I have always been fascinated by the Mahabharata and decided to tweet
it in its entirety in exactly 100 tweets. Reducing the 100,000 shlokas
into 100 Tweets was a task, but a very interesting one.
I hope you folks like reading this version of The Mahabharata as much as I loved putting it together.
I hope you folks like reading this version of The Mahabharata as much as I loved putting it together.
Scribe
& Poet. Condition & counter.
Ganesha,
"Once we start my pen mustn't
stop"
"Sure but you have to understand what
you write" said Vyasa
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
The
composition – The Mahabharata. Whatever is present here maybe found
elsewhere, but what is not, cannot be found anywhere
else
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Heavenly nymph Ganga and King Shantanu wed & live
in bliss. Tragedy in store for the King. Ganga drowns their new born
sons. Seven of them
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
King
stops her from drowning the 8th
He can’t take it
anymore
Promise broken off goes Ganga with her
child
Promises to return the child
—
Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
And
return she does. Devavrat - a strapping lad the equal of Parashurama in
valour, of Sukra in the sciences & of Vasishtha in the
Vedas
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Years
pass. Shantanu lusts after a young fisherwoman but recoils at condition
set by her father for her hand - Her child to be crowned
King
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Devavrat sets out to get the maiden for the King. Renounces
kingdom and vows lifelong celibacy to satisfy wily
fisherman.
Returns as Bhishma
— Nyayapati
Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Bhishma
attends Swayamvar of the princesses of Kashi.
Worsts suitors
& whisks princesses away for Vichitravirya – his step-brother
and King
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Amba
loves another who fights Bhishma but he is defeated & slinks
away
Vichitravirya won't have her. Bhishma
can't.
Now her love says No too
—
Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Amba
blames Bhishma for her fate. Ends life so as to be re-born as the cause
of Bhishma’s death.
Ambika and Ambalika wed
Vichitravirya
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
Blind
Dhritarashtra & pale Pandu, sons of Vichitravirya. Handicap
snatches away kingship from elder brother. Pandu anointed King by
Bhishma
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Krishna’s aunt Kunti, uses a boon prematurely & has
a child out of wedlock. Sets him away in the river. Charioteer couple
raises him
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
She
later selects Pandu for a husband. Bhishma advises Pandu to marry Madri
too.
Devoted trio head to the forest when Pandu is
cursed
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Death
for Pandu if he makes love. Kunti invokes her boon.
Yama, Vayu
& Indra sire Kunti's heroic sons.
Ashwini twins
beget Madri's twins
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
A
Fragrant forest. An Aroused Pandu & Madri. The union of life. An
embrace of death. Madri ascends the pyre, Kunti becomes mother to
all
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Kunti
& Pandavas head to Hastinapur on Pandu’s death. Welcomed by all
bar the Kauravas.
Seeds of animosity sown.
Bully Bhima
inflames issue
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
Elders
love the Pandavas. Arjun is Guru Drona’s pet. Your thumb as my fee Drona
demands of Ekalavya for he dared to be better than
Arjun
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Indignation. Impotence. Wicked mind. A shrewd uncle. A
combination that weaves nefarious schemes
But Bheema escapes the
Kaurava machinations
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Studies
over, time for the test. Bhima & Duryodhan lock horns and not
for the last time. Battle lines already drawn? Arjun - The star
pupil
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Wait
who is that youth resplendent in armour & earrings?
Arjun’s equal. The Charioteer’s son.
Championed by
Duryodhan and his mate for life
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Kunti
swoons. This youth, Karna, is her first born. The Eldest Pandava. Now
ranged against them.
Fate, how can it be this
cruel?
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Cousinly animosity peaks. Duryodhan plans to get rid of the
Pandavas. Builds a Lac palace & invites them there.
Lull them and BURN them
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Uncle
Vidur warns Pandavas. They set fire to palace & escape through
tunnel dug for them.
Dead to the world. Kingdom weeps. Kauravas
rejoice
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
They
sojourn through forests & villages. Attend Draupadi’s Swayamvar
in Brahmin garb.
