In Hinduism, the Mahabharata is considered the fifth Veda and is one of the world's largest epics. The knowledge presented in the Mahabharata remains relevant today, but there are mysteries associated with this epic that have yet to be revealed.
The attempt to understand such secrets, about which few people know, begins by examining the number 18. Although thousands of years have passed since the war described in the Mahabharata, interest in it persists. The number 18 holds special significance in the Mahabharata. The war lasted 18 days, during which millions of warriors died. Furthermore, the Kauravas and Pandavas each had 18 armies (akshauhi), with the Kauravas having 11 and the Pandavas having 7.
Moreover, the Mahabharata, written by Rishi Vedavyasa, describes 18 parvas. In Hinduism, 18 puranas also hold great significance. During the battle, Krishna imparted knowledge from the Gita to Arjuna, which contains 18 chapters. It is also said that 18 main warriors survived after the war. Thus, there is an obvious deep connection between the Mahabharata and the number 18, although the reason for this connection remains a mystery.
Is Ashwatthama Alive Today?
There is a belief that Ashwatthama, a character from the Mahabharata era, is still alive. He was the son of Dronacharya, the teacher of the Kauravas and Pandavas, and fought on the side of the Kauravas during the war. However, due to actions committed at the end of the war, he received a curse. According to mythological beliefs, Ashwatthama misused the Brahmastra. As a result, Lord Krishna became enraged and cursed him, condemning him to wander the earth for thousands of years, bearing the burden of his sins. It is said that it is because of this curse that Ashwatthama is still alive and wanders in desolate places. Although there are occasional reports of Ashwatthama being seen in different places, there is no credible evidence to support these claims.
Use of Aircraft and Nuclear Weapons
It is common opinion that powerful weapons, such as aircraft and nuclear charges, were used during the Mahabharata era. Nevertheless, historians and scientists disagree on these claims. Statements have been made about the discovery of skeletons during excavations in Mohenjo-Daro that allegedly showed signs of radiation exposure. Some link this to the Brahmastra mentioned in the Mahabharata. It is said that the Brahmastra, similar to the world's first atomic bomb, was launched by Ashwatthama. Furthermore, the Sauptika Parva of the Mahabharata contains episodes related to the Brahmastra and its consequences. However, whether such modern weapons as aircraft or atomic bombs were actually used during the Mahabharata period remains a mystery and a subject of debate.
The Mystery of Gandhari's 100 Sons and One Daughter
The Mahabharata mentions 100 sons and one daughter of Gandhari. Many wonder how Gandhari could have given birth to so many sons. According to the history of the Mahabharata, Gandhari served Rishi Vedavyasa in the palace. The joy of her service prompted Vedavyasa to bestow upon her a blessing in the form of 100 sons. But when the time came, Gandhari remained pregnant for a long time and eventually gave birth to a large piece of meat. Seeing this, Gandhari was very upset and intended to dispose of it. Then Vedavyasa stopped her and asked her to divide this piece of meat into 100 parts and place them in different pots. Gandhari also wished to have one daughter, so the pieces were divided into 101. After some time, 100 Kaurava princes and one daughter were born from these pots. In the Mahabharata, the Kauravas' sister was named Dussala, who later married King Sindhu Jayadrita.
Did Warriors from Foreign Lands Participate?
It is also claimed that not only Indian warriors but also those from other regions participated in the Mahabharata war. The Mahabharata mentions warriors and kings who arrived from various principalities and distant lands. However, it has not been historically confirmed that warriors from modern countries such as Greece, Rome, or America participated in the Mahabharata war. Because of this, there is an assertion that the Mahabharata was a kind of world war, but there is no solid historical evidence to confirm this.
The Mahabharata Written in Three Stages
The Mahabharata is a vast epic, the creation of which took a long time. According to tradition and the opinion of some scholars, the development of the Mahabharata can be viewed in several stages. It is said that in its original form, it contained 8800 verses called 'Jaya'. It was then expanded to the 'Bharata' form, containing about 24,000 verses. Finally, it became the detailed version of the 'Mahabharata', consisting of about one hundred thousand verses. This is why the Mahabharata is considered one of the most extensive epics in the world.