At one time, Santanu, King of Talkanda, fell in love with Seyawati, who would consent to marry him only if her son would take the throne. In order that this marriage could take place, Bisma, Santanu’s son from a previous marriage, released his right to the throne and took the oath of chastity, swearing that he would never marry, in order that the kingship should not be fought by his descendants later on.
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Setyawati bore two sons: Citranggada, who died at an early age, and Wicitrawirya, who later took the throne succeeding Santanu as king. Wicitrawirya died childless. Thereupon Setyawati pleaded with Bisma to marry two widows of Wicitrawirya, the sisters Ambika and Ambalika. But Bisma remained true to his vows.
Setyawaty had another son from a previous marriage with the holy Palasara, named Abyasa. It was he who had consented to marry these two widows.
Ambika gave birth to Drestarastra, who was born blind, and Ambalika bore Pandu. When Abyasa vacated the throne and in favor of meditations, Pandu inherited the throne, even though he was younger than Drestarastra, since blindness was considered deterrent to kingship. Destarastra married Gendari and had a hundred children, Duryudana and his 99 younger siblings. They were known as Kurawas, descendants of Kuru.
Pandu married Kunti, who bore Yudistira, Bima and Arjuna. From another wife Madrim, he had twin sons, Nakula and Sadewa. The five sons of Pandu were known as Pandawas.
When Pandu died, Drestarastra had to take the throne, the Pandawas were then brought up together with the Kurawas at Astinapura, under the custody of two Brahmins: Krepa and Durna. Aswatama, Durna’s sons, and Karna son of Kunti before she married Pandu, were also in the company. Drestarastra decided that Yudistira was the one who should take the throne, since he was the best of them all. The Kurawas were jealous, and tried tricks to kill the five Pandawas. Their effort failed.
The Pandawas won the contest for Drupadi, doughter of Drupada, King of Pancala. This made the Kurawas more jealous. In accord with the advice of Bisma and Durna, the Kurawas was willing to give half, that was the most nonarable land of their kingdom, to the Pandawas. The Pandawas built a new palace and town, called Indraprasta.
The Kurawas were always looking for ways to kill Pandawas. At one time they invited the Pandawas to shoot dice. Yudistira lost, even his on body was put at stake. At the instigation of Drestarastra, the Pandawa regained their freedom. The pandawas were invited for the second time to shoot dice. This time the stake was : whoever lost the stake would be into exile for 12 years; on the 13 years they would return to the society, but incognito, and only on the year thence they might return to the palace.
Again the Pandawa lost, and thence they went to the forest in exile for 13 years. Drupadi had joined the company. In accord with the advice of Abyasa, Arjuna isolated himself in the Himalayas, begging from the Gods for weapons to be used when the time had come they should wage war with the Kurawa. (This act of isolation became the material for the story: Arjunawiwaha).
On the 13th year, the Pandawas came out of the forest, and arrived at the Kingdom of Wirata. Here they accepted to work at the palace of King Drupada: Yudistira as master of dice, Bima as cook, Arjuna as dance instructor, Nakela as horse keeper, Sadewa as herdsman, and Drupadi as make up person.
On the 14th year the Pandawas returned to Indraprasta. Through Kresna as Intermediary, a conference was held as to the status of the Pandawas right now. It turned out that the Kurawa, were not willing to return half of their kingdom to the Pandawas. Henceforth both side made preparations to wage war.
The great war between the Pandawas and the Kurawas, known as Bharatayudha, lasted for 18 days, killings many soldiers and commanders. Among those fallend in action were: Bisma, who fell on the 10th day: Gatotkaca, son of Bima, and Abimanyu, son of Ajuna; King Drupada also fell; Durna fell on the 15th ; and Karna on the 17th day; King Salya fell on the 18th day, the same day he was appointed commander of the army of Astina, also the day Duryudana fell in action after terrifying duel with Bima.
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