Pandava return to Hastinapur | Mahabharata Stories | Folktale stories with moral lesson

 

King Dhritarashtra is pleased. He is sitting on a massive throne. Countrymen are clapping.

Vidhur

Greetings to Your royal highness!

Countrymen

Hail to Hastinapur

Vidhur

Today we are here to welcome our 105 princes.

Kunti and Gandhari smile. They are sitting on the beach behind the parapet wall.

Vidhur

Welcome, Prince Yudhishthir!

Countrymen

Hail to Prince Yudhishthir! Hail to Prince Yudhishthir!

Yudhishthir arrives with his weapon. He stands at the center of the auditorium.

Vidhur

Welcome, Prince Duryodhana!

Countrymen

Hail to Prince Duryodhana! Hail to Prince Duryodhana!

Prince Duryodhana enters with his weapon.

Vidhur

Let the fight begin

Prince Duryodhana and Yudhishthir fight. Duryodhana wins. Gandhari claps. Kunti becomes sad.

Countrymen

Hail to Prince Duryodhana! Hail to Prince Duryodhana!

Vidhur

Welcome Prince Arjun

Countrymen

Hail to Prince Arjun! Hail to Prince Arjun!

Prince Arjun enters with his weapon.

Vidhur

Let the fight begin

Prince Duryodhana and Arjun fight. Arjun ties Duryodhana magically. Arjun wins.

Countrymen

Hail to Prince Arjun! Hail to Prince Arjun!

King Dhritarashtra becomes angry

King Dhritarashtra

This is not fair! How can the archer use his magical arrow to defeat my son?

Arrow comes and unties Duryodhana. Everyone is shocked

Vidhur

Who interrupted the royal game?

Karna jumps into the center of the auditorium

Karna

I did it. Because Arjun was playing unethically

King Dhritarashtra

Yes, you are right. Who are you, my son?

Karna

I am Karna.

Vidhur

Tell me the caste who belong to?

Arjun

Yes, brave warrior, tell us your caste

Duryodhana

A warrior’s identity is his bravery and not caste

Karna

I am a royal servant’s son

Vidhur

How dare you interrupt the royal game?

Bhishma

Karna, I order you leave the royal game. As you are not a king or a prince

Countrymen

Hail to Prince Arjun! Hail to Prince Arjun! Leave Karna! Leave Karna!

Karna is leaving sadly. Duryodhana stops him.

Duryodhana

King father. My friend Karna is getting humiliated. He is a brave warrior. Can I help him?

King Dhritarashtra

Yes

Duryodhana

You have gifted me, Kingdom Ang

King Dhritarashtra

Yes

Duryodhana

I want to make my friend, King of Ang

King Dhritarashtra

Yes, please make this brave warrior, Karna, a King

Vidhur

This is not possible

Bhishma

This is unethical. He is a royal servant’s son. How can he be a king?

King Dhritarashtra

I am supremo, and I am permitting him. Karna is King of Ang.

Duryodhana

Now can my friend fight with Arjun

Bhishma

Yes

Arjuna and Karan ready with their weapon

Vidhur

Let the fight begin

Karna and Arjun fight. Arjun ties Karna magically. Karna releases himself.

Countrymen

Hail to Prince Arjun! Hail to Prince Arjun!

Sunsets.

Vidhur

Now let’s end the game. Since there are two players on the field. There is no winner

Countrymen

Hail to Prince Arjun! Hail to Prince Arjun!

Night’s darkness emerges.

King Dhritarashtra is very anxious.

Vidhur

Today we have to decide our crown prince

King Dhritarashtra

My son Duryodhana is our crown prince

Bhishma

But eldest son is Yudhishthir

King Dhritarashtra

So what even I was the eldest son. But Pandu was made Kind

Vidhur

Because you are blind

Bhishma

I vote for Yudhishthir

Vidhur

I vote for Yudhishthir

Minister

We vote for Yudhishthir! We vote for Yudhishthir!

Vidhur

Duryodhana lacks compassion. He is not fit to be future King

King Dhritarashtra

Okay, I declare Yudhishthir as our crown prince

King Dhritarashtra becomes sad.

