My new book
Mahabharata: The Eternal Quest reads like you're watching a movie and begins
with short scenes in rapid succession to introduce many of the characters, to
foreshadow events and to gradually set up the main storyline. This continues
throughout the first and second chapters. Here are the first seven or so pages
below and in second installment.
Check out the reviews and project at
Check out the reviews and project at
Prologues
One/ Endangered
Bhumi, the Earth goddess, soared heavenward, beyond the Moon
and the Sun and through the starry Milky Way, up and up, all the way to
Brahmaloka, the planet of Lord Brahma, the topmost Celestial. Her steps
quickened as she ascended the grand, crystal stairway and entered his ethereal,
multi-domed palace with its magnificent, stained-glass windows. As she knelt
before the four-headed one, the grief she carried in her heart gave way and
tears flowed from her eyes.
“O Brahma, born of a lotus from Vishnu’s navel, you bear all
things in this world. Please hear me. The Earth, like a small craft
precariously adrift at sea, has become burdened by the military might of wicked
men. It seems the Asuras, the demoniac forces, wish to seize control of my
world. In the guise of royalty, and driven by insatiable greed, they ravage the
Earth. No one can live in peace. The people, the animals, the birds and the
land suffer terrible injustices. I implore you. Something must be done!”
Alarmed by her distress, yet sustained by inner calm, Brahma
rose and reached out his hand. “Come with me, my child.” Together they at once
set out for Svetadvipa, Lord Vishnu’s abode in this material universe. On their
journey they were joined by Lord Shiva and the various gods of universal affairs:
the thousand-eyed Indra, god of rain and king of Celestials; the wind-god Vayu
; Agni, the fire-god; Surya, the sun-god; the water-god Varuna, and many other
Celestials. Arriving at Svetadvipa, they patiently waited on the shores of its
milk ocean. Frothy waves lapped the shoreline laden with emeralds, diamonds,
rubies and gems. The Celestials appealed to Vishnu, the God of gods. The
crimson sky resounded with their prayers. But no response came from the Lord.
Their prayers were met only by the sound of the waves crashing on that pristine
beach. Their hearts were troubled by His silence. Why did not the
all-compassionate Vishnu respond? At that moment, the Celestials experienced
the anxiety and sufferings of those on Earth, and they understood Bhumi’s plight
and were humbled.
Vishnu channeled His message into the heart of Brahma who in
turn revealed it to the gods. “The Lord of lords will descend to the Earth,
into the realm of man, to alleviate the anguish created by the Asura kings and
to counteract their military might. Many of His close friends and servants will
also descend to assist Him, and He wishes you Celestials should assist them.”
Two/ The Stolen Cow
She had to have it.
The kamadhenu cow held extraordinary powers. A cow of
plenty, one that could fulfill all wishes. Whoever drank her milk would remain
youthful for thousands of years. The cow, however, belonged to Vasistha, a sage
who resided among the Celestials.
“Please get her for me,” she begged her husband.
“You should not desire that which belongs to another,” he
chided her.
“It’s not for me, my love. It’s for a friend who is in need
of the cow’s powers. My dear husband, please.” She touched his cheek. “It will
not at all be difficult for you and your brothers. You are all great heroes.
And Vasistha’s hermitage is nearby. Please, Dyu. For me.”
Dyu was one of the eight Vasus – the Shining Ones,
protectors of Indra’s celestial court. Dyu called the Vasus together and they
quickly arrived at the hermitage of Vasistha, deep in the forest. They were
cautious, and not wanting a confrontation with the powerful, mystic sage, made
sure to take the cow in his absence.
Vasistha returned shortly after they left. He knew something
was amiss and quickly searched the nearby meadows where the kamadhenu usually
roamed. The cow was gone. To locate her, he entered samadhi, a deep meditation,
and engaged the energies of the sun, clouds, trees, and the earth itself.
Sitting in stillness, he projected his astral body in search of the cow and her
abductors.
The skies darkened and fierce winds began to blow. The Vasus
hurried along the path with their prize. They had gone some distance when a
towering figure of the sage loomed before them, blocking their way.
“You dare take my kamadhenu! What insolence! I shall curse
you all!”
Lightning streaked across the sky as the earth shook. The
once brave Vasus fell to their knees. “Please, spare us!” they cried. Thunder
boomed above the trees. Branches and leaves fell all around them.
“None of you are fit to reside in the heavens. As punishment
for your reckless act, you shall take birth on the Earth for one lifetime.”
“A lifetime on Earth!” The Vasus were aghast. “No, please
don’t do this to us. Be merciful. Anything else.”
Vasistha paused to reconsider. “The curse has passed my lips
and cannot be revoked. You must be born on Earth. But, if you can find a way to
shorten your lives, you may return to the celestial realms quickly. But not
Dyu. Dyu, you are the instigator of the group, and for your misdeed you will
spend a long life on Earth. So be it."
Three/ Krishna Tells a Story
All was quiet. The night sky blanketed the valley. The stars
sparkled, vying for attention.
Krishna pondered, “Can truth ever undermine Dharma? Or can a
lie ever be preferable to the truth in upholding Dharma?”
Yudhisthira responded with a question. “But is not a lie
under any circumstances still a lie?”
“My friend, morality might not be as easy to understand as
you think. I’ll tell you a story:
“In the forest there lived a sage by the name of Kausika who
took great pride in always telling the truth. He was known far and wide for
this unwavering quality. One morning, when he sat outside his hut, three men
went rushing past and bound into the thick woods. Shortly, a murderous gang
came in search of the three men. Knowing he would never tell a lie, they asked
the sage, “Which way did they go?” Kausika told them exactly where the men
went. The gang took off in pursuit. They caught the three men and robbed and
killed them.
“Kausika thought by telling the truth he had protected
Dharma, but it led to the deaths of three travelers. In truth, he was very
foolish and unable to discern the subtleties of Dharma. Dharma may point the
way for moral behavior, but that doesn’t mean we should suspend our judgment
when danger arises. At times, as in this story, truth may harm Dharma and
falsehood may uphold Dharma. The wise men say Dharma protects us and sustains
us. But we must also use our intelligence to understand the best course of
action and protect Dharma.”
