Sunday, July 19, 2020

BHISHMA BHARAT - 3

BHISHMA BHARAT  Part 3

DUSHYANT  SHANKUNTALA Two point of views

As seen in part 2 , the name MAHA BHARAT  is derived from The Version presented by MAHARSHI VYAS, The Emperor Bharat, the son of King DUSHYANT AND SHANKUNTALA .. This comes in the frrst Chappter ADIPARVA of  it by MAHARSHI VYAS .

The story is also immortalized by MAHAKAVI KALIDAS in his most famous play ABHGYAN SHANKUTALAM...KALIDAS has presented it as a love story introducing MUNI DURVAS and his curse , waiver at the request of friends of SHANKUNTALA of using some ornament [Ring } being given by DUSHYANT to remind him of  his GANDHARV marriage with SHAKUNTALA., rhe ring given by DUSHYANT beiing dropped in water and eaten by  fish, She being turned away by the King , eventual  discovery from Fish belly and shown the KING and his memory revival, reunion and happy end.. The play has all NAVRASA's like love, pain etc. included and presented in the most poetic way earning him acceptance of the greatest Poet in any language any time. like Shakespeare or Wordswortpoint.

Unfortunately his version is different than the version presented by MAHARSHI VYAS. He does not present per as Love Lorn Demure Damsel but as a woman of wit and intelligence, capable of arguing and winning the argument. Both agree that she is adopted daughter of MINI KANV, seen by the king DUSHYANT while on a hunting spree, falling in love and asking her for GANDHATV style of marriage. This style  of marriage accepts a girl  as a wife but does not need the bride to be taken home immediately . SHANKUTLA as per MAHABHARAT put condition of making her son king after DUSHYANT to agree to GANDHARV marriage which is accepted and paved way to her son BHARAT. to inherit the  Kingdom as son of him.  Almost like a contract marriage in stark contrast to the love story  projected by KALIDAS..

In all probability, VYAS version is to be accepted on two grounds A] It is dated much earlier than the period of KALIDAS and B] The same contract type marriage takes place when SATYAVATI agrees to marry SHANTANU putting the same condition that her Son to become King after him. The hesitation of SHANTANU prompted for the greatest Vows ever taken by his son from earlier marriage with  GANGA named BHISHMA.. His vows and adherance to it for over hundred years has coined the word BHISHMA PARTIGYA..


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