Heroes fail.
Up steps
Arjun.
Hits target & wins bride
—
Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Great
alliance. Personal & political. Pandavas return home &
announce Arjun’s victory.
Share the spoils says
Kunti.
Now Draupadi has 4 more
— Nyayapati
Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Dhritarashtra, seemingly overjoyed, welcomes the Pandavas
& gives them half the kingdom. Go rule from Khandavprastha.
Duryodhan chagrined
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Glorious reign at Khandavprastha.
It is now
Indraprastha.
Yudhisthira Emperor after the Rajasuya
sacrifice.
Duryodhan sick with jealousy
—
Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Wily
Shakuni declares, can snatch kingdom from the Pandavas through guile not
by force. Shakuni hatches a devious plan for nephew’s
benefit
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Pandavas invited to a game of dice. No kshatriya can say no
to that. But what of skill? Can Yudhisthira match up to the cunning
Shakuni?
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
With
deep foreboding come the Five. Yudhisthira wagers & loses
wealth, cattle, land, servants. Yet he keeps at it. Loses brothers
& himself
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
You
have something else you can wager jeers Shakuni. Assembly shocked.
Elders numb with fear.
Draupadi wagered &
LOST.
Queen is now a slave
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Kauravas want her in the assembly
She asks a
question, did he wager & lose himself first & then me or
the other way round
No one has answers
—
Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Duhshasan, goaded by Duryodhan, rushes into the inner
chambers and drags out their slave, the Queen. Attempts to disrobe her.
Fails utterly
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
Dhritarashtra intervenes. Stops the raging storm. Calms
Pandavas. Gives back all that they have lost & sends them away.
Kurus saved. For now
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
They
reach Indraprastha. So does the second invite. This time the wager is of
exile for 12 years & a year's stay incognito. They
lose. Again
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
To the
forest, in ascetic garb, go the Pandavas & Draupadi with priest
Dhaumya. Weeping crowds follow cursing the Kauravas & the Kuru
elders
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Krishna
visits the Pandavas. Meets Draupadi, her eyes blazing with anger and
wet with tears. Moved, he promises help in Kaurava
destruction
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
Off
goes Arjun seeking divine weapons. Duels with a Hunter who defeats him.
But Hunter he is not it's Shiva himself. Gifts Pasupata to
Arjun
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
To the
forest go the Kauravas to gloat on Pandava misery. Fracas with a
Gandharva follows. Prisoner Duryodhan rescued by the
Pandavas.
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
13th
year. Pandavas in disguise head to Matsya. Courtier, cook, A dance
teacher, stable hand, cowherd along with Sairandhri enter
employment
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
Commander Keechaka lusts after Draupadi. Bheema kills him.
Kauravas suspicious. Only Balarama, Duryodhan & Bheema in his
class as wrestlers.
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Kauravas and allies attack Matsya. Compel a king with a
leaderless army to look for help. Pandavas sans Arjun take on the
allies.
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Kauravas attack in pincer move. Brihannala, the eunuch,
ventures forth with the prince. Defeats the Kauravas and brings back
their vestments
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
Gandiv
twanged before 13th year elapsed. Back to exile exults Suyodhana.
Nonsense says the Grandsire. He calculated well.
Incognito no
more
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Pandavas head to Upaplavya. Abhimanyu married to
Virata's daughter. Wedding celebrations done.
War
confabulations start.
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Pandavas decide to send Brahmana envoy to Duryodhan
& emissaries to allies. Hunt for allies on.
Arjun goes
to Dwaraka.
So does Duryodhan
— Nyayapati
Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Duryodhan reaches first. But Krishna sees Arjun first. The
first choice goes to him. Ah! The Krishna lila. Choice between Krishna
& his army
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Arjun
chooses a non-combatant Krishna. Duryodhan leaves on Cloud 9. Shakuni
realizes it is a bad deal. Unarmed Krishna better than his
army
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Duryodhan pulls a fast one. Salya, uncle to the twins,
chooses the wrong nephew’s hospitality. Has to pledge allegiance.
