tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33655087447939151262024-02-19T15:52:58.854-08:00MAHABHARATLord Krishna said - "Mahabharat is the 5th Veda, the supreme source of knowledge, and whatever is stated in it, exists in this world, and whatever isn't stated in it, doesn't in the world".
It was written By Lord Ganesh, on being recited by Maharishi Vedavyas.Its one of the two main Hindu epics, the other being Ramayan.apurv chaturvedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194935644575747385noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365508744793915126.post-61104666247568341722009-09-01T22:56:00.000-07:002009-09-01T23:04:51.375-07:00WATCH ONLINE<p><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">Watch Serials online..</span></span></strong></p><p><span style="color:#ffcc00;">1)</span><span style="color:#ffcc33;"> </span>B.R Chopra's - Mahabharat (English Subtitles)</p><p>http://www.rajshri.com/midpage.aspx?cntid=34766</p><p><span style="color:#ffcc00;">2)</span> Ramananda Sagar's - Ramayan ( New)</p><p>http://www.rajshri.com/midpage.aspx?cntid=35271</p><p><span style="color:#ffcc00;">3)</span> Ravan</p><p>http://www.rajshri.com/midpage.aspx?cntid=24148</p>apurv chaturvedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194935644575747385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365508744793915126.post-29502632327025712272009-09-01T22:41:00.000-07:002009-09-01T22:43:46.775-07:00Management Bible<p><span style="color:#ff99ff;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Mahabharat - The Oldest Management Bible</strong></span></span></p><p><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">By Hiten Kataria</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">Welingkar Institute of Management</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">The Mahabharat, the longest epic in the world, is about couple of million words in total. Its not just the length of the epic that makes it grand and superior, but also the quality, reach and teachings it consists. The Mahabharat’s scope is best summarized by one quotation: “What is found here, may be found elsewhere. What is not found here, will not be found elsewhere”. Mahabharat is not plainly the story of a war or a source of wisdom for philosophers. It exposes the secrets of leadership and the path to success. Mahabharat can be considered equivalent to other management bibles. Whether it is man management, human/organisational behaviour, game theory, management by objectives, all aspects of modern management can be discovered in various characters and episodes of the great epic. Bhishma, an honest manager caught in diametrically opposed clashes, who was forced to take wrong decisions by forces beyond his power. Yudhisthira is a flawless example of managerial acumen. Karna, a manager who fought his way up the ladder but could not keep up with the</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">pressure and tensions and met a tragic end. Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna, a aredevil leader without a business-plan of escape. He fought his way into the chakravyuha, but failed to come out and was brutally cornered and killed by Drona and others. Draupadi is the typical model of a woman powerhouse who kept others motivated till the goal is achieved. And Lord Krishna is the ideal example of a leader-manager who kept his eye on the target till the desired outcome was achieved.</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em></p><p><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">In today’s modern management when ethical judgment and importance of recognizing the ethical</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">dimensions is talked about, Mahabharat gives an excellent analogies to identify the ethical</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">boundaries. "Rules of ethical conduct", dharmayuddha, for the war were framed by the supreme</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">commanders of each side. Both sides broke most of these laws at least once.</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">Lord Krishna himself advised the Pandavas that no action can be perfect in an ever-changing</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">dynamic world and hence he casually advocated them to keep the overall ethical standards in view</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">and then act according to the contingency which may require provisional deviation from strict</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">ethics.</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">For example, Krishna prevails upon Yudhisthira, an honest king, to lie or convey a “half-truth” to</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">psychologically depress Dronacharya. From the complete moralistic standpoint, such a lie may be</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">considered unethical. But as long as such lies contributed to a desirable final outcome - it was</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">acceptable. So the greatest challenge for the modern corporate leader is the modification of these</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">responses keeping in mind the ethical and legal issues but without compromising corporate</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">interests.</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">The Mahabharat war was gigantic. The stakes were very great, the whole of the land of Bharat was</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">at stake, and every kingdom from the biggest to the smallest brought its armies to either the</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">Pandava or Kaurava side. Every king and army from all over India stood on that battlefield. That one</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">war changed the whole political landscape of India.</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">This can be simplest example to explain the importance of building a network of relationships and</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">developing a web of influence. If there is a single lesson from the war, it is that competitors must</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">try to find areas of alliance wherever is possible, group their resources for research and</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">development and offer innovative solutions for customer's money.</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em></p><p><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">Today leaders often lack decision-making power. For example, while preparing for battle,</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">Duryodhana chose Krishna's large army while Arjuna selected Krishna's wisdom instead of just the</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">army. In the end, Arjuna emerged as the winner as he had made the right choice after having</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">weighed all the options carefully.</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">The great Indian epic is a big storehouse of stories. There are stories inside a story. Each story in</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">itself is the source of knowledge and new learning in various fields of human life esp. management.</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">One such episode is the story of Yaksha’s (Dharma’s) questions to Yudhisthira (Dharmaraja): The</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">story in brief is; In the forest, the Pandavas plan their 13th year of exile to live in disguise and to</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">work in another kingdom. Nakul tries to fetch water from a lake but is told not to use the water by</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">an invisible voice. He ignores the warning, drinks the water and falls down dead. His brothers meet</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">the same fate except for Yudhisthira answers correctly. The Yaksha reveals himself as Lord Yama</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">and grants back the lives of all the dead brothers.</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">The general management concepts that are portrayed in this particular episode are quite a many.</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">Remembering one’s prime duty no matter what situation one is in (Helping the Brahmin – duty of</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">the Kshatriya), Never underestimate your competitors (Pandavas not heeding to the warning –</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">underestimating the crane), Always learn the rules and meet the terms before entering new game</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">(Answering the questions of Yaksha – respecting the crane in his area of superiority), Being smart</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">thinker, wise and thought leader (Each answer to Yaksha’s question – wisdom and intelligence),</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">Making just decisions without any bias (Choosing Nakul’s life before – Having the right character for</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">judgment).</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">Everything about the Mahabharat is huge, from its extensive length, to the enormous breadth of its</span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="color:#ccffff;">vision. The longest of all epics is like an encyclopedia, a world all on its own.</span></em><br /></p>apurv chaturvedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194935644575747385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365508744793915126.post-72674480142204499642009-09-01T22:34:00.000-07:002009-09-01T22:40:09.717-07:00Leadership lesson from Mahabharata<p><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#66ffff;">Leadership lesson from Mahabharata</span></span></strong></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">The Indian Value System Inherited and influenced by our ancient civilisation, Which is rich and vibrant can be successfully applied in the modern days</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">The evolution of mankind thousands of years ago led to organising them into a disciplined force capable of achieving anything. The complexities of leadership has its genesis in men being different from each other in terms of skills, characteristics, attitudes and behaviour representing different needs, ambitions and value systems. The concept of leadership therefore evolved from time immemorial.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">In the Indian context, we have inherited a value system influenced by our ancient civilisation and an extremely rich and vibrant culture and applied those value systems successfully in the modern world. Today, as new breeds of Indian MNC’s evolve and dominate the global economy from as diverse industries as IT and Steel, the Indian leadership styles and business acumen is envied worldwide. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Mahabharata is an epic of historic, cultural and religious importance. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">A careful study of this great epic teaches us important lessons from the perspective of leadership too. Lord Krishna is an avatar (reincarnation) of Lord Vishnu and is a highly popular and respected deity synonymous with great intelligence, communication skills and love and affection capable of resolving any crisis faced by his devotees.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Speaking in modern parlance, Lord Krishna can be best described as ‘The greatest crisis Manager’ the world has ever seen. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">In the entire Mahabharata which has epical magnitude, there are many diverse characters impressing us with their responses in the midst of great challenges. However, Lord Krishna as a central character time and again comes across as a master strategist and tactful leader adopting different leadership styles according to situation and people he had to deal with. Let us look at some well known anecdotes to illustrate this point.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;">1.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> The story is about the fight between Bheema and Jarasandha in the presence of Lord Krishna and Arjuna. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Jarasandha picks Bheema as one worthy to fight. Bheema and Jarasandha fight for days, matching each other. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Every time Bheema kills Jarasandha, miraculously, Jarasandha’s body rejoins. Bheema realising that Jarasandha was more than an equal match, looks up to Lord Krishna for direction. Lord Krishna, who knew the story of Jarasandha’s birth, picks up a stick, breaking it in two halves and throws the two halves far away from each other and in opposite directions.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Bheema understands and throws Jarasandha to the ground, and splits his body in two. He then throws the two halves of Jarasandha’s body far away from each other in opposite directions killing him. While Bheema is credited with superhuman strength unmatched by any of his brothers, he is known to be sensitive, short tempered with a huge appetite. Lord Krishna appropriately uses authoritative style of leadership in this instance. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;">2. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Similarly, in the Kurukshetra war with Kauravas, Lord Krishna takes the reins as Arjuna’s charioteer. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">On seeing a reluctant Arjuna unwilling to fight and destroy his own relatives in the war, Lord Krishna advices Arjuna in the nature of a discourse called Bhagavad-Gita about the responsibilities of a soldier and the finer and broader aspects of human life. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Arjuna was a sensitive but extremely thoughtful, righteous person with a great sense of duty. Here the tactful Krishna understanding Arjuna’s personality uses directive style of leadership effectively persuading Arjuna to begin the Great War.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;">3.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> Lord Krishna being a great supporter of Pandavas does not spare even Bhishma and manages to find a way to tackle the veteran general of the Kauravas who had led the war for the first nine days causing extensive damage to the army of the Pandavas.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">great warrior, as strong as steel in character, symbolic of truth and duty and extremely human. He was invincible and blessed to choose the manner and time of his death. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Lord Krishna takes Yudhisthira to Bhishma seeking the secret of becoming victorious in the war. Bhishma, knowing that Pandavas truly deserved to win the battle, tells Yudhisthira the secret of overcoming him as a prelude to winning the war. Bhishma thus confronted by Shikandi on the tenth day of the war refuses to consider him as a man and throws down his bow and arrows choosing not to fight. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Lord Krishna thus uses an influencing style of leadership and tackles Bhishma by making him the general of the enemy front as an ally by a tacit understanding using subtle diplomacy. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;">4.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, was the very embodiment of Satya (truth) and Dharma (righteousness). When Kaurava’s guru and general Drona was leading the battle, tactful Lord Krishna uses Yudhisthira cleverly. Drona was unconquerable and was devastating the army of the Pandavas. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Lord Krishna realises that the only way to rid Drona was by exploiting his weakness for his son-Ashwatthaama. In the midst of all the think-tank of the Pandavas, Lord Krishna says that the only way to kill Drona is to convey to him that his son Ashwatthaama is dead. Understanding that Drona can only believe this story, if Yudhisthira says it, everyone look at Yudhisthira to take up the responsibility. Yudhisthira accepts the responsibility finally and says ‘Ashwatthaama hathaha’ (Ashwatthaama dead…) but his personality remains somewhat unblemished by clever manipulation of Lord Krishna by getting an elephant called Ashwatthaama killed and the word elephant getting lost and unheard in the din of the battle.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">A disheartened Drona gives up the weapons and dies soon in the battle. Lord Krishna thus achieves the objective of eliminating Drona by using a participative leadership style to prepare Yudhisthira to accept the responsibility of telling a half truth.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;">5. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">At another decisive point in the same war, Karna is fighting against Arjuna and the chariot of Karna sinks in the sludge of the battle field. When Karna reminds Arjuna that it’s not Dharma to take advantage of the situation, Lord Krishna taunts Karna by asking where his Dharma was when Draupadi was dragged into an open court and humiliated or when Yudhisthira was deceived in a foul play of dices or when Pandavas weren’t handed over the kingdom even after the exile was duly completed? He thus influences the mind of Arjuna and then literally orders Arjuna not to waste time, take out his arrow and kill the evil enemy. In this scenario, Lord Krishna uses authoritative leadership style, literally ordering a wavering and shaky Arjuna to act. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;">6.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> As a true leader, Lord Krishna similarly manages Duryodhana. Lord Krishna learns that Gandhaari planned to use the magical powers of her eyes blindfolded for long and energise Duryodhana’s body making him invincible from any attack. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">He meets a completely nude Duryodhana on way to meet his mother and mocks at him to at least cover his groin. Lord Krishna thus cleverly prompts Duryodhana to cover his groin and when Gandhaari opens her eyes; his body is energised and made invincible everywhere except his thighs and groin. Lord Krishna thus influences (Leadership by attraction) Duryodhana and makes him vulnerable.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Later in the fight, Lord Krishna reminds Bheema of his oath to split Duryodhana’s thighs and thus ordering (authoritative leadership) him to strike. Bheema hits Duryodhana with a mace in the thighs and kills him eventually.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Lord Krishna changed his leadership style according to the situation recognising the people and their potential. He clearly knew what appealed to whom and how to get work done. He was the one who identified Ashwatthaama as Drona’s weakness as well as the fact that Bhishma always wanted to be on the side of ‘dharma’ and was caught between ‘dharma’ and ‘duty’. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Equally outstanding are the ways in which he handled men like Duryodhana and Karna at very crucial points in Mahabharata. He effectively used different leadership styles such as authoritative, directive, participative or even attractive styles of leadership, changing sometimes as a chameleon but always safeguarding ‘dharma’ and always working towards what is ‘right’. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Most importantly, being the people oriented leader that he was, he guided and facilitated people to perform or achieve their goals. Imagine Mahabharata for a while without Lord Krishna and then we realise the vacuum in the absence of leaders. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Lord Krishna was thus a great pragmatic and clever leader, using the resources of men and material most efficiently and proactively. A leader in corporate world attempts to do exactly the same, as increasingly, businesses are getting more people oriented. Therefore there is great potential and opportunity to gain wisdom by drawing examples from our great epics and use them as our guiding philosophy in the corporate world as well as in our day to day life While facing short term and long term challenges, a leader is continuously working towards influencing people, making powerful allies and neutralising competitors. A corporate leader is a visionary working towards the well being of all stakeholders while being on a righteous path (the dharma)</span></span><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#66ffff;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#66ffff;"><br /></span></span></strong></p>apurv chaturvedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194935644575747385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365508744793915126.post-11172694698885351632009-09-01T00:24:00.000-07:002009-09-01T22:33:27.029-07:00Images<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1D8z83UE8gLmCukdZbMml2BmSngBKhwE1_lBBNDRpwftF3lRHdYT1lSY6r0Aurpr7J6BaKJWnPbbFOsH6z5Z-Wb60nc6hj_dlJ4BOhv0ZFllAzWyQtPUi9czvaUtDuEaUKYABH7_CA1Mm/s1600-h/chakravyuh.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1D8z83UE8gLmCukdZbMml2BmSngBKhwE1_lBBNDRpwftF3lRHdYT1lSY6r0Aurpr7J6BaKJWnPbbFOsH6z5Z-Wb60nc6hj_dlJ4BOhv0ZFllAzWyQtPUi9czvaUtDuEaUKYABH7_CA1Mm/s400/chakravyuh.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376738924548726274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UY_rma6igxtSyPJf3RaNOR4du3ShFcNfvTo8tWJj6AaN6i-86ej-vN4fCIfqZrLHp0AVwD3yPQf_RpWc6kcE8M0qSrqyrUmAzroCwZs3wGxsqRB-JXAuYldF9kGgcGqalBspoEjNfCEE/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UY_rma6igxtSyPJf3RaNOR4du3ShFcNfvTo8tWJj6AaN6i-86ej-vN4fCIfqZrLHp0AVwD3yPQf_RpWc6kcE8M0qSrqyrUmAzroCwZs3wGxsqRB-JXAuYldF9kGgcGqalBspoEjNfCEE/s400/3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376737674008953010" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22NiwAqD7teItMIjrUXZkRNnRy4RFGMCImEvd6xJ2ujW8qUQtiEf8YO7DVjOT5BomRajbGFLo7tvFoIa5kSd3mg7Hg_x9AQI58DkYfB0fUpT3hJlHdQK_5CH4ooYBoK4eQLn1cpHaJCYQ/s1600-h/mahabharat.