Key Events of the Mahabharata

From the birth of the Pandavas to their final journey, the main events of the Mahabharata in order, with Shri Krishna again and again protecting dharma.

The story of the Mahabharata begins with the birth of the five sons of King Pandu: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. They grew up in Hastinapura with their cousins the Kauravas, but jealousy grew steadily in Duryodhana's heart. A plot was made to burn them alive in the Lakshagriha, a house of lac at Varanavata, but thanks to Vidura's warning the Pandavas and their mother Kunti escaped through a tunnel.

While living in disguise, Arjuna won Draupadi at her swayamvara in Panchala by piercing the eye of the revolving fish target. From this time the bond between the Pandavas and Shri Krishna grew close. When the kingdom was divided, the Pandavas received the wild land of Khandavaprastha, where they built the city of Indraprastha. Yudhishthira performed the Rajasuya sacrifice, at which Krishna received the honour of first worship and Shishupala met his end.

Envious of the Pandavas' glory, Duryodhana arranged a game of dice with the help of Shakuni. Yudhishthira lost everything, and Draupadi was insulted in the open assembly, where, according to tradition, Krishna protected her honour. The Pandavas were sentenced to twelve years of exile in the forest followed by one year incognito, which they spent in disguise at the court of King Virata.

Even after the term was complete, Duryodhana refused to return their kingdom. Krishna went to Hastinapura as a messenger of peace, but Duryodhana refused to give even as much land as the point of a needle. Then came the eighteen-day war at Kurukshetra, at the start of which the Gita was spoken. Bhishma lay on a bed of arrows and gave up his body only when the sun turned north. After the war Yudhishthira was crowned and performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Many years later, as told in the Mausala Parva, the Yadu dynasty came to its end and Krishna returned to his abode. On hearing this, the Pandavas handed the kingdom to Parikshit and set out with Draupadi on their final journey towards the Himalayas.

Source

Mahabharata