Tag: history

Veda Vyasa (also called Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa) is traditionally credited as the author of the Mahabharata. He composed this epic of over 100,000 shlokas (couplets) in Sanskrit, documenting the Kurukshetra war between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Valmiki wrote the Ramayana, while Tulsidas wrote Ramacharitamanas in Awadhi.

The Mahabharata is divided into 18 parvas (books). These include the Adi Parva (beginning), Sabha Parva, Vana Parva, Virata Parva, Udyoga Parva, Bhishma Parva, Drona Parva, Karna Parva, Shalya Parva, Sauptika Parva, Stri Parva, Shanti Parva, Anushasana Parva, Ashvamedhika Parva, Ashramavasika Parva, Mausala Parva, Mahaprasthanika Parva, and Svargarohana Parva.

Dushala was the only sister of the 100 Kaurava brothers. She was the daughter of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, making her Duryodhana's sister. She was married to Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu kingdom. Her character represents the tragic feminine perspective in the Kaurava lineage.

Nakula and his twin brother Sahadeva were born to Madri, the second wife of Pandu. Madri invoked the Ashwini Kumaras (twin divine physicians) through a mantra given by Sage Durvasa. Kunti was the mother of the first three Pandavas (Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Arjuna). After Pandu's death, Madri committed sati.

The Kurukshetra war between the Pandavas and Kauravas lasted exactly 18 days. Each day featured specific battles and heroic confrontations. The war began on the day of Shukla Ekadashi and ended with the defeat of the Kauravas. The 18-day duration mirrors the 18 parvas of the Mahabharata.

Nannaya Bhattu (11th century CE) began the Telugu translation of the Mahabharata, translating the Adi Parva and part of Sabha Parva. He is revered as the first Telugu poet (Adikavi). The translation was completed by Thikkana and later Errana - together known as the Kavitrayam (trinity of poets). Nannaya's work laid the foundation for Telugu literary culture.

Parikshit, Arjuna's grandson and Abhimanyu's son, was bitten by Takshaka the serpent. This occurred during Parikshit's reign after he placed a dead snake on Sage Shamika's meditation seat, earning a curse. His son Janamejaya later performed the Sarpa Satra (snake sacrifice) to avenge this death, which is when the Mahabharata was first recited to humans by Vaishampayana.

Dronacharya's son is Ashwatthama, a great warrior who fought in the Kurukshetra war. The options Dhrustajamna, Vama, and Shalya are different characters from the Mahabharata.

In the Mahabharata war, Bhishma was finally felled by Shikhandi. Arjuna used Shikhandi as a shield because Bhishma had vowed not to fight against Shikhandi, who was originally a woman (Amba in a previous birth).

According to Hindu tradition, Lord Krishna is considered the incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the current age (Kali Yuga or late Dvapara Yuga context). The question asks about 'this age' and Krishna is the most appropriate answer among the options.