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 336px; height: 371px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22NiwAqD7teItMIjrUXZkRNnRy4RFGMCImEvd6xJ2ujW8qUQtiEf8YO7DVjOT5BomRajbGFLo7tvFoIa5kSd3mg7Hg_x9AQI58DkYfB0fUpT3hJlHdQK_5CH4ooYBoK4eQLn1cpHaJCYQ/s400/mahabharat.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376737658769411042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnb1Pru0lPthaOcJibkVMik8ktvxSgL0p4wuxWVBM-xFLz3DxlskUlxVNWQ8rr3sJSyIdG8vdmDNErXk1JhQ8UfPPMNiRLuU63LHfQfeLcKo2YB_aNHcGYOx6MVb6QMMZn1ts_lrNjkZS/s1600-h/Ancient_india.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnb1Pru0lPthaOcJibkVMik8ktvxSgL0p4wuxWVBM-xFLz3DxlskUlxVNWQ8rr3sJSyIdG8vdmDNErXk1JhQ8UfPPMNiRLuU63LHfQfeLcKo2YB_aNHcGYOx6MVb6QMMZn1ts_lrNjkZS/s400/Ancient_india.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376736583846259762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJGW8L6K4wdZXZM086agojYD-5nZrVrnhY-3e32GefSXFl4GjvnUZZOsC06wdjQxIvyavLP7CQNnngqh8Ivv4138TgPlqsVgSWTd0ygbgUX4Sv8jbt1dKXIx0Jab71pdFJKHUSvDp001R/s1600-h/kuru-pandava+allies+and+pandava+conquests.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 341px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJGW8L6K4wdZXZM086agojYD-5nZrVrnhY-3e32GefSXFl4GjvnUZZOsC06wdjQxIvyavLP7CQNnngqh8Ivv4138TgPlqsVgSWTd0ygbgUX4Sv8jbt1dKXIx0Jab71pdFJKHUSvDp001R/s400/kuru-pandava+allies+and+pandava+conquests.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376736580605496530" /></a><br /><p><br /></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><br /></span></strong></p>apurv chaturvedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194935644575747385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365508744793915126.post-23175975346171330092009-09-01T00:12:00.000-07:002009-09-01T00:23:48.745-07:00mahabharat in brief<p>mahabharat in brief</p><p><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Birth of Devavrat</span></strong><br />Shantanu of the Kuru dynasty, a decendant of Bharat rules Kuru region from<br />with Ganga. Ganga marries him on the condition that he will not question any<br />th<br />Shantanu & Ganga. Ganga drowns them all in the river. When the 8 son De<br />from drowning him. Ganga then leaves Shantanu for her heavenly abode.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Vyas is born to Satyavati & Parashar.</span></strong><br />Satyavati works with her father as a boatman. One day Sage Parashar comes as a passenger. He falls in love with<br />the beauty. Satyavati gives birth to a son on an island in river Yamuna. This child is called Dwaypayan (one born<br />on a dweep) or Vyas.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>Devavrat gains title Bheeshma</strong></span><br />Shantanu marries Satyavati. Satyavati's father puts a condition that Satyavati's son shall be the king of Hastinapur.<br />Devavrat (now about 20 years old), relieves his father by taking an oath that he will never become the king of<br />Hastinapur, he will also stay a bachelor, so that no progeny of his will claim the throne of Hastinapur. Devavrat<br />earns the title Bheeshma. Vichitravirya and Chitrangad are born to Satyavati. Shantanu dies after the birth of the<br />two sons. Chitrangad is killed in a battle with Gandharvas.<br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;"><br />Amba vows to kill Bheeshma in next birth</span></strong><span style="color:#ffccff;"><br /></span><br /><br />Bhishma captures the daughters of Kashiraj: Amba, Ambalika and Ambika. Ambika and Ambalika marry<br />Vichitravirya.<br />Amba returns to her lover, King Shalwa. He refuses to accept her, as she had been captured by Bhishma. Amba<br />returns to Bhishma and asks him to marry her. Bhishma declines. Amba gets help from Sage Parshuram, and<br />asks him to kill Bhishma. Bhishma defeats Parashuram. Sage Parashuram, asks Amba to forget the idea of trying<br />to take revenge on Bhishma. Angered, insultated and hurt, Amba commits sucide, vowing to kill Bheeshma in<br />her next birth.<br /></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Birth of Dhruturashtra & Pandu:</span></strong><br />Vichitravirya dies soon after his marriage. Bhishma becomes the caretaker of the state. Queen Satyavati, invites<br />her son Sage Vyas to continue the Kuru dynasty. Dhruturashtra is born to Ambika. Pandu is born to Ambalica.Vidur is born to a dasi. Though Dhruturashtra is eldest, since he is born blind, Pandu becomes the crown<br />prince.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Birth of Karna:</span></strong><br />Yadav dynasty was established by King Yadu, son of King Yayati. The Yadav King Surasena's daughter Prutha,<br />was adopted by his cousin, King Kuntibhoj. She came to be known as Kunti.<br />Kunti secretly gives birth to a baby boy: Karna. She leaves him in a river. He is found and brought up by a<br />charioteer Adhirath and his wife Radha.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>Marriages of Pandu and Dthruturashtra:</strong></span><br />King Pandu marries Kunti. Dhruturashtra marries Gandhari the princess of Gandhar. Pandu goes for a Digvijay.<br />Returns with another wife: Madri, the princess of Mardadesh.<br />Pandu mistakely kills a Sage in the disguise of a deer. He is doomed to death if he were to touch a woman.<br />Pandu handovers the state affairs to Dhruturashtra and leaves for Himalayas with Kunti & Madri.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>Vasudev under arrest:</strong></span><br />Surasena's son Vasudev (Kunti's brother) marries Devaki. (Daughter of Ugrasen, king of Mathura). After this<br />marriage, Kans (Ugrasen's son), puts Ugrasen, Vasudev & Devaki under house arrest. Kans becomes the king of<br />Mathura.Vasudev sends his first wife Rohini, to Gokul, to live with his brother Nanda. In the following 8 years, Kans kills<br />6 infant sons born to Devaki. Rohini visits Vasudev from time to time. During these 8 years, Rohini has one<br />son, named Balaram.<br /></p><p><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>Birth of Shikhandi</strong></span><br />Shikhandi is born to King Drupad. Shikhandi is the second birth of Amba of Kashi.<br /><br />Birth of Pandav & Kaurav:<br />Dharma, Bheema, and Arjun are born to Kunti. Nakul and Sahadev are born to Madri. They are born within<br />one year of each other. The 5 brothers are called Pandav.<br />100 sons (Duryodhan, Dushasan, Karna, Vikarana, etc.) and a daughter Dusheela are born from the same<br />embryo to Gandhari. Duryodhan is born one day after Bheema. The rest are born in the following 100 days.<br />The 100 brothers are called Kaurava.<br />Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika accept Vanprasthashram.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Birth of Krishna:</span></strong><br />th<br />8 son Krishna, is born to Vasudev & Devaki. (About a year after Dharma is born). Vasudev with help from<br />some gaurds, takes the infant to Gokul. Nanda exchanges his newly born daughter with Krishna. (Hoping that<br />Kans will not kill a girl.) Vasudev returns to Mathura with the baby daughter. Kans kills the baby girl too.<br />Nanda and Yashoda (both know that Krishna is Vasudev-Devaki's son) take care of the child. Krishna lives a<br />simple life in Gokul. He is loved dearly by the people of this small village.<br />Somehow Kans comes to know that Krishna is Vasudev-Devaki's son. He makes many attempts on Krishna's life.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>Pandava enter Hastinapur:</strong></span><br />Pandu dies. Madri commits Sati. Kunti returns to Hastinapur with her 5 sons.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Drona insultated:</span></strong><br />Dronaacharya is in a poor state. To support his wife Krupi and son Ashwathama he decides to get help from<br />Drupad. His childhood friend, and now the king of Panchal. King Drupad declines to recognize Drona and<br />insults the Sage. Drona decides to avenge his insult with the help of his disciples. In search of good pupils, he<br />comes to Hastinapur to Krupachrya (minister with Dhruturashtra, and Krupi's brother).<br /></p><p><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>Krishna slays Kans</strong></span><br />The 8 year old Krishna kills Kans. (This is something amazing. How does he do this at such a young age?)<br />Krishna installs Ugrasen back on the throne of Mathura. Releases his parents Vasudev & Devaki from arrest.<br />Angered by Kans's death, Jarasandha (Kans's father-in-law) attacks Mathura 17 times. Each time he is defeated.<br />Due to these attacks, Krishna moves the capital from Mathura to Dwarika.<br />After this Krishna & Balaram go to the ashram of Sage Saandipani for education.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Education of Kaurav & Pandav</span></strong><br />Bheeshma arranges for the education of Kauravas and Pandavas. Dronacharya is called upon to teach the<br />children. Along with Kaurav & Pandav, Drona's son Ashwathama also studies. Due to his love for his son,<br />Drona teaches some weapons, only to his son. Drona also loves Arjun, and to see that no one becomes better<br />that Arjun, he asks Ekalavya for his right hand thumb. Kaurav & Pandav complete their education in 12 years.<br />During this time Kaurav try to kill Bheema twice.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>Karna: The King of Anga</strong></span><br />Kaurav & Pandav complete their education. Dharma is now about 25 years old. Karna is 16 years older than<br />Dharma. Arjun and all Kaurav are 21 years old. In a compitition, Karna challenges Arjun to a duet. This<br />challenge is made void as Karna is a Sutaputra. Duryodhan makes friendship with Arjun's compititor & enemy<br />Karna; by making Karna the King of Angadesh. (Today's Bengal)<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>Drona's revenge:</strong></span><br />Drona asks his pupils to defeat Drupad as his Gurudakshina. Kaurav fail to defeat Drupad. Arjun and Bheema<br />defeat and bring King Drupad as a prisoner to Drona. Drona take his earlier revenge to insult Drupad and<br />releases him.<br /></p><p><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>Birth of Drusthadyumna and Druapadi</strong></span><br />Enraged Drupad performs a yadnya for the birth of a son who would kill Drona. As a result of this yadnya<br />Drusthadyumna and Druapadi are born.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Lakshagruha:</span></strong><br />Kaurav send Pandav and Kunti to the town of Varanavat. There they stay in Lakshagruha, a house built by<br />Dhruturashtra & Kaurava. They stay here for over a year. Kauravas set it on fire. Pandav who have been<br />informed of this by Vidur, escape. In Hastinapur, Pandava and Kunti are taken for dead.