A slice of Mahabharata as interpreted by me

The Mahabharata is a treasure trove of human emotions, dilemmas, and lessons. Among its myriad turning points, the dice game and the events surrounding Jayadratha's slaying stand out as moments that not only shaped the course of the epic but also revealed the vulnerabilities of even the noblest characters.

The Dice Game: A Noble Man’s Fall

Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, was the epitome of dharma, yet he harbored a fatal flaw—his penchant for dice. Fueled by ego and the lure of proving himself in a game of chance, he fell into the trap cunningly laid by Duryodhana and his uncle Shakuni. The dice, loaded and manipulated by Shakuni, ensured Yudhishthira’s defeat at every turn.

As Yudhishthira gambled away not just his kingdom and wealth but also his brothers, himself, and ultimately Draupadi, the consequences of unchecked greed and ego became horrifyingly apparent. The humiliation of Draupadi in the Kaurava court, where vile figures like Dushasana attempted to disrobe her, remains one of the darkest moments in the epic. Draupadi’s honor was saved by divine intervention, but the damage to the Pandavas' dignity was irrevocable. This episode marked the "Good, Bad, Ugly" dynamic vividly: the noble Yudhishthira (Good), the cunning Shakuni and Duryodhana (Bad), and the grotesque Dushasana and his ilk (Ugly).

Jayadratha's Infamy

Jayadratha, the husband of Dushala, the only sister of the Kauravas, epitomized cowardice and malice. Lusting after Draupadi during the Pandavas’ exile, he seized an opportunity to abduct her while the brothers were away. However, his plan was foiled when Arjuna and Bhima tracked him down using Arjuna’s sound-detecting arrows. They humiliated him, shaving his head—a grave insult—but spared his life on Yudhishthira’s insistence. This act of mercy would later haunt the Pandavas, as Jayadratha nursed his grudge.

The Death of Abhimanyu

Jayadratha’s moment of revenge came during the Kurukshetra war. On the 13th day, Dronacharya devised the deadly Chakravyuha formation, a labyrinth of warriors that could only be penetrated by someone with expert knowledge. Abhimanyu, Arjuna’s young son, stepped forward, armed with partial knowledge of the formation. He broke into the Chakravyuha but was unable to exit.

Jayadratha played a key role in keeping the Pandavas, especially Arjuna, at bay, ensuring that no one could rescue the valiant Abhimanyu. Inside the formation, Kaurava warriors broke the rules of dharma, attacking the lone Abhimanyu from all sides and stabbing him from behind. The young warrior fought with unmatched valor, but his death left the Pandavas devastated.

Arjuna’s Oath

When Arjuna learned of Abhimanyu’s brutal death, he was overcome with grief and rage. He vowed to kill Jayadratha before sunset on the 14th day of battle. If he failed, he promised to immolate himself, a declaration that raised the stakes for both sides.

Jayadratha, aware of Arjuna’s prowess, spent the next day hiding behind the Kaurava forces, which formed a formidable shield around him. As the day wore on, the Kauravas grew hopeful, while the Pandavas worried about Arjuna’s vow.

The Illusion and the Slaying

As the sun neared the horizon, Jayadratha, believing the day was won, emerged from hiding to mock Arjuna. The Kauravas celebrated prematurely, thinking Arjuna had failed. But Krishna, the divine charioteer and strategist, had one last move. Using his Sudarshan Chakra, Krishna created an illusion of sunset, plunging the battlefield into apparent twilight.

As Jayadratha taunted Arjuna, the illusion lifted, revealing the sun still in the sky. Arjuna, with his unparalleled archery, fired a deadly arrow that severed Jayadratha’s head. Krishna had warned him to aim so that Jayadratha’s head would land in his father’s lap—a boon Jayadratha’s father had granted him, cursing anyone who caused his head to fall to the ground. Arjuna’s precision ensured this, causing Jayadratha’s father to inadvertently drop the head, dying instantly and fulfilling the curse.

