Bhishma Tests the Kuru Princes Eight years have passed. On the quiet banks of the Yamuna, the royal guru sits with his pupils — the three princes of Hastinapur: Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura. Bhishma stands nearby, watching with pride and purpose. The queens, Satyavati, Ambika, and Ambalika, are seated a little apart, observing the session. The guru smiles. “Today, Bhishma himself will test your intelligence. But remember — this test is not about memory or lessons. It is about the mind that sees differently.” Bhishma lifts a small sieve in his hands. “This,” he says, “is no ordinary object. It will reveal who among you can see beyond the obvious. Who will come first?” Dhritarashtra steps forward. “I am the eldest,” he says firmly. Bhishma nods. “Good. Confidence suits a prince. Now, here is your task — there is a pot full of water beside you. Use this sieve to transfer the water into that empty pot.” Dhritarashtra feels the vessel, runs his fingers across the holes, and laughs ...

The Births of Dhritarashtra and Pandu Princess Ambika sits on her bed, anxious and dressed in bridal finery. Sage Vyasa enters her chamber. Horrified by his unkempt, ascetic appearance, Ambika closes her eyes in fright. The next night, Vyasa approaches Ambalika. She too is alarmed at his appearance and turns pale. The following morning, maids bring two newborns and lay them before Vyasa as he finishes his prayers. Queen Satyavati beams with joy and asks Vyasa to name them. With his yogic vision, Vyasa names the first child Dhritarashtra, and the second Pandu. When the Queen insists on knowing their future, Vyasa reluctantly reveals the truth: Ambika’s son, born blind, because she had closed her eyes; Ambalika’s son, pale and short-lived, because she had turned white with fear. p>Satyavati, heartbroken, pleads for one more chance to ensure the Kuru line’s continuity. Vyasa agrees, warning this would be the last time. The Third Birth Satyavati’s attendant Sivai informs ...

The Queen’s Dilemma Bhishma informs the royal physician of the prince’s death and orders him to embalm the body. “No one must know,” he warns gravely. Later, lost in thought, Bhishma sits in his chamber when Queen Satyavati enters. Satyavati: Bhishma, I do not know what you think of me, but there are two Satyavatis within me — a mother who cannot weep for her son, and a queen who must remain strong for her kingdom. Your father entrusted this realm to both of us. You took your vow for Hastinapur’s sake — for my sons — but now that very vow stands in the way of its survival. Bhishma looks silently at her. Satyavati: You once brought the princesses of Kashi for this dynasty. Now you must help your mother protect it. Our scriptures permit such acts in times of need. Can you not relax your vow, for my sake — for Hastinapur’s sake? Bhishma: You think my vow was taken lightly? I am Gangeya — son of Ganga. From her I learned that one must give up what is dearest. I renounce...

Amba Seeks Justice from Parasurama Amba reaches Parasurama’s hermitage and bows to the sage. “King of Kashi is a great devotee of Shiva,” says Parasurama. “How is he?” Amba replies, “He is tormented — because of me.” She narrates everything — Bhishma’s abduction, Shalwa’s rejection, and her humiliation in Hastinapur. Parasurama, moved by her grief, summons Bhishma and commands him to marry Amba. Bhishma refuses. Parasurama reminds him, “You dragged her in front of kings from every land. You owe her justice.” Bhishma argues, “My vow forbids marriage. I acted for my brother’s sake.” Parasurama warns, “When strength defies truth, it is strength that must fall. If you reject dharma, I will fight you myself.” Bhishma pleads restraint, but Parasurama raises his axe. “Either marry Amba or face me in battle.” Bhishma bows. “Then I must fight, my Guru.” The Duel of Guru and Disciple Storms rage as Parasurama and Bhishma clash. The earth quakes; seas roar; forests bla...

The Illness of Vichitraveerya Vichitraveerya marries the two Kashi princesses, Ambika and Ambalika, as Queen Satyavati and Bhishma look on with joy. Ahead of the nuptial night, the young king suddenly falls ill. Physicians begin intense treatment, while prayers and offerings are made across temples for his recovery. Amba Confronts the Court of Hastinapur Queen Satyavati sits on the throne, with Bhishma by her side. Suddenly, Amba storms into the royal court demanding justice. Amba: Does anyone here still know what dharma is? Satyavati: Who are you, woman? Hastinapur is a land of dharma. What complaint do you bring? Amba: I am Amba, princess of Kashi. Satyavati (sarcastic): Oh! The one who spurned Hastinapur’s throne and went chasing her lover? Amba: That was past. Let’s talk of the present now. The heated exchange grows sharper as Amba questions whether Kshatriya dharma can override compassion and truth. When she taunts Bhishma directly, he maintains silenc...

