Mahabharata Episode 75: Yudhishthira, The King of Hastinapur

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Stories of Mahabharata Episode 75: Yudhishthira, The King of Hastinapur

Host: Sudipta Bhawmik
Release Date: October 21, 2024
Platform: Acast

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Introduction

In Episode 75 of The Stories of Mahabharata, host Sudipta Bhawmik delves deep into the intricate journey of Yudhishthira, the virtuous King of Hastinapur, as he strives to restore peace and purify his kingdom following the devastating Kurukshetra war. This episode masterfully intertwines divine interventions, royal duties, and personal turmoil, highlighting the challenges faced by Yudhishthira in his quest for righteousness.

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Recap of Previous Episode

Sudipta begins by briefly revisiting the events of the last episode, where Dhritarashtra's attempt to assassinate Bhima and Gandhari's curse on Krishna set the stage for the unfolding drama. Yudhishthira's internal struggle as the King of Hastinapur is further emphasized, showcasing his inability to find solace despite the wisdom imparted by his elders.

Notable Quote:
Sudipta Bhawmik [00:25]: “Yudhishthir had been trying his best to serve as the king of Hastinapur, but despite all the words of wisdom from his elders, his guilt kept tormenting him.”

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Yudhishthira's Quest for Redemption

Yudhishthira grapples with immense guilt over the loss of friends and kin in the war. Seeking guidance, Vyasa advises him to perform the Ashwamedha Yajna, a grand horse sacrifice meant to cleanse sins and restore dharma. However, the Pandavas' depleted resources pose a significant hurdle.

Notable Quote:
Vyasa [00:55]: “If you strongly feel that you need to cleanse yourself of your sins, then you should perform the Ashwamedha Yajna.”

The Search for Marutta's Gold

Recognizing the financial constraints, Vyasa reveals the existence of King Marutta's hidden treasures in the Himalayas. Yudhishthira immediately dispatches his men to retrieve the gold, showcasing his unwavering commitment to righteousness despite personal and fiscal challenges.

Notable Quote:
Yudhishthira [02:15]: “I will send my men to the Himalayas to fetch Marutta's gold. Once we get it, I will begin the preparations for the horse sacrifice.”

Krishna's Departure to Dwarka

Amidst these preparations, Krishna expresses his longing for Dwarka and his family. Respecting his friend's wishes, Yudhishthira permits Krishna to return, promising his return upon the completion of the Ashwamedha Yajna. This poignant farewell underscores the enduring bond between Yudhishthira and Krishna.

Notable Quote:
Krishna [02:45]: “Please allow me to go back to Dwarka and pass our regards to your father.”

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Retrieving the Treasure and the Yajna Preparations

The Pandavas successfully locate and retrieve the vast treasures from the Himalayas, replenishing Hastinapur's coffers. With resources restored, Yudhishthira initiates the meticulous preparations for the Ashwamedha Yajna, symbolizing hope and renewal for the kingdom.

Notable Quote:
Sudipta Bhawmik [05:30]: “Taking multiple stops along the way, the Hastinapur coffers once again was filled to the brim and Yudhishthir began to prepare for the Ashwamedha Yajna as promised.”

A Tragic Turn: The Curse Fulfilled

Tragedy strikes as Uttara, the widow of Arjuna's son Abhimanyu, gives birth to a stillborn child. Ashwathama's curse materializes, leading to the death of Pandava infants. Overwhelmed by grief and despair, Uttara implores Krishna for divine intervention.

Notable Quote:
Uttara [07:50]: “What good is this victory if they fail to protect their children?”

Krishna's Divine Intervention

Responding to Uttara's pleas, Krishna miraculously revives the stillborn child, restoring hope and reaffirming his role as the protector of the Pandava lineage. The child, named Parikshit, is destined to become a powerful and benevolent king, ensuring the legacy of Hastinapur's righteous rule.

Notable Quote:
Krishna [08:30]: “Here, take your son Parikshit. He will grow up to be a strong and powerful king and rule the earth for many, many years.”

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The Ashwamedha Yajna and Its Significance

A month post-Parikshit's birth, the Pandavas embark on the Ashwamedha Yajna. A majestic horse is released to roam freely, accompanied by a formidable army. The journey of the horse symbolizes the assertion of Yudhishthira's sovereignty and the re-establishment of dharma across the kingdoms.

Challenges Faced During the Yajna

As the horse traverses various territories, it encounters resistance from rival kings seeking vengeance or territorial claims. Notably, in Trigartha, Pragyotishpur, Sindh, and Manipur, Arjuna adeptly handles confrontations, blending martial prowess with diplomacy to invite opposition leaders to the Yajna instead of seeking revenge.

