Mahabharat 1988 Part III – Sowing the Seeds of Discord in the Family – The Beginning of the End
Mahabharat 1988 Part III
[yasr_overall_rating]
This is where the Mahabharat gets interesting. While Part I and Part II focused on introducing the kingdom of Hastinapur before everything went sideways, and the early life of Krishna respectively, Part III is where we see the primary players of the game coming on the front, and the events that lead to the great battle that would destroy the empire.
At the end of episode 18, Pandu falls victim to his lust and loses his life in the process. After his demise, Kunti returns to Hastinapur with her five children – Yudhishthir, Bheem, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev.
The story changes here on forward and focuses on the rivalry that develops between the Kaurava and the Pandava brothers because of Duryodhan’s ego, which is further fuelled by his maternal uncle, Prince Shakuni. Shakuni fuels the flame of hatred in his volatile nephew’s heart and tricks him into instigating the war with the Pandavas, which would ultimately destroy the Kuru line.
Mahabharat 1988 Part III – Episode 19-21 – Early Days of the Kaurava and Pandava Brothers & The Birth of the Rivalry
After the funerary rites for Pandu are completed, Vyas meets his mother Satyavati and warns her of the upcoming danger. Vyas cautions Satyavati that happiness would end in the dynasty and devastating events would occur in the future (leading to the destruction of her kin), which she would not be able to bear in her old age. So, he asks her to leave with him to do penance. Vyas takes Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika to the forest Tapovan, but, before leaving, she requests Dhritarashtra to take care of the Pandava children.
While Dhritarashtra fusses over what should be his ‘birthright’, Shakuni plays his own game and starts poisoning his nephew, Duryodhan’s mind against the Pandavas. So, while studying under Kripacharya, a rivalry develops between the Kauravas and Pandavas, due to Shakuni’s influence on his nephew.
As the rivalry intensifies, Duryodhan falls prey to his own ego and tries to act upon his uncle’s evil plans. Since he feels hatred for Bheem the most, Duryodhan plots to kill Bheem by lacing the ‘kheer’ with poison. As Bheem is a glutton, he finishes the entire contents of the pot and falls asleep. Duryodhan then, with the help of his younger brother Dushasan, throws him into the River Ganga. But, Bheem miraculously survives the attempt to kill him and he is returned safely to Kunti and his brothers. The episode also introduces Karna and highlights his altruism, which would one day result in his own death.
After Bheem returns home, he tells his mother and his brother of what transpired, but Kunti forbids Bheem and his brothers from saying anything to anyone. Vidur meanwhile, senses something is wrong and goes to see Bheeshma to discuss his concerns. Though Bheeshma too feels that things are getting out of hand, he is helpless to do anything about it as his vow to protect the throne of Hastinapur forbids him from taking sides.
Dhritarashtra, once again, fumes over his helplessness to do anything and though he is concerned about the development of the kingdom, he is unable to due to Gandhari’s sobering influence on him. The episode ends with the introduction of Dronacharya who becomes the teacher of the Kuru princes.
While all this is happening in Hastinapur, Krishna and his brother, Balram, are at the Sandipani Gurukul in Mathura, being educated and trained by Sandipani Muni. This is also where Krishna meets Sudama, who would go on to become his BFFs (best friends forever).
Mahabharat 1988 Part III – Episode 22-25 – From Mere Princes to Fearsome Warriors
Episodes 22-25 deals with the training of the Kuru princes under the guidance of Dronacharya. Guru Dronacharya trains the Kaurva princes in the art of archery and other military skills and soon Arjun becomes his favourite pupil because of his unrelenting focus and thirst to learn whatever he can from his teacher. Drona is delighted by Arjun’s prowess and he starts favouring him more than his other pupils, even his own son, Ashwathama. Meanwhile, Shakuni tries to poison his sister’s (Gandhari) mind and rebukes her for not seeing through all the plots of the Pandavas.