Justice Delivered

Jayadratha’s death was not just a personal victory for Arjuna but a moral one for the Pandavas. It restored some sense of justice to the battlefield, avenging Abhimanyu’s untimely death and reinforcing the idea that dharma, though often delayed, ultimately prevails.

Reflections on Greed, Ego, and Retribution

The dice game and the events surrounding Jayadratha’s death underscore timeless lessons. Just as Yudhishthira’s ego led to devastating consequences, Jayadratha’s cowardice and malice brought about his downfall. These stories serve as reminders of human frailty, the perils of unchecked ambition, and the inevitability of karmic justice.

In the Mahabharata, even the noblest characters faltered, but it is through their struggles, mistakes, and redemption that the epic teaches us about the complexities of life and morality.

A page from Mahabharat

A page from Mahabharat

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Yudhishthir put Daupadi on stake next after losing wealth in the crooked dice game with Duryadhan. He lost that round too. Durayadhana jumped up in joy and yelled like a jackal at the discomfiture of Draupadi. He nudged his brother Dushashan to get into the act of possessing Draupadi.

“Whatever you say bro, my pleasure!” twirling his moustache and slapping his thigh Dushashan jumped on Draupadi. Poor Draupadi was helpless;. Bheem was raging in anger and Arjuna wanted to break the rule but Dharmraj Yudhishthir restrained them.

Poor Pandavas were a mute spectator, she prayed to Krishna to save her humiliation in the hands of Kauravas. There was a guy among those Kauravas who had attended Draupadi’s Swamvar but failed in the test of hitting the eye of the rotating fish on wooden wheel by looking at the reflection in plate full of water below. He was jumping and shouting lustily at that vulgar show. Draupadi’s ultimate shame was saved by Lord Krishna by supplying endless saree.

The above incident of Mahabharat was the beginning of end of Kauravas, Draupadi would take oath that until and unless Dushashan is killed she would not tie her free flowing hair.

But what about that leering guy, who was jumping lustily?

Cut to 12 years of exile in forest or vanvas of Pandavas after losing everything in that ill-fated game of dice.

That guy has been shadowing Pandavas in the forest and waiting for the oppertune moment when Draupadi will be alone, he wanted her for fulfilling his carnal desire.

One day all five Pandavas had gone out in the forest to look for food and Draupadi was left alone in the hut.

This lecher  parks his chariot at a distance , stealthily comes to the hut and gives a polite knock on the door.

Draupadi opens the door and is surprised to see this guy.

He hurriedly explains, “I have come in search your husbands.”

Draupadi being a polite and civilized lady invites this relative inside the hut and wait for the return of her husbands.

I know knowing that fellow belongs to the enemy campy why did she allow him inside; I guess that’s what always the weakness of a good person is. A good person always looks through the prism of goodness. Also she had five brave husbands so there was nothing to worry.

But lust which is among 7 deadly sins is such blinding that a person loses his common sense. This crook was no better. He enters the hut and says, “A beautiful woman like you can’t stay like this, come with me I will keep you like a queen.” She steps back and says, “Please leave me alone, I am happy here.”

This guy gets enraged by the rejection, he grabs for Draupadi , she puts up a fight but was no match to that brute. He carries fighting and yelling Draupadi to his chariot and binds her with the post.  He whipped the horses wildly so that he could put distance between the hut and him. Draupadi keeps shouting for help but unfortunately her husbands were beyond the earshot.

After sometimes the five Pandavas returned from their errand and shouted for Draupadi. No one came running out. They went inside the hut and found it to be empty; the utensils were haphazardly strewn around because of Draupadi’s resitance. They knew something bad has happened and Draupadi was in danger. Arjuna came out of the hut and with his hunter eyes started looking for telltale signs. He noticed the mark of chariot wheel on the ground and found out in which direction it had gone. He aimed his Gandiv and released a fire arrow or Agnivan in that direction.

This villain had no clue of the danger but then suddenly he finds fire falling from sky , embeds itself in the ground in front of the horses. The scared horses neigh wildly and stop suddenly on hind legs with front legs up.

