Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 20: Part 1

1) Yudhisthira was engaged in the performance of yajnas, giving mahadanas, receiving tributes from Kings, becoming the moderator in discussions on topics of shastra and in worshiping Rishis and Munis. Bhima was engaged in giving discourses on Dharma, dissipating the knowledge of Sri Hari and in the protection of the nation.
2) Draupadi got engaged in giving discourses on Stree Dharma, protecting the servants of the palace, expenditure from the treasury and other activities including keeping a tab on the qualities and defects of those working in the inner palace. She also became a guide on the Bhagavata Dharma to those in the inner palace.
3) Arjuna’s task was to control the other countries. Kings like Jarasandha and the rest and Keechaka and his followers used to be kept under check by Bhima. It was only his strength that they used to be afraid of!
4) When Bhima took control of all the Kingdoms, those rulers were rendered jobless after having lost the wars. Under Bhima’s rule, the citizens used to be mostly engaged in Vaishnava Dharma.
5) The task of distributing salary to all the employees fell to the elder son of Madri (Nakula). Sahadeva engaged in the task of negotiations and treaties with other countries and he also served as a bodyguard of Yudhishthira, always carrying a sword with him.
6) Due to the special friendship with the Pandavas, Dhrishtadyumna stayed there at Indraprastha as the commander of their army. He developed a special friendship with Bhima. In this way, their Kingdom was complete with all required comforts.
7) In their Kingdom, due to Bhima’s rule, there were no non-Vaishnavas. None suffered from poverty. No one faced any obstacle in treading the path of Dharma nor did people die of diseases. None faced death that was out of turn.
8) People used to approach Yudhisthira only for obtaining dana or for getting yajnas done and not with any other material requests. Because all other things used to get done by Bhima only.
9) The Gandharvas, Vidyadharas and Charanas always served the Pandavas, just as they served Indra. All the Devatas and Rishis too used to come there in order to worship Sri Krishna.
10) In their rule, Dharma came into being even more than what was prevalent in the Kruta Yuga. Therefore wealth in terms of gold, jewels, clothes and greenery was much more abundant than the Kruta Yuga.
11) After that, Yudhishthira married the daughter of Shishupala named Devaki. She was his wife earlier too (in their original Devata form). Her brother was Dhrishtaketu. He was the Avatara of Anuhlada and had the Amsha of Savitru, an Aditya.
12) Yudhishthira had a son named Suhotra from her (Devaki). He was the Avatara of Chitragupta, the writer of Yamadharma. Draupadi (Bharati) was born in another form as the daughter of the King of Kashi. She was known as Kali.
13) That Kali was Bharati Devi herself. The other Devatas did not have any presence in her. The King of Kashi invited all Kings for her Swayamvara and they all gathered there with great enthusiasm.
14) In the midst of all of them, Kali put the garland on the shoulders of Bhimasena. Jarasandha and the others were greatly infuriated and they rushed towards him berating the devotees of Vishnu while shouting praise of Shiva.
15) At first, Bhimasena defeated all of them by using excellent and unassailable logic in arguments showing that the Vedas are defect-free, citing numerous proofs from the Vedas themselves, and from other satvik-scriptures.
16) Even the Shaiva shastras have extolled the Vedas. Further, they have condemned shastras such as Shakta, Skanda and Soura and others that have gone against the Vedas. Vedas themselves declare their pro-Vishnu leanings.
17) These Shaiva shastras themselves have declared the supremacy of Vishnu over Shiva. But, nowhere in the Vedas has Shiva been called as superior to Vishnu. Even the Bauddhas and others have told everywhere that Vishnu is the supreme one.
18) Even the Charvakas, in some places, have called Vishnu as the supreme one and the Guru of Brihaspati. Therefore, Vishnu is the one well known as the supreme being and giver of salvation in all shastras.
19) “Among the other philosophies there is contradiction within the scriptures. O Kings! you shall now see the strength of my shoulders that are always at the service of Sri Vishnu’s feet and in the propagation of Vishnu’s supremacy” – said Bhima.
20) “Earlier, in the Kaurava capital of Hastinapura, river Ganga had arrived to obstruct my performance of Vishnu pooja. When I had pushed her aside with my left hand, she shifted many yojanas. Shiva arrived there at that moment”.