King Dhritarashtra, Vidhur, Bhishma at the meeting hall of the palace. Ministers have occupied seats. And in the center, King and Queen Ghandari are seated. Kunti is standing beside them.

King Dhritarashtra

Dear Ministers and countrymen of Hastinapur. I declare prince Yudhishthir as our crown prince and future king.

Ministers stand up from their seats and shower flowers on King and Queen.

Ministers (in unison)

Hail to the King! Hail to the Queen! Hail to the Hastinapur! Hail to prince Yudhishthir!

All smile.

Moral: Competition should be healthy.

Happy Reading!

Check out Nisha B Thakur's highly appreciated novel, The Unexpected Trail.

Gurukul stories of Pandavas | Mahabharata Stories | Folktale stories with moral lesson

 

Guru Drona sits beneath a huge tree. One hundred five-princes are standing in front of him.

Guru Drona

Today is your first day in Gurukul. Discipline, Dedication, and Determination are three qualities that bring success to you in education.

105 princes

Namaskar Guru

Guru Drona

Now, you may take your seat

Students sit down on the mat.

Guru Drona stands on an open field. 105 Princes are listening to him attentively. He points at a tree.

Guru Drona

Look at that tree. There is a bird on it. Your target is a bird’s eye. Get ready with your bow and arrow.

Yudhishthir

May I start Guru Drona?

Guru Drona

Yes

Yudhishthir aims at the tree.

Guru Drona

What can you see?

Yudhishthir

I can see that a bird has its nest on the tree. I have to dart so that the nest doesn’t get hurt.

Guru Drona

Good. But you cannot be an archer

Yudhishthir walks back to his place, disappointed.

 

Guru Drona

Now, Bhim, it’s your turn

Bhim aims at the tree.

Guru Drona

What can you see?

Bhim

that there are lots of fruits on the tree

Guru Drona

Good. But you cannot be an archer

Bhim walks back to his place, disappointed.

Guru Drona

Now, Duryodhana, it’s your turn

Duryodhana aims at the tree.

Guru Drona

What can you see?

Duryodhana

Sir, I can blow away the whole tree

Guru Drona

You lack humility. You cannot be an archer

Duryodhana walks back to his place, disappointed.

Guru Drona

Now, Arjun, it’s your turn

Arjun aims at the tree.

Guru Drona

What can you see?

Arjun

I can only see the bird’s eye

Guru Drona

Go ahead

Arjun hits the target like a pro.

Pandavas clap. Duryodhana gets angry.

Guru Drona is teaching students. He is sitting beneath a tree. Karna enters.

Karna

Greetings to the wise man!

Guru Drona

Bless you

Karna

Guruji, I am here to become your student. Please teach me archery.

Guru Drona

Are you a royal child?

Karna

No sir. I am a royal servant’s son. My father works for Your Majesty Bhishma.

Guru Drona

Sorry, son, I only teach royals.

Karna

Then you will teach me

Guru Drona

Why don’t you go to my teacher, Sage Parshuram? He will surely help.

Karna

Okay. Namaskar

Karna walks away. But Arjun’s arrow walks past him. He, too, hits a dart at Arjun.

Karna

How dare you

Guru Drona

Please don’t talk with my students like that.

Arjun

I was practising.

Karna

Don’t act smart. You wanted to hurt me so that I never learned archery.

Arjun

Great! So be it! One day, I will show you my practice in Warfield.

Karna

Sure

Karna walks away.

Guru Drona is teaching Arjun. He hits a dart at a bird flying in the sky. Eklavya enters.

Eklavya

Greetings wise man

Guru Drona

Bless you! Who are you, son?

Eklavya

I am your student

Guru Dhorna

But I never taught you

Eklavya

Every day, I hide in bushes and hear your lecture with Arjun

Guru Dhorna

Great! Can you show me what you have learned?

Eklavya

Sure

Eklavya aims at a dog, darts arrows around him, and makes a cage

Guru Drona

Great

Arjun enters and smiles at Eklavya

Guru Drona

Now that you have learned so much from me, can you give me Guru Dakshina?