Notable Quote:
Yudhishthira [09:45]: “If any king dares to capture the horse, he would have to face the wrath of the Pandavas and their army. If he lets it roam free, it means he accepts Yudhishthir as his king and is an ally.”

Divine Interventions and Miracles

The journey is marked by divine interventions, such as Ulupi reviving Arjuna and his son after a fierce duel, emphasizing the intertwining of fate and divine will in the Pandavas' endeavors.

Notable Quote:
Arjuna [10:30]: “I am proud of you, my boy. In you have proven yourself and have rightfully conquered me.”

Culmination of the Ashwamedha Yajna

After months of traversing diverse regions and overcoming numerous challenges, Arjuna successfully brings the horse back to Hastinapur. The grand Ashwamedha Yajna is performed with elaborate rituals, signaling the purification of the land and the restoration of Yudhishthira's honor.

Notable Quote:
Vyasa [11:55]: “Now you have cleansed yourself of all your sins and have nothing to repent for. Rule your kingdom with a clean heart and make your people happy.”

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Themes and Insights

1. Redemption and Atonement: Yudhishthira's journey underscores the profound struggle for redemption after immense loss, highlighting the importance of atonement in restoring personal and societal balance.

2. Divine Support: The episode emphasizes the pivotal role of divine beings like Krishna and Vyasa in guiding and supporting righteous leaders in their quests.

3. Duty and Sacrifice: Yudhishthira exemplifies the virtues of duty and self-sacrifice, prioritizing the welfare of his kingdom and people over personal grievances.

4. Resilience Amidst Adversity: The Pandavas' unwavering determination in the face of setbacks showcases the essence of resilience in achieving noble goals.

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Conclusion

Episode 75 masterfully narrates a pivotal chapter in the Mahabharata, portraying Yudhishthira's relentless pursuit of dharma through the Ashwamedha Yajna. Sudipta Bhawmik's engaging storytelling captures the emotional depth, divine elements, and moral dilemmas faced by the Pandavas, offering listeners a comprehensive and inspiring rendition of this ancient epic.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sudipta Bhawmik [00:25]: “Yudhishthir had been trying his best to serve as the king of Hastinapur, but despite all the words of wisdom from his elders, his guilt kept tormenting him.”

• Vyasa [00:55]: “If you strongly feel that you need to cleanse yourself of your sins, then you should perform the Ashwamedha Yajna.”

• Yudhishthira [02:15]: “I will send my men to the Himalayas to fetch Marutta's gold. Once we get it, I will begin the preparations for the horse sacrifice.”

• Krishna [02:45]: “Please allow me to go back to Dwarka and pass our regards to your father.”

• Uttara [07:50]: “What good is this victory if they fail to protect their children?”

• Krishna [08:30]: “Here, take your son Parikshit. He will grow up to be a strong and powerful king and rule the earth for many, many years.”

• Yudhishthira [09:45]: “If any king dares to capture the horse, he would have to face the wrath of the Pandavas and their army. If he lets it roam free, it means he accepts Yudhishthir as his king and is an ally.”

• Arjuna [10:30]: “I am proud of you, my boy. In you have proven yourself and have rightfully conquered me.”

• Vyasa [11:55]: “Now you have cleansed yourself of all your sins and have nothing to repent for. Rule your kingdom with a clean heart and make your people happy.”

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Stay Tuned:
For those eager to explore more of Yudhishthira's journey and the profound lessons from the Mahabharata, subscribe to The Stories of Mahabharata on your preferred podcast platform. Dive into the ancient epic retold with passion and precision by Sudipta Bhawmik.

Transcript

[Sudipta Bhomik]

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[Sudipta Bhomik]

