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Library: The story of Mahabharata summarized.
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
Having first saluted the teacher with mind, intellect, and concentration, and having worshipped all the twice-born and other wise people.
I shall narrate the entire opinion of the wise and renowned great sage Vyasa, who possesses immeasurable energy, known throughout all worlds.
O King, you are worthy to hear this eloquent story. The impulse to speak, having been obtained from the teacher, encourages me with joy as if.
Listen, O king, to how the conflict between the Kurus and Pāṇḍavas began. It started with gambling for the kingdom and led to their exile.
I will explain to you, O best of the Bharatas, how the war caused the destruction of the earth, as you are asking.
Upon the death of your father, the heroes came back from the forest to their home. In no time, they became scholars in the Vedas and masters of archery.
The Kurus, upon seeing the Pandavas, who were endowed with beauty, valor, and energy and approved by the citizens, could not tolerate their glory.
Then the cruel Duryodhana, along with Karna and Saubala, executed various punishments and exiles upon them.
The wicked son of Dhritarashtra gave poison to Bhima, but the heroic Vrikodara digested it along with his food.
After binding the sleeping Vrikodara (Bhima) once more, he threw him into the waters of the Ganges and returned to the city.
When Bhimasena, the son of Kunti, was awakened and freed from his bonds, he stood up without any distress, O great king.
The enemy killer, while sleeping, was bitten by venomous black serpents, but he did not die despite being bitten all over his body.
Vidura, the great-minded one, became attentive to the disturbances and oppositions, focusing on liberation.
Just as Indra, who resides in heaven, brings happiness to the world of the living, Vidura always brings happiness to the Pandavas.
When he could not destroy them by any means, whether hidden or open, because they were protected by divine destiny.
After consulting with his ministers, including Vṛṣasena and Duḥśāsana, and obtaining Dhṛtarāṣṭra's permission, he ordered the construction of the lacquer house.
There, he settled the mighty Pāṇḍavas and once again burned the unsuspecting ones with fire.
According to Vidura's advice, a digger was constructed. Through yoga, they were released and fled in fear.
In the dreadful great forest, the mighty Bhīmasena, in his anger, slew the demon Hiḍimba on the ground.
Then, those valiant ones, having made preparations, went to Ekacakra, assuming divine forms, along with their mother, the scorchers of foes.
There, for the sake of the Brahmin, they killed the mighty Baka and then went with the Brahmins to the city of the Panchalas.
The subduers of enemies, having won Draupadī and stayed there for a year, returned to Hastinapura, known to all.
Dhritarashtra, the king, and Shantanu's son expressed their concern: 'Dear brothers, how can you avoid conflict?' We have thought about your dwelling in Khandavaprastha.
Therefore, with your minds resolved, proceed to Khandavaprastha, a place surrounded by settlements and well-laid roads, for your dwelling.
Following their advice, they, along with all their friends, went to the city of Khandavaprastha, taking all the jewels with them.
There, O king, they lived for many years, subjugating other kings through their martial prowess.
Thus, those who were chiefly devoted to dharma and dedicated to truth and vows, arose with vigilance and forgiveness, tormenting their enemies at that time.
Bhimasena, the mighty warrior, conquered the east; Arjuna, the valiant hero, took the north; and Nakula, too, claimed victory in the west.
Sahadeva, known for his prowess in defeating enemy warriors, successfully conquered the southern regions. In this way, they brought the entire earth under their control.
The earth, adorned by the Pandavas of true valor, shone as if it had six suns, with the five sun-like Pandavas and the radiant sun.
Then, for some reason, King Yudhishthira, known for his righteousness, sent his brother Arjuna to the forest.
He lived in the forest for a full year and one month. Then, once upon a time, he went to Hṛṣīkeśa in Dvārakā.
There, Bībhatsu married Subhadrā, the lotus-eyed sister of Vāsudeva, known for her auspicious speech.
Subhadrā, like Śacī with Indra and Śrī with Kṛṣṇa, was joyfully united with Arjuna, the Pāṇḍava.
O best of kings, Arjuna, the son of Kunti, along with Vasudeva, satisfied the fire in the Khandava forest.
The burden was not too heavy for Arjuna because he had Krishna by his side, just as Viṣṇu, with determination as his ally, was effective in vanquishing his enemies.
Agni gave Arjuna the Gandiva bow, which is an excellent bow, along with quivers filled with inexhaustible arrows and a chariot drawn by tawny horses.
Bibhatsu freed the great demon Maya there. He then constructed a divine assembly hall adorned with all kinds of jewels.
In that situation, the foolish and wicked-minded Duryodhana was overcome by greed. Then, with the help of Saubala, he deceitfully defeated Yudhishthira in a game of dice.
He sent them to the forest for twelve years and kept them unknown in the kingdom for the thirteenth year.
In the fourteenth year, when they begged for their own wealth and did not receive it, O great king, a war ensued.
Then the Pandavas, after destroying everything and killing King Duryodhana, regained their scattered kingdom.
In this way, this event occurred in the past to those who performed their duties tirelessly: there was division, the kingdom was destroyed, and victory was achieved, O best among the victorious.