Eklavya

Sure

Guru Drona

Present your thumb to me

Eklavya and Arjun are shocked

Eklavya

Sure Sir

He cuts his thumb and gives it to Guru Dhorna. Arjun is shocked

Guru Dhorna

Eklavya, your education is over. Now go back to your home

Eklavya cries and leaves.

Moral: Children are like earthen pots. Shape them wisely.

Happy Reading!

About the writer: 

Check out Nisha B Thakur's highly appreciated novel, The Unexpected Trail.

Duryodhana vs. Pandava childhood stories | Mahabharata Stories | Folktale stories with moral lesson

 

Pandu is plucking fruits from a tree. Madri comes dressed beautifully.

Pandu

Oh, dear, you are looking so pretty.

Madri

Greetings! Your Royal Highness!

Pandu takes her behind the tree. In 5 seconds, Pandu starts breathing heavily.

Pandu

Oh, dear, I am dying.

Madri

Help! Help!

Kunti and Bhim start running towards them. But Pandu dies.

Kunti

What happened?

Madri

Your Majesty left for his heavenly abode.

Kunti starts crying. Madri eats poison.

Madri

I am leaving my sons with you, Kunti sister. Take care of them like your own sons.

Kunti

Please don’t leave me alone.

Kunti cries.

Bhishma and Vidhur are standing beside King Dhritarashtra. King is seated on the throne.

Kunti

Greetings! Your Royal Highness!

King Dhritarashtra

Welcome home, Kunti and sons

Bhishma

Now, we will make Yudhishthir the crown prince

Vidhur

Yes, he is the eldest son. He is our crown prince

King Dhritarashtra

We can discuss it later. Let’s welcome them to the family.

King Dhritarashtra is enjoying music. Duryodhana enters and throws the chair on the floor.

Duryodhana

Stop this music, father

King Dhritarashtra

What happened, my son? Why are you so angry?

Duryodhana

What are those Pandavas doing in my palace

Shakuni enters

Shakuni

I told you Yudhishthir is going to be the future king

King Dhritarashtra

Stop it Shakuni

Duryodhana

Oh, he will become king day, and I will become a pauper.

Duryodhana leaves the room fuming

Duryodhana eats kheer from his plate. Shakuni serves him.

Shakuni

You have to kill them

Duryodhana

But how?

Shakuni

Did you like Kheer?

Duryodhana

We are discussing such an important thing, and you want to know about Kheer!

Shakuni

Because it’s part of my plan

Duryodhana takes a fruit basket to Bhim

Duryodhana

I got a fruit basket for you, brother Bhim

Bhim

What for?

Duryodhana

I know we didn’t begin on a good note. But I am extending an olive branch to you.

Bhim smiles and takes the fruit basket. He gives it to Arjun. Nakul, Sahadev, and Yudhishthir smile.

Yudhishthir

It’s my yoga time

Nakul & Sahadev

We are coming

Arjun

I have some work with Bhishma Father

Bhim

Then let me have these fruit

Duryodhana

I have something more delicious for you than these fruits. Come with me.

Bhim and Duryodhana leave.

Bhim and Duryodhana arrive at a beautiful boat.

Bhim

This is so beautiful

Duryodhana

And I have got kheer for you

Bhim

Please give it to me now

Duryodhana (giving a bowl)

Here you go

Bhim eats it and falls unconscious. Shakuni enters, and they throw him into the water.

Duryodhan and Shakuni

Hahaha

Kunti is crying. Gandhari comes and consoles her.

Gandhari

Please don’t cry, Kunti

Kunti

My Bhim! Oh, I miss him

Gandhari

Don’t worry! Wherever he is, he must be OK.

Bhim enters

Bhim

I am here, Mother Gandhari.

Kunti hugs him.

Kunti

Where were you, my son?

Bhim

I was underwater in the snake world. The Lord of Snakes, Vasuki, gave me a magical potion. Now, I have the strength of 100 elephants.

Yudhishthir

Wow! You are my most powerful brother

Arjun

Welcome back

Nakul and Sahadev hug him too.

Duryodhana enters

Bhim

Why did you try to kill me, Duryodhana?

King Dhritarashtra sits on the throne. Bhishma looks at him angrily.

Bhishma

Your son Duryodhana has sinned.