21) “Shiva, in order to test me, came there in the form of a tiger and acted as if he was about to kill a Kapila cow, who was none other than Parvati. He rushed towards the cow and fell unconscious after getting hit by the force of my gada. He entered into the form of a Linga”.
22) “That Linga became famous on Earth as the Vyaghreshwara. Similarly, on another occasion, at the banks of river Gomati near Himavat mountain, a battle took place. There too, Shiva was defeated and a Shardula Linga came into being”.
23) “In this way, it is established by facts that I, who has sought refuge at Sri Vishnu’s feet, is stronger. What then to speak of Sri Vishnu’s superiority? Amongst Kshatriyas, strength determines greatness. Amongst Brahmanas it is knowledge. So say the knowledgeable”.
24) “At Kedara (Kedarnath) Shiva, in the guise of a Brahmana, was defeated by me and he entered into a Linga due to fear. Embarrassed, he cursed saying – “May this place be out of bounds for those who know (study) the Vedas”.
25) “In this way, when facts themselves clearly establish Sri Vishnu’s ability, if anyone feels otherwise, then let such a person respond. Instead of that, if one wants to only increase his anger then let such a person come to war with me” – when Bhima declared thus, all the Kings rushed towards him (for battle).
26) Bhimasena chased all of them away with his shower of arrows. He toppled Jarasandha down with his gada. Lifting him with both his hands, he threw him into the divine river Ganga, born from the feet of Vishnu.
27) An embarrassed Jarasandha got together with the other Kings and went back to Magadha. Bhimasena was greatly honoured by the King of Kashi and he then climbed on to his chariot, along with Kali, and left for Indraprastha.
28) Bhimasena united with Kali Devi, whose beauty and auspicious traits were unmatched in all three worlds and who was greatly favourable to him, and obtained a son named Sharvatrata. He was the Avatara of a Marut named Samana, who was full of strength and valour.
29) Sri Krishna too returned to Dwaraka along with Balarama, and wished to kill Shatadhanva, who had murdered Satrajita, the father of Satyabhama. Shatadhanva asked Akrura and Krutavarma for help.
30) The two of them said – “We cannot even fathom in our minds about deceiving Sri Krishna, who is the primordial reason for this Universe and who is the Lord of all”. When they said thus, Shatadhanva was beseeched with fear and he escaped from there, riding a female horse.
31) Sri Krishna and Balarama chased him on their chariots. After running a hundred yojanas, the horses died. Shatadhanva then continued running barefoot. Sri Krishna too chased him on foot.
32) Sri Krishna beheaded him with his chakra. Even though he very well knew that the jewel had been given to Akrura, for the sake of complying with worldly nature, Sri Krishna examined his clothes and said to Balarama – “He does not have the jewel”.
33) Balarama did not believe Sri Krishna and, out of anger, went to Videha and stayed there for five years. Knowing fully well that Sri Krishna cannot be won over from the side of the Pandavas, Duryodhana went to Balarama intending to win him over.
34) Duryodhana became a shishya of Balarama and learnt gadayuddha. Knowing Sri Krishna wasn’t around, he asked Balarama for giving him his sister Subhadra. He too promised him that he would do so.
35) Duryodhana did so calculating that Sri Krishna would never overrule his older brother. In order to establish the promise, he asked Balarama to give him his hand. Balarama extended his palm, that had the marks of the plough, and gave it to Duryodhana (as a mark of a solemn promise).
36) Duryodhana, who had fallen for Subhadra’s beauty, believed that due to attachment over their sister, Sri Krishna and Balarama would come under his control. Thinking thus, he held the hand of Balarama that bore the mark of the plough.
37) In her previous life, Subhadra was known as Trijata. Bearing very auspicious beauty, she was born as Vasudeva’s daughter through Devaki. Rohini had raised her as her own daughter.
- Note: In the Ramayana, Trijata was the assistant who was beside Sita in the Ashoka vana.
38) Since she had served Sita very well in her previous life, she was born as Sri Krishna’s dear sister. Due to the presence of Parvati’s Avesha, she was full of beauty and auspicious traits. She had lotus like eyes and a reddish complexion like the Champaka flower.
39) Having done so much, Duryodhana returned to his own country while Balarama stayed back. Sri Krishna called back Akrura and Krutavarma, who were hiding due to his fear, and told them.
40) Sri Krishna called Balarama too, and in front of all Yadavas, told Akrura – “The Syamantaka jewel is with you. Show it to everyone!”. Akrura, who was frightened, showed it to all present.

