THE MAHABHARATAM : 9. Swami Advayananda Acharyaji.

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Friday,April 01, 2022. 19:00.

Prelude to the Bhagavad Geeta :

Meditation on the Bhagavad Geeta.

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18 Episodes : 

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Episode 1: How the Writing Began

Episode 2: The Story of Bhishma

Episode 3: Amba Seeks Revenge on Bhishma

Episode 4: The Story of Vidhura

Episode 5: The Story of Queen Kunti

Episode 6: The Young Princes Grow Up Together 

Episode 7: The Development of Karna 

Episode 8: The “Wax Palace”

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Episode 9: The Pandavas Enjoy Some Peace!

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After their well executed escape from the “wax-palace”, the Pandavas sought shelter among the Brahmanas who lived in the forest. As far as the country was concerned they were burnt to death. That message went around like wild fire. Even the forest dwellers got the news. Bhishma was wild with fury when he heard of what had taken place. The Pandavas found a poor Brahmin family with whom they sought shelter. But how do five lions live incognito in the dwellings of mice!

It was Bhima’s duty to go for Bhiksha daily for the Pandavas. He had such a huge appetite that it was hard for him to get sufficient food. He would eat one half, and give the other half to his mother and brothers!

One day Bhima went to a home for Bhiksha. The lady was weeping. Her husband was shouting, “Alas! today it is our turn to satisfy the hunger of the demon Bakasura. Our family will have to be sacrificed.” Bhima was then told the whole story of how this demon Bakasurahad made captive this entire village of poor Brahmins, by demanding that everyday one family should sacrifice itself and become his food. The villagers lived in terror of Bakasura.

Bhima had other ideas on that day. He told the villagers to fill the carts with food for the demon. He will take the day’s offering himself and deliver it to the demon. Halfway through the journey Bhima felt very hungry. He ate most of the food himself. He even drank whatever was in the carts. [Acharyaji made us all laugh at this point when he said, “But he did not touch the wine!”]

When Bakasura saw Bhima coming he gave out a roar of delight, “My food is coming in a cartload today!” Bhima stopped before this tyrant of a demon. Bhima then caught hold of this Bakasura and smashed him up into pulp! He then put Bakasura’s body into the cart and took it back to the forest village of the Brahmanas. Bhima went to his mother and reported to her what had happened. Kunti Mata was very disturbed at the news. She said to Bhima: “O Bhima, you have made a big mistake. Who can kill Bakasura? Now you will become the talking point in this village. Duryodhana’s spies will hear of it, and they will know that we are hiding here. What have you done, Bhima?”

Lions cannot live long in a prison! That was the end of the Pandavas’ peaceful stay.

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Next - Episode 10: Draupadi’s Swayamwara

To be continued ...

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