King Dhritarashtra

Forgive him, father

Guru Drona enters.

King Dhritarashtra

Greetings to the wise man!

Guru Drona

May God bless you

Bhishma

I have recruited Guru Drona as a teacher for our 105 princes. They will leave for Gururkul today.

King Dhritarashtra

I will miss you, my son, Duryodhana

King Dhritarashtra cries.

Moral: Let your child grow in positive surroundings.

Happy Reading!

Check out Nisha B Thakur's highly appreciated novel, The Unexpected Trail.

Birth of Pandavas & Duryodhana | Mahabharata Stories | Folktale stories with moral lesson

 

Kunti at the meeting hall of the palace. Kunti is waiting for Pandu. He enters

Pandu

I am back from war!

Kunti

Your Royal Highness, I am at your service.

Pandu smiles and occupies his throne; Ministers have occupied seats. And in the centre, Pandu and Kunti are seated.

Pandu

Dear Ministers, meet your new Queen Madri.

Madri enters. Kunti cries and gets up from her seat. Ministers stand up and shower flowers on the King and Queen.

Ministers (in unison)

Hail to the King! Hail to the Queen! Hail to the Hastinapur!

Pandu and Madri smile.

Pandu, Madri, and Kunti at the meeting hall of the palace. They are sad.

Madri

But why are we going to live in the forest?

Pandu

Because now my life is cursed.

Kunti

Your royal Highness, I am ready to live with you in the forest.

Satyawati

Then, who will rule the kingdom?

Bhishma

Yes, our throne can’t be empty for long.

Vidhur

Prince Dhristrashtra can be our working king.

Prince Dhristrashtra smiles.

Prince Dhritarashtra and Princess Gandhari are in the bedroom.

Princess Gandhari

Your Royal Highness, I am at your service

Prince Dhritarashtra

I love you. Because of you, I am a king now. I know you will become my eyes and make me a good king.

Princess Gandhari

Yes, my love

Prince Dhritarashtra

I love you, too

Princess Gandhari smiles.

Kunti and Pandu look at each other sadly.

Pandu

I wish we had children. Our days in the forest would become joyous.

Kunti

I can give you a child. I was given a boon by my sage, Durvasa. To be blessed with a son, I must chant the mantra and call the Lord.

Pandu

Then please call the Lord of Justice for a dutiful son.

Kunti chants the mantra. Lord of justice comes.

Lord of justice

I bless you with a virtuous son. He will be known for his justice.

Kunti gets a son. She gives it to Pandu.

Pandu

My son, I name you Yudhishthir.

Kunti and Pandu smile.

Prince Dhritarashtra and Princess Gandhari are in the bedroom.

Prince Dhritarashtra

When will my son come? It’s been 14 months.

Princess Gandhari

I hope he comes soon.

Prince Dhritarashtra

I hate you. Why can’t you keep me happy? Pandu’s son is the eldest now. He will become King. You useless woman. You can’t give me a son.

Princess Gandhari falls unconscious. Sage Vyasa arrives.

Prince Dhritarashtra and Princess Gandhari look at the vast 101 pots created by Sage Vyasa.

Sage Vyasa

From these pots, your 100 sons and one daughter will come out.

Prince Dhritarashtra and Princess Gandhari become happy.

Kunti and Pandu look at each other happily.

Pandu

I wish Yudhishthir had a brother.

Kunti

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

Pandu

Then please call Lord of Wind for a powerful son.

Kunti chants the mantra. Lord of Wind comes.

Lord of wind

I bless you with a powerful son.

Kunti gets a son. She gives it to Pandu

Pandu

My son, I name you Bhim.

Prince Dhritarashtra and Princess Gandhari look at the vast one-pot created by Sage Vyasa. It burst open. Baby comes out. Sage Vyasa gives to Prince Dhritarashtra.

Sage Vyasa

Take your eldest son.

Prince Dhritarashtra and Princess Gandhari become happy.

Prince Dhritarashtra

My son, I name you Duryodhana.

Kunti and Pandu look at each other happily.

Pandu

I wish we had one more son.

Kunti

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

Pandu

Then please call Lord Indra for a dutiful son.

Kunti chants the mantra. Lord Indra comes.

