Intro
Sambhava is the origin story of the Kuru dynasty. Sambhava tells the story of the Pandavas and Kurus birth. Many principal characters are introduced. The story of Drona and Drupada, best friends turned enemies, sets the entire chain of destructive events in motion is told.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/sambhava
As It Rhymes
1.
.
Vaishampayana said,
‘Once upon a time in the kingdom of Kurujangala, three princes were born in Kurukshetra.
2.
After their births came bountiful rain.
Thereafter the earth yielded beautiful grain.
Flowers popped floral bouquets.
Trees dropped bushels of succulent fruits.
3.
Animals danced and song birds pranced.
The air was filled with fragrant abundance.
4.
Sculptors sculpted.
Painters painted.
Writers published.
Human minds were nourished as art and knowledge flourished.
Heroes vanquished.
Devotees cherished and prayed.
5.
It was like the Krita Yuga arrived.
The nation warmed in Dharma’s light.
6.
So people pleasured and prospered and multiplied.
It seemed sacrifice, austerity and destiny were on their side.
7.
There was no wrath.
There was no greed.
Dharma and revelry were mutually agreed.
The people were free to dream.
8.
The people built superior structures of architecture.
The people built palaces, towers, Sabhas, arenas and pleasure garden centers.
9.
The people sported in forests.
People fished rivers and streams.
10.
The southern Kurus and northern Kurus competed in sport.
Fans prayed to Charanas and Devarshis for their side’s support.
11.
There were no misers.
Women were free of misandry and male driven misery.
12.
Water filled wells.
Sabhas were packed to the gills.
13.
Bhishma knew Dharma and military science.
Bhishma protected the kingdom on all sides with righteous violence.
14.
With Bhishma at the wheel the kingdom’s prosperity grew and grew.
15.
The great souled youths duly engaged in duty.
The townspeople watched the princes come of age every step of the way.
16.
The people spoke freely.
The people rejoiced tearfully.
17.
The three princes were Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura, the intellectual one.
Bhishma raised the three from birth like sons.
18.
The princes learned Sanskrit.
The princes trained and became conditioned to the elements.
The princes learned rituals, austerity and discipline.
19.
The princes learned archery, to ride horses and fight with a mace.
The princes wore leather armor and learned to fight with elephants.
The princes studied just war.
20.
The princes became enlightened by the study of Itihasa, Purana and Shastra.
The princes found truth and disgrace from study of Vedas and Vedangas.
21.
Pandu was the archer without peer.
Dhritarashtra had the strength of a bear.
22.
Vidura’s intellect was unmatched in all three worlds.
Vidura’s wise words rolled like a string of pearls.
23.
So the people watched the Kuru princes revive Shantanu’s dynasty.
Soon the princes came of age - it was time to elect one of the three.
24-25.
Bhishma vowed he would never be king.
Though mighty strong, blind Dhritarashtra could not see a thing.
Vidura was bred in a servant’s bed.
So the crown fell on Pandu’s head.
26.
After Pandu settled on the throne,
Gangeya went to have a word with Vidura alone.’
… to be continued
Notes
[1] The three princes (as we will see) are Dhritarashtra, Vidura and Pandu.
Pandu is the father of the Pandavas. Dhritarashtra is the father of the Kauravas.
Vaishampayana, Janamejaya ibid
[5] The Yugic cycle follows through four ages of progressively degrading Dharma; Krta, Trta, Dvapara and Kali.
Dharma means religious or moral duty.
[8] Sabha is like a church
[10] Charanas are celestial beings. Devarishis are divine rishis, or sages.
[20] Itihasa means ‘as it is’ - considered truth. Ramayana and Mahabharata are Itihasa.
Puranas, Vedas and Vedangas are all forms of scripture.
[24] Bhishma vowed never to be king to his father Shantanu so Shantanu could remarry Satyavati, who would only agree to marry Shantanu if he agreed her sons would assume the throne - not Bhishma.
[25] Another bit of irony - Vidura is discounted from being king due to his being born from a Vaishya.
Of course, Pandu and Dhritarashtra are born from the sage Vyasa and Shantanu's wife Satyavati when Shantanu proves impotent.
Furthermore, none of the Pandavas are fathered by Pandu - each is said to be fathered by a different deity-father in divine conception by Kunti.
[26] Gangeya is Bhishma. Gangeya means Ganges son. Bhishma’s mother was the river Ganges incarnated.