<br /></p><p><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>A year in hiding:</strong></span><br />Pandav and Kunti go to Ekchakra nagari. Stay there for about a year, with a Brhamin family. Bheema kills<br />rakshas Bakasur. Pandava and Kunti leave Ekchakra Nagari and live in the forest. Bheema kills rakshas Hidimba.<br />Bheema has to marry his sister Hidimbaa. Bheema lives with Hidimbaa for over a year. A son Ghatotakach is<br />born to them. As decided earlier, Bheema leaves Hidimbaa.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Krishna marries Rukmini</span></strong><br />Rukmini, the daughter of King Bhishmak of Vidarbha, hears tales of Krishna's courage. She falls in love with<br />him. Her brother Rukmiya, arranges Rukmini's marriage to his friend, King Shishupal of Chedi.<br />Rukmini secretly sends a message to Krishna, and together they plan to elope. The day before her marriage to<br />Shishupal, Rukmini visits the temple of Goddess Ekvira. (This is in Amravati, Maharashtra) Krishna kidnaps<br />Rukmini here. With help from other Yadav, Krishna defeats Rukmini's brother Rukmiya. King Bhishmak, later<br />arranges the marriage ceremony.<br />Including Rukmini, Krishna had 8 wives, called Aashtakanya. They are:<br />1. Rukmini: daughter of Bhiskmak. She had 8 sons: (including Pradyumna), and a daughter.<br />2. Satyabhama: daughter of King Satrajeet. She bore seven sons.<br />3. Suryaa: The daughter of King Surya.<br />4. Mitra Vrunda: She had three sons.<br />5. Satya: daughter of King Satyajeet.<br />6. Lakshmanaa: daughter of King Mandra.<br />7. Jambuvati: daughter of King Jambuvan. She had a son named Samb.<br />8. Bhadra: daughter of King Bhadrasen.<br /></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Drupadi Swayamvar:</span></strong><br />Many kings and princes gather at the Swayamvar. All fail the condition to hit the eye of a moving toy fish. When<br />Karna is about to try, Draupadi declares that she will not marry a Sutaputra. Pandav are sitting among the<br />audience, disguised as Brahmins. Arjun is able to hit the target. Enraged kings attack the Pandav. Bheema &<br />Arjun defeat the kings assembled there.<br />Pandav marry Draupadi. Declare that they are alive. Pandavas return to Hastinapur with Kunti and Draupadi.<br />Dhruturashtra divides the kindom. Gives the barren and forest (Khandava Van) lands to the Pandavas.<br />Duryodhan becomes the crown prince of Hasinapur.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">About 20 years at Indraprastha:</span></strong><br />Pandava, with help from Krishna burn parts of Khandava Van. Build a new city: Indraprastha. (Today's Delhi).<br />They start ruling part of Kuru region from Indraprastha.<br />During this time 5 sons are born to Draupadi: Prativindhya, Sutasom, Shatatik, Shrutakarma and Shrutakirti.<br />To save a pack of cattle (from wolves?), Arjun has to disturb Dharma & Draupadi to fetch his weapons. As a<br />result, he goes to exile for 12 years. In the last year, he meets Subhadra (Krishna's sister), and marries her.<br />Subhadra is Arjun's third wife. Dharma, Nakul & Sahadev married one princess each, after their marriage to<br />Draupadi. Bheema had married Hidimbaa before Draupadi, and had left Hidimbaa within a year of marriage.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Bheema kills Jarasandh:</span></strong><br />Pandav decide to perform the Rajasuya Yadnya. It seems that Jarashandha might create some problems during<br />this. Krishna has also been harrassed by Jarasandh in the past. Thus Krishna asks Bheema to kill Jarasandha.<br />Bheema kills Jarasandha in a duet.<br /></p><p><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>Rajsuya Yagya:</strong></span><br />Pandav perform the Rajasuya Yadnya. Many kings gather for the Yadnya. Among them one is Shishupal the king<br />of Chedi. Shishupal is the son of Vasudev's sister, Shrutvata. Shishupal is Krishna's enemy, and Krishna kills him,<br />during this time.<br />Among other kings, Kaurav are also present at the Rajasuya Yadnya. They are jealous of Pandav after seeing the<br />palace and kingdom of Indraprastha. They decide to get Indraprastha.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Dyut and departure for 12 years exile:</span></strong><br />Dharama is now about 59 years old. Dharma is invited to play dyut with the Kaurav. Kaurav cheat in the play.<br />Dharma looses his kingdom. Pandav and Draupadi become slaves of Kaurav. Dushasan drags Draupadi to the<br />court. Duryodhan & Karna speak badly to this great queen. Nither Bhishma, nor Dhruturashtra, nor Drona<br />object Duryodhan, Dushasan & Karna.<br />Enraged Bheema openly takes a vow to kill Dhushasan and Duryodhan for their behaviour. Everyone in the<br />court is terrified by the Bheema's voice and know that he is capable of fulfilling his vow. Frightened<br />Dhruturashtra asks for forgiveness for his sons. He asks Draupadi to demand any two wishes. Draupadi asks for<br />the liberation of herself and her husbands from slavery.<br />Before leaving Hastinapur, Dharma again plays and looses in Dyut. This time the loosing party goes in exile for<br />12 years followed by one year of hinding. Pandav and Draupadi leave for the the forest for 12 year exile. Kunti<br />and Subhadra go to Krishna at Dwarika. Abhimanyu is born to Subharda.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>Jayadrath set free:</strong></span><br />During the stay in the foreest, Jayadrath tries to kidnap Draupadi. Bheema follows Jayadrath and captures him.<br />When Bheema is about to kill Jayadrath, Dhrama intervenes and asks him to be left alive as Jayadrath is their<br />sister Dusheela's husband.<br /></p><p><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>Krishna kills Nakrasur</strong></span><br />Krishna and Satyabhama fight a battle against the king Nakrasur. Krishna kills Nakrasur. Nakrasur has captured<br />many girls, with a view to marry them someday. Krishna releases these girls. They all plead to Krishna, to accept<br />them as his wives, otherwise they would have to end their livees. (Kashi princess Amba had to commit sucide,<br />when Bheeshma did not marry her.) Krishna married all these girls.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>A Year In Hiding:</strong></span><br />At the end of 12 years, Pandav hide their weapons on a Shami tree and enter Matsyadesh. Here Dharma (Kanka)<br />become a minister to the king Virat. Bheema (Ballav) becomes the chef. Arjun becomes a dance teacher to the<br />princess Uttaraa. Nakul and Sahadev take care of the horses. Draupadi (Sairandhri) becomes the maid of queen<br />Sudeshana.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Bheema kills Keechak:</span></strong><br />Sudeshana's brother Keechak tries to kidnap Draupadi. This time Bheema does not inform any of his brothers.<br />Bheema kills Keechak. 105 brothers of Keechak (Anu-Keechak), try to burn Draupadi with the body of Keechak. Bheema kills 105 Anu-Keechak at the middle of the night.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Marriage of Uttara & Abhimanyu:</span></strong><br />After the end of one year hiding, Pandav and Draupadi declare their identity. The king Virat, is ashamed of the<br />fact that these great people worked for him. He asks Arjun to marry his daughter Uttaraa. Arjun, who looks<br />upon his disciple as a daughter, accepts her as his daughter-in-law. Marraige of Uttaraa and Abhimanyu.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>Sri-Krishna Shishtayi:</strong></span><br />Krishna goes to Kauravas to ask back for Indraprastha. Kauravas decline. Krishna asks for 5 towns. Duryodhan<br />replies he would not give even a small piece of land to Pandavas. Talks continue for about 10 days. Krishna is<br />unable to bring peace arrangements between Kaurav & Pandav. War is inevitable.<br /></p><p><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong>The War:</strong></span><br />On the new moon of Margashirsha, armies of Pandav & Kaurav reach Kurukshetra. Pandav get 7 Akshouhini<br />army. Kaurav get 11 Akshouhini army. The armies spend 10 days in preparing for the war, setting up camps and<br />drills. At this time, Bheeshma is about 120 years old. Dharama is about 70 years old.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Day 1:</span></strong><br />Arjun is overwhelmed by the fact that he is going to fight with his near and dear ones. Krishna tells him Geeta<br />the philosophical dialogue that reminds Arjun of his work. This takes about 3 hours, after which war<br />commences.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Day 10:</span><br />Arjun strikes showers of arrows, from behind Shikhandi on Bhishma. Fall of Bhishma.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Day 13:</span><br />Jayadrath, Karna and many Kaurav kill Abhimanyu.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Day 14:</span><br />Arjun kills Jayadrath.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Day 15:</span><br />Dharma tells Drona, that Ashwathama (an elephant) is dead. Drona thinks its his son, drops his weapons and<br />sits down. Arjun kills Drona.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Day 17:</span><br />Arjun kills Karna. Bheema kills Dushasan.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Day 18:</span><br />Bheema kills Duryodhana.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Night of day 18:</span><br />Pandav & Krishna are away from the camp. Krupacharya, Krutavarma & Ashwathama attack the Pandav cam<br />at night. Ashwathama kills 5 Pandav sons, 4 Drupad sons and Drupad's grandsons. When Pandav & Krishna<br />return to the camp, Bheema & Krishna follow Ashwathama. Krishna punishes Ashwathama.<br /><span style="color:#ffccff;"><br />The cost of the war</span><br /><br />The 18 day war leaves Pandav victorious. On the Pandav side: 5 Pandava, Krishna & Satyaki remain alive. And<br />on Kaurav side: Krutavarma, Krupa and Ashwathama are the only living people. 100 Kaurava, Karna, Drona,<br />Drupad, his 4 sons including: Shikhandi and Drushtadymna, all 7 Pandava sons including Ghatoakach and Abhimanyu are killed. Bheeshma dies about 3 months later.<br /></p><p><span style="color:#ffccff;">Dharma Rajya:</span><br />Dharma becomes the king of Hastinapur. Abhimanyu's son Parikshit becomes the crown prince.<br />After a few years, Kunti, Dhruturashtra and Gandhari accept vaanprasthashram. All three die in a forest fire, few<br />years later.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Swargarohan:</span><br />Krishna is sleeping in a garden, when a hunter mistakenly hits Krishna. This becomes the reason for Krishna's<br />death. His 8 main wives (Ashtakanya) commit sati. Balaram dies soon after Krishna.<br />In the following couple of months, the Yadavas fight amongst themselves. In this fight, nearly all major figures<br />of the Yadava dynasty are killed. Another major incedent: Dwarika submerges under sea.<br />Krishna's grandson Ushneek (son of Samb) moves to Kashyapur, (near Multan, Pakistan) to his maternal uncle,<br />th<br />and rules the Multan area. (His desendants ruled until Nabi Mohammed defeated Devendra the last king in early 7<br />century.<br />Devendra's son Asvapati was forced to Islam. Another son Gajpati came to Surat and established a small kingdom there.)