MAHABHARAT incidences

Mahabharat; the great Indian epic, has motivated lots of people across the globe. This story of great warriors always inspires me to portray the incidences of Mahabharat. Here are some of my paintings and sketches depicting incidences of Mahabharat.



1. Bheeshma's Grief:


This oil painting may be seen as a scene depicting sorrow of the grandsire Bheeshma, who although was a great invincible warrior, respected son of goddess Ganga; but who was helpless when wife of his grandsons (pandavas) was humiliated in the assembly after the dice game. Bound by his vow, he could not oppose the acts of the king's sons. He was the eldest in Kuruvansha. He couldnot show his remorse to others. But Mother is an exception. The only lap in the world where you can cry out loud, and lighten your pain. The Ganga-putra is doing the same.
Note the hands of Ganga, (I have not shown her face because its not needed)They look a bit dirty, which shows the burden of evil and sins the godess is witnessing on her land. As nicely put by Bhupen Hazarika in his song
"O Ganga, NIrlajj Bhaav se behti ho kyon"


2. And the Grandsire smiled:



This painting is self explainatory. The joy a grandfather would feel by watching his sons excel.


3. The burden of lie


Now it is said that the chariot of dharmaraj Yudhishthir, because he always speak truth, used to move 4 inches above the earth in the battle. It was only when he uttered that Ashwatthama is dead, his chariot landed on the earth. Now it was not a lie because an elephant named Ashwatthama was actually killed and on the advice of Lord Krishna, dharmaraj acknowledge his death as "Ashwatthama is dead" in aloud voice, loud enough to be heard by his guru Dronacharya, and "Ashwatthama; the elephant" in a low voice. This incidence shows that its not what we say becomes a lie its the intention which makes our words sinister or holy. As soon as Drona heard that sound from Yudhisthir, he thought that his son Ashwatthama is dead, as he believed Yudhishthir's words can never lie. He dropped his weapon and was killed by Drishtadyumna. It was actually a conspiracy. So this is said that a lie that can save a life is hundred times better than the truth which can take a life.



4. Duryodhana's final confrontation.



The fallen warrior after being defeated unjustly by Bheema by breaking the laws of duel fight and hitting the opponent below the waist, blames it all on Lord Krishna. Now Duryodhana was evil. He was bad. He was the villain and root cause of all enimosity. But his final confrontation with Krishna is an interesting incidence of Mahabharat. It is said that even Gods from heaven showered flowers on him when he declared proudly that "I die like a warrior". Even thoough the villain badmouthed the supreme God Krishna, he was praised by Gods, this shows that bravery is a man's biggest virtue.


5. Evil grows from evil submerging righteousness

From Mahabharat

Ashwattha, a great warrior feared by the most, in the end slaughtered all the Panchals and sons of Draupadi in their sleep. It is said that in the end from the Kaurava's side the only survivors were Ashwatthama, Kripacharya and Kritvarma and from the Pandavas side the survivors were the 5 pandavas only. This painting shows how in the end of this ugly battle, even after the death of one Adharmi (Duryodhana) another sin was committed and that too by son of a brahmin. Kripacharya and Kritvarma became aide in this horrendous act. Ashwatthama was paralysed due to curse of Lord Krishna and he and Kripacharya are doomed to wander on this earth forever, as said. Kritvarma was killed in the famous Yaduvanshi slaughter.