Nivedita Mahabharata
1. How The Princes Learned to Shoot- The princes lose their ball in a well, but a man capable of magic helps them out. This man is the Brahmin, Drona, and his talent with a boy quickly impresses the princes. The new king, Drupada, disrespects Drona. Drona recruits the princes to help him with his revenge in return he will train them with the bow. A rivalry begins between Arjuna and Karna. There is the side story of Ekalavya is a non-noble, Nishada boy. Drona refuses to teach him. The boy goes into the forest and trains under a statue of Drona he builds. He considers himself a student of Drona, and trains to be highly capable with the bow. When his skills are revealed and he claims Drona as his mentor; Drona makes him give him his right thumb as his teaching fees. This makes Ekalavya lose his skill with the bow.
2. The Trial of the Princes- Drona arranges a tournament. Arjuna quickly distinguishes himself from the other princes. Karna then enters the tournament and matches Arjuna's feats. He then asks to duel Arjuna. Arjuna, son of Indra the Storm God. Karna, son of Surya the Sun God. Karna is able to rival Arjuna. Karna becomes king of Anga.
3. Teacher's Fee- Drona makes the princes capture King Drupada. He sends the Kaurava cousins in first, but they could not capture him. Arjuna then goes in and gets the king. Drona takes half of Drupada's kingdom, and Drupada seeks to have a son to take revenge.
4. House of Lac- The Pandavas are sent to Benares, there is already a house of lac built. It will light on fire easily. Vidura discovers the plot to kill the Pandavas, so he makes sure there is an escape path for the crown prince. The Pandavas build an escape tunnel. When the palace is lit on fire the Pandavas escape and live in Ekachakra disguised as Brahmin beggars.
5. How the Pandavas Won a Bride- Drupada is still looking for a son to get revenge for him, so he sets a challenge to win his daughter's hand. They are dismissive of those of lesser birth like Karna. When Arjuna completes the challenge, still in his beggar disguise, the other suitors attack. Then Arjuna is recognized. The brother's share the bride, but their identities are revealed. King Dhritarashtra now knows the Pandava are alive.
7. Fatal Dice- The crown prince of the Pandavas is challenged to a dice game when his visitor is jealous of his wealth. The prince loses all his possessions, his siblings, and their wife Drapudi. Those lost in the bet are brought before King Dhritaradhtra as slaves. Drapudi argues that the prince lost his life in the bet, but then he could not have bet the other's life. Scared by bad omens the king decides to grant her boons. She gets all their freedom and possessions back. The crown prince then proceeds to lose another game and all the Pandava must spend 12 years in exile and 1 year in disguise.
Nivedita Mahabharata.
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