<br />Arjun fetches the Yadava widows and Krishna's grandson Aniruddha (son of Pradyumna) to Hastinapur. On the<br />way he is attacked by tribals. Arjun and Aniruddha are unable to save the women folk. A dejected Arjun returns<br />to Hastinapur.<br />Pandav decide to retire. Parikshit (Arjun's grandson, son of Abhimanyu) is crowned as the king of Hastinapur.<br />Aniruddha is crowned as the king of Indraprastha. Pandav are now free.<br />Pandav and Draupadi leave for the Himalayas. Dharma is about 100 years old.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Mahabharat written:</span><br />Sage Vyas has been noting down all the minute details of the War. He starts writing Mahabharat. (Probably the<br />technique of writing was newly invented. Very few sages could read & write.) Vyas requested Sri Ganesh to write<br />Mahabharat. Ganesh agreed on the condition that, Vyas will dictate without stopping. Vyas agreed, and<br />whenever he needed some time to think, he gave a puzzle for Ganesh to solve. As Ganesh could not write, until<br />the puzzle was solved, Vyas gained time.<br /></p><p>After 3 years the compilation was complete. The details of Mahabharat are written in about 100,000 shloka.<br />King Parikshit performs a yadnya. Vyas recites the Mahabharat to the kings and people gathered there.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Sarpa Satra:</span></strong><br />Parikshit is killed by a naga Takshak. Angered his son Janmejaya starts killing all Naga people. Sage Astik stops<br />this holocaust. Naga people start calling themselves Astek after their saviour.<br />Decendants of Pandava continue to rule the Kuru region for another 1200 years. The aftermath of the great war<br />was so mammoth that for a few centuries to come, history stood still. In this long stretch of time, there was no<br />major event to be noted by the historians. This phase of history was stagnant until the rise of Gautam Budhha<br />and Mahavir Jain.<br /></p><p><br /></p>apurv chaturvedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194935644575747385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365508744793915126.post-46343664426102133042009-09-01T00:04:00.000-07:002009-09-01T00:06:04.530-07:00<p><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">golden words</span></span></strong></p><p><br /></p>The Mahabharata is the longest and, arguably, one of the greatest epic poems in any<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>language.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Columbia University<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>W hat is found in this epic may be elsewhere;<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>W hat is not in this epic is nowhere else.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-The Mahabharata, condensed from Sanskrit and translated into English by P. Lal.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>No matter what conditions you encounter in life, your right is only to the works--not to the fruits<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>thereof. You should not be impelled to act for selfish reasons, nor should you be attached to<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>inaction.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Bhagavad Gita 2.47<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Whenever virtue declines and unrighteousness rises, I manifest Myself as an embodied being.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>To protect the Saints and Sages, to destroy the evil-doers and to establish Dharma<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>(righteousness), I am born from age to age.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Bhagavad Gita 4.7 and 4.8<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Seeing Your great form with many faces, many eyes, many arms, many thighs and feet, and<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>many terrible tusks and stomachs, O Mighty Armed, the worlds are terrified and so am I.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Bhagavad Gita 11.23<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>I am pleased to see this universal form which was never seen by me before, and at the same<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>time my mind is terrified with fear. Therefore, please reveal to me Your previous form. O God<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>of Gods, O Refuge of the Universe, be gracious to me.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Bhagavad Gita 11.45<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>which they can come to Me.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Bhagavad Gita 10.10<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Out of Compassion for them, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Bhagavad Gita 10.11<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Having seen this terrible form of Mine do not be afraid or bewildered. Rid of fear, with a<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>cheeful heart, now behold again My previous form.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><p>-Bhagavad Gita 11.49<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></p><p>Arjun said: O Janardana, having behld Your human form, I am now free of fear, my mind is composed, I have resumed by normal awareness.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Bhagavad Gita 11.51<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Picking up his conch, the golden Devadatta, Arjun blew on it fiercely; the heavens echoed with<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>the noise, and the chariot warriors stood petrified on the field. Their horses stood paralysed,<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>with eyes wide open ...<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Mahabharata, Book Seven: Drona (P. Lal)<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>O Countless formed Divinity, You are the First of the Gods, the Supreme Being, the Ancient<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Self, and You are the resting place of the world. You are the knower, the knowable, and the<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Supreme Abode of Lord Vishnu. This entire world is pervaded by You.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Bhagavad Gita 11.38<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>O God of Incomparable Power, You are the Father of this creation consisting of movables and<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>immovables. You are the Adorable One, The Preceptor, and the Glorius One. There is no<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>equal to You in the three worlds, much less can any one excel You.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Bhagavad Gita 11.43<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Krishna said,"Do you duty, Arjun, as your nature dictates. All work fetters, as all fire gives<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>smoke. Only selfless duty saves. Fix your mind on me. Surrender all deeds to me. All<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>problems will be solved by my grace. Pride will lead only to your moral ruin. If, filled with pride,<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>you say, 'I will not fight,' it is all in vain. You are foolish. Fight you will, your nature will make<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>you fight. Your karma will make you fight. You will fight in spite of yourself."<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Mahabharata, Book Six: Bhishma (P. Lal)<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>The Blessed Lord said: You are grieving over those who are not fit to be grieved for, yet you<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>speak words like a great man of wisdom. But the wise do not grieve neither over the living nor<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>over the dead. Never did I not exist, nor did you nor these kings. Nor shall we ever cease to<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>exist in the future.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Bhagavad Gita 2.11 and 2.12<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></p><p>Krishna drove the white-horsed chariot to where Bhishma stood, shining like the sun.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Obscured by an arrowy shower from Bhishma, Arjun's chariot was hidden from view, but<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Krishna, with great skill and patience, drove the wounded horsed through. With his cloud-<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>booming Gandiva bow, Arjun shot Bhishma's bow out of his hands.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Mahabharata, Book Six: Bhishma(P. Lal)<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Urged on by Krishna, Arjun displayed his full prowess. He seemed like the Destroyer himself<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>at the end of creation. Many heroes, hoping to win glory and with death as their goal, came<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>befoe Arjun as he let loose his shafts. They fell by the thousands. Arjun carved a parth<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>through the Kauravas.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Mahabharata, Book Six: Bhishma(Krishna Dharma)<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Krishna drove the horses forward and the fine chariot moved into the center of the field.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Krishna smiled. "Just behold, O Arjun, all the Kurus assembled here." Arjun looked across the<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>field. Krishna could understnad Arjun's mind. The long-awaited time for war had arrived--a<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>terrible fratricidal war. There was now no turning back. Suddenly seeing the horror of it before<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>him, Arjun gazed at his relatives and friends arrayed across from him--med who were like<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>fathers, brothers, sons, and grandsons, as well as teachers, uncles, friends, in-laws, and well-<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>wishers.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Mahabharata, Book Six: Bhishma(Krishna Dharma)<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Life without Krishna has no joy for me. Tell me what is good for me. I am a wanderer with a<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>hollow heart.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Mahabharata, Book Sixteen: The Battle W ith Clubs<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Arjun chose Krishna, though Krishna had vowed to lay down his arms on the battlefield ...<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>... Krishna asked: "W hy did you pick me, knowing I would not fight?"