C for Chitrasena, the Gandharva - Mahabharata Mashup

Namaste,

Gandharavas are celestial beings known for their beauty, musical expertise, and magic. They are semi-divine and have the power to gift or curse humans. They are skilled in sixty-four arts and are efficient in warfare. Gandharvas prefer to keep to themselves and dislike being disturbed or intruded upon. 

Chitrasena is a Gandharva (celestial being excelling in music and dance) who belongs to the court of Indra (King of Heaven). He is first mentioned in Sabha Parva, where he and other Gandharavas played musical instruments and entertained everyone during the Rajasuya. 

However, Chitrasena’s major role is in Aranyaka Parva when Arjuna goes to Swarga (Heaven) to stay at Indra’s court and learn various arts. After Arjuna trained in using the celestial weapons, Indra (his birth father) told Arjuna to learn other skills like music and dance. Chitrasena was Arjuna’s tutor. The duo became fast friends during this period. It was the same time Urvashi cursed Arjuna for rejecting her advances (we’ll read more about this during letter E’s post). 

Later, Arjuna got back with his family and was living in the Dvaita forest when Dhuryodhana, Shakuni, and Karna, with some army, arrived. They planned to attack and kill the Pandavas during the exile and used the ruse of counting cattle to set on the quest. However, before they could attack the Pandavas, Dhuryodhana and others insulted the Gandhavaras camping in the region. This led to a war headed by Chitrasena, who captured Dhuryodhana and planned to kill him. 

Here, Yudhistira asked Arjuna and Bheema to save the Kauravas. The two brothers have a small battle with the Gandharvas. But when Chitrasena realized it was Arjuna, they settled it peacefully and came to a truce. Chitrasena agreed to free Dhuryodhana only because of Arjuna’s request and their close bond. 

Of course, Dhuryodhana’s ego took a hit and made him more determined to defeat the Pandavas. 

Check out a few short stories from Mahabharata. 

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