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Questions tagged [mahabharata]

The epic by Veda Vyasa narrating the great war fought in India between the Kauravas and the Pandavas.

With a hundred thousand verses, the Mahabharata by Veda Vyasa is considered the longest poem in the world. It narrates the great war fought in India between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.

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How could octogenarian heroes fight in Mahabharata?

According to Mahabharata, Puranas and many sources, it is assumed that Pandavas and Kauravas were more than 80 years old when Kurukshetra battle was fought. A detailed discussion on the calculation of ages from different sources can be found here.…
arin1405
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Reason behind asking Ekalavya's thumb as Guru dakshina?

I read that Ekalavya was a great archer similar to Arjuna and Karan (Karna). He made himself believe that Dronacharya is his Guru (Teacher) by keeping a statue of Dronacharya. One day Dronacharya saw Ekalavya and understood the situation that…
Mr_Green
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Is pranking bad act according to Hinduism?

According to Mahabarata, Samba got curse because of doing prank. Actually the prank done by Samba doesn't harm any one. But he got curse. Does it signifies that pranking is a bad act? Does any text is saying against doing pranks?
hanugm
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Why was Dhritarashtra blind?

Why was Dhritarashtra blind? Was it to do with something in his past life? I have heard that his mother closed her eyes during niyog and therefore he became blind. Is that the only reason or something to do with his past life?
user3750229
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How best to approach the Mahabharata?

I know very little about Hinduism but was advised, based on doing a bit of research, to read the Mahabharata as a starting point. I picked up the Penguin Classics version (approximately 900 pages) and I'm only about 20 pages in and feeling very…
Charlie
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Clarification about Kunti's statement on harlot

This answer says that "Swairini (heanton)" means "Unbound" & Harlot means "prostitute". As per Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva of Mahabharata: The celebrated Pandu, tempted by the desire of having more children wished to speak again unto his wedded…
YDS
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Did Pradyumna, son of Lord Krishna, participate in the Mahabharata war?

Pradyumna had knowledge of how to enter and exit the Chakravyuha. I want to know: If Pradyumna did not participate in Mahabharata war, then why didn't he participate? If Pradyumna did participate in Mahabharata war, why didn't he help Abhimanyu…
Bhavin
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How many brothers does Vasudeva have?

And also what are their names? I only know 2 by the name Devashrava and Devabhaga, but can't seem to find his other brother's name.
L M
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Names of the kings and their kingdoms who participated in Mahabharata war

I want to know the names of the kings and their kingdoms who participated in Mahabharata war either from Kaurava side or Pandava side.
TheLittleNaruto
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Power of Dhritarashtra(धृतराष्ट्र)

How does he get so much power that he can even break Bhima(or a statue) into pieces in Mahabharat after Pandavs wins againt Kouravas. Who gave him that power?(I am not sure but I heard that he got 1000 Elephant power) How much Power he had?
Gokula Khanal
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Authentic sources of history after the Mahabharat war

There is a lot of material on the Internet with vastly varying degree of authenticity and differences of opinions on this topic. Are there any authors, publications that are most reliable/scientific/trustworthy about history after the Mahabharat war…
Naymesh Mistry
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How many white horses were there in the chariot of Arjuna in mahabharatha war?

How many white horses were there in the chariot of Arjuna in Mahabharata ? 4 or 5 ? Some pictures showing 5 and some others showing 4 ? What is the exact number? It will be great if you add some pictures/quotes ?
Kiran RS
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Is the Bhagavad Gita a distinct chapter of Mahabarata?

Is Bhagavad Gita specifically named as such in the Mahabarata, or is it just a special name for the part of the Mahabarata given outside the Mahabarata? And if so by whom?
Kugutsu-o
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Vichitraveerya nomenclature?

In Mahabharata: Why was Bheesma Brother name was "Vichitraveerya" which direct means was strange semen. as ancient time name reflect the character in fact. So was his semen strange?
xkeshav
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In which chapter of the Mahabharatha the story of Bhisma giving five arrows to Duryodhana for killing the Pandavas is found?

There are several posts on the internet that mention that Duryodahan once received 5 arrows that were charged by Bhishma to kill the Pandavas, which Arjuna took away from Duryodhana at the advice of Sri Krishna. Where does this happen in the…
Vishwanath
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