<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>"I can handle the soldiers myself, O Krishna, if I have your presence to give me moral support.<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>Some of your glory will surely rub off on me."<span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span>-Mahabharata, Book Five: W ar Preparations(P.Lal)<br /></p>apurv chaturvedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194935644575747385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365508744793915126.post-62204668425571232302009-08-31T23:56:00.000-07:002009-09-01T00:02:04.347-07:00LAST WORDS<strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#99ffff;">FROM RAMAYANA</span></span></strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;">In the Ramayan, Ravan lies mortally wounded on the battlefield and the monkeys are celebrating their victory, when Ram turns to his brother , Lakshman, and says, “While Ravan was a brute, he was also a great scholar. Go to him quickly and request him to share whatever knowledge he can.”</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">The obedient Lakshman rushes to Ravan’s side and whispers in his ears, “Demonking , all your life you have taken not given. Now the noble Ram gives you an opportunity to mend your ways. Share your vast wisdom. Do not let it die with you. For that you will be surely be blessed.”</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Ravan responds by simply turning away. An angry Lakshman goes back to Ram and says: “He is as arrogant as he always was, too proud to share anything.” Ram looks at his brother and asks him softly, “Where did you stand while asking him for knowledge?” “Next to his head so that I hear what he had to say clearly.” Ram smiles, places his bow on the ground and walks to where Ravan lies. Lakshman watches in astonishment as his brother kneels at Ravan’s feet.</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><p><span style="color:#ffffcc;">With palms joined, with extreme humility, Ram says, “Lord of Lanka, you abducted my wife, a terrible crime for which I have been forced to punish you. Now, you are no more my enemy. I see you now as you are known across the world, as the wise son of Rishi Vishrava. I bow to you and request you to share your wisdom with me. Please do that for if you die without doing so, all your wisdom will be lost forever to the world.”</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#ffffcc;">To Lakshman’s surprise, Ravan opens his eyes and raises his arms to salute Ram, “If only I had more time as your teacher than as your enemy. Standing at my feet as a student should, unlike your rude younger brother, you are a worthy recipient of my knowledge. I have very little time so I cannot share much but let me tell you one important lesson I have learnt in my life. Things that are bad for you seduce you easily; you run towards them impatiently. But things are actually good for you fail to attract you; you shun them creatively, finding powerful excuses to justify your procrastination . That is why I was impatient to abduct Sita but avoided meeting you. This is the wisdom of my life, Ram. My last words. I give it to you.” With these words, Ravan dies.</span></p><p><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#99ffff;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">FROM MAHABHARATA</span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;">BHISHMA PITAMAHA<br /><br />Bhishma’s last words<br /><br />Bhishma heard him and opened his eyes with some effort. How courageously and serenely the grandsire greeted his own death showed the greatness of Bhishma. He his right arm which was once powerful enough to bring any enemy that faced him. This time, it was to greet all those who came for his cremation. He, then, addressed Dhritarashtra and said. “Good that you have come in time. You are well versed in all the four Vedas. Do not grieve. The sons of Pandu are yours also. They will do as you order them.”<br /><br />The son of Santanu, then, turned to Krishna and spoke thus. “Krishna, I bow to you. I had repeatedly advised Duryodhana to make peace with the Pandavas, reminding him that the victory shall be where you are. But, being foolish, he did not listen to my words. I have done my duty and now I ask your permission for departing from this world”.<br /><br />He spoke the final words addressing all present. “I ask for the permission from all of you to breathe my last. You all must remember that truthfulness is the greatest strength. Hence, try to live holding fast to truth”.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">SOURCE - http://arshajnanam.blogspot.com/2008/05/bhishma-ascends-to-heaven.html</span><br /></p><p><span style="color:#ffccff;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#ffccff;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#ffccff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#99ffff;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Duryodhan at Dvaipayan</span></strong></span><span style="color:#ffccff;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">By Jatindra Mohan Bagchi</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Transcreated by Pradip Bhattacharya</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">In the far horizon streaks of blood</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">merge into the black gloom;</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Below, on the darkling solitary plain</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">whose form sprawls, alone?</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">--Know you not who I am? That name have I not</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">forgotten-- king am I-- Raja Duryodhan!</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Kurukshetra, is it over?--</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Where am I-- is this Dvaipayan?</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">O Queen, queen Bhanumati--</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">where are you, my wife, in calamity?</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">--Chariot; my chariot,-- driver, charioteer--</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Where, where are the guards gone?</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Oh! the pain-- torment agonising--</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">who calls the royal surgeon?</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Royal valour, hero's fortitude--</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">will even they give way today?</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">--Yet, yet I do not fear,</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">alone will I fight undeterred;</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Yet, in unfair battle defeat</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">I spurn!--</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Alas, my fate! even that I cannot,</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">shattered these thighs in dust lie;</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Refuge-less my valour only</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">cries out its impotence!</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Vrikodara, wolf-waisted, Pandavas' shame,</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">you blackened Pandu's face--</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">like a thief in the night</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">dharma you burnt,</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">firing it with your own hands;</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Un-Kshatriya in Kshatriya clan--</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">proof aright of Wind-god's son--</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">On that tarnished Pandava name</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">of yours shame, shame,--</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">a thousand shames.</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">*</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Did none have eyes in this world?</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Alas, who is left in this wide world?</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Bhishma, Drona, Karna gone--</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Who will punish whom?</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">All, that deceiving Krishna's work,</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">cruel intriguer's evil counsel--</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">"Dharma-rajya", righteous rule,</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">confusing words ever on his lips.</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">With Krishna a band of rogues</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">call him "friend", serve as slaves.</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">That shame of Yadava clan</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">manipulates them, smiling.</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">*</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Where's Balarama, generous, valorous,</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">radiant-white Raivatak?</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">And where the clan's shame, his brother,</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">partisan and cheat!</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Oh-- that pain, again, again!</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Who's there?</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br />Come near, O Sanjaya,<br />See your invincible Duryodhan's<br />calamitous condition!<br />Kuru clan-is it uprooted then--<br />Kurukshetra-- is it annihilation?<br />Speak, Counsellor, why silent?<br />What is left to realise!<br />--You muse, to Duryodhan you won't<br />relate that inauspicious news,--<br />Alas! at death's throes now<br />has that any worth?<br />*<br />Today I recall in that assembly hall<br />Uncle's folded hands-<br />Had then I known of today,<br />Would've I berated him so bitterly?<br />Yet, considering royalty's honour,<br />I repent not--<br />Who among his enemies is unaware<br />of Duryodhan's sense of honour?<br />His morals, his acts, all,<br />all befit the King of kings--<br />The noble were honoured, genius welcomed,<br />bounty seeker returned with wealth.<br />*<br />Oh! That incident?<br />Kshatriyas' right to gamble's well known--<br />Who calls it sin? No tearful remorse<br />touches these eyes!<br />If violence you regard a crime,<br />you're a coward;-- proof of it:<br />Perpetual strife of god and titan<br />though brothers-<br />What say you to that?<br />Violence's natural to creatures,<br />violence--bred food nurtures life--<br />Time's desire mirrored in violence<br />is figured forth in the dynasty.<br />*<br />Panchali? Mention not, Counsellor!<br />Who marries five husbands,<br />as bride-price wins perpetual right<br />to mockery as fate's boon!