight as long as Gangeya is alive. But once Bhishma has been slain, I will fight with all the maharathas.

[h0bg0blin-meat]

This is a Vikarna appreciation post.

[sakhisaysthings]

Guys @emtornado explained half of Mahabharat in class. From Ganga Shaantanu to Draupadi swearing she won't tie her hair until it's washed with Dushasan's blood. Slayest sakhi FRFR