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 18: Part 8

142-143) “She will take birth as Draupadi and will consist of the five Devis. Those very Devatas i.e. Sri Vayu and others about whom you spoke the untruth shall become her husbands. Parvati will manifest in her (Draupadi) only for other activities (not when uniting with the husbands). This cannot be avoided”.
144) “The Shruti confirms that Vayu and the others took birth as humans in order to achieve significant Devakarya. The insult to you is not the reason for their Avatara”.
145) “Therefore you shall spend a long time on Earth” – saying thus Brahma went away. Shiva was thus born as Ashwathama. Indrasenaa, who had the five Devis inside her, was born as Draupadi.
146) All the events mentioned here, as well as the earlier stated proofs, can all be obtained clearly from the Vedas, Puranas and even from the Mahabharata.
147-148) When those two (Dhrishtadyumna and Draupadi) were born, all the Panchalas became extremely happy. Only because they had the company of humans and because they ate material food, it can be said that they had the traits of humans. Otherwise, as they were not born from a human womb, they did not have that many human frailties.
149) Drupada’s wife requested Yaja and Upayaja to bless her such that the two of them develop affection towards her as a mother. The sages granted the same.
150) Even after knowing that he was born to kill him, Dronacharya taught Dhrishtadyumna all the divine weapons in order to gain fame. The powerful Dhrishtadyumna too undertook study under him due to the desire of obtaining divine weapons of Sri Parashurama, which are otherwise unavailable even with the Devatas.
- Note: Being Sri Parashurama’s shishya, Dronacharya knew many unique divine weapons.
151) After getting to know the capture of the King of Panchala, Sri Krishna, in order to reveal to the entire world the special affection he had for Pandavas, sent Krutavarma to them.
152) Krutavarma was the son of the daughter of King Shura’s brother. Out of devotion to Sri Krishna, and because he was a brother (cousin), he was greatly honoured by the Pandavas. He then returned back to Sri Hari.
153-154) From then on, may Kings who had been defeated earlier by Sri Krishna deserted Jarasandha and took the side of the Pandavas, after getting to know the strength of Bhima and Arjuna. The special affection that Sri Krishna had for the Pandavas was also another reason for the same.
155-156) All of them were previously under the control of Jarasandha due to his prowess and not out of affection for him. Now, after getting to know the strength of Sri Krishna and the Pandavas, they developed friendship towards the Pandavas due to the samskara of their previous births. They overcame the fear of Jarasandha and took refuge under them (Pandavas).
157) The Asuras, however, in spite of knowing that Jarasandha had been defeated by Sri Krishna many times, did not desert him due to the their previous samskara. Isn’t samskara indeed very powerful (to overcome)?
158) Devatas, even if they take the company of others due to unavoidable reasons, will never give up their internal love for (other) Devatas. Similarly, Asuras will never give up their attachment for other Asuras, even if they take the company of the Suras.
159) Getting to know the strength of Bhima and Arjuna on multiple occasions, and due to his own natural inclination as a Devata, and also because he was the eldest amongst the princes, Dhritharashtra performed the abhisheka of Yudhishthira as the yuvaraja.
160) Thereafter, Bhima and Arjuna defeated all the Kings in all directions and made them offer a tax of submission to Dhritharashtra. They were, however, never defeated by anyone.
161) Dhritharashtra became very pleased with them. Similarly, the residents of the cities, country

|| End of chapter 18, known as ‘Bhimarjuna Digivijaya’, from the Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya, composed by Srimadanandatirtha Bhagavatpada ||
|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 15: Part 1

