Kunti (Sanskrit) Wife of Pandu and mother of three of the Pandavas, foes of their cousins, the Kauravas, in the Mahabharata.

(See also: Kunti, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Kurus (Sanskrit) The foes and cousins of the Pandavas, as related in the Mahabharata.

See also KAURAVAS

(See also: Kurus, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

The core story of the work is that of a dynastic struggle for the throne of Hastinapura, the kingdom ruled by the Kuru clan. The two collateral branches of the family that participate in the struggle are the Kauravas, the elder branch of the family, and the Pandavas, the younger branch. The struggle culminates leading to the Great battle of Kurukshetra, and the Pandavas are ultimately victorious. The Mahabharata itself ends with the death of Krishna, and the subsequent end of his dynasty, and ascent of the Pandava brothers to Heaven. ...

See also:

Mahabharata, Mahabharata - Primary purport, Mahabharata - Background and history, Mahabharata - The Mahabharata, the epic story, Mahabharata - Stories, Mahabharata - Structure, Mahabharata - Modern Mahabharata, Mahabharata - Another Viewpoint, Mahabharata - The Significance of Mahabharata, Mahabharata - Symbolism of Mahabharata

Read more here: » Mahabharata: Encyclopedia II - Mahabharata - The Mahabharata, the epic story

The core story of the work is that of a dynastic struggle for the throne of Hastinapura, the kingdom ruled by the Kuru clan. The two collateral branches of the family that participate in the struggle are the Kauravas, the elder branch of the family, and the Pandavas, the younger branch. The struggle culminates leading to the Great battle of Kurukshetra, and the Pandavas are ultimately victorious. The Mahabharata itself ends with the death of Krishna, and the subsequent end of his dynasty, and ascent of the Pandava brothers to Heaven. ...

See also:

Mahabharata, Mahabharata - Primary purport, Mahabharata - Background and history, Mahabharata - The Mahabharata the epic story, Mahabharata - Stories, Mahabharata - Structure, Mahabharata - Modern Mahabharata, Mahabharata - Another Viewpoint, Mahabharata - The Significance of Mahabharata, Mahabharata - Symbolism of Mahabharata

Read more here: » Mahabharata: Encyclopedia II - Mahabharata - The Mahabharata the epic story

At the end of the war, Yudhisthira and the Pandava army emerge victorious, but the sons of Draupadi and many Pandava heroes like Dhristadyumna, Abhimanyu, Virata, Drupada and many others are dead. Millions of warriors on both sides have been killed. Yudhisthira performs tarpana for the souls of the departed. Upon his return to Hastinapura, he is crowned king of both Indraprastha and Hastinapura. Out of his piousness, Yudhisthira retains Dhristarashtra as the king of the city of Hastinapura, and offers him complete respect and deference as an elder, despite his misdeeds and the evil of his dead sons.

Yudhisthira, Yudhisthira - Birth and Upbringing, Yudhisthira - son of Dharma, Yudhisthira - King of Indraprastha, Yudhisthira - Rajasuya, Yudhisthira - Exile of 14 years, Yudhisthira - The War at Kurukshetra, Yudhisthira - Drona's death, Yudhisthira - Emperor of the World, Yudhisthira - Ashwamedha, Yudhisthira - Retirement and Ascent to Heaven

Read more here: » Yudhisthira: Encyclopedia II - Yudhisthira - Emperor of the World

Sabha (Sanskrit). An assembly; a place for meetings, social or political. Also Mahasabha , "the bundle of wonderful (mayavic or illusionary) things" the gift of Mayasur to the Pandavas (Mahabharata.)

(See also: Sabha, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Kurus (Sanskrit) or Kauravas. The foes of the Pandavas in the Bhagavad Gita, on the plain of Kurukshetra. This plain is but a few miles from Delhi.

(See also: Kurus, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Drona strongly condemns the wicked prince Duryodhana and his brothers for their abusive treatment of the Pandavas, and for usurping their kingdom by sending them into exile. But being a servant of Hastinapura, Drona is bound by duty to fight for the Kauravas, and thus against his favorite Pandavas. Drona is one of the most powerful and destructive warriors in the Kurukshetra War. He is an invincible warrior, whom no person on earth can defeat, and he single-handedly slays hundreds of thousands of Pandava soldiers with his powerful armory of weapons and incredible skill. After the fall of Bhishma, he bec ...

