|
Page1
The five sons of Pandu and the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra grew up in mirth and merriment at
Hastinapura. Bhima excelled them all in physical prowess. He used to bully Duryodhana and
the other Kauravas by dragging them by the hair and beating them.
A great swimmer, he would dive, into pools,
with one or more of them clasped helpless in his arms, and remain under water till they
were almost drowned. When ever they climbed up on a tree he would stand on the ground and
kick at the tree and shake them down like ripe fruits.
The bodies of the sons of Dhritarashtra would
be ever sore with bruises as a result of Bhima's practical jokes. Small wonder that the
sons of Dhritarashtra nursed a deep 'hatred for Bhima from their very infancy.
As the princes grew up. Kripacharya taught them
archery and the practice of arms and other things that princes should learn. Duryodhana's
jealousy towards Bhima warped his mind and made him commit many improper acts.
Duryodhana was very much worried. His father
being blind, the kingdom was ruled by Pandu. After his death Yudhishthira, the
heir-apparent, would in course of time be come king. Duryodhana thought that as his blind
father was quite helpless he must, to prevent Yudhishthira's accession to the throne,
contrive a way of killing Bhima.
Author : Shri C. Raja Gopalachari
|