1) In this way, when the best amongst men, Lord Krishna, was taking care of the world, Bhima and Arjuna, along with Sahadeva, after having stayed with Him for three years, took his permission and returned to their city bringing along them the son of Krishna by name Vishoka.
2) He was the son of Krishna born through the sairandhri called Trivakra; He was the student of Sage Narada; He became the charioteer for Bhima; In the previous janma, Trivakra was a person by name Pingala; She had meditated upon Lord Krishna as her husband and had (therefore) taken birth as Trivakra.
3) Bhima became very pleased having obtained a charioteer like him who knew the Pancharatra; Bhima then obtained the excellent tattvajnana through Sage Vyasa, the very embodiment of Lord Hari; Bhima, one with the fame of having won over all, then taught the same excellent-knowledge to Arjuna and all the other devatas.
4) Bhimasena destroyed all the non-vaishnava shastras and preached the pure vaishnava-maarga; Just for fun, Bhima, the one who had unlimited knowledge, strength and other qualities, defeated Balarama in the duel fights involving physical strength and oratory skills.
5) Although Bhima was endowed with capability that was ever-apparent, full and pure, he listened to the teachings of Sage Vyasa again and again and increased his knowledge. Since even Mahalakshmi too is always dependent upon Lord Hari, who can stay without relying upon Lord Vishnu?
6) Even Yudhisthira, the son of Yama, and the one who always took refuge in bhagavanta, obtained the excellent knowledge of the paramatma from Sri Veda Vyasa. All the five Pandavas, being the best practitioners of dharma, felt elated after having received the teachings of shastra from Lord Hari.
7) Drona, the son of Sage Bharadhwaja, used to lead his life following the main dharma of brahmanas. He never used to save wealth for himself. Nor did he accept daana from others. Under such circumstances, his son Ashwathama used to join the Kauravas and come home after playing.
8) His mother used to mix flour with water and feed it to him. He used to drink it and return to play with the Kauravas, who drank milk, and always used to say “I too drank milk today”
9) Once the Kauravas gave the playful Ashwathama real milk to drink. He realized its sweetness. When his mother gave him flour mixed water on another occasion, he started crying loudly saying “This is not milk”.
10) Seeing his son cry a lot, Drona was hurt inside and left his home desirous of obtaining a cow. His deep attachment to his son, the sankalpa of Lord Janardana and the repeated encouragement of his wife Kripi were the reasons for his departure.
11) He, who had given up receiving daana completely, went to Lord Parashurama. Receiving daana from Vishnu, who is the father, lord, Guru and foremost God of all, cannot be a violation, can it?
12) As soon as Parashurama saw Drona, he thought of making him a reason in the Bhu-Bhara-Harana work envisaged. He thought thus – “Drona, along with this son, must destroy the devatas who have taken birth as humans”
13) All these who get killed for the sake of Pandavas will get increased bliss even in Mukti. It is not appropriate for them to have progeny in Kali Yuga. Because those who are born in Kali Yuga are normally sinners.
14) Normally, up to a hundred generations of those born in a devata’s lineage are not capable of sinning. On the other hand, them not having progeny in spite of possessing excellent ‘retas’ is also not good.
15) If the progeny of all devatas continues without a break, then Kali Yuga can never arrive. Therefore, all those born with the amsha of devatas and supporting Pandavas must be killed by him (Drona) and his son.
16) Having thought so, Parashurama, the one with infinite strength, the Lord of all, the one without peers, said thus – “I have given away everything. I do not have any wealth”
17) “Myself, my knowledge and my weapons – these are the only things left with me. Among them, you can take what you choose”. When he said thus, Drona thought deeply and said – “Who is capable of taking you?”
18) “O Lord! You are the master of all. You are beyond everyone and independent of all. Who is even equal to you? If anyone even desires equality with you, he shall reach the never-returnable hell”
19) “O Lord! What shall we do with your weapons when we are already weakened by them? Therefore O birthless one! Please grant me knowledge that is pure and can illuminate everything in this world”
20) When he requested thus, Parashurama taught him all the weapons along with spiritual knowledge and other skills. Having completed the studies in 12 years, he proceeded towards his friend Drupada.