Lord Indra

I bless you with a dutiful son.

Kunti gets a son. She gives it to Pandu

Pandu

My son, I name you Arjun.

Madri looks at Pandu sadly.

Madri

It’s been five years in the forest. I don’t have sons. I feel lonely.

Pandu

Kunti, can you give Madri two sons.

Kunti

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

Pandu

Then please call Lord Ashwin Kumar for twins.

Kunti chants the mantra. Lord Ashwin Kumar comes.

Lord Ashwin Kumar

I bless you with twins.

Kunti gets a son. She gives it to Pandu

Pandu

My twins, I name one Nakul and the other one Sahadev.

Pandu smiles.

Moral: Children are like earthen pots. Shape them wisely.

Happy Reading!

Check out Nisha B Thakur's highly appreciated novel, The Unexpected Trail.

Marriage of Dhritarashtra & Pandu | Mahabharata Stories | Folktale stories with moral lesson

 

Satyavati sits on the throne. Bhishma enters.

Bhishma

Greeting! Your Royal Highness!

Satyavati

Bhishma, where are your students?

Bhishma claps. And three young princes enter.

Bhishma

Meet Dhritarashtra. He is mighty and can crush pillars with his hand. He is blind, but he is independent. He doesn’t need any support to kill enemies.

Dhritarashtra

Greeting! Your Royal Highness!

Satyavati

God bless you

Bhishma

Meet Pandu. He is very efficient in archery skills.

Pandu

Greeting! Your Royal Highness!

Satyavati

God bless you

Bhishma

Meet Vidhur. A wise and knowledgeable man.

Vidhur

Greeting! Your Royal Highness!

Satyavati

God bless you

Bhishma

Your royal highness, you should make Dhritarashtra our future King, Pandu our chief soldier, and Vidhur our Chief Minister.

Satywati

Let’s hold the ceremony tomorrow.

Satyavati and Bhishma at the meeting hall of the palace. Ministers have occupied seats. In the centre, three princes are seated.

Bhishma

Dear Ministers meet our King Dhritarashtra.

Ministers stand up and shower flowers on the King and Queen.

Ministers (in unison)

Hail to the King! Hail to the Hastinapur!

Satyavati and Bhishma smile.

Vidhur

Your Royal Highness! Apologies for the interruption! But how can a blind person be our king?

Bhishma

Dhritarashtra is very independent and powerful

Vidhur

Unfortunately, he can’t be our king. I suggest that Brother Pandu should be made King.

Pandu becomes king, and Dhritarashtra cries.

Dhritarashtra and Bhishma at the meeting hall of the palace. Satyavati enters

Satyavati

Dhritarashtra should get married now!

Bhishma

Yes. Princess Gandhari would be an ideal partner for him.

Dhritarashtra

Okay, I will marry her.

Satyavati

Please go and bring Princess Gandhari.

Dhritarashtra and Satywati are at the palace's meeting hall. Bhishma enters with Princess Gandhari, who is wearing a red blindfold.

Bhishma

Greeting! Your Royal Highness!

Princess Gandhari

Greeting! Your Royal Highness!

Satywati

Why are you wearing a red blindfold?

Princess Gandhari

Because I want to lead a life like my love, Prince Dhritarashtra

Dhritarashtra (fumes)

I will not marry her. She is of no use to me. I want her to become my eyes.

Princess Gandhari

Forgive me, Your Royal Highness

Prince Dhritarashtra walks out angrily.

Prince Dhritarashtra and Princess Gandhari get married. Bhishma and Satyavati are in the palace's meeting hall. Ministers and the prince and princess are seated in the centre.

Bhishma

Dear Ministers, meet your Princess Gandhari.

Ministers stand up from their seats and shower flowers on Princess Gandhari and Prince Dhritarashtra.

Ministers (in unison)

Hail to the Hastinapur!

Bhishma and Satyavati smile.

Kunti and Pandu get married. Bhishma and Satyavati are in the palace's meeting hall. Ministers are seated. In the centre, the King and Queen are seated. 

King Shantanu

Dear Ministers, meet your Queen Kunti.

Ministers stand up and shower flowers on the King and Queen.

