epic story of ancient times
handed by word of mouth
sage 'Vedavyas' conceived the happenings,
could not find amanuensis,
contemplated on lord Ganesha,
who agreed to write,
but on a premise
that his pen should not halt
sage put counter stipulation
that lord should not write
without understanding fully,
meaning behind each stanza
sage composed difficult stanzas
for lord to ponder,
composed poem in-between,
in order not to break the agreement
story runs into eighteen cantos
serially named after events and characters
narration of events in time
‘Bishma’ took the terrible vow,
to remain celibate,
facilitate coronation of progeny,
born out of fathers marriage with maiden
with whom his father got so infatuated
subsequent generations childless,
sages intervened to have progeny
main epic comes down,
to a fight between cousins
sons of brothers,
known as ‘pandavas’ from 'Pandu'
who are five,
and ‘kauravas’from 'Dhritarashtra'
who are hundred,
for the possession of kingdom
‘Dharmaraja’ eldest of cousins
natural heir to throne
belonged to pandavas,
known for virtue,
deprived of his right
time and again
by deceit and cunning
inevitable war ensued,
between cousins,
lord Krishna took side of pandavas
became charioteer of Arjuna
celestial song ‘Bagawat gita’
taught to Arjuna in battle field,
to remind him of duty of warrior,
when he developed apathy
to fight with his kith and kin
war resulted in victory for ‘pandavas’
a great human loss ensued,
though enthroned
‘Dharmaraja’ was unhappy
his conscience pricked
they ruled for long years,
handed over reins to ‘parikshit’
son of Arjuna,
brothers retired to forest for contemplation
subsequently to heaven
with divine power to enjoy bliss
narration of human saga
it is believed,
‘what is not in Mahabharat
is found nowhere else’
Author notes
A great epic in South east Asia spanning India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand and Malasia. It is believed, those who read this story will have a victory. It is also called 'Jaya' meaning victory. Main story is between cousins, Pandavas being embodiment of virtue and Kauravas are cruel, who deprive Pandavas of their legitimate due at every stage.
A contest entry
- Write me a Canto by Cannonsfire.
2000 points, ended September 8, 2008, 6 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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YAY!
I read this story now and victory will come to me!
Hallo Poet I loved this Canto and yes, universal as can be ... YET: how mysterious and spiritually interwoven the songs of the East ...
Let me sum this up: Love, obstruction, Love love love ... deceit ... virtue ... love love LOVE VICTORY!
Moral of the story: never disregard the power of love ... or of hate.
Be well.
Myra
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This is one part...I asked for at least three related back to the first part...please re read rules
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Thanks so much for your beautiful entry!
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Hey! this is a very poetic and great version of the timeless saga of Mahabharata.the poem is really nice. all the so very best in contest. the gist has been carried out beautifully!
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This was very interesting! Well done and full of great wording that got the story across without bogging it down.
best wishes in your contest.
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you have managed to encompass the main element of this epic tale within a well formed and informative structure, while avoiding too much detail that can be gained first hand from the reading referred to. Enough to whet the appetite & inform the interest. Well done
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This is such an interesting story. Thank you so much for sharing this with us and all the best for the contest.
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How very interesting my brother I enjoyed it all so much
Good luck in the contest
Cindy
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