Interesting things of MAHABHARAT

Who was Kamsa?
Krishna's Uncle. Kamsa was King Ugrasena's son, Lord Krishna's maternal uncle, and Devaki's brother. He was married to the twin daughters of King Jarasandha (the ruler of Magadha). He tormented Vasudeva, Devaki and Ugrasena and was later killed by Lord Krishna.


What was the pet name given to Karna by his foster parents?
Radheya. Karna was Kunti's eldest born through Surya, the sun god. Without realising the consequences, Kunti playfully tried Sage Duruvasa's mantra when she was still unmarried. Karna was thus born. She had placed him in a wooden box and set it afloat on a river. A charioteer, Adhiratha, found the baby and called it by the pet name Radheya, meaning "son of Radha". (Radha was Karna's foster mother.)


Which great sage gave Kunti a boon that she could beget a son whenever she wished for one through the devas?
Sage Duruvasa. Sage Duruvasa was short in stature but incomparable in learning.He was a very short-tempered man. Kunti was a great devotee of his and hence he gave her the boon.


The 100 Kauravas also had a sister. What was her name?
Dushala. Dushala was the sister of the Kauravas. She later married Jayadrata.

Who was Shakuni?
The brother of Gandhari. Shakuni, the expert at the game of dice was the brother of Gandhari and hence was King Ditharashtra's brother-in-law. He was the maternal uncle of the Kauravas.

When King Vichitraveerya died, who finally gave an heir to the Kuru clan?
Veda Vyaasa. In the absence of a king a noble brahmin was allowed to give an heir to the throne. Queen Ambika closed her eyes when she saw the brahmin; hence Dirtharashtra was born blind. Queen Ambaalika became pale and weak when she saw the bhramin, and hence Pandu was born anaemic.A charya Vidura was born to Queen Ambika's maid through Veda Vyaasa.

Who was Bishma's father?
King Shantanu. King Shantanu was one of the first few kings of the Kuru house. He had two wives, Ganga( the river goddess) and Satyavati (who was a fisherwoman). Bishma was King Shantanu's son through his first wife Ganga. Chitrangada and Vichitraveerya were Bishma's step brothers

Virata was one of the Maharathis in the Pandava army: who was the other?
Drupada. Drishtadyumna and Drishtaketu were Atirathis while Shikhandi was a Rathi.

Acharya Drona was a Maharathi?
True. Indeed Acharya Drona was one of the greatest Maharathis. Warriors on Chariot were classified as Rathi, Atirathi or Maharathi ,depending on their skill and valour.


Who was the First Commander in Chief of the Kaurava Army?
Bheeshma. Bheeshma was the first Commander in Chief , Drona was the second, Karna was the third, and Ashvathama the last Commander in chief of the Kaurava army.

After beholding which divine sight did Arjuna take up his arms against the Kurus?
Lord Krishna's Vishwaroopa or divine form. Lord Krishna bestowed special eyesight upon Arjuna and he was shown the Lord's Vishwaroopa or Divine Form, encompassing of all possible matter in the universe.


How many warriors did each elephant carry in the war?
7. Each elephant was decked with ornaments and carried seven warriors and their weapons.

Which Pandava vowed to kill the evil Dushasana and drink his blood when he molested Draupadi?
Bheemasena. Bheema accomplished his vow in the great battle of the kurus which followed.

What was Yudhistra's weakness?
Gambling. Gambling was a major weakness of Yudhishtra. Shakuni and Duryodhana exploited this.


Which apsara wanted to marry Arjuna when he was in Indraloka?
Urvashi. Urvashi, the apsara, wanted to marry Arjuna. Arjuna declined as the immortal apsara had been married to one of Arjuna's ancestors. Urvashi cursed Arjuna that he would have to spend a part of his life as a eunuch.


Who was Beeshmaka?
Krishna's father-in-law. King Beeshmaka was the father of Prince Rukmi and Princess Rukmini.Princess Rukmini later married Lord Krishna.


Which emperor did Bheema defeat in order to enable Yudhistra to perform the Rajasuya Yagna?
Jarasandha. Jarasandha the emperor who ruled from Magadha was killed by Bheema in order to enable Yudhistra to perform the Rajasuya Yagna. It was said Jarasandha would die only if his body was spilt into two pieces and if the pieces were thrown in opposite directions.


Balarama's weapon was the _________ ?
plough. Balarama's weapon was the plough. He is the god of wine. He was the brother of Lord Krishna.

What was the capital of Panchala?
Kamapilya. Kamapilya was the capital of Panchala. It was Drupada's Kingdom.Drupada's daughter - Draupadi or Panchali was the wife of the Pandavas.


Which Rakshasa did Bheema kill in Ekachakra?
Bakasura. Bakasura was killed by Bheema at Ekachakra. The Pandavas took shelter in the house of a poor Bhramin. Bakasura lived just outside the city. The villagers had an agreement with Bakasura that if he left the them undisturbed they would send a cart load of food with a human being for him to eat every week. Bheema took the Bhramin's place and killed Bakasura.


Who were Gatotkacha's parents?
Bheema and Hidimbaa. Bheema and Hidimbaa were Gatotkacha's parents. Bheema killed Hidimbasura, Hidimbaa's brother.


The "House of Lac" was built by _____________ ?
Purochana. Purochana, the architect built the "house of lac" in Varnavata. It was plot to kill the Pandavas hatched by Duryodhana and Shakuni. Acharya Vidura saved the Pandavas.


Friendship in the Mahabharatha was defined by ___________ ?
Duryodhana and Karna. Karna and Duryodhana were the thickest of friends.Karna gave his life in the end for his friend. It was Duryodhana who made Karna the king of Anga.


What "Guru-Dakshina" did Drona ask from Ekalavya?
His right thumb. This was one of the most cruel acts that Drona committed and he paid for it on the Kurukshetra battlefield.

Who was Bhim disguised as in the year of hiding?
A cook. Bhim had a huge body, so he needed a lot of food. He therefore decided to be a cook in the royal kitchen. This was originally Nakul's joke! He used the name Ballava.


Who was the commander of the Kauravs after Bhishma?
Dronacharya. Bhishma was attacked by Arjun and he was very weak, so Dronacharya was made the new commander.


Who attacked Bhishma on the first day of the war?
Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu was the son of Arjun. When he attacked, Bhishma put down the flag of his chariot.