Mahabharata and Indian Mythology

Kampilya (also spelled Kamapilya) was the capital of the northern Panchala kingdom, ruled by King Drupada. Dwaraka was Krishna's capital, Matsya was King Virata's kingdom where the Pandavas spent their final year in exile, and Magadha was Jarasandha's kingdom. Southern Panchala had a different capital.

Purochana was a minister in Duryodhana's court who built the House of Lac at Varanavata as part of a plot to kill the Pandavas. The structure was made of highly flammable materials. Through Vidura's warning, the Pandavas escaped through a tunnel before the house was set ablaze.

The Mahabharata was originally titled 'Jaya' (Victory), comprising about 24,000 verses narrating the core conflict between the Pandavas and Kauravas. As it expanded with stories, teachings, and philosophies to over 100,000 verses, it became known as the 'Mahabharata' (Great Bharata). Vijaya, Ajaya, and Parajaya are not the original titles.

Varuna, the god of water, presented the divine bow Gandiva to Arjuna. This happened during the Khandava Dahan incident when Agni needed Arjuna's help to burn the Khandava forest. Varuna also provided inexhaustible quivers. Agni, Indra, and Vayu were present but did not give Gandiva to Arjuna.

Ved Vyasa (Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa) composed the Mahabharata. While Ganesh served as the scribe who wrote down the epic as Vyasa narrated it, Vyasa is the one credited with composing and reciting the Mahabharata. Valmiki composed the Ramayana, and Krishna is a central character but not the composer.

Bhishma chose to die during Uttarayan (the northward journey of the sun), considered an auspicious time in Hindu tradition. He lay on a bed of arrows for 58 days after being defeated by Arjuna, waiting for this period. The sun's northward movement is believed to be spiritually significant for achieving moksha (liberation).

Satyaki (also known as Yuyudhana), a Vrishni warrior and Krishna's disciple, is credited with breaking 101 bows of Drona before the latter could release a single arrow. This demonstrates Satyaki's extraordinary skill and speed as an archer. While Arjuna and Abhimanyu were also great warriors, this specific feat is attributed to Satyaki in the Mahabharata.

According to the Mahabharata, Bhishma was said to kill 10,000 soldiers and warriors each day of the Kurukshetra war. This astronomical number emphasizes his invincibility and supernatural prowess as a warrior. This continued for the first 10 days until he was finally defeated by Arjuna with Shikhandi's help.

Duryodhana's son Lakshmana (also spelled Laxman) fought in the Kurukshetra war and was killed by Abhimanyu on the 13th day of the battle. He was a skilled warrior who fought on the Kaurava side alongside his father. Rama and Laxman were names from the Ramayana epic, while Durmukh was a different warrior.

In the Mahabharata war, Uttar (the prince of Matsya) was killed on the very first day by Shalya. Abhimanyu died on the 13th day, and Ghatotkacha died on the 14th night. Yuyutsu survived the entire war.

Shalya, the king of Madra and maternal uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva, was tricked by Duryodhana into fighting for the Kaurava side. Duryodhana treated Shalya with great hospitality during his journey, and when Shalya offered him a boon, Duryodhana asked for his support in the war. Shalya, bound by his promise, had to fight against the Pandavas and eventually became Karna's charioteer.

When Krishna offered to divide his resources between Arjuna and Duryodhana before the war, Arjuna chose to have Krishna himself as his charioteer and advisor (not fighting), while Duryodhana chose Krishna's powerful Narayani Sena (army). Krishna had also stipulated that he would not fight in the war. This strategic choice by both sides shaped the course of the Kurukshetra war.

After the Kurukshetra war ended, when the Pandavas went to meet Dhritarashtra, the blind Kaurava king in a moment of grief and rage attempted to crush Bhima with a bear hug. Krishna, sensing this danger, had previously placed an iron statue in Bhima's position, which was crushed instead. This incident shows the depth of Dhritarashtra's sorrow over his sons' deaths.