shrI mukhyaprANAshTakam – English Translation

shri rAma chAritra manjari – English Translation

shrI rAma kavacha – English Translation

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 14: Part 6

101) Having listened to these words of Dhritharashtra, Akrura said to himself “His mind is spoilt”. He then told Dhritharashtra “Your children won’t survive” and left for his hometown Madhura, taking along Bhima, Arjuna and also Sahadeva.
102) Bhima and Arjuna stayed in Madhura, receiving excellent knowledge about the essence of paramatma from Lord Krishna Himself. The two of them, possessing excellent qualities, always engaged in good activities, and were worshipped by Yadavas.
103) “If I learn the art of using a mace from Bhagavanta, then I will have to wield the weapon against him. I cannot do so” – thinking thus, Bhima took the permission of Lord Krishna and learnt the art from Balarama in his presence itself.
104) Balarama too taught Bhima whatever he had himself learnt from Lord Krishna in his presence. Later, Arjuna learnt astras from Lord Krishna. Similarly, Sahadeva studied the excellent ‘rajaneeti’ from Uddhava in its entirety.
105) Later Krishna sent Uddhava, the one who was excellent in niti, to nandagokula saying thus – “O Uddhava! Relieve Nanda and others from the grief of my words and my separation. Go soon”.
106) “No one truly has any separation from me ever since I reside inside of everyone always. You should never have the impression that I am human. Don’t the jnanis call me as the most pristine Brahma?”
107) “Previously when a python had swallowed Nanda it had not been possible for anyone to free him. Then, it turned into a divine vidyadhara due to the mere touch of my feet. You should recall all that it had said then”
108) “Due to the pride of his handsomeness he had mocked a brahmana by name Angirasa who had become weak and lean due to constant tapas. Due to that mistake, he had become a python. He obtained his true form due to me and then told Nanda”
109) “He is not human. He is Lord Hari himself. He is better than the best. He is the lord of the Universe. He is the cause of everything. He is independent. The munis understand Him thus and obtain liberation from samsara and reach his feet after becoming truly detached”
110) “Earlier when the messenger of Varuna had caught Nanda once, I had been to Varuna’s residence. There too, Varuna had worshipped me a lot and then released Nanda and told him – ‘He is not your son. He is the supreme being Himself’ “
111) “Didn’t I show the Vaikunta loka to all the Gopas? Didn’t I reveal my excellent form so they give up the thought that I am a mere human and One without a physical body? Therefore have devotion in me. Obtain peace”
112) Having listened to all that Lord Krishna said, Uddhava left for Vrundavana. He then relieved all the sorrow of the Gopas with the words of Krishna and returned to the presence of the Lord.

|| End of chapter 14, known as ‘Uddhava Pratiyana’, from the Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya, composed by Srimadanandatirtha Bhagavatpada ||

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

shrI rAghavEndra ashTAkshara stOtram

गुरुराजाष्टाक्षरं स्यात् महापातकनाशनम् |

एकैकमक्षरं चात्र सर्वकाम्यार्थसिद्धिदम् || १ ||

रकारोच्चारमात्रेण रोगहानिर्न संशयः |

घकारेणात्र बलं पुष्टिः आयुः तेजश्च वर्धते || २ ||

वकारेणात्र लभते वाञ्छितार्थान्न संशयः |

द्रकारेणाघराशिस्तु द्राव्यते द्रुतमेव हि || ३ ||

यकारेण यमाद्भादो वार्यते नात्र संशयः |

नकारेण नरेन्द्राणां पदमाप्नोति मानवः || ४ ||

मकारेणैव माहेन्द्रमैश्वर्यं याति मानवः |

गुरोर्नाम्नश्च माहात्म्यं अपूर्वं परमाद्भुतम् || ५ ||

तन्नामस्मरणादेव सर्वाभीष्टं प्रसिध्यति |

तस्मान्नित्यं पठेद्भक्त्या गुरुपादरतस्सदा || ६ ||

श्री राघवेन्द्राय नमः इत्यष्टाक्षरमन्त्रतः |

सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति नात्र कार्या विचारणा || ७ ||

