THE MAHABHARATAM: (in 18 Episodes) - PRELUDE to the Bhagavad Geeta : Episode 11 :

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Saturday, April 08, 2023. 07:00.

How the Writing Began :

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Episode-11.
The Pandavas Settle in Indraprastha

The old King Dhritarashtra, came to a compromise and gave the Pandavas a place 

deep in the forests in a remote part of the kingdom. The Pandavas thrived there. Very soon 

the place became very prosperous. A new city was built there named Indraprastha. In it the 

Pandavas built their super-special palace which exceeded the “wax” palace in wonder, but 

not in treachery. The Pandavas invited their cousins to come to visit this charming palace.

Duryodhana, Karna, Shakuni and Duhsasana were among the group that paid a visit. 

The palace had a magical charm. Things appeared in it that were not there, and things that 

were there appeared unreal. This confused any visitor. It was just innocent fun to a visitor to 

the palace.

Duryodhana, as he walked through, came to a wall which he could see right through. 

He dashed into it but there was no serious injury – just the fun. Then there was a lowered 

floor area. As he stepped down into it he found that it was a pool of water. It was too late to 

stop . . . he fell straight into it. The women in the palace laughed out in fun. Instead of taking 

it in jest as intended, Duryodhana could not tolerate the insult of being ridiculed by a 

woman. He became angry. He stormed out of the palace and returned to Hastinapur.

The intention grew in his heart to destroy the Pandavas totally. Impelled by Fate, as 

it were, the Pandavas and Kauravas were being drawn into conflict. Veda Vyasa at that 

moment predicted to Yudhishthira that there would be a blood-shed. It was unavoidable.

*****
Next
Episode 12:
The “Gambling Match”
To be continued

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