Tuesday, May 11, 2021

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

 

folktale stories with moral lesson & Mahabharata stories

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.