Reading Notes Part A of Mahabharata: The Contest

Title: The Contest
Author: Romesh Chunder Dutt
Link


Bhima - son of Pandavas
Duryodhana - son of Kauravas and prince of Kuru Kingdom
Vidura - prime minister of Kuru Kingdom / uncle of Pandavas and Kauravas
Pritha - married to Pandu
Gandhari - married to Kauravas / mother of Duryodhana / Kuru queen
Drona - 3rd incarnation of Brahma / royal preceptor to Kauravas and Pandavas
Ashwatthama - son of Drona / fought on the Kaurava side and against the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra War
Arjuna - best archer in the world / son of Indra
Indra - king of heaven / god of lightning. thunder, rains and river flow / King of the Gods
Vishnu - god of protection

Bhima and Duryodhana are finally fully trained for battle. To test their strength they prepare and compete in a tournament. Bhima and Duryodhana arrive and Vidura drew the scene with Pritha. Bhima and Duryodhana start shouting "Hail to Kuru prince Duryodhan!" and "Hail to Bhima hero proud!" out of wrath. Drona then got irritated and told his son Arjuna, to end the fight between Bhima and Duryodhana.

Bhima and Duryodhana start fighting, then Drona walked onto the battlefield. Drona starts yelling for Arjuna. "Bid him come, the gallant Arjuna! Pious prince and warrior skilled, Arjuna, born of mighty Indra, and with Vishnu's prowess filled." Drona yells. Arjuna then comes covered in gold and speaks of both Bhima and Duryodhana upon their titles. Arjuna then states that Bhima is the winner of the tournament. Pritha gleamed with happiness when Arjuna stated the winner. Arjuna then called upon Vishnu who then says "Pritha's sons like fires of yajna sanctify this mighty State!" Which means a sacrifice type ritual. Therefore, Arjuna picks up his bow and sends twenty bows into the air to win the tournament.

Bhima Source

Comments