The Stories of Mahabharata Retold by Sudipta Bhomik welcome dear friends to another episode of the Stories of Mahabharata. In the last episode, we heard how Dhritarashtra attempted to kill Bhim. We also heard Gandhari curse Krishna for the destruction of the Kuru family. Yudhishthir had been trying his best to serve as the king of Astinapur, but despite all the words of wisdom from his elders, his guilt kept tormenting him. Vyasa visited him and said, stop acting like a child, Yudhishthir. It seems you have forgotten all that you have learned from the scriptures. All the advice we offered seems to have fallen into deaf ears. So I don't know how to help you. Vyasa paused for a moment and watched Yudhishthir who sat still with his face hanging low. It was clear words couldn't help Yudhishthiri. He needed to take some action to get out of his depression. Vyasa said, my son, if you strongly feel that you need to cleanse yourself of your sins, then you should perform The Aswamedha Yajna. Like Lord Ram, perform. Perform the horse sacrifice and donate generously to the Brahmins and you will rid yourself of the sin of killing your friends and relatives. Yudhishthiri's face lit up. But not for long. He sighed. My Lord, I know that the horse sacrifice can help free us from our sins, but the Yajna requires a lot of wealth. The war has drained all our resources and my coffers are empty. I can't perform the Yajna now. Vyasa thought for a while and said, maybe I can help you. Many years ago, King Marutta had amassed a huge amount of wealth in gold to donate the Brahmins. He stored the gold in a secret place in the Himalayas. I will tell you the location of this gold and you can go and fetch it. With that wealth, you should be able to fill up your coffers and perform the Yajna. Yudhishthir stood up and said, o Lord Vyasa, how can I thank you? I will send my men to the Himalayas to fetch Marutta's gold. Once we get it, I will begin the preparations for the horse sacrifice. Vyasa gave Yudhishthir the details of the location and disappeared. While Yudhishthir was preparing for his expedition to the Himalayas, Krishna came to him and said, my dear Yudhishthir, it's been a long time since I left Dwarka. I miss my father and my family. Please allow me to go back to Dwarka. Yudhishthir embraced Krishna. I understand. Go back to Dwarka and pass our regards to your father. But don't forget to come back when I perform the Ashwamedha Yajna. Krishna agreed. Krishna bid farewell to Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and his aunt Kunti and mounted his chariot for Dwarka. His sister Subhadra accompanied him. Bhim, Arjun, Vidur and others followed him for some distance until Krishna's chariot vanished beyond the horizon. On an auspicious day, Yudhishthir, along with his brothers and sisters, small contingent of soldiers left for the Himalayas to fetch Marutta's gold. On reaching the location, he set up a camp and offered prayers to Lord Shiva. He treated the locals to food and drink and asked their permission to begin digging the ground. The diggers started their work and cut through the rocks and boulders and soon hit upon a huge store of gold, silver and gemstones. The Pandavas piled the treasure on elephants, camels, horses and carts and returned to Hastinapur. Taking multiple stops along the way the Hastinapur coffers once again was filled to the brim and Yudhishthir began to prepare for the Ashwamedha Yajna as promised Krishna arrived in Hastinapur to join the Yajna but soon disaster struck the Pandava family. Uttara, the widow of Arjun's son Abhimanyu gave birth to a stillborn boy. Ashwathama's curse has come true. His Brahmasir weapon had changed course to kill all the Pandava babies in their mother's wombs. Kunti came crying to Krishna and said, you are the only one who can save the Kuruk clan from total annihilation. Revive Uttara's son as you had promised. Subhadra, Krishna's sister and Abhimanu's mother cried and said brother, brother, I beg you, please make my grandson live again. They say you are the Supreme Lord and you can perform miracles. If you can't help us now, what good are you? Uttara was holding the dead baby in her arms and crying inconsolably. She looked up at Krishna and said, Asvathama's weapon did its job and killed my baby. I wish the weapon had killed me rather than my child. Shame on my fathers in law for failing to destroy Aswathama and his weapon. What good is this victory if they fail to protect their children? Uncle Krishna, I heard you had promised that you will make sure Aswathama's weapon fails and my child lives. What happened to your promise? Look, my baby is dead in my arms. Krishna picked up the baby in his arms and said to Tara, don't cry my child. My words can never go wrong. He gently rocked the baby in his arms and slowly his heart began to beat his pale face regained its color and the child began to breathe. And in the next moment the baby let out his first cry. Uttara, Subhadra, Kunti all cried out in joy and bowed to Krishna who passed the baby to his mother Uttara and said, here, take your son Parikshit. He will grow up to be a strong and powerful king and rule the earth for many, many years.

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[Sudipta Bhomik]