Ministers (in unison)

Hail to the King! Hail to the Queen! Hail to the Hastinapur!

Bhishma and Satyavati smile. Prince Dhritarashtra cries.

Prince Dhritarashtra and Princess Gandhari are in the bedroom.

Princess Gandhari

Your Royal Highness, I am at your service

Prince Dhritarashtra

I hate you. Because of you, I cannot be a king. I thought you would become my eyes and make me king.

Princess Gandhari

I am sorry

Prince Dhritarashtra

Leave my room now

Princess Gandhari leaves the room crying.

Kunti and Pandu are in the bedroom.

Kunti

Your Royal Highness, I am at your service

Pandu

I love you. Because of you, I became a king.

Kunti

I love you, too

Pandu

But now I have to leave for war. Farewell, dear Queen!

Pandu leaves the room, and Kunti looks at him, crying.

Vidhur and Sulabha get married. Bhishma and Satyavati are in the palace's meeting hall. Ministers are seated, and Vidhur and Sulabha are sitting in the centre. 

Bhishma

Dear Ministers, meet our royal wife, Sulabha.

Ministers stand up from their seats and shower flowers on Sulabha and Vidhur.

Ministers (in unison)

Hail to the Hastinapur!

Bhishma and Satyavati smile.

Bhishma

Hastinapur is now so powerful. With King Pandu, Prince Dhritarashtra, and Vidhur. Three loving brothers.

Prince Dhritarashtra cries and talks in his mind.

Prince Dhritarashtra

I hate you, Pandu.

Moral: Your enemy can be someone from your family, too.

Happy Reading!

Check out Nisha B Thakur's highly appreciated novel, The Unexpected Trail.

King Shantanu marries Satyawati | Mahabharata Stories | Folktale stories with moral lesson

 

Shantanu sadly sits on the floor, looking at Ganga’s portrait.

Shantanu

Oh, dear, Ganga! I miss you every day. Please come back, my queen. Devrath! My little boy must be in his adolescence now. Oh Lord, please make me meet them soon.

Minister enters his room.

Minister

Greetings! Your Royal Highness!

Shantanu

Yes, Suryasen.

Minister

I have very shocking news for you!

Shantanu

Please continue!

Minister

Your Royal Highness! Ganga!

Shantanu (excited)

Has she come to meet me!?

Minister

No, Your Royal Highness!

Shantanu

Please come to the point

Minister

River Ganga’s streams have been put on hold with a barricade of arrows

Shantanu

Haha!

Minister

Your Royal Highness, you can see the miracle from your window.

Shantanu looks out of his window and sees the river has been stopped by a barricade of arrows.

Shantanu walks to the river. He is shocked to see the miracle. He removes his celestial weapon.

Shantanu

I challenge the demon who has done this! Appear in front of me, or else I will kill you!

A good-looking young boy appears in front of him

Devrath

Greeting! Your Royal Highness!

Shantanu

Who are you? How did you do this magic?

Devrath

I am your son! Mother Ganga asked me to stop her. She wanted to be sure that now I am well-qualified to serve Hastinapur.

Ganga appears.

Ganga

Greeting! Your Royal Highness! He is our son, Devrath! I have fulfilled my duty and made him worthy of serving Hastinapur.

Ganga disappears, and both men walk to the palace.

Shantanu goes hunting. He is in a dense forest. Mounting his horse, he comes out of the woods. A lovely smell tickles his nose. He follows it.

Shantanu

Wow! What fragrance! It must be some exotic flower! I must take it back with me to the palace.

He follows the smell and sees a beautiful lady.

Satyavati

Greeting! Your Royal Highness!

Shantanu

Oh, pretty woman! Please tell me the name of the perfume you are wearing. I want to take you with me to the palace.

Satyavati

Your Royal Highness! This lovely smell is coming from me.

Shantanu

What’s your name?

Satyavati

I am Satyavati! I am the princess of the fishermen's community.

Shantanu

You are so pretty, marry me! Will you?

Satyavati

Sorry, Your Royal Highness!

Shantanu

Why, my lady? I am the king of Hastinapur. If you get married to me, you will get the pride of becoming the queen of Hastinapur.

