Mahabharata starts off by introducing us to Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata, who then asked Lord Ganesha to be his scribe. We also learn about how Vyasa and his mother were born. In one way, we can see that Vyasa is the grandson of God Indra, since he left his daughter, Satyavati, to the fishermen. Vyasa also arranged the Vedas (river, I think). Next, we learn about Ganga, the goddess of the Ganges river who assisted Indra's Vasus to return to their celestial state. In return, she asked that her son remain among men but never marry or have offspring. Then one day, King Shantanu laid eyes on Ganga and was blown away by her beauty and asked her to marry him. Ganga consented but remained that the King should never yell at her or she will leave him. So, when Ganga gave birth to a son, she threw him into the river but the King did not say a single thing to her. However, sone after as she gave birth to seven more babies and throw them into the river, the King became anxious. When she went to through her 8th child into the river the King broke his pent-up anger and yelled at her. She disappeared and took the child with her. She came back briefly to bring the King, Devavrata, a noble son, but then never came back to the King again.
When King Shantanu grew older, he sought to marry Satyavati. However, when he asked the fishermen if he could marry Satyavati, the fishermen said he could if Vyasa would become their heir. But the King could not take back his promise from Ganga and departed. However, when Devavrata learned about his father's woes, he went to the fishermen and relinquished his thrown to Ganga's sons. His oath was bad though so he was named Bhishma. After some years, King Shantanu passed away and keeping to his promise Devavrata gave the thrown to Satyavati's sons Chitrangada and Vichitravirya, however, both were not able to lead correctly. However, when Vichitravirya was in power, he needed a Queen. So when Devavrata learned about the Swayamvara of King Benares three daughters, he participated to secure a queen for his brother. However, instead of participating in the Swayamvara, he proclaimed the princesses and took them away.
When King Shantanu grew older, he sought to marry Satyavati. However, when he asked the fishermen if he could marry Satyavati, the fishermen said he could if Vyasa would become their heir. But the King could not take back his promise from Ganga and departed. However, when Devavrata learned about his father's woes, he went to the fishermen and relinquished his thrown to Ganga's sons. His oath was bad though so he was named Bhishma. After some years, King Shantanu passed away and keeping to his promise Devavrata gave the thrown to Satyavati's sons Chitrangada and Vichitravirya, however, both were not able to lead correctly. However, when Vichitravirya was in power, he needed a Queen. So when Devavrata learned about the Swayamvara of King Benares three daughters, he participated to secure a queen for his brother. However, instead of participating in the Swayamvara, he proclaimed the princesses and took them away.
Then we learn more about one of the princesses, Amba. Amba loved a different King who was defeated when Devavrata took all three princesses. But she tells Devavrata about her love and returns to the old King. However, that King was ruthless and bids her war. Angry and hurt, Amba blames Devavrata for all her woes and vows to Lord Shiva that she would like to kill him. Shiva tells her that she needs to be born again for this and so, Amba walked into a throne of flames to be born again.
Back to King Vichitravirya, he born sons with the other princesses and Pandu, "the pale one," was given the throne. King Pandu was a powerful one and has two wives, Kunti and Madri. However, Kunti then has a secret son with God Surya and hides hi and bore him into the river. He was found by Radha and Adhiratha who did not have a child. Pandu was then cursed by a brahmin to die in the arms of one of his wives. Pandu has five sons (the Pandavas), but one day as Madri and Pandu were in the forest, he clasped and died in her arms. So distraught and being his favorite wife, Madri was also burned on his pyre. Kunti and the 5 sons returned to tell the Kauravas that Pandu has died and through they were upset, so angst built between the families, with the Kauravas jealous at the Pandavas.
One day, as the boys where eating, Duryodhana put poison in Bhima's food, but the nagas that tried to eat Bhima counteracted the original poison and Bhima survived. Then we learn about Drona and Drupada, who used to be friends but then Drupada gained control of the kingdom and became foul toward Drona. Drona then became a trainer and trained the Pandavas. Then we see a tournament of the great princes. We see that the original boy who Kunti has sent down the river comes to the tournament and talked to Arjuna, not knowing that he is his stepbrother. Hatred brewed between the boys. Eventually, Duryodhana (the King) and Karna become a friend. Back to Drona, as he was accomplished as the trainer of the Pandavas and Kauravas, he asked them to go war with Rajah Drupada for him and they did. The Pandavas won, giving Drona half control over Drupadas kingdom. The Pandavas also waged war against other kings, gaining control of other kingdoms. However, this part ends in turmoil as Purochana states that when the Pandavas and their mother slept, he would set the palace on fire.
(Image depicts the first time King Shantanu meets Goddess Ganga; Image provided by Wikimedia Commons)
Bibliography: Mahabharata Public Domain Edition
Authors: Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore.
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