Questions tagged [mahabharata]
The epic by Veda Vyasa narrating the great war fought in India between the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
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Guarding of women's quarter in the later Vedic and Puranic eras
We come to learn from the Mahabharata and various puranas that Krishna had 16,000 or 16,100 wives besides his 8 principal consorts. Is there any direct or indirect reference in any of the major/minor ...
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33 views
Why does Vishnu Purana refer to Vrishasena as King of Anga?
As I know, in the Vishnu Purana the royal line of Anga is narrated, but it refers to Vrishasena (eldest son of Karna) as King of Anga.
Why does Vishnu Purana mean so although there is no reference ...
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35 views
Which is the oldest written preserved version of Mahabharata? [duplicate]
There must be many old written versions of Mahabharata, probably as manuscripts or on leaves. I wanted to know that which is the oldest preserved written version of Mahabharata
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34 views
How do you get a name (apart from birth) in the scriptures?
As I know, there are characters that have the name "Dhananjaya" (Arjuna) to conquer many kingdoms, but I have not seen that Karna, Nakula, Sahadeva, Bhima or Bharata have that name.
Also that one of ...
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22 views
Who is the rakshasa Alambusha? [duplicate]
I want to know exactly, the story of Alambusha, and who were her parents and brothers. I know he was Rishyasringa's son and he fought for the Kauravas but I want to know more about his story
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From what moment does Shiva help Arjuna?
As I know, in Mahabharata, Arjuna received help from Shiva in battle, as shown here:
Sanjaya replied, "When atiratha Drona was killed by Parshata and the Kouravas were routed, Dhananjaya, Kunti's ...
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Did Bhishma (or any other characters in Itihasas) know he was born on earth due to a curse?
The Ashta-Vasus were cursed by Vashishta to be born as humans because they stole cow Kamadhenu. 7 of them were spared by a quick death after birth, but Prabhasa alone would have to live a long, ...
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51 views
How many akshouhinis were killed by Arjuna?
This is something that confuses me, since according to Duryodhana, Arjuna killed 7 akshouhinis:
Duryodhana said, 'O preceptor! Behold the great destruction of those whose heads have been sprinkled. ...
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68 views
Why is it called Karna with such a name instead of Vasushena in Ranbhoomi?
This is something that intrigues me, since according to Vaishampayana, Karna was called "Vaikartana Karna" after donating his armor to Indra (which happens in Vana Parva) but in Ranbhoomi (battle ...
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81 views
What is the correct translation of the Mahabharata verse mentioning Drona's age?
There is a verse in Mahabharata: Drona Parva:
Sanskrit verse in Devnagri:
आकर्णपलितः शयामॊ वयसाशीति पञ्चकः
तवत्कृते वयचरत संख्ये स तु षॊडद वर्षवत
Sanskrit verse in IAST ...
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What are the 10 doors of the Dharma?
When I read Adi Parva about the families of the gods and how they were classified, I read that when Brahma gave ten wives to the Dharma, they were "the ten doors of the Dharma":
13 नामतॊ ...
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50 views
How old was Drona? [duplicate]
This is something I had asked, since I know, the Pandavas were at least 90 years old or even older, but a friend told me that Drona was 80 years old. Something contradictory, since Arjuna was 100 ...
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1answer
103 views
Why is the death of Abhimanyu considered unfair?
After reading the death of Abhimanyu by BORI and KMG, I asked myself since then, why is his death considered so unjust?
Was he attacked in a group? Yes, but the attack only broke his bow, his horses, ...
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1answer
62 views
Why is Jarasandha considered so bad?
This is something that I have been asking for some time, as far as I know, Jarasandha conquered many kingdoms, was an ally of many kings and ruled all of India. Sure, I know about his human sacrifice, ...
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61 views
Inconsistency in the number of people died in Kurukshera war
From this answer, we can get the following information:
Total number of persons participated in war is almost 4,723,920.
Total number of persons died in war is 1,660,020,000.
Both figures have a ...
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1answer
77 views
Exact References of number of wives of krishna in mahabharat?
Please give exact shloka number(and its translation) in Mahabharat(not puranas) , where number of wives of krishna is mentioned, Esp. the 16000 wives in narakasura episode and other wives?
I will ...