Satyavati

Your Royal Highness! Your son will soon become King, after which my son will become a royal servant. I don’t want to lead a life like a royal servant. Forgive me for rejecting your proposal.

Satyavati leaves. Shantanu sadly mounts his horse.

Shantanu sadly comes to his palace.

Devrath

Father! Where have you been? Come, let’s have dinner.

Shantanu (sad)

I am not hungry, my son.

Shantanu leaves sadly.

Shantanu is sitting sadly at the riverside. Shantanu and the Minister are looking at him from a distance.

Devrath

It’s been 15 days now. He hasn’t smiled. Something is bothering him.

Minister

It’s Satyavati. She refused to marry our King.

Devrath

How dare she? Who is she?

Minister

She is the princess of the fishing community.

Devrath, mounting his horse, reaches Satyavati’s hut.

Devrath

Why did you refuse my father’s marriage proposal?

Satyavati

Your Royal Highness! I have a valid reason.

Devrath

The king of Hastinapur asked you to get married to him. And you want to refuse the fortune of becoming the queen of Hastinapur.

Satyavati

Your Royal Highness! You will soon become King. After which, my son will become a royal servant. I don’t want to lead a life like a royal servant. Forgive me for rejecting your father’s proposal.

Devrath

I promise you I will never ascend the throne. I leave all rights and privileges as the crown prince.

Satyavati

But what if your sons want to become a king

Devrath

I promise you I will never marry. Now, will you marry my father

Satyavati

Yes

Devrath and Satyavati walk to the palace.

Devrath and Satyavati meet Shantanu.

Shantanu

Why my son? Why did you take such a difficult oath?

Devrath

For your happiness and well-being

Shantanu

I name you Bhishma. You will be remembered for eternity for your difficult oath.

Devrath touches his feet.

Shantanu

I give a boon. You will die only when you wish. Otherwise, even death wouldn’t be able to harm you.

Devrath smile.

Shantanu and Satyavati get married.

King Shantanu and Satyavati at the meeting hall of the palace. Ministers have occupied seats. And in the centre, the King and Queen are seated.

King Shantanu

Dear Ministers, meet your Queen Satyavati.

Ministers stand up from their seats and shower flowers on the King and Queen.

Ministers (in unison)

Hail to the King! Hail to the Queen! Hail to the Hastinapur!

Satyavati and King Shantanu smile.

 Moral: Think before you make a promise.

Happy Reading!

Check out Nisha B Thakur's highly appreciated novel, The Unexpected Trail.

King Shantanu marries Ganga | Mahabharata Stories | Folktale stories with moral lesson

 

King Shantanu chants a mantra, pouring water from his hand into the river Ganga. He is praying to the Lord Sun.

King Shantanu

Namaskar Lord Sun. Please ensure the well-being of my kingdom.

 

He walks back to his palace and sees a beautiful woman on the banks of the Ganga. Her all-white attire and beautiful face attract him, and he walks to her.

King Shantanu

Oh, beautiful lady. What is your name?

Ganga

Your Royal Highness, King of Hastinapur, King Shantanu. I am a human form of the river Ganga. You can call me Ganga.

King Shantanu

Oh, dear, will you marry me? I will keep you happy.

Ganga

I am honoured to receive your marriage proposal.

King Shantanu removes his gold chain and puts it on Ganga’s neck.

King Shantanu

Marry me?

Ganga

Your Royal Highness, I will marry you. But I have one condition.

King Shantanu

Please tell me what you want. I will give you anything you want, my dear.

Ganga

Your Royal Highness, you would not ask me any questions about my actions after our marriage. If you ever ask any question, I will leave you.

King Shantanu

Yes, I won’t question your actions. Now, my dear, please say yes.

Ganga smiles.

King Shantanu and Ganga at the meeting hall of the palace. Ministers have occupied seats. And in the centre, the King and Queen are seated.

King Shantanu

Dear Ministers, meet your Queen Ganga.

Ministers stand up and shower flowers on the King and Queen.

Ministers (in unison)

Hail to the King! Hail to the Queen! Hail to the Hastinapur!

Ganga and King Shantanu smile.

King Shantanu is pacing up and down. He is anxious. The maid enters the room.