Bhishma Seeks Vyasa’s Counsel Bhishma rides to Sage Vyasa’s hermitage seeking guidance on the kingdom’s future. Outside, Vyasa is addressing his students: “Dharma varies from person to person. A Brahmin serves through knowledge and selflessness. A Kshatriya is known not by birth but by strength — strength used for the welfare of his people. He must act without being swayed by personal likes or dislikes.” Bhishma bows. “Revered sage, you know the state of Hastinapura. One brother is dead; the other cannot continue the line. Our kingdom has no heir. The year of mourning for Chitraṅgada ends soon, and enemies may strike at any time. We must crown Vichitravīrya — but for that, he must wed. Yet no Kshatriya king offers his daughter.” Vyasa asks calmly, “And what does the queen propose?” “The king of Kashi is holding a swayamvara . The queen wishes that I bring those princesses for Vichitravīrya.” Vyasa’s eyes gleam. “Is that not Kshatriya dharma?” Bhishma hesitates. “Pe...

Devavrata’s Vow Shantanu is joyous to see Satyavati being brought to the palace by Devavrata. He asks how he was able to convince the fisherman to send his daughter to the palace. Devavrata details how he made the promise of renouncing the throne and of lifelong celibacy. Shantanu is overwhelmed. He recalls how one of their forefathers, King Yayati, was similarly aided by his son Puru. The Birth of ‘Bhishma’ The next day, Devavrata calls for a special gathering presided over by Sages Vasishtha and Parashurama. He announces before the assembly his vow of lifelong celibacy and renounces all claim to the throne of Hastinapura. In front of a packed court, he invokes his mother Ganga and all the gods as witnesses, swearing that he will never marry nor accept any royal position throughout his life. Sage Parashurama extols this renunciation as the highest form of virtue. He reminds Devavrata of his duties as the protector and custodian of Hastinapura and presents him a sword onc...

Devavrata Made Yuva-Raja of Hastinapur Upon his return to Hastinapura, King Shantanu decided to declare Devavrata as the Yuva-Raja — the crown prince and heir apparent to the throne. On the day of the coronation, some ministers, wishing to test the prince’s wisdom, presented him with a few cases and questions related to politics and administration. Devavrata readily agreed. The first case was that of a vassal king accused of instigating rebellion against the Kuru throne. Devavrata investigated and discovered that the unrest had arisen due to unjust taxation — the people were forced to pay even during years of drought and scarcity. He explained before the court that the Kuru kingdom, in protecting its vassals from enemy attack and assisting them in public works, must also ensure that taxes are fair and proportionate to circumstance. Justice, he said, must flow both ways — from ruler to subject and subject to ruler. Next, the assembly put forth a series of intricate questions o...

Kuru dynasty The Kuru dynasty was named after the legendary and illustrious King Kuru, an ancestor of the main characters in the Mahabharata. King Kuru was a renowned and righteous king in the Lunar Dynasty (Chandravansh), born in the lineage of the great Emperor Bharata, after whom India is sometimes called "Bharatavarsha". In the broader sense of the Mahabharata, both the Pandava brothers and their cousins, the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra, are descendants of King Kuru and are therefore technically all Kauravas. However, in common usage, and for the purpose of distinguishing between the two warring factions in the epic, the term "Kauravas" is generally used to refer specifically to the elder line of descendants through King Dhritarashtra, while the five sons of Pandu are referred to as the Pandavas. King Shantanu's Early Life Shantanu was a prominent king of the Kuru Kingdom with his capital at Hastinapura. In his previous birth, Shantanu was Mahābhish...

Story of Mahabharata: Prologue After the righteous reign of Yudhishṭhira, his descendants ruled Hastinapura. But with each generation, dharma — once bright as a steady flame — began to wane. Parīkshit, grandson of Arjuna and son of Abhimanyu, ascended the throne in this twilight of virtue. Brave and learned though he was, humility gave way to pride. One day, while hunting, Parīkshit entered the hermitage of Sage Shamīka. The sage sat in deep meditation and did not rise to greet the king. Angered, Parīkshit placed a dead snake around the sage’s neck in mockery and left. When the sage’s son, Śhringi, heard of this insult, he cursed the king: “Within seven days, the serpent Takshaka shall strike and end your life.” And so it came to pass. Despite every guard and spell, Takshaka entered the palace and bit Parīkshit, reducing him to ashes. When news reached Janamejaya, Parīkshit’s son, his grief hardened into vengeance. He vowed to destroy the entire serpent race. Thus began the...