Mahabharat - Poetry

It all began with Shantanu and Ganga, Who gave birth to the invincible Bhishma. Then came the beautiful Satyavati, The fisherwoman with unparalleled beauty. In order to make her his own, Shantanu promised her son would be heir to the throne. And so, as the gods watched from ahead, Bhishma vowed to remain unwed. For his stepmother’s son, Bhishma fought and won, The three daughters of Kashya, Much to the dismay of the eldest, Amba. She was allowed to return to her lover, But he now considered her defiled by another. She swore revenge,simmering with fury, And was reborn as Shikhandi. Destined to slay Bhishma, She was born to Drupada. Ambika and Ambalika, with Vyasa’s aid, As well as a dutiful maid, Each had one child, Brave Pandu, Drithirashtra, born blind, And wise Vidura, of a lower caste. And so the years passed. Unmarried Kunti had a son, Invoked from the God of the Sun. Alarmed, she wrapped him in her sari, Placing him in a basket on river Charmanwati. He was raised by a charioteer and his wife, Living as an outcast all his life. Pandu later wed Kunti and Madri, While Dhritirashtra married blindfolded Gandhari. Fated to remain childless, Pandu was. An unfortunate mistake was the cause. So Kunti invoked Dharma, Vayu and Indra, Resulting in Yudhishtra, Bhima and Arjuna. Madri was bestowed Nakula and Sahadeva, By the two Ashwin Kumaras. Alas for them, Pandu’s life did expire, And Madri jumped into the pyre. The Kauravas were born, meanwhile, The eldest, Duryodhana, vicious and vile. The Kuru Princes grew up in splendour, Excelling in wit and valour. But dark times were prevailing, For jealous Duryodhana began plotting. He built an inflammable castle, To be king without hassle. He placed Kunti and her sons in it, Who were thankfully saved by Vidura’s wit. They rushed to a forest for safety, Where, Bhima married the demoness Hidimbi, After saving her from Hidimba. Hidimbi bore him Ghatotkacha. They then reached the kingdom of Panchala, Governed by Sage Drona’s enemy, Drupada. Arjuna won the feisty Draupadi, But due to the words of Kunti, She was wed to all five brothers, And they headed back to inform the others. They were warmly received, And all were highly pleased. And then, for a while, Arjuna went into exile. He married Subhadra, The lovely sister of Krishna. Abhimanyu was their baby, Much like his father, he excelled in bravery. Meanwhile, Krishna and Arjuna aided Agni, Facing Indra with bravery. They even rescued the skilled craftsman Maya, And thus ends the Adi Parva.