Maid

Your Royal Highness, I have good news for you.

King Shantanu

Yes!

He removes a gold chain and gives it to her.

Maid

Your Royal Highness, Queen Ganga, has given birth to a son.

King Shantanu

Oh, Lord Sun. I express my gratitude for all your happiness.

He claps. And a Minister appears.

Minister

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

King Shantanu

Distribute sweets and clothes to the poor and needy. Arrange a special lunch ceremony for relatives, friends, royal ministers, and their families.

Minister

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

King Shantanu holds the baby. He plays with him. He is standing near the window.

King Shantanu

Look, son, this is our kingdom. One day, you will rule it. I will make you the best king we ever had.

Baby cries. King claps, and the maid appears.

King Shantanu

Take him to Queen Ganga; I think he wants milk.

Maid takes him.

King Shantanu is enjoying the sunset view when he spots Ganga with the baby in her arms. He walks towards her and sees her drowning the child.

King Shantanu

No, please, no.

King Shantanu cries. Ganga walks past him.

King Shantanu remembers…

King Shantanu

Oh, dear, will you marry me? I will keep you happy.

Ganga

Your Royal Highness, if you agree with one condition.

King Shantanu

Please tell me what you want. I will give you anything you want, my dear.

Ganga

Your Royal Highness, you would not ask me any questions about my actions after marriage. If you ever ask any question, I will leave you.

King Shantanu

Yes, I won’t question your actions. Now, my dear, please say yes.

King Shantanu looks at her, devastated, but doesn’t ask her anything.

One by one, seven sons were born and were drowned by Ganga. Shantanu is devastated.

King Shantanu chants a mantra, pouring water from his hand into the river Ganga. He is praying to the Lord Sun.

King Shantanu

Namaskar Lord Sun. Please ensure the well-being of my kingdom.

He starts crying.

King Shantanu

Please save my eighth child, my lord. I have already lost my seven sons. Ganga must be arriving here, and she will kill my son. Please save him.

Ganga comes to the riverside, holding the baby in her arms. King Shantanu runs to her.

King Shantanu

You are a cruel mother. I won’t allow you to drown my eighth son.

Ganga

Your Royal Highness, I want to remind you about your promise

King Shantanu

I break my promise. A cruel woman like you doesn’t deserve to be my wife. Why are you killing my son? Answer me!

Ganga

Now that you have broken your promise. I will tell you the reason. But you will have to pay a heavy price for it.

King Shantanu

I confront you, wicked woman. Answer me!

Ganga

Your royal highness, our eight sons were Eight Vasus who were cursed by Vasishta to be born on earth as mortal humans.

King Shantanu

So?

Ganga

Vasus pacified Vasishta, limited his curse, and told them that they would be freed from it within a year of their birth as humans. I killed our sons to free them from the curse, but this one.

Ganga looks at the baby.

Ganga

He will have to bear the curse of a long life and never have a wife or children.

King Shantanu

A cursed life for my son. No!

Ganga

But the sage also blessed him that he would be virtuous, conversant with all the holy scriptures, and an obedient son to his father.

King Shantanu

It’s my fault! I wish I had trusted you. And had not questioned your integrity.

King Shantanu cries. King Shantanu holds the child.

King Shantanu

I'm sorry. Because of me, you will live a life full of pain. Forgive me, my son.

Ganga

Your Royal Highness, it’s not your fault. It’s his karma.

King Shantanu

Son, I am naming you Devrath. I will raise you like a warrior and prepare you to fight the challenges. Let’s take him to Sage Parshuram. We will ask him to be his teacher.

Ganga

Your Royal Highness, I will fulfil your wish.

King Shantanu

Why dear? Don’t tell me you are taking away my son!

Ganga

Your royal highness, allow me to take Devrath to heaven and train him properly for the King's throne and status.

King Shantanu

Please, don’t leave me. I am sorry for breaking my promise.

Ganga

Sorry, Your Royal Highness.

Ganga walks on top of the river streams and disappears along with the child. Shantanu cries, and in the background, sunsets.

Moral: Think before you make a promise.

Happy Reading!

Check out Nisha B Thakur's highly appreciated novel, The Unexpected Trail.