The Path to War: The Story Leading to the Mahabharata

The Path to War: The Story Leading to the Mahabharata

After the death of King Vichitravirya, the throne of Hastinapura was left in uncertainty. The eldest prince, Dhritarashtra, though strong and capable, was born blind, and the ministers feared that a blind king would be unable to rule effectively. Thus, his younger brother, Pandu, was crowned king in his place.

Pandu proved to be a great ruler, expanding the Kuru kingdom and maintaining peace. However, fate had other plans. While hunting in the forest, he mistakenly shot a sage in disguise, who cursed him that if he ever united with his wife, he would die. Distraught, Pandu renounced his throne and retreated into the forest with his wives, Kunti and Madri, leaving the kingdom in Dhritarashtra’s hands.

In the solitude of the forest, Pandu yearned for children but could not father them due to the curse. Kunti, however, possessed a divine boon that allowed her to bear children from celestial deities. She invoked these divine blessings and gave birth to Yudhishthira (son of Dharma), Bhima (son of Vayu), and Arjuna (son of Indra). Madri, too, used the boon and bore the twins Nakula and Sahadeva (sons of the Ashwini Kumaras). The five Pandavas were born as warriors destined for greatness.

One day, unable to resist his desires, Pandu embraced Madri and immediately fell lifeless, fulfilling the sage’s curse. Grief-stricken, Madri performed sati, entrusting her sons to Kunti. The young Pandavas were brought back to Hastinapura, where they were raised alongside the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra, the Kauravas, led by their eldest, Duryodhana.

The Rising Jealousy of Duryodhana

As the boys grew, it became clear that the Pandavas were superior to the Kauravas in strength, intelligence, and righteousness. Yudhishthira, being the eldest, was recognized as the rightful heir to the throne. This filled Duryodhana with resentment. He saw Yudhishthira as an obstacle to his own kingship, and his jealousy turned into hatred.

Duryodhana, along with his uncle Shakuni, began plotting the Pandavas' downfall. His first major attempt to eliminate them was through Lakshagraha, the House of Wax. Under the pretense of sending them to Varnavata for a festival, he arranged for a palace made entirely of flammable materials to be built for them. Once the Pandavas were inside, the palace was set on fire. However, thanks to Vidura’s secret warning, they escaped through an underground tunnel and disappeared into the forests.

Draupadi’s Swayamvara and the Rise of Indraprastha

Living in disguise, the Pandavas roamed the land until they arrived in the kingdom of Panchala, where King Drupada had arranged a swayamvara for his daughter, Draupadi. The challenge required the suitor to string a mighty bow and shoot an arrow through the eye of a rotating fish, looking only at its reflection in the water below.

Many kings and princes failed, including Karna, whom Draupadi rejected. Finally, Arjuna, disguised as a poor Brahmin, stepped forward and effortlessly completed the challenge. The Pandavas took Draupadi home, and due to a misunderstanding, she became wife to all five brothers.

Now reunited and stronger than ever, the Pandavas revealed themselves. Dhritarashtra, under pressure from the kingdom’s elders, agreed to give them their share of the kingdom. They were granted a barren land, but with Krishna’s guidance, they transformed it into the magnificent city of Indraprastha. Under Yudhishthira’s rule, Indraprastha flourished, and he soon performed the Rajasuya Yajna, declaring himself an emperor. This further inflamed Duryodhana’s envy.

The Game of Dice and the Humiliation of Draupadi

Determined to destroy the Pandavas once and for all, Duryodhana devised a new scheme. With Shakuni’s help, he invited Yudhishthira to a game of dice (Dyutakrida), knowing well that Yudhishthira, being righteous, would not refuse.

What Yudhishthira did not know was that Shakuni, a master of deception, would play on Duryodhana’s behalf using loaded dice. Slowly, Yudhishthira lost everything—his kingdom, his brothers, and even himself. In desperation, he wagered Draupadi, and when he lost, the Kauravas dragged her into the court and attempted to disrobe her.

It was at this moment that Krishna intervened, miraculously protecting Draupadi’s honor by endlessly extending her saree. Though the Pandavas were enslaved, the elders of the court were outraged by Duryodhana’s actions. To pacify matters, Dhritarashtra restored everything to the Pandavas.

However, Duryodhana was not satisfied. He challenged Yudhishthira to one final game—this time, the loser would go into exile for 13 years, with the last year spent in disguise. Once again, the Pandavas lost, and they were forced to leave their kingdom behind.

Exile, Agyaatvas, and the Final Attempt at Peace

During their exile of 12 years, the Pandavas faced numerous hardships but grew even stronger. Arjuna obtained celestial weapons, Bhima encountered Hanuman, and Yudhishthira deepened his understanding of Dharma. In their 13th year of hiding (Agyatvas), they served in disguise in King Virata’s court and successfully remained undetected.

Having fulfilled their exile, the Pandavas returned and demanded their kingdom back. Duryodhana, however, refused to give them even a needlepoint of land. Krishna himself went as a peace messenger, offering a compromise. Yet Duryodhana, blinded by arrogance, even tried to capture Krishna, only to witness his divine Vishwaroop (cosmic form).

Realizing that war was now unavoidable, both sides began assembling their armies. Krishna gave Arjuna a choice—either his personal presence as a charioteer or his entire Narayani Sena (divine army). Arjuna, valuing wisdom over might, chose Krishna, while Duryodhana eagerly took Krishna’s army.

Kurukshetra: The Final Battlefield

As the sun rose over Kurukshetra, the two greatest armies the world had ever seen stood ready for war. Warriors like Bhishma, Drona, Karna, and Ashwatthama prepared to fight for the Kauravas, while the Pandavas stood alongside Dhrishtadyumna, Satyaki, and the fearless Abhimanyu.

But just as the conches sounded, Arjuna’s courage wavered. Standing between the two armies, he saw not just warriors but his own kin, his teachers, his elders, and his beloved family members. A deep sorrow engulfed him. How could he fight against those he loved? Was this war truly righteous?

In this moment of despair, Arjuna lowered his bow, overcome with doubt.

Seeing his friend and devotee in distress, Krishna, his divine charioteer, smiled. What followed was the greatest spiritual discourse ever given—the Bhagavad Gita, a timeless guide to duty, righteousness, and the eternal truth.

And so, with Dhritarashtra’s anxious question—"What did my sons and the sons of Pandu do on the battlefield of Dharma?"—the sacred dialogue began.