WHEN MIND MEETS WISDOM

INTRODUCTION : TO THE CHARACTERS

Introduction 1. Introduction to the Mahabharata and Shrimad Bhagavad Gita

One of the most important purposes of Lord Vishnu to take an incarnation as Lord Krishna involves giving existence to Shrimad bhagwat Geeta. In order to understand what exactly Bhagwat Geeta is and Why it came into existence, one need to understand the base of the epic Mahabharata

The Epic of Mahabharata was written by sage Vyasa, it narrates the story of the Kuru dynasty, centred around the land of Hastinapur, the battlefield of Kurukshetra and between the verse of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. The story begins with king Shantanu, father of Bhishma and great grandfather of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Bhishmapitama who was known for his celibacy, devotion and sacrifice was the eighth son of King Shantanu and Goddess Ganga.

It precisely talks about the Dharma (Righteousness), Karma (Action) and the complex nature of the human attachment to their bodily stuff and relatives. It usually revolves around the two parties including the Pandavas and the Kauravas.

The Pandavas

The Pandavas was the son of the king Pandu with Mata Kunti and Mata Madri, they involves the five brothers come forth the eldest-

Yudhisthira - Symbolises The Righteousness

Bhima- symbolises The Power

Arjuna - symbolises The warrior

Nakula & sahadeva - symbolises The Healers

In the Mahabharata Yudhishthira is describe as a vast tree, which symbolises religion and virtue; Arjuna is the trunk of the tree; Bhimasena, indicates its branches; and the rest Two that are Nakula and Sehdeva are described as its full-grown fruit and flowers; and its roots are Krishna, Brahma, and the Brahmanas. The Pandav epitomises the different facets of human nature.

Yudhisthira - Pinnacle of Righteousness.

He was the firstborn from the five pandavas. As obtained from the god of Dharma, was known for his leadership, governance and his sense of duty. He was the one who was aligned with the Dharma and never spoke a lie.

Bhima - The symbolism of Power

He was the second born from the five pandavas. As obtained from the god of wind, was known for his strength , Power and for his giant appetite. He has Great power which is equivalent to the power of almost a thousand elephants.

Arjuna - The skilled warrior

He was the third of the five Pandavas. As obtained from the god Indra, was known for his skilled archery, mighty warrior and his devotion for Lord Krishna. Arjun had a great relationship with Krishna which shows that Arjuna was in favour with the gods. He was a Great Warrior and was known for his Archer Skills.

Nakula & sahadeva

They were the youngest of the five Pandavas.They were the sons of Mata Madri, second wife of king Pandu, As obtained from the Ashwinis, was skilled with swordplay, and as divine healers expert in ayurveda, medicine and the sciences.

The Kauravas

The Kauravas were the sons of the king Dhritarashtra with Mata Gandhari, they involved the hundred brothers. Duryodhana, Dushasana, Vikarna and Chitrasena are the most popular among the brothers. They also had a sister named Dussala and a half-brother named Yuyutsu but was not included in the kauravas.