<br />King's duties are grave, profound,<br />Desires, wishes, aren't for him,<br />All life a one-pointed dedication,<br />you well know, O Sanjaya.<br />Kunti's sons, Draupadi's husbands-<br />too harshly treated?<br />Kuru patriarch, in his kingdom,<br />is impartial, adamantine!<br />*<br />Needlepoint's land I refused<br />Pandavas? Because I was miserly?<br />Duryodhan's munificent hand<br />who knows not on this earth?<br />It's not that, Counsellor,--<br />Justice's just an excuse<br />of enemies to demand rights!<br />Were it a prayer? Gifting kingdom away<br />the forest would receive Duryodhan.<br />*<br />Only one thing I cannot forget,<br />Counsellor, which even today<br />pierces my heart,--<br />Abhimanyu's heinous murder<br />by seven chariot-heroes!<br />*<br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br />--Oh, that agony! Shooting up<br />from thigh to skull<br />blacks all out!<br />Blind eyes, frenzied mind,<br />doomsday roar drumming in ears!<br />No physician left? Send messages<br />summon, call them-<br />this necklace as prize.<br />*<br />Dusk deepens in skies o'erhead<br />at plain's end forest-skirted,<br />after lake waters grow black<br />in deepening darkness!<br />Hundreds of will-o'-wisp eyes light up<br />thronging Kurukshetra-plain;<br />Ravening carnivores roam roaring!<br />*<br />Sanjaya, stay awhile,<br />perhaps my last night this!<br />Defeat, victory-- not the issue,<br />they're life's partners I know.<br />Regrets have I none in this life,<br />by nature King is this Duryodhan;<br />above blame and fame<br />his all-ruling throne!<br />*<br />Only, a hundred pranams convey<br />at my father's feet, Counsellor,--<br />tell him-- I am that great father's<br />renowned dynast.<br />Death I own proudly, easily,<br />my constant servitor,--<br />Life he steals,<br />steal he cannot fame<br />that is eternal.<br />*<br />What if father's eyes are blind-<br />what can't fate do?<br />Love for his son--I know,<br />is limitless. Yet not blind.<br />Desiring progeny's welfare<br />shackling in chains of state-rule<br />in war he could've been party<br />following conventional advice;<br />--Of counsellors there was no shortage,<br />--Krishna, Vidura, heroic Bhishma,--<br />Yet with faith in his son<br />that head high-held bowed in respect.<br />--Better than cowardly peace<br />is even war eternal,--<br />In paternal love that kingly ethic<br />never forgot, that ruler of men.<br />--For proud son's befitting father he,<br />supernal radiance in mind's eyes;--<br />At his feet, hence, again and again<br />I bow today with body and soul.<br />*<br />Night deepens,--farewell, friend,<br />return home with pranam;<br />May Duryodhan's glorious fame<br />live, constant companion!<br />As nearby Dvaipayan ripples,<br />hallowed by Vyasa's holy name;--<br />may Kshatriya valour's radiant star<br />shine in the gloom-- Duryodhan.<br /></span></p><p><br /></p>apurv chaturvedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194935644575747385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365508744793915126.post-48543361296244531092009-08-31T23:27:00.000-07:002009-08-31T23:33:40.734-07:00mysterious weapon.The great ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, contains numerous legends about the powerful force of a mysterious weapon.<br /><br />The archaeological expedition, which carried out excavations near the Indian settlement of Mohenjo-Daro in the beginning of the 1900s, uncovered the ruins of a big ancient town. The town belonged to one of the most developed civilizations in the world. The ancient civilization existed for two or three thousand years. However, scientists were a lot more interested in the death of the town, rather than in its prosperity.<br /><br />Researchers tried to explain the reason of the town's destruction with various theories. However, scientists did not find any indications of a monstrous flood, skeletons were not numerous, there were no fragments of weapons, or anything else that could testify either to a natural disaster or a war. Archaeologists were perplexed: according to their analysis the catastrophe in the town had occurred very unexpectedly and it did hot last long.<br /><br />Scientists Davneport and Vincenti put forward an amazing theory. They stated the ancient town had been ruined with a nuclear blast. They found big stratums of clay and green glass. Apparently, archaeologists supposed, high temperature melted clay and sand and they hardened immediately afterwards. Similar stratums of green glass can also found in Nevada deserts after every nuclear explosion.<br /><br /><p>A hundred years have passed since the excavations in Mohenjo-Daro. The modern analysis showed, the fragments of the ancient town had been melted with extremely high temperature – not less than 1,500 degrees centigrade. Researchers also found the strictly outlined epicenter, where all houses were leveled. Destructions lessened towards the outskirts. Dozens of skeletons were found in the area of Mohenjo-Daro – their radioactivity exceeded the norm almost 50 times.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Astounding mysteries of India's ancient times can be found in the town of Shivapur. There are two enigmatic stones resting opposite the local shrine. One of them weighs 55 kilograms, the other one is 41 kilograms. If eleven men touch the bigger stone, and nine men touch the smaller stone, if they all chant the magic phrase, which is carved on one of the walls of the shrine, the two stones will raise two meters up in the air and will hang there for two seconds, as if there is no gravitation at all. A lot of European and Asian scientists and researchers have studied the phenomenon of levitating stones of Shivapur.<br /><br />Modern people divide the day into 24 hours, the hour – into 60 minutes, the minute - into 60 seconds. Ancient Hindus divided the day in 60 periods, lasting 24 minutes each, and so on and so forth. The shortest time period of ancient Hindus made up one-three-hundred-millionth of a second.</p><p><span style="color:#ff99ff;">the Leviating stone Video, the link provided my Bro. Shreehari Kutsa.</span></p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_whh8O_EMo<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;">By Alexander Pechersky</span><br /></p>apurv chaturvedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194935644575747385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365508744793915126.post-67133895630852783982009-08-31T22:31:00.000-07:002009-08-31T23:20:06.104-07:00Movies and Serials on Ramayan and Mahabharat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G98I7laGV4JHE5v3lxVwRDBxFgMxFazMWSVECDPZ1GylEM17h-rHaGvTAgQhWCNMmhzT8gZ4ui4LBzaZlO_m_nKrEgwUjHxGIGyt6H7re7CFxZkc1HHClwXcdPEH22lRhyj771Fo7vlZ/s1600-h/2255705.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 106px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G98I7laGV4JHE5v3lxVwRDBxFgMxFazMWSVECDPZ1GylEM17h-rHaGvTAgQhWCNMmhzT8gZ4ui4LBzaZlO_m_nKrEgwUjHxGIGyt6H7re7CFxZkc1HHClwXcdPEH22lRhyj771Fo7vlZ/s320/2255705.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376374686730156210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCF9fvplykxvnDTuICQT4St5RBzdqLOtPmIKlAZipstMBWI6v2SNIIH2-RZDtwbndPe0D9o0i_XEXq65F4VI-46RhHMAZBOaeIxRJq3DsDqaV-pJsqhxu1OAdtwubvsepxr8FkyhoR-iCi/s1600-h/DHIT0141S-165S.jpg"> <img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCF9fvplykxvnDTuICQT4St5RBzdqLOtPmIKlAZipstMBWI6v2SNIIH2-RZDtwbndPe0D9o0i_XEXq65F4VI-46RhHMAZBOaeIxRJq3DsDqaV-pJsqhxu1OAdtwubvsepxr8FkyhoR-iCi/s320/DHIT0141S-165S.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376374677462650290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbj7KJiZTqAozUiWGet1Nx_YgTRU96H9YyuoHrIdtmtIkO6m1pHVhF0amPPb8ah7lAbXNlnKs77qeOAo-cV8l0Wbmd7LgbTrFEyUJaceXHYAszVsTkpgxt6rX5Czw-HxXjYdVQjDB4FMp/s1600-h/MAHABHARAT+KATHA1232433706.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbj7KJiZTqAozUiWGet1Nx_YgTRU96H9YyuoHrIdtmtIkO6m1pHVhF0amPPb8ah7lAbXNlnKs77qeOAo-cV8l0Wbmd7LgbTrFEyUJaceXHYAszVsTkpgxt6rX5Czw-HxXjYdVQjDB4FMp/s320/MAHABHARAT+KATHA1232433706.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376374674026531522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqy4LFScOmeP5WhHOxmFZwaXh8iRi8T1jl9Jn02xYl2W0WGcCccTO5C1q5Z9dU62y8_dhK9wzvkplY3HOFFWWxHBY5T6_EyYwj6RraZC6Cxlq-grWdIph6o5RcVyhpGSYdTfTyq52ZAC1k/s1600-h/DHIT0030S-48S.jpg"> <img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqy4LFScOmeP5WhHOxmFZwaXh8iRi8T1jl9Jn02xYl2W0WGcCccTO5C1q5Z9dU62y8_dhK9wzvkplY3HOFFWWxHBY5T6_EyYwj6RraZC6Cxlq-grWdIph6o5RcVyhpGSYdTfTyq52ZAC1k/s320/DHIT0030S-48S.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376374665926294850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNE2vdxokpHZLFQgmr5CyUkK9WiGHdbYWjp84g9KUSsrRUo8hVnG4r3ITOobs_sdinZnZlagNAvcvUIbiFzXMF3qhJs_VQDBOcgkBKj3p0Zdlg7bY3aIGR8YczHtkcuy1m_n7xqTt1YUf/s1600-h/VHIT0095.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNE2vdxokpHZLFQgmr5CyUkK9WiGHdbYWjp84g9KUSsrRUo8hVnG4r3ITOobs_sdinZnZlagNAvcvUIbiFzXMF3qhJs_VQDBOcgkBKj3p0Zdlg7bY3aIGR8YczHtkcuy1m_n7xqTt1YUf/s320/VHIT0095.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376374655867826850" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><span style="color:#66ffff;"><strong>1)</strong> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Ramananda Sagar's - Sampurna Ramayan (old)</span></strong></span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></strong></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">http://www.moserbaerhomevideo.com/title-view.php?titleid=5247</span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></strong></p><p>http://www.intelindia.com/mahabharat/synopsis_ramayan.htm</p><p>http://www.amazon.com/Ramayan/dp/B0002AAMVU</p><p>http://in.tolmol.com/Ramayan%20%252F%20Ramayana%20TV%20serial%20Ramanand%20Sagar,%2050%20VCD%20set/prices/3959532</p><p>http://cgi.ebay.in/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330305514683&indexURL=</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color:#66ffff;"><strong>2) </strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">B.R Chopra's - Mahabharat</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></strong></span><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">http://www.moserbaerhomevideo.com/title-view.php?titleid=5248</span><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></strong></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">http://www.induna.com/1000002415-productdetails/<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">http://webmallindia.com/buy_dvd_online-movie-MAHABHARAT:+t.v.serial-p-10238.html<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#66ffff;"><span style="font-size:100%;">3)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">B.R Chopra's - </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Mahabharat Katha</span></strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">http://www.moserbaerhomevideo.com/title-view.php?titleid=5296</span><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></strong></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">http://cgi.ebay.com/Mahabharat-Katha-12-Dvd-Set-B-R-Chopra-Second-Part_W0QQitemZ290320331989QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439870b4d5&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#66ffff;">4) <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">R</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">amananda Sagar's - </span></strong><strong>Sri Krishna</strong></span></p><p>http://www.moserbaerhomevideo.com/title-view.php?titleid=5256<br /></p><p>http://www.amazon.com/Shri-Krishna-12-DVD-Set/dp/B000EI6RXW</p><p>http://cgi.ebay.com/Shree-Krishna--Ramanand-Sagar---Religious-DVD-Set_W0QQitemZ350239806952QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090814?IMSfp=TL090814155007r12825</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color:#66ffff;">5) <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Peter Brook's - The Mahabharata</span></strong></span></p><p>http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Brooks-Mahabharata-Erika-Alexander/dp/B00006LPEG<strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></strong></p><p>http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:The%20Mahabharata:1800142965;_ylt=Aly7Z.Y0mwIXD4ogh19bQjlDR60B</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>apurv chaturvedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194935644575747385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3365508744793915126.post-11065962830062332782009-08-31T22:10:00.000-07:002009-08-31T23:21:00.983-07:00The Ramayan and the Mahabharat..