There is also the story of Eklavya, an archer better than Arjun, from whom Drona asked for the right thumb as gurudakshina (he had promised Arjuna that he would make him the greatest archer in the world). Ekalavya was aware that if he offered his right thumb as Dakshina, he would never become a great archer. Hesitant at first, Eklavya asked Drona to repeat the command. Drona stoically repeated the command, following which, Ekalavya severed his thumb and offered it to Drona.
Pleased with his students’ progress, Drona informs Bheeshma that the education of Kuru princes is complete and they agree to hold a tournament to test the war-skills of the princes. A special stadium is built to exhibit the feats of the Kuru princes in front of spectators and members of the royal household are invited.
The princes enter one by one and perform amazing feats with their bows, arrows, swords and javelins. When a ‘Gada Yudh’ (Mace fighting) is held between Bheem and Duryodhan, things get heated and Drona asks his son, Ashwathama to bring the duel to a close.
It is in this tournament that one of the most important alliances, more like a friendship that surpasses brotherhood, is formed. A grown-up Karna arrives at the tournament, uninvited, and surpassing Arjuna’s feats, challenges him to a duel.
But, Karna is not allowed to challenge Arjun due to his low standing. Guru Kripacharya refuses Karna this duel and instead asks for Karna’s clan and kingdom; for according to the rules of duelling, only a prince could challenge Arjuna to a duel. Karna is further insulted by Bheem who compares him to a stray dog, for his mixed caste and lineage.
It was only Duryodhan who, envious of the martial prowess of his cousins, sees Karna as the warrior who could take on Arjun and defeat him. So, he offers Karna the throne of the kingdom of Anga, making him a king and hence eligible to fight a duel with Arjuna. All Duryodhan asked for in return was Karna’s friendship which Karna was more than happy to give. But, even then the duel doesn’t take place and Karna and Arjun are forced to wait for another day to go against each other to prove their superiority.
Meanwhile, Krishna and Balram finish their education of Sandipani Gurukul and plan to return to Mathura. Before the end of the episode, Pursuram arrives at the Gurukul and gives Krishna his Sudarshan Chakra and asks Krishna to lay the foundation of a New Yuga (New Era).
Mahabharat 1988 Part III – The Talking Points
The main talking point of Part III is the hypocrisy of our society, and, sadly, it exists even today. Even in those days, during the times when great people populated the land, our society wasn’t free from the hypocrisy that we humans love embroil ourselves in. The one thing we should have learnt from this epic is the one thing we still refuse to acknowledge – the division of class. It’s as wrong as it is idiotic.
Karna was better than Arjun in almost everything, but his ‘presumed’ low-status kept him from ever revealing his true might. Even Dronacharya’s refusal to train Karna because he didn’t have royal blood is testament to this. Just think what Karna could have achieved if he was just given the chance to prove himself. And when he was finally given a chance, it was by Duryodhan.
And talking of Duryodhan, it is sad that he was the only one who could see through the bullsh*t of idiotic social customs. Granted, he had his own agenda and Karna was the only one who could help him attain it – the destruction of the Pandavas. Even then, Duryodhan must be commended when he decided to stand against his elders and his peers to protect Karna from the shame of his ‘low-birth’.
What is more infuriating to me is that the Pandavas, who were supposed to be the upholders of dharma, mocked and ridiculed Karna because of his status. Yudhishthir may have been the ‘son of Dharma’ (Righteousness), but he was as big a hypocrite as the rest of his siblings. Keeping quiet when there is wrong being done is as good as committing the wrong yourself.
The most important lesson of Mahabharat is that everyone has good and evil in them. It depends on the individual which one he chooses to let into his life the most. Duryodhan was certainly evil all his life, but he did perform some good deeds. The same is true for each of the Pandavas – they may have been good, but they also sinned.
And, no one on this earth is free from this.
If you missed Mahabharat 1988 Part I, read it here.
If you missed Mahabharat 1988 Part II, read it here.
If you missed Mahabharat 1988 Part IV. Read it here.
Watch out for Mahabharat 1988 Part IV.
What do you think of The Idiot‘s observations? Let us know in the comments!
The Idiot's Corner 
5
LikeLike
5
LikeLike