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2answers
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Where can we find the description of how Maharaja Parikshith (as a baby) was saved by Sri Krishna?
I am looking for references on the story of Sri Krishna saving Parikshith. Specifically looking for references to section where Sri Krishna is said to have touched the charred body of the baby, vowing ...
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1answer
117 views
What are the bows of the warriors of the Mahabharata? [closed]
I want to know what were the names of the bows of the warriors of the Mahabharata, their abilities and how they got them
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43 views
Can one study during morning twilight for acquiring any branch of knowledge
Consider the following statements by Bhishma in Anusasana Parva of Mahabharata:
1) One should wake up from sleep at the hour known as the Brahma
Muhurta and then think of both religion and profit....
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126 views
Science of dice in ancient Hinduism scriptures
In section LXXII of Mahabharata, there is an excerpt regarding the science of dice.
"Vrihadaswa said, '.......Rituparna said, 'O Vahuka, thou art the only
charioteer, there is none other in this ...
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0answers
21 views
Fraternal Polyandry in Mahabharata,The Reasoning? [duplicate]
Draupadi Vivah in Mahabharata can be cited as an example of fraternal polyandry in ancient Indian social custom, which still exists in some parts of India (ref. 'Himalayan Polyandry'by D.N.Majumdar,...
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2answers
126 views
Who was the writer of the Vishnu Sahasranamam?
I know that Vishnu Sahasranamam was told by Pitamaha Bhishma to Yudhishthira ORALLY. However who was the writer and who had made the hard copy of the same to do chanting of this mantra and when?
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2answers
89 views
Mahabharata Parsurama's curse
When Bhagwan Parshuram sees Karna's tolerance, he says that Karna can't be a Brahamana, he must be a Kshatriya.
1 What is the relation between a person capability and his caste?
2 If there had been a ...
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1answer
73 views
Which rules are not applicable for Ganga river?
Somewhere in Mahabharata Pandavas tell to Gandharvas that Ganga river can get served at any time and there are no rules for Ganga to get service like other rivers.
Please give those reference and the ...
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0answers
119 views
Depicting Mahabharata (and other scriptures) misleadingly [duplicate]
Most common people don't know Sanskrit, and aren't interested in reading scriptures. They learn Itihasa & Purana from elders or watching TV e.g. B.R.Chopra's Mahabharat, or Ramanand Sagar's ...
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77 views
Conversation between the Krishna and Karna
Krishna had given many offers to Karna for coming to Pandava's side. Like...
If Karna would come into the Pandava's side then Krishna would make him king of Hastinapura after winning the battle of ...
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1answer
95 views
Why is Karna so obsessed with freeing his chariot from earth?
Can't he just take another chariot? Can't he just fight on foot?
It's his trying to lift the chariot is the reason of his defeat.
Why?
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1answer
60 views
Does Uddhava belong to Yadu Dynasty and if so why did he not die because of sage's curse on the dynasty?
We know Uddhava is a dear associate of Krishna in Dwaraka. Who are the parents of Uddhava? Or atleast can we conclusively say that he belongs to Yadu dynasty? If he belonged to Yadu Dynasty, why didn'...
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42 views
How did Bhishma pitamaha got the ichchamrityu boon? [duplicate]
Someone can not kill Bhishma pitamaha until he wish. Because he has a boon of ichchamrityu. How did he get this boon?
7
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1answer
380 views
When did Duryodhana know that Karna is Kunti's son?
When did Duryodhana know that Karna is actually one of Pandava's brothers and a son of Kunti (Kuntiputra) and how did he react?
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1answer
72 views
How many wives did Yudhishthira have?
It is well known that Draupadi is wife of Yudhishthira.
Wikipedia and several other sources say that there is another wife to him and her name is Devika. The following excerpt from Chapter 95, ...
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3answers
177 views
Scriptural basis for Draupadi's decision of denying Karna
From the following excerpt of the Mahabharata, it is clear that Draupadi rejected Karna based on his tribe.
"And (some amongst) those kings in exerting with swelling lips each
according to his ...
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0answers
167 views
Why was Shishupala born with three eyes and four arms?
From this answer by Keshav Srinivasan,
Shishupala had three eyes and four arms.
When Shishupala was born, he had three eyes and four arms, which terrified his parents, the king and queen of Chedi.
...
