The 7 Untold Stories of Mahabharata

The Mahabharata, an epic tale of ancient India, is remembered for its battles, planning, and revenge. Still, there are few untold stories of the Mahabharata that only very few people know. It has the knowledge that has been passed down to the generations.

Some might confuse the Mahabharata as the story of peace, but actually, it was the story of the Kurukshetra War, where many people died; it is said that it is approximately more than a billion. So, let’s start with the History of Mahabharata and its hidden or lesser-known stories. 

Do you know these Hidden Stories of Mahabharata?

The stories will state the facts about Mahabharata. We have listed seven stories from the Mahabharata that you can tell your parents, kids, or anyone else. Let’s rediscover the journey through the facts.

Also Read: Why Does Lord Krishna Wear a Peacock Feather?

1. The Real name of Duryodhana

Do you know the real name of Kauravas’s eldest son? The eldest son, Duryodhana, was initially named Suyodhana. Yup! Similarly, his siblings Dushasana and Dushala were named Sushasana and Sushala. There are other facts about Duryodhana that might fascinate you.

He did not participate in Draupadi’s swayamvar. If you are thinking, why? Let us tell you. It was because of a promise he made to the princess of Kalinga, Bhanumati. Duryodhana was married to Bhanumati. He kept the commitment he had promised the princess, saying that he would never marry anyone else.

2. Were all the Kauravas against the Pandavas?

Though it is not from the untold stories of Mahabharata, do you know that someone protested Duryodhana’s decision to mistreat Devi Draupadi during the gambling game? Yes, there were two people: the two sons of Dhritarashtra’s Vikarna and Yuyutsu. When Draupadi’s husband, Yudhishthira, gambled her away. 

Vikarna and Yuyutsu spoke up, and their concern for Draupadi was visible. Their actions showed that even though they were part of the Kaurava family, they had their sense of right and wrong, unlike their brother Duryodhana, who often made bad choices. When Lord Krishna came to save Draupadi, they were relieved. 

3. The Hidden Agenda and the Evil Plans

In the Mahabharata, King Dhritarashtra was blind, locked up, and mistreated by Gandhari’s family. This situation upset and aggressively upset Gandhari’s father, King Subala. He planned revenge and decided that each member of the family would sacrifice their share of food and strength to one person.

The person who was chosen for this role was Shakuni, who was known for his intelligence and manipulation. He became the central figure for the event and the revenge. He made sure he was creating issues between the Kauravas and Pandavas, which eventually led to the Kurukshetra War.

4. Charity of the Warrior’s Head

From the list of untold stories of Mahabharata, this one marks the victory of the Pandavas in the war. Barbarik, Ghatotkacha’s son, possessed arrows blessed by Lord Shiva. These arrows were special because they could be marked, saved, or destroyed enemies, making him extremely powerful.

He took an oath to always fight for the weaker side in wars. Due to this oath, Krishna convinced him that joining from any side would make it stronger and would continue till everyone died.

To prevent this, Krishna asked Barbarik’s head to be sacrificed to purify the battlefield before the battle. This purification should be done by sacrificing the head of the bravest Kshatriya. In this way, Barbarik became the greatest Kshatriya alive, and Krishna saved the Pandavas from losing the battle. 

5. The Legitimate Heir of the Throne

King Shantanu married Devi Ganga, who gave birth to eight sons. All the Devas who were cursed to be born on Earth. Ganga drowned the first seven sons to release them from the curse. When Devi Ganga was trying to kill the last and the eighth son, King Shantanu came in between and stopped her. 

The only remaining son who was alive was named Bhishma. Bhisma took the oath of lifelong Bharhmacharya and loyalty to his father. He later played a crucial role in the Mahabharata, serving as a warrior who promised to protect the throne of Hastinapura despite personal sacrifices.

Also Read: How Many Children Did Lord Krishna Have?

6. Five Golden Arrows

One of the most popular untold stories of Mahabharata is the Five Golden Arrows. As the Kauravas lost to the Pandavas, Duryodhana accused Bhishma of holding back and trying to save them. This angered Bhishma, and he prepared five golden arrows to kill the Pandavas the next day.

Years earlier, Arjuna saved Duryodhana from the Gandharvas, which earned him a favour. During the war, Lord Krishna reminded Arjuna of this favour. Then, Arjuna asked Duryodhana for those arrows and was bound by the favour. He handed the arrows to Arjuna. Later, when Duryodhana asked Bhishma for new arrows, he declined. 

7. The First Test Tube Baby in the World

The birth of Dronacharya, the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas, is quite interesting. He is considered as the first test-tube baby. Rishi Bharadwaja, Dronacharya’s father, saw the beautiful Apsara Krithaji while bathing in the Ganga river. Fascinated by her beauty, the sage involuntarily emitted his semen, which he collected in a clay pot.

Dronacharya was born from that clay pot. The name ‘Drona’ comes from the word ‘Dronam,’ meaning pot, and ‘Dronar’ means one born from a pot. Thus, Dronacharya’s unique birth story makes him a significant figure in the Mahabharata.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Also Read: Sunken Treasure of Indian History: Krishna’s Dwarka

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