अष्टोत्तरशतावृत्तिं स्तोत्रस्यास्य करोति यः |

तस्य सर्वार्थसिद्धिस्स्यात् गुरुराजप्रसादतः || ८ ||

एतदष्टाक्षरस्यात्र माहात्म्यं वेत्ति कः पुमान् |

पठनादेव सर्वार्थसिद्धिर्भवति नान्यथा || ९ ||

स्वामिना राघवेन्द्राख्यगुरुपादाब्जसेविना |

कृतमष्टाक्षरस्तोत्रं गुरुप्रीतिकरं शुभम् || १० ||

|| इति श्रीगुरुजगन्नाथदासार्यविरचित श्रीराघवेन्द्राष्टाक्षरस्तोत्रं संपूर्णम् ||

|| श्री कृष्णार्पणमस्तु ||

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 14: Part 5

81) “The vipras are declaring this Bhima to be naturally dear to Lord Vishnu. That surely is turning out to be true. Otherwise such natural strength would never be present (in him). Therefore, we must destroy him along with Hari. That is our aim”.
82) “That Hari has taken birth as Krishna amongst the Yadavas and He is the refuge for this Bhima. Therefore, oppose Him in all possible ways” – having discussed thus, the most evil princes started causing opposition to Lord Krishna as well.
83) Having been inspired by Duryodhana and his brothers, those princes, along with their fathers, got together with Jarasandha and went to war 18 times with Lord Krishna. They came back with their strength, pride and ego having been smashed by Lord Krishna.
84) All of them lost their chariots, horses and elephants due to Lord Krishna. Their bodies got damaged greatly due to the weapons of Lord Krishna. All of them returned spouting blood. They had lost their weapons, armour, flags, horses and charioteers. Their dresses had slipped. Their hair was dishevelled.
85) In this way, Jarasandha used to return to his city every time after getting stuck in a pitiable and sad condition. Lord Krishna, the One with complete strength and valour, used to defeat him completely and let him off, saying “go – live”, after leaving only his breath with him.
86) In this way, after all the Kings were made to return with their heads bowing many times, the victorious Lord Krishna, the Lord of Lakshmi, the One whose strength can never be comprehended, returned to His city of Madhura and, along with Balarama and the other Yadavas, enjoyed His time there.
87) In this way, the mindless princes who were bent on making fruitless attempts, got together with Duryodhana and repeatedly tried to kill Bhima. The powerful Bhima rendered all those attempts futile and focused on winning the various directions (i.e. Kingdoms on all sides).
88) First, he won over the eastern direction. After that he was victorious in the western, southern and the remaining northern directions. He then won against Shishupala and Dantavakra, who were his Aunt’s sons and Ravana and Kumbhakarna in their previous lives.
89) Amongst them, the son of Damaghosha was born first. The kings used to call him Shishupala. Another of his aunt’s son was the son of King Karoosha and he was known as Dantavakra.
90) After winning over the two of them, Bhima won his battle against Paundraka, the son of Vasudeva. After that he won the battle against Rugmi, who was born as the son of Bheeshmaka. Rugmi was a daitya by name Ilvala in his previous birth. He was now the Lord of Kundini desha.
91) Rugmi had an amsha of Shuchi, an agni-putra. His father Bheeshmaka was the amsha of Mitra, an Aditya. He also had the amsha of Rahu. His brothers Kratha and Kaishika had the amshas of Pavamana and Shundhi, the sons of Agni.
92) In order to test the strength of his relative, King Shalya fought with Bhima and lost to him. After that, Bhima won the battle with the brave Ekalavya. In the same way, many other Kings were defeated by him.
93) Arjuna, who was safe due to the strength of Bhima’s shoulders, then won over the remaining Kings with ease. Bhima then defeated Salva and Hamsa-Dibika and returned to Hastinapura along with Arjuna.
94) Having seen the strength of the two, Dharmaraja, along with Nakula, Sahadeva, Bhishma and Vidura felt very pleased. In the same way other noble people, the residents of the city and the country also felt joyed. Hearing this news, all the Yadavas also felt extremely happy.
95) Lord Krishna, the Parameshwara, knowing that Dhritharasthtra was being attacked by Duryodhana and his other sons and was under their control, wanted to stop his bad activities. He therefore went to Akrura’s house and ordered him to go to Hastinapura.
96) Akrura went to Hastinapura and was well received and felicitated by Dhritharashtra, along with Bhishma and all the Kauravas. In order to understand the mindset of the Kaurvas with regard to the Pandavas, Akrura spent a few months there.
97) From the words of Kunti and Vidura and his own experience there, he understood who were the friends, enemies and neutral ones with regard to the Pandavas. He also understood Dhritharashtra was seized by his sons. Being a wise man, he used a mix of bheda and saama to advise him well.
98) “O Excellent King! If you treat your own sons and Pandavas equally, you will obtain fame, excellent dharma and also wealth and all desires. (If you do so) Lord Krishna along with all the Yadavas and indeed all the Devatas will shower special affection on you”
99) “With the pleasure of Lord Krishna, you will obtain Dharma, Artha, Kama and special Mukti certainly. On the other hand, if you do the opposite, you will certainly accrue the opposite results. Whatever I have told you is Lord Krishna’s words!”
100) Having been told these words in the midst of all Kauravas, Dhritharashtra, who was completely under the control of his sons said thus – “Everything is subject to the control of the Lord. We are not independent. Hasn’t he taken birth specifically for reducing the burden of (mother) Earth?”

