The Battle of Kurukshetra - Pandavas vs Kauravas
- myNachiketa
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
The Battle of Kurukshetra is one of the greatest stories from the epic Mahabharata. This war was not only about fighting with weapons; it was also about right and wrong, truth and lies, and doing one’s duty. Two groups of cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas, fought this war. On the battlefield, Bhagwan Krishna taught Arjuna powerful lessons that later became the Bhagavad Gita. This story teaches children about courage, choices, and the results of actions.
myNachiketa presents: The Battle of Kurukshetra - Pandavas vs Kauravas
History of the Battle of Kurukshetra
The Pandavas and Kauravas were cousins from the same royal family. The Pandavas were five brothers - Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. The Kauravas were one hundred brothers, the eldest of them was Duryodhana.
The war of Kurukshetra did not happen suddenly. It was the result of many wrong choices, greed, and broken promises over a long time. The main reason for the war was Duryodhana’s jealousy and desire for power. He could not accept that the Pandavas were loved by the people and were rightful heirs to the kingdom. The Pandavas were honest, hardworking, and followed dharma. Duryodhana always felt insecure and angry towards them.
Another important reason was the unfair game of dice. Duryodhana and his uncle Shakuni tricked Yudhishthira into gambling and made him lose his kingdom, his wealth, and even his freedom. The Pandavas were sent to the forest for thirteen years, including one year in hiding. Even after completing this difficult exile peacefully, Duryodhana still refused to return their kingdom. He did not agree to give them even five small villages, showing his stubbornness and greed.
Many elders like Bhishma, Drona, and Vidura tried to stop the war, and Shri Krishna himself went as a messenger of peace. Krishna asked Duryodhana to choose peace and fairness, but Duryodhana proudly rejected all offers. At that point, the Pandavas realized that if injustice was allowed to continue, it would harm everyone. The war became necessary to protect dharma (righteousness) and teach that greed, cheating, and pride are adharma (wrong conduct).
Shri Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna on the battlefield
Before the war began, Arjuna stood on the battlefield and felt very sad. He saw his teachers, friends, and family members on the opposite side and did not want to fight. He dropped his bow and said he could not do this.
At that moment, Shri Krishna, who was Arjuna’s charioteer, gave him wisdom. Krishna taught Arjuna that he must do his duty as a warrior and stand for what is right. He explained that the soul never dies, only the body changes. He told Arjuna to act without fear and without attachment to results. These teachings are written in the Bhagavad Gita, which is one of the most important spiritual books in the world.
The Great War and Mass Destruction
The Battle of Kurukshetra was fierce and painful. Many great warriors like Bhishma, Drona, Karna, and Abhimanyu lost their lives. Millions of soldiers died, and the land was filled with sorrow. Families were broken, kingdoms were destroyed, and there was silence after the battle.
Even though the Pandavas fought for justice, the war showed how violence brings suffering to everyone. No one truly felt happy after such a huge loss.
What happened after the war?
After the war ended, the Pandavas won, and Yudhishthira became the king of Hastinapura. However, he was very sad because so many lives were lost. With Krishna’s guidance, he ruled with kindness and fairness.
Later, Shri Krishna returned to Dwarka, and after many years, the Pandavas handed over their kingdom and went on a spiritual journey toward the Himalayas. One by one, they left their earthly lives, and Yudhishthira reached heaven, showing that a life of truth and goodness is always rewarded.
Conclusion
The Battle of Kurukshetra is not just a story of war; it is a lesson about choices, duty, and responsibility. It teaches children that standing up for what is right is important, even when it is difficult. Shri Krishna’s words to Arjuna remind us to be brave, honest, and calm in tough situations. The Mahabharata shows that greed leads to destruction, but truth and dharma always shine in the end.
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