<div align="left"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyb92j009WvTR8a2Y6CaUkFeAkTulWaDhykpAIKoHgQvMWmNCfWsc5OkY38UDVao2_KR53mQ08wQEmMaoXo5z-Rw6yWO_JjMIU3iL7gM9qXjoiAtAjFkx5Z0L-NYBSEPtGmPgd8SFFKTOb/s1600-h/Kanha_117.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyb92j009WvTR8a2Y6CaUkFeAkTulWaDhykpAIKoHgQvMWmNCfWsc5OkY38UDVao2_KR53mQ08wQEmMaoXo5z-Rw6yWO_JjMIU3iL7gM9qXjoiAtAjFkx5Z0L-NYBSEPtGmPgd8SFFKTOb/s320/Kanha_117.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376366475385597826" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOk07wipRw8z4VGiwdzCM-y-AMza30d4LeQLANKopQibcmwLNcCNYxJscCUH26E5eF8sGjhqQIkAua1dEkLZ0Ce1G0nG8Zvk6as9xomwA9ki8v24L93VnDmcKvUUGDEUjCka51NON62Kc/s1600-h/Shri+Raam_078.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOk07wipRw8z4VGiwdzCM-y-AMza30d4LeQLANKopQibcmwLNcCNYxJscCUH26E5eF8sGjhqQIkAua1dEkLZ0Ce1G0nG8Zvk6as9xomwA9ki8v24L93VnDmcKvUUGDEUjCka51NON62Kc/s320/Shri+Raam_078.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376365595097532498" /></a></strong></span></span><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#66ffff;">1.</span> Author- Ramayan was written by sage Vamiki and Mahabharat by maharishi vyasha<em><br /></em><em><br /></em><span style="color:#66ffff;">2.</span> Writer and events- Ramayana was written before it occured and Mahabharata was written as it occured<em><br /></em><em><br /></em><span style="color:#66ffff;">3.</span> Begining- Ramayan Begins from Lav and Kush it includes the history of the previous seven generations and Mahabharata begins from King Janmejay and includes the history of the previous seven generations<em><br /></em></div><p><em><br /></em></p><span style="color:#66ffff;">4. </span>100 sons- In ramayana Born to Sage Vasishtha and in mahabharata Born to Dhrutarashtra<em><br /></em><em><br /></em><span style="color:#66ffff;">5.</span> The royal secret [path to Final Liberation (Moksha)]- In Ramayana Was revealed by Ravan to Lakshman when the former was dying in Mahabharata was revealed by Bhishmacharya to Yudhishthir when the former was on His deathbed<em><br /></em><em><br /></em><span style="color:#66ffff;">6.</span> Reading- Ramayana Should be done beforethe Mahabharat. One is able to understand the limitations and implied meaning from it. Mahabharata should be read After the Ramayan. If read before then one begins to feel that one should also have several gopis like Krushna!<em><br /></em>2. Rama and Krushna<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;"><strong>1. Birth</strong></span><br /><br />A. Lineage- Rama to Ikshvaku and Krushna to Yadu<br /><br />B. Dynasty- Ram- surya, krushna - chandra<br /><br />C. Place- Ram- Palace, Krushna- Prison<br /><br />D. Era (yug)- Ram- Treta , Krushna- Dwapar<br /><br />E. Date (tithi)- Ram was born on Ninth day (navami) of the Hindu lunar fortnight (complete number) and Krushna was born on Eighth day (ashtami) of the Hindu lunar fortnight (reducing number) [See second post]<br /><br />F. Time- Ram at 12 Noon, Krushna at Midnight i.e zero hours<br /><br /><p>G. Complexion- Ram is Blue, Krushna is Bluish black<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">2. Family life</span></strong><br /><br />A. Brothers<br /><br />1. Order among the siblings- Ram was Eldest whereas Krushna was Youngest ( eighth )<br /><br /><br /><br />2. The brother who was an incarnation of Shesh - Lakshman, Rama's younger brother and Balaram, Krushna's elder brother. He had to listen to Krushna on every occasion despite being older to Him.<br /><br /><br /><br />3. Brotherly, Guru-disciple relationship- Rama and Bharat and Krushna and Arjun(They shared a brotherly relationship).<br /><br /><br /><br />B. Childhood -<br /><br />Ram child hood Was spent in royal spendour in the palace but Krushna had to face several killers who wanted to slay Him and spend in village and rural areas<br /><br /><br /><br />C. Wife/Companion<br /><br /><br /><br />1. Number- Ram had only one wife whereas Krushna had 16108<br /><br /><br /><br />2. Relationship- Rama and Sita were husband and wife whereas Krushna and the gopis shared a Guru-disciple relationship.<br /><br /><br /><br />D. Abduction<br /><br />Sita was abducted by Ravan wheres Krushna abducted Rukmini<br /><br />E. The search<br /><br />1. For whom?- After Sita was abducted, Rama went in search of Her The Kouravs went in search of the Pandavs when they were living in exile (adnyatvas).<br /><br />2. Assistance- Ram received assistance from several people. Krushna helped the Pandavs during this period.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">3. Political life</span></strong><br /><br /><br />First slaying of a woman- Ram- Tarika and Krushna Putana<br />Son of the Sun deity- Ram protected Sugreev son of the son deity whereas Krushna made Arjun slay Karna, son of the Sun deity<br />Son of Lord Indra- Ram slayed Vali, the son of Indra whereas Krushna helped Arjun, son of Indra on the battlefield<br />Accepting others' advice- Ram often accepted whereas Krushna never accepted<br />Mission- Ram mission was to Set an example to others by carrying it out Himself whereas Undertook it Himself and often also got it done from others<br />Acquisition of the title Shri [Shri (opulence) itself comes to the one who deserves it]- First Ram Name was Rama. After slaying Ravan it became Shrirama similarly First His Name was Krushna. After slaying Kansa it became Shrikrushna<br />Abandonment of a woman- Ram even deserted His wife according to the circumstances but Krushna ,Despite criticism of beingwith the gopis , never<br />abandoned them<br />Ideal king- Ram was Rule of Righteousness(Ramarajya) but Krushna never ascended the throne<br />Behaviour during the period of prosperity and adverse times- Ram illustrated how a king should behave during the prosperous period and Krushna showed how a king should behave during the adverse times.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">4. Religious life</span></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong>A. Living within the limitations of Righteousness (Dharma)- For Ram its always, hence He is called the Supreme limit of Righteousness (Maryada-purushottam). (Nowadays limitations are called bondages!) But for Krushna its Depending on the situation, at times He crossed the limitations of Righteousness; but in reality since He was one beyond the three components, The Supreme Being performing the divine sport (Lilapurushottam) and The Absolute Supreme Being (Purnapurushottam) He was always beyond limitations. (Only those who are within the three components are bound by norms and restrictions, righteous limitations, etc.)<br /><br />B. Living and teaching others- Ram lived it Himself But Krushna Besides living it Himself He taught it to others-Hence the quote goes Krushna vande Jagatgurum (Salutation O Lord Krushna, the teacher of the universe')<br /><br />C. Guidance to society- Ram did it through unity of family and krushna By performing various actions in the society<br /><br />D. Spread of Righteousness- Ram- through righteous behaviour , Krushna - According to the situation even by crossing the limitations of Righteousness<br /><br />E. The yogi and the one engrossed in worldly pleasures- Ram was a yogi yet He led a worldly life and krushna ,Though He led a life of worldly pleasures He was a yogi (The Lord of Yoga - Yogeshvar)<br /><br />F. Miracles- Since Brahman is obscured by the covering of the Great Illusion (Maya) Ram did not perform<br />miracles whereas Great Illusion is surrounded by Brahman. Hence even in childhood Krushna performed miracles<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">5. Type of life led outwardly</span></strong></p><p><br />Ram experienced several unhappy events whereas Krushna was always happy<br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;"><br /><strong>6. Incarnations and others</strong></span><br /><br /><br />A. Impression of the people regarding His temperament- Ram- Composed, serious, Krushna- Naughty, mischievous<br /><br />B. How did people behave with Him?- Ram-They were reserved, Krushna- They were open, free<br /><br />C. Feeling of the common man for Him- Ram- Respect, Krushna- love<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">7. Renunciation of the body</span></strong><br /><br />A. Method- Ram- Jalsamadhi, Krushna- Pretence of being injured with a hunter's arrow<br /><br />B. Perishing of the inhabitants of the city after the renunciation of the body- After Rama's renunciation of the body inhabitants of Ayodhya renounced their bodies in the Sharayu river whereas Before the end of Krushna's incarnation inhabitants of Dvaraka fought amongst themselves and died. After His renunciation Dvaraka too got submerged[See second post]<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">8. According to the science of kalas (kalashastra)</span></p><p><span style="color:#ff99ff;"><br /></span>Ram- 12 kalas, Krushn- 16 kalas [See second post]<br /><br /><br /></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">10. Progress in spiritual practice from the seeker's point of view</span></strong><br /><br />As one chants Rama's Name, one can merge into Him By chanting Krushna's Name one does not acquire His form; because the entire universe itself is composed of Krushna!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><strong><em><span style="color:#66ffff;">source</span></em></strong><br />http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1127914<br />corrections welcome..<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></strong></p>apurv chaturvedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06194935644575747385noreply@blogger.com1