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya: Chapter 14: Part 4

61) The Pandavas, along with the Kauravas and other princes, obtained maha astras from Kripacharya. All of them were engaged in a lot of tantrums and playing. However, all of them used to get defeated by Bhima.
62) The princes used to climb trees to pluck big, ripe, ready to eat fruits. Seeing them on top of the trees, Bhima used to kick the trunk of the trees causing all of them to fall. Bhima then used to eat the fruits.
63) In all competitions including fights, duels, running, jumping and swimming, it was Bhima, the one who always did pious activities and had the complete blessings of Lord Vishnu, who would win against the princes.
64) Bhima, the one who was complete and had great valor, used get hold of all of them and drown them in Ganga. When they got tired, he used to release them and laugh at them. On other occasions, he used to carry them across the overflowing Ganga.
65) Without developing hatred against Lord Hari and Vayu, the ayogyas never obtain tamas. Therefore, the two of them took avatara on Earth and did things that led to the ayogyas developing hatred against them. This is always the work of the two excellent and valorous devatas (Lord Hari and Vayu).
66) Noting the limitless activities that Bhima, the son of Vayu, was engaging in, and realizing his limitless strength, the hatred of the princes kept increasing. They got together and secretly devised a plan.
67) Those amongst the princes who were amshas of devatas, all of them developed great affection for Bhima. The others in the royal lineage were daityas born as princes and they colluded and decided to kill (Bhima).
68) “If Bhima dies, then all others are as good as dead. It is not possible to kill this powerful Bhima by strength. Let us eliminate him through deceit, kill Arjuna through valour and keep the rest in captivity”
69) “If we do this, the Kingdom of Duryodhana will be rid of problems. Otherwise it is not possible. Bhima must be killed. Arjuna must die. Then the others will become servants of Duryodhana”
70) Having thought this way, they gave Bhima the poison called Kaalakoota – the poison which was terrible, the one which came about during the samudra manthana, the one which was obtained by Shukracharya from Shiva and which was then obtained by Shakuni from Shukracharya after a lot of pleading.
71) Having discussed with the other princes, the Kauravas, through their cook, poisoned all the sweets and other dishes with the Kalakoota. Yuyutsu informed Bhima of the same. The powerful Bhima, having known of the poisoning himself as well, was able to digest the entire poison due to the grace of Lord Vishnu.
72) Having realized Bhima was able to digest the poison, the evil minded Kauravas were distraught and they then built a mansion on the Ganga very quickly. Bhimasena got to know of the same through Yuyutsu and went and slept there with the Kauravas on his own.
73) In order to show the defects in the Kauravas, Bhima, the best amongst men, slept there in the mansion. The Kauravas tied him up with iron ropes on which spells were cast, and they dropped him into the Ganga.
74) Bhima, who had entered the water which was a crore yojanas in depth, was able to break the shackles by merely shaking his body. Bhima, whose mind is always at the feet of Lord Vishnu, the One with infinite attributes, came out of the water and stood along with the sajjanas, giving great joy to them.
75) Seeing Bhima escape from death once again, the Kauravas’ mind became even more poisoned. They had discussions once again and brought to their city eight great Nagas (serpents) using the mantras given to them by Shukracharya. They kept the snakes in secure cells and handed them over to their charioteer.
76) The charioteer of Duryodhana picked up those snakes which were obtained by Duryodhana through mantra-bala and released them on the broad chest of the sleeping Bhima. As soon as they bit him, all their teeth were broken.
77) After that Bhimasena picked up the snakes belonging to the 8 groups of nagas and threw them far away. He crushed many other snakes with his fists and killed them. Using only his forearm, he killed (Duryodhana’s) charioteer. And then he slept on the bed just like before.
78) The princes saw the incomparable natural strength of Bhima and felt extremely grieved. “Even those snakes, whose mere breath and bite are enough to burn down the lokas, proved to be futile in Bhima’s case”.
79) “Even though the snakes bit Bhima with a lot of effort, they could not cause any distortion in him. We had never heard of anyone this strong earlier; Naturally there is no question of having seen any such person. Even Hiranyakashipu’s son did not have such capability”
80) “For his protection, Prahlada had made special prayers to Sri Hari and hence was rescued. It wasn’t his natural strength. Were not the attendants of his father forcefully taking him away? On the other hand, this Bhima’s strength is natural”