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1answer
68 views
Those who do certain things will undergo the same
In Mahabharata, Krishna told a sentence with similar meaning
Those who do the things in a particular context will have to face the same
things on the same circumstances
These lines may be the ...
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0answers
42 views
Dating the Battle of Ten Kings relative to the Ramayana and Mahabharata
Related to this question though much more specific: are there any clues we can glean about the historical situation of the Battle of Ten Kings relative to the Ramayana or other well known events? ...
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0answers
101 views
Is it true that in the battle of Mahabharata, the Son of Lord Krishna fought from the Kaurava side? [duplicate]
I had a discussion with a teacher of mine and he told me that back in his college days, while they were watching Mahabharata, a friend of him said that The son of Lord Krishna also fought in the ...
6
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1answer
116 views
How do Shaivas view and interpret the Ramayana and Mahabharata?
Do Shaivas accept that Rama and Krishna were incarnations of Vishnu?
How do Shaivas view and interpret these Itihasas?
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0answers
77 views
Slokas about discipline in Mahabaratha
It is well known that many people in Mahabaratha such as Bhishma, Drona, Arjuna, Duryodhana, Karna, Abhimanyu etc., are experts in certain fields.
In order to gain such expertise, there should be a ...
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0answers
143 views
What was the purpose of the Kurukshetra war of Mahabharata? [closed]
The Kurushethra war was to bring back Dharma by killing Duryodhana. But what was the need of it?
Duryodhana would have anyways died after few years like any human, right?
Is such a destructive war ...
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4answers
246 views
Are there any hidden Vedantic or any other philosophical teachings in the stories of Mahabharata?
Is Mahabharata a mere Ithihasa or whether the stories of Mahabharata have any hidden esoteric or metaphorical meanings?
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153 views
A Time Bomb placed in Patal lok
In 99th Adhyay of Udhyog-Parv of Mahabharat.
When Krishna went to Hastinapur as a peace delegate.
In the assembly of Hastinapur, Devrishi Narad told a story about his visit to Patal-Lok with Matli (...
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0answers
391 views
What did Bhishma do when he was on the bed of arrows?
I have heard that in Mahabharata Bhishma was made to lie on a bed made of arrows by Arjuna after dropping his weapons. I want to know in detail what all did Bhishma do in his arrow bed. Whether ...
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0answers
21 views
Why did Gandhari curse Sri Krishna? [duplicate]
I have heard that Gandhari cursed Sri Krishna .But I dont know why ,can anyone please explain. And I also want to know that whatever Sri Krishna was 100% correct then Why did she curse.
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0answers
83 views
In Mahabaratha, Sahadevan is a great astrologist but How he missed out Karnan
In Mahabharata, Sahadevan (One of the brother through pandava's) a great astrologist however how he missed out to know that he is having one elder brother (Karna).
Since Sahadevan requested Lord ...
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1answer
173 views
Whether in mahabharat itself(not in purana), krishna is depicted as makhan chor(stealing butter)?
Whether in mahabharat, esp. BORI edition(though other edition may also do), krishna is depicted as makhan chor(stealing butter) ?
Please do not give reference of any purana.
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0answers
51 views
Why Hindus worship Cow? [duplicate]
What is the story behind Hindus worship Cow?
I want to know the story. Please tell me the story.
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0answers
47 views
Do any other scriptures mention Brahma Tirtha, bathing where non-Brahmins become Brahmins?
Mahabharat, Vana parva, tirtha-yatra parva https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-mahabharata-third-book/d/doc7362.html. Says:
One should next proceed to the excellent tirtha of Brahma. ...
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39 views
Does mahabharata mention conflict between shungas and indo greeks?
Several works, such as the Mahabharata and the Yuga Purana describe
the conflict between the Shungas and the Indo-Greeks.
From here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shunga_Empire
Where does ...
3
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1answer
136 views
What is the story of Indra going to Nara-Narayana Rishis for aid, as mentioned in Mahabharata?
I know that Bhishma narrates this story to Duryodhana. Please give me the reference from the Mahabharata if you can. It would help.
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86 views
Mentioning of Rakhi in Mahabharata
Consider the following paragraph from raksha-bandhan.com
Raksha Bandhan finds a mention in Mahabharata when Lord Krishna advised Yudhishthir to perform the ceremony to protect himself and the army ...