Arjuna goes on shooting fire arrow in regular intervals in such a way that the arrows create a prison of fire around the charioit.

Our villain is now imprisoned and there was no way of his escape.

Panch Pandavas arrive and unties Draupadi and then drags the brute out by his hair. They were shocked to see the culprit. It was Jayadratha, the husband of Dushala, the only daughter of Dhritarashtra or sister of 100 Kaurav brothers.

Arjuna wanted to kill him but then Draupadi pleaded and asked him not to do that as then Dushala who was their cousin sister would become a widow.

But Pandavas wanted to punish him. They shaved off his hair in such a way that five parallel strands were running on his skull. This way Jayadratha was shamed and he had no face to show.

Pandavas went back leaving Jayadratha behind to his fate.

Jayadratha was enraged by the insult and stayed put by the side of river Saryu. Dushala got worried seeing her husband absent for a long time. Duryadhana found him by the side of river and requested his brother in law to return. Jayadratha said ,” I can’t go now. Let me meditate for sometimes.”

Here is the catch in this type of incidence, any bad or good person if does a tapsaya to Bholenath Shiva then he readily gives var or a wish full filling request.

He did penance for days, months directing the mental energy towards Shiva. Bholenath is happy and appears in front of him and asks Jayadratha what he wants.

“I want to take revenge on Pandavas.”

Shiva smiles and gives him var, “You can defeat all 4 pandavas but not Arjuna.”

Jayadratha is not happy he continues his tapasya of Shiva again.

Now the question is whether Shiva will grant him another var or not. What is the second var Jayadratha would ask……he can’t ask var to defeat Arjuna as in the first var itself Shiva has spelled that out. Let me read Mahabharat for further information on Jayadratha to know the next var…..

Keechak Vadh...retold

Keechak  Vadh...retold

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Please don’t force me, I am already married to Gandarvas, they are five in number and mostly remain invisible. Pleaded Sairandhari to Keechak the Chief of Army of Virat Raj of Matsaya kingdom. Keechak was also brother in law of the king.

But the ruffian Keechak won’t leave Sairandhari who actually is Draupadi. During this time of Pandava’s exile the last year was Agyat Vas , they have to live in anonymity. Draupadi as Sairandhari was working as maid of the queen and Keechak was enthralled by her beauty and wanted to marry her.

Let us see how her five husbands were hiding their identity. Incidentally all six of them decided to spend the one year of anonymity in Matsaya kingdom which was very close to Hastinapur, the plan was audacious as Duryadhan had put spies to locate them, as per condition if Pandavas are spotted then their exile will start from the beginning which was 12 years of exile in forest and one year of Agyat Vas. All of them did not arrive together; Yudhishthir came as a Brahmin who was expert in playing dice. The king appointed him as a minister and would play dice often with him. Yudhishthir was addicted to playing dice and having lost kingdom in a crooked dice game with Duryadhan he was honing his skill in playing dice with the king of Virat. Another dice game with Duryadhan? I don’t think he would have played having lost everything. Of course there was no scope for that as Kurushetra battle was the deciding field or the killing field for Kauravas, Where Arjun’s Gandiv spoke, Bheem’s gada thundered and Krishna’s far sight steered them to brutal victory….धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः।

मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत संजय॥१-१॥

Sanjay, gathered in Dharma-kshetra Kurukshetra (place of Dharma, Kurukshetra), what are my and Pandava’s sons doing?

That was blind Dhritrashtra asking Sanjay about the battle………..those are the opening sentences in Bhagwat Gita.

Well let me roll back to Virat where Keechak is making his advances to Draupadi. It is a tricky situation for Pandavas, if they interfere then they will stand exposed and Duryodhan’s spies will pick up the scent. Their incognito stay will be exposed. Yudhishthir as usual advises Panchali or Draupadi or Sairandhari to manage the situation. Arjuna had a curse to be a eunuch, he is disguised as Brihanalla and engaged to teach dance to the princess Uttara. So he is of no use to handle the explosive situation. Draupadi is smarting under the lewd remark thrown at her by Keechak. She wants Keechak’s blood. Nakul is Royal groom in horse stable and Shadev is a royal cowherd, but as we know both are not warriors to match Keechak who is a great fighter.

