Epic Tales with Samrudhi V kadam

Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura were trained by Bhishma and Kripacharya in military arts and vedic knowledge.

Dhritarashtra, through a boon given by Veda Vyasa, had the strength of hundred elephants. He was able to crush iron with his bare hands but due to his disability, he was unable to use weapons.

Pandu was known as a Maharathi, being an excellent archer. While Vidura, though being the half-brother of Dhritarashtra and Pandu, had a low status, as he was the son of a handmaiden.

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This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

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Sage Mandavya was once performing austerities in with his arms up in front of his ashram. A few thieves who had stolen from the King’s palace, came across the ashram, dumped their loot and ran away seeing the king’s men running behind them.

When the King’s men arrived, they assumed that Mandavya was a part of the theft and captured him. The thieves were also caught and presented to the king along with Mandavya. Mandavya, due to his vow of silence, refused to speak and was put to death penalty by being struck with the tip of a trident.

The thieves died while Mandavya was alive. The king later realising Mandavya’s innocence, rushed to seek forgiveness, and his men tried to pull the trident but were unsuccessful.

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This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

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Satyavati had summoned Veda Vyasa for the process of ‘Niyoga’. After he arrived, Satyavati sent him to Ambika’s Chambers. As he had meditated in the forest for a long time, he had a scary appearance and when Ambika saw him, she closed her eyes in fear.

Vyasa informed Satyavati that the child born would be blind since Ambika closed her eyes, she assumed that he would not be able to become a king since he was blind.

So, she sent Vyasa to the Ambalika’s Chambers. Ambalika as informed, did not close her eyes, but she grew pale seeing his appearance.

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This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

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After getting married to Ambika and Ambalika, the princesses of Kashi, Vichitravirya lived a happy life while being the King of Hastinapur, succeeding his elder brother Chitrangada.

After 7 years, Vichitravirya suffered from tuberculosis, and despite all the efforts from different physicians being done, he could not be healed and dies childless.

Since, he passed away childless, there was no successor for the throne. So, Satyavati asked Bhisma to marry the widows of Vichitravirya, but Bhisma refused reminding her of his vow of celibacy.

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This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

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Once Amba visited the Vatsa Kingdom, and was performing penance and Goddess Ganga appeared in front of her, and heard that Amba’s penance was for the purpose of destroying Bhisma.

Ganga fumed and cursed Amba saying she would flow as a crooked river just like her crooked mind, which would be dry for 8 months of a year, and would flow for 4 months. She added that the river would have crocodiles and other fierce creatures making it a difficult terrain.

After being cursed, Amba wandered in different places and visited many tirthas and finally returned to Vatsa Kingdom, where Ganga’s curse came to being. Amba due to her ascetic merit remained a human but her lower half turned into a river.

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This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

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Parashurama and Bhisma started the battle, and Ganga arrived trying to stop Bhisma from fighting against his guru, but was unsuccessful. The battle went on for 23 days and finally on the 24^th day, Bhisma wanted to use the most powerful weapon, Prashwapastra.

When he was about to use this Prashwapastra, Narada, the divine sage and the Devas, interfered and said that the use of this weapon can cause huge destruction. Parashurama and Bhisma concluded the battle and Parashurama declared that it was a draw.

He then met Amba and narrated the events, hearing this Amba decided she will avenge against Bhisma herself by performing severe austerities to Lord Shiva.

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This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

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After reaching Saubala, Amba asked Shalva to marry her but he refused saying that another man had won her and she belonged to him even after she pleaded him. Heartbroken Amba returned back to Hastinapur, Bhisma then asked Vichitravirya to marry her but he rejected her saying she was in love with someone else.

After hearing his rejection, Amba asked Bhisma to marry her but due to his vow of celibacy, he refused to marry her too. Amba fuming blamed Bhisma for her condition wanted revenge against Bhisma.

Amba left Hastinapur and convinced other Kings to fight Bhisma but everyone refused to help her. With no option, she went to Parashurama.

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This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

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Amba, the princess of Kashi was in love with Shalva, the King of Saubala and had decided that on the day of her svayamvara she would choose him as her husband, but on the contrary,

Bhisma decided that the Vichitravirya should get married to the princesses of Kashi, Amba, Ambika and Ambalika.

Soon, Bhisma reached the Kingdom of Kashi, and proclaimed that he wanted the princess to marry Vichitravirya, King of Hastinapur, and challenged the others to try to stop him.

Bhisma then abducted the princesses and the Kings showered him with arrows but Bhisma defeated them.

Later, Shalva tried to stop him but was wounded by Bhisma, and he spared his life.

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This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

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Soon after Shantanu’s death, As Vowed Bhisma became the chief advisor and the elder son of Satyavati, Chitrangada succeeded the throne and became the next Kuru King of Hastinapur. He was virtuous and a great warrior who defeated many enemies and asuras. But due to his constant victories, he developed pride and ego and started to disrespected everyone. When asked to correct his ways by Bhisma, he ignored Bhisma and reminded him of his vow, which was to protect the king and help the King.

The King of the Gandharvas (Celestial musicians), whose name was also Chitrangada, demanded the Kuru King, Chitrangada to relinquish his name because he believed that there could be only one Chitrangada.

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This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

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Seeing Shantanu in a distressed condition, Devavrata was heartbroken and wanted to help his father and fulfil his wish so decided to take matter in his own hands.

Devavrata headed to Dasharaja’s hut and requested him to give his consent for the marriage, but Dasharaja put forth the same condition.

Upon hearing the condition, Devavrata made a vow, that he would never become the king of Hastinapur and would be as royal guard to the sons of Satyavati who would succeed the throne after his father.

He also vowed to never marry and never have kids, to prevent any disputes regarding the rights to the throne. Because of his terrible vow, he was given the name Bhisma (one who has taken a terrible vow).

Loved this story? Read it in the book!
This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

To get your copy, feel free to mail me at hello@samrudhikadam.in