See also:

Drona, Drona - Birth and Early Life, Drona - Drona and Drupada, Drona - Guru Parasurama, Drona - Dronacharya, Drona - The ball and the ring, Drona - Arjuna, Drona - Ekalavya and Karna, Drona - Revenge upon Drupada, Drona - Drona in the war, Drona - Abhimanyu's killing, Drona - Yudhisthira's capture and Drona's death, Drona - Modern assessment

Read more here: » Drona: Encyclopedia II - Drona - Drona in the war

See Also: Mahabharata, ancient India The imperial dynasties of ancient India, such as the Kauravas and Pandavas of Hastinapura, are recognized in the Mahabharata and Ramayana as the descendants of Bharata. Bharata was the greatest king of the Chandravanshi (Lunar Dynasty) of the kshatriya race. ...

See also:

Emperor Bharata, Emperor Bharata - son of Dushyanta and Shakuntala, Emperor Bharata - son of Rishabha, Emperor Bharata - The Bharata Race, Emperor Bharata - Literary Sources, Emperor Bharata - In History

Read more here: » Emperor Bharata: Encyclopedia II - Emperor Bharata - The Bharata Race

The Mahabharata was the eighteen day war between the Pandavas and Kauravas at Kurukshetra. Karna was killed on the 17th day of battle by Arjuna, while serving as the Kuru commander. Karna - Karna's Honor and Dishonor in Battle. During the course of the war, he encountered each Pandava prince, save Arjuna, and defeated everyone of them and was capable of even killing them. (This included Yudhisthira, the Pandava who claimed the right to rule Hastinapura), and Bhima, who was the most powerful warrior of tremendous passion. However, Karna kept ...

See also:

Karna, Karna - Birth, Karna - Upbringing, Karna - Training, Karna - King of Anga, Karna - The Tragedy of Karna, Karna - The Ride with The Lord, Karna - The Great War: Kurukshetra, Karna - Karna's Honor and Dishonor in Battle, Karna - After Karna's Death, Karna - Contrast with Arjuna, Karna - Parallels, Karna - Iliad, Karna - Bible

Read more here: » Karna: Encyclopedia II - Karna - The Great War: Kurukshetra

Vidura

The Pandavas’ uncle who was the son of Dvaipayana Vyasa by the maidservant of the deceased Vicitravirya. Vidura was an incarnation of Yama, who had been cursed to be born a shudra.

(See also: Vidura, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Khandava

A forest near the Pandava capital, Indraprastha. Krishna and Arjuna fought against Indra to allow the fire-god, Agni, to consume the forest.

(See also: Khandava, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Drona (-acharya)

A powerful brahmana who became expert in military arts. He was the military guru of both the Pandavas and the Kurus.

(See also: Drona, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Vasudeva (Sanskrit) Father of Krishna and husband of Devaki, likewise brother of Kunti (the mother of the five Pandava princes). He belonged to the Yadava branch of the Somavansa or lunar race.

(See also: Vasudeva, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Dharmaja:

Dharmaja. Also Yudhistira. Eldest of the Pandavas. Born to Kunthi by the grace of Yama Dharmaraja, Lord of Death. Named for adherence to dharma. See Mahabharatha.

(See also: Dharmaja, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Dharma-kshetra:

Dharma-kshetra (-kshethra). Battlefield where the Mahabharatha war was fought between Pandavas and Kauravas. See Mahabharatha.

(See also: Dharma-kshetra, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Dharmaraja:

Dharmaraja (Dharmaraaja). Name for Yudhistira, eldest of the five Pandava brothers; also, a name for Yama, God of death.

(See also: Dharmaraja, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Bhima:

Bhima (Bheema). Second of five Pandava brothers; named for his size and strength. See Mahabharatha.

(See also: Bhima, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

a-kshaya-pathra:

a-kshaya-pathra (-paathra). Never ending plate; vessel given by Lord Sun to the Pandavas.

(See also: a-kshaya-pathra, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Arjuna:

Arjuna. Krishna's disciple, in the Bhagavad Gita; third of five Pandava brothers. See Mahabharatha.

(See also: Arjuna, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Kripa:

Kripa. Also Kripacharya. Earlier fought against Pandavas; later appointed as advisor to King Parikshith.

(See also: Kripa, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Kunthi:

Kunthi (Kunthee). Also Kunthi Devi. Mother of Pandavas, wife of King Pandu (the younger brother of emperor Dhritharashtra), and sister of Krishna's father (Vasudeva).

(See also: Kunthi, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)