Let us come to the fateful day.

As usual Draupadi after finishing her chore was coming out of queen’s chamber when the willy Keechak who was lurking around jumped on her. She struggled tooth and nail, fell on the ground , got hurt, her head starting bleeding , seeing the blood Keechak left her for the time being promising to be back. Draupadi goes running to king’s court and pleads with the king. The king is helpless , Yudhishthir as Kanka who was present there in the court asked her to manage the crisis. Draupadi was in rage and wanted revenge and swore not to wipe her blood till Keechak is killed by the night.

Oh, I forgot to mention about Bheem. Bheem was fond of food so he disguised himself as cook named Ballav. Ballav had heard about humiliation of Sairandhir or Draupadi in the hand of Keechak so he rushes to court to help Draupadi. Kanka means Yudhishthir stops him saying that his rash action will expose them to Durayadhan and their terms of 12 years of Vanbas and 1 year of Agyatbas will start again as per conditions.

But Draupadi has already taken oath of revenge; she meets Bheem in kitchen and asks him to act. So the scene is like this..Yudhishthir will not act, Arjuna is eunuch as Brihanalla so can’t act, Nakul and Sahdev are no match so it was left to Bheem.

Draupadi and Bheem hatch a plan.

Keechak is very excited finally his wish of spending night with Sairandhari or Draupadi will be full filled tonight.He takes a few goblets of Madira to ginger himself up for the big occasion. He stealthily approaches the dance hall where Draupadi is waiting for him.

He reaches the dance hall , a very few lamps on the wall was lighted. The reflected light of outside moon on those glass works around created a mesmeric ambience. In that mystic atmosphere Keechak spotted Draupadi waiting for him in a corner. She was draped head to toe in a black cloth. The creep Keechak with his libido approaches her and touches her shoulder lovingly.

“Wham”  a big fist lands on his face, from the cover of black cloth Bheem reveals himself. We don’t have to dwell much on the fight as we all know Bheem is way above the inebriated Keechak. He just kills him within a few moments; hardly that Chief of army of Virat could put up a fight.

Somehow this Virat parba of Mahbharat always intrigued me. Arjuna famous with his Gandiv was helpless as he was cursed to be eunuch. Why was he eunuch?

Here is why?

When Arjuna, the hero of Mahabharata, visited Amaravati – the Palace of Indra to obtain the weapon from his father( by the way Indra was the biological father of Arjuna), a party was arranged for his reception where court dancers of celestial beauties and fame like Urvashi, Tilottama, Rambha and Menaka were invited to perform. During the programme, there was exchange of passionate glances between Arjuna and Urvashi and in the night when Urvashi stealthily came to Arjuna’s bedroom with an intention to present herself to him, Arjuna retracted addressing her as mother.
Dear Arjun it is not done, calling an apsara Amma, it is like Arjun Kapoor in the film Gundey calling the cabaret dancer Priyanka Chopra a mother.

Urvashi felt very much insulted and being extremely annoyed, she cursed Arjuna that he would become eunuch and live with women dancing and singing. Later, on the request of Indra, Urvashi reduced the curse from whole life to only one year period i.e. the thirteenth year of Pandavas’ exile.

So Arjun as Brihnalla is a eunuch in reality because of the curse of Urvashi. 

Yudhishthir as usual gave gyan like a consultant does in any company but of course he had the responsibility of keeping anonymity. He was right on his own way.

But then we have this hot headed Bheem, Draupadi had to finally use her charm on him to act and the act he did with real gusto. Imagine the plight of Keechak who lustily approaches the shadowy figure draped in black for a good time and gets the shock of his life. He was there for amorous purpose and not for wrestling duel. I would have loved to watch his expression. 

 Yes that is the climax which I liked, i tried telling that episode the way i looked at it. Kind of retold by me.