Karna's Charioteer?
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Salya
breaks news to the twins.
Promises Karna demoralized at the
final battle with Arjun.
Krishna & Salya. What
contrasting charioteers
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Let
bygones be bygones, says Pandava envoy. Peace between the Kuru scions.
True says Pitamaha.
Yes nods Drona.
What rot
says Duryodhan
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
Tumult
in court. Blind king intervenes. Tells envoy, we will send our own.
Instructs Sanjay to meet the Pandu scions and convey his
message
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Dhritarashtra desires peace says Sanjay. Wage not war.
Kauravas wicked but you swerve not from dharma. Kingdom gained by
killing kin useless
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Will go
by Krishna’s words says Kuntiputra
Let my Uncle who made us
princes not deny us our share
Krishna decides to go to Kaurava
court
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Pandavas war-ready says Sanjay. Live & let live
says Dhritarashtra. NO they demand 5 villages & not a kingdom
due to weakness says Duryodhan
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
World
should know we want peace says Krishna. Bheema too agrees. Draupadi
furious.
My old father & children will fight for me if
you can't.
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Krishna
on Peace mission. Tries to persuade Duryodhan to give Pandavas their
just share.
Not a needle point of territory screams
Duryodhan
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Kauravas plot Krishna's capture. He laughs
& reveals his divinity. Blind King wants to see nothing more
having seen the divine. It's WAR now
—
Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
You are
the eldest son reveals Kunti to Karna after all these years. Maternal
instinct surfacing?
No. Pandavas in peril.
It is to
save them
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Radheya
is stunned but recovers poise. You abandoned me. I won’t abandon my
King
But no seeker leaves empty handed from me.
Neither
will you
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
You are
the mother of five Pandavas now & will be so at the end of
battle too. Either Arjun or I will survive.
The rest I spare.
Off you go
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
Who
will lead the fight against evil? Kings & Heroes all.
Dhristadyumna, born of sacred fire to kill Drona, should be the Chief
says Krishna
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
Can’t
oppose those whom Krishna supports & Duryodhan's my
beloved pupil says Balarama. War will ruin our race. I will take no part
in it
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Duryodhan bows to the Ganga putra, "Lead us into
battle & to victory". Says the Grandsire I shall do my
duty, but kill Pandavas I will not
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Karna
is an arrogant braggart who hates me & my ideas. But he is your
confidant.
Make him the general if you wish, I will not
complain.
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Bhishma's senile says Karna. Won't take up
arms under his leadership.
A king’s worst nightmare.
Two of his foremost warriors falling out.
—
Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Kings
and princes proudly arrayed in the field. Flags waving. All aware of the
slaughter that was to follow. But who can escape
fate?
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
The two
armies face off. Foe versus foe. Brother versus brother. Kin versus
kin. Gandiv slips from Arjun’s grasp.
Kill kin for kingdom?
NO
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
Krishna
preaches. On the battlefield. As the armies look on. Do your duty
Arjun, leave the result to me. Abandon all paths & surrender to
Me
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
The
Battle begins. 18 days of slaughter.
Victory & Defeat,
Dharma & Adharma all on the battlefield.
Sanjay
narrates the battle to the King
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Battle
about to commence. Yudhisthira doffs armour. Walks to grandsire and
guru. Seeks benediction. Readily given.
Oh! What a tour de
force
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Bhishma
devours the Pandava troops. Is he one or many ask terror striken
troops.
Elated Kauravas dream of easy victory.
Pandavas regroup
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Pandava
counter-attack after the first day pulverizes the Kauravas. Duryodhan
reproaches Bhishma, "You are not giving off your best for
us"
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
Rampaging Bhishma. Unwilling Arjun. Angry Krishna.
"Arjun, If you can’t slay the Grandsire I
will" says Krishna advancing toward
Bhishma.
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
First
signs of the onset of the age of Kali. Battle norms thrown to the wind.
Battle rages on even after Surya goes down.