A month after Parikshit's birthday, the Pandavas began preparing for the Aswamedha. Yajna, a strong and powerful horse was selected for the sacrifice. The horse would roam around freely through several kingdoms. A huge army would follow the horse. If any king dared to capture the horse, he would have to face the wrath of the Pandavas and their army. If he let it roam free it it meant that he accepted Yudhishthir as his king and was an ally. In the presence of Vyasa, Krishna, Dhritarashtra and the rest of the Pandavas, the horse was consecrated by the priests and released. Arjuna followed the horse with a huge contingent of well equipped soldiers. Before Arjun mounted his chariot, Yudhishthir said to him, my brother, I am tired of wars and battles. I would like to avoid death and destruction at any cost. If any king challenges you, try to talk to him with all humility and persuade him to avoid any confrontation. Tell him we seek his friendship and invite him to the Yajna. Arjuna agreed. The horse trotted along through the forests and meadows and passed through several kingdoms. Most kings didn't dare to stop the horse until it reached the kingdom of Trigartha. During the Kurukshetra war, Arjun had killed thousands of Trigathas who had declared themselves to be some Saktaks and vowed to kill Arjun. Their sons and grandsons captured the horse and attacked Arjun to extract their revenge. Arjuna tried to reason with them, but the triggerthars didn't budge and attacked Arjun with all their might. But they were no match for Arjun's might and soon fell to his feet and prayed for his pardon. Arjuna let them go and invited them to the Yajna. When the horse reached Pragyotishpur, the land of King Bhagadatta, whom Arjun had killed in the war, Bhagavadatta's son Vajra Datta attacked Arjun riding a huge elephant. Arjun killed the elephant and Vajradatta crashed to the ground Arjun picked up Vajradatta and said Vajrata, don't be scared I won't kill you I am here to invite you to King Yudhishthir's Aswamedha Yajna Vajra Datta humbly accepted the invitation the people of Sind were angry with Arjun for killing their King Jayadrat so when the horse reached Sindh they attacked Arjun's army but were summarily defeated by Arjuna Jayadrat's wife Dushala came to Arjun with her grandson and said Brother Arjun, please have pity on my grandson his father, my only son Surat is dead and I am the only one to take care of him Forget the misdeeds of Jayadrat and Duryodhan if you can and let my grandson live Arjun was deeply saddened to hear this he blessed Surat's son and invited Dushala to attend the Yajna in Hastinapur Then one day the horse arrived in the kingdom of Manipur the land ruled by Arjun's wife Chitrangada Overjoyed at the news of Arjun's arrival his son Babrubahan arrived to greet him with garlands and flowers Arjun wasn't happy to see him though he said to Babruhan sternly shame on you Baburvahan this is not how a Kshatya welcomes an invader Fight me and defend your land if you can Babura was perplexed and didn't know what to do the Serpent Princess Ulupi, the other wife of Arjun appeared in front of Babruvahanan said my son, I am your stepmother Ulupi Go fight your father Arjun with all your might that will make him happy Babruvahan went back to the palace put on his armour and helmet picked up his weapons and attacked Arjun with full force Arjuna was pleasantly surprised and fought back his son with a volley of arrows it was soon evident that young Baburbahan was no less of a warrior than Arjun himself His arrows pierced Arjun's armor broke his helmet and shattered his weapons Arjun couldn't take it any longer and dropped unconscious from his chariot Babruvahan was shocked to see his mighty father fall he was racked with guilt and questioned why he had obeyed his father's orders in the first place Baburuvan's head began to spin and he too fell from his chariot and fell unconscious on the ground next to Arjuna Queen Chitrangada came running Uloopi, why did you provoke Babruvahan to fight his father? You are responsible for their death and you must revive them with your serpent magic. Otherwise I will sit here and fast un Ulupi smiled and said, don't worry dear sister, they are not dead. Give me a moment and I will revive them both. Uloopi pulled out a gem and touched it on Babrubahan's and Arjun's forehead and they both woke up. Arjun embraced Babru Ahan and said, I am proud of you my boy, in you have proven yourself and have rightfully conquered me. He then looked at Chitrangada and Urupi and said, I invite you all to the Ashwamedha Yagna celebrations. Now I have to leave and follow King Yudhishthir's horse. The horse then travelled back west through Magadh, Koshal, Banga, Poondra and then turned south from there. The horse turned back again and went towards the west coast to Dwarka, the kingdom of the Yadavas and the Vishnis. The horse then travelled north to the land of the Five Rivers and from there to the province of Gandhar. A few of the kings like Shakuni's son, the King of Gandhar and the King of Magadh challenged Arjun but failed to defeat him. Arjuna invited them all to the Yajna. Finally, after many months, Arjun returned to Hastinapur with the horse and the preparations for the Yajna began. Thousands of kings, princes and Brahmins from far and near arrived to attend the celebrations. A huge fire was lit and the priests sat all around and chanted mantras. Yudhishthir, Draupadi and the rest of the Pandava brothers sat in front of the fire and followed the instruction of the priests. Finally, with loud music and drums playing in the background, the horse that roamed the country was sacrificed to the gods. The Pandavas offered the horse to the Yajna fire and the smoke spread around the city, purifying the earth. Yudhishthti donated huge amounts of gold and land to the Brahmins and sages. Vyasa embraced Yudhishthir and said, now you have cleansed yourself of all your sins and have nothing to repent for. Rule your kingdom with a clean heart and make your people happy.

[Avi Ziv]

The Stories of Mahabharata is written, directed and told by Sudipta Bhomik Audio Engineering Original music and sound design by Avi Ziv Find us [e-mail] MahaBharataPodcast Join the group for updates and news. Subscribe to the podcast using itunes or any other podcast catcher on Twitter. We are Mahabharataudio.

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[Avi Ziv]

And now for some late breaking news. The podcast is also available as a book, Dwapar the Stories of Mahabharata, published by HarperCollins India.