—
Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Arjun;
hiding behind Shikandi, Amba re-born; attacks Bhishma. Bhishma drops his
weapons. He won’t fight one who was a woman in earlier
birth
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
On a
bed of arrows awaiting death, Bhishma has a visitor – Karna. Says he to
Kunti's first born, make peace with your brothers, the
Pandavas
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Karna
& Duryodhan make the Guru the General. Drona plans
Yudhisthira's capture.
Easier said than done.
There is Arjun to contend with
— Nyayapati
Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Suicide
squad assembled to draw Arjun away. Bhagadatta attacks him too. Hurls
goad at Arjun. Krishna intercepts it. Drona works on his
plan
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Armed
with knowledge from the womb Abhimanyu enters Chakravyuh. Defeats
heroes. Cruelly felled. Pandavas stopped from entering by
Jayadrat.
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Will
kill he who was responsible for my son's death by sunset or will
enter fire,vows Arjun. Krishna's magical sunset - Arjun slays
Jayadrat
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Ashwatthama's dead. Ashwatthama The elephant adds
Yudhisthira sotto voce News shocks Drona. Sits down in yogic pose.
Slayed by Dhirstadyumna
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Karna
installed C-in-C. Kaurava army enthused. But he can’t prevent Bheema
from killing Duhshasan & drinking his blood. Pledge
fulfilled
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
The
much cursed Karna & Arjun face off.
Karna's
chariot is stuck. Salya refuses help.
Arjun fells him while he
is righting his chariot
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Duryodhan anoints Salya C-in-C. Surprisingly charged up
Yudhisthira slays him. Instigator-in-chief Shakuni falls too.
Kuru clan almost gone
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
No kith
or kin alive. Duryodhan sees futility of it all. Walks away &
takes refuge in a lake.
Pandavas follow.
Challenge him
to a duel.
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
Bheema
& Duryodhan equal combatants. Krishna signals to Bheema who
breaks Duryodhan’s thighs.
Dying, he talks of his Kingly life
& death
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
A
seething Ashwatthama anointed the last commander.
Kills, in the
dead of night, Dhristadyumna & Pandava sons.
Duryodhan
expires happily.
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Pandavas track down Ashwatthama. He tries to kill
Abhimanyu’s, still in the womb, son. Krishna saves it. Ashwatthama
surrenders & walks away
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
At the
end of the battle Pandavas meet Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. Old couple
give vent to anger. But calm down to bless them
—
Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Krishna
leaves for Dwaraka bearing Gandhari’s curse.
May your
women folk lament their dead just the way I am.
Rules
for 36 long years
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Old
couple spends 15 years with Yudhisthira as king. Kunti, Gandhari and
Dhritarashtra then go to the forest. Welcome death in a forest
fire
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Yadavas
prank a sage. Present "pregnant" warrior. Will it be a
boy or girl ask they.
It will be a mace.
Which will
destroy the Yadava clan
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Curse
plays out. Drunken brawl of dissolute Yadavas. Use rushes rising from
ground mace dust.
Carnage.
Disconsolate Balarama gives
up life
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Krishna
sees Yadava decimation & light go out of Balarama.
It
is now time to end Avatar. Lies on forest ground. Mistakenly killed by
hunter
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Shocked
by news Pandavas lose interest in life. Crown Parikshit king. Set off
for the Himalayas on a final pilgrimage.
Accompanied by a
Dog
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Draupadi's Partiality. The twins' vanity.
Arjun's pride in his valour. Bheema's gluttony. Abandon
your mortal coils you who have sinned thus
—
Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Yudhisthira in heaven. Sees resplendent Duryodhan but no
Pandavas. Aghast, he cries "Take me to them". They are
in hell. He decides to stay
— Nyayapati Gautam
(@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Yama
appears. You chose to stay & have passed the test. All kings
must experience hell. Cast off your mortal remains. Heaven awaits you
all
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam) August
12, 2015
Shorn
of all his anger Yudhisthira sits amidst his brothers & the
Kauravas. No place for anger, envy or hatred.
They are all
god-like now.
— Nyayapati Gautam (@nyayapatigautam)
August
12, 2015
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