September 11, 06:19Aaj Tak

Mahabharata: The Curse Allegedly Affecting Women in Kali Yuga According to Legends

You may have heard jokes about women, but there is an ancient mythological story that explains this concept. According to legend, women were once cursed so that they could not keep secrets. However, the question arises: did such a curse exist? And why was it directed specifically at women? And if it didn't exist, how did this story and perception persist for centuries?

Perhaps the roots of what we perceive today as a joke lie in a very important episode of the Mahabharata. This story is connected to a secret that was revealed after the Mahabharata war and changed the world of the five Pandavas. It was a secret that their mother, Kunti, kept to herself her entire life. When Yudhishthira learned about this secret, his anger and remorse intensified so much that he cursed women. It is said that it is because of this curse that women still cannot keep their secrets.

Imagine this situation: you find out that a person you considered your greatest enemy, with whom you waged war and whose death became your responsibility, is actually your own elder brother. What would you feel then? Something similar happened to the Pandavas. Karna, whom they considered a rival all their lives, turned out to be their elder brother. But the truth came out too late.

Who was Karna?

Karna was Duryodhana's closest friend and fought on the Kaurava side during the Mahabharata war. He was an outstanding warrior, but due to his background, he suffered humiliation his whole life, often being called the son of a charioteer. But how did Karna's story reach such a scale?

The conflict between the Kauravas and the Pandavas over the throne of Hastinapura constantly escalated. Duryodhana never intended to give up their right to the Pandavas under any circumstances. Then came the game of Chaupar, which changed everything. In this game, full of deceit and cunning, the Pandavas lost their kingdom, wealth, and even Draupadi. In a public assembly, Draupadi was humiliated, and from that moment, the enmity between the two sides grew so much that the Mahabharata war eventually began. The brutal battle continued for 18 days in Kurukshetra, and countless warriors died. In the end, the Pandavas won, but the price of this victory cost the entire Kuru clan.

The Secret Revealed After Karna's Death

On the seventeenth day of the war, Karna fell at the hands of Arjuna. Duryodhana was devastated by the news of the death of his dearest friend, Karna. Meanwhile, when Kunti learned of Karna's death, she could not restrain herself. She came to the battlefield of Kurukshetra to Karna's body, weeping. Her tears hid not only the grief over the loss of a great warrior but also a mother's pain. At that moment, all five Pandavas and Shri Krishna arrived there. Everyone was stunned. There was one question in their minds: why was Kunti's mother grieving so much over the death of Karna, whom they considered their greatest enemy?

They had no idea that in the next moment, the truth that would change their entire world would be revealed.

Karna was the Elder Brother of the Pandavas

Regarding the matter of children, Kunti informed them that Karna was none other than her own son and the elder brother of all five Pandavas. Hearing this truth, the ground fell out from under the Pandavas. They themselves were responsible for the death of the brother against whom they had waged war. Everyone present froze, and regret filled the hearts of the Pandavas. Yudhishthira asked his mother why she had hidden such a big thing from them until now. What was the reason she kept this secret her whole life? Kunti had no answer at that moment except remorse and tears.

Before the war, Kunti and Karna also met in an emotional setting. Kunti did not want her sons to fight each other. Therefore, she approached Karna and told him that he was her son. This shocked Karna. The mother he had searched for his whole life suddenly stood before him. Kunti asked Karna to support the Pandavas. However, Karna replied to his mother that although she gave birth to him, Radha and Adhiratha raised him. Since the whole world humiliated him, Duryodhana gave him respect. Therefore, he could not refuse to support the war. Karna did not change his decision to fight against the Pandavas.

Why Did Yudhishthira Curse Women?

This is why Kunti's grief after Karna's death intensified. When this truth became known to the Pandavas, Yudhishthira's anger and remorse reached a peak. He was upset that if he had known about Karna's birth secret earlier, circumstances might have turned out differently. According to the story, in this anger, Yudhishthira cursed the entire female race along with his mother Kunti. It is said that Yudhishthira declared that women would no longer be able to completely hide any thoughts in their hearts.

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www.aajtak.inAugust 29, 06:30

Predictions from 'Bhavishyamalika': Analyzing the Correspondence of Ancient Prophecies with Modern Events

There are claims that ancient prophecies, written hundreds of years ago, may point to events in the modern period. The 'Bhavishyamalika,' associated with the great saint Achyutananda Das of Odisha and Panchasakha, is often discussed. It is believed that these texts, inscribed on palm leaves approximately 500–600 years ago, contain numerous mysterious predictions about the future.

Followers and some researchers assert that many of the signs described in these texts have proven true and correlate with historical and current events. Nevertheless, there are varying opinions regarding the Bhavishyamalika prophecies themselves and their interpretations, raising questions about whether they contain genuine foresight.

When the Kalpavriksha Tree Fell in the Jagannath Temple

One well-known prophecy linked to the 'Bhavishyamalika' states that the first signs of the end of Kali Yuga will appear, and one such sign will involve the sacred Kalpavriksha tree located within the Jagannath Temple premises in Puri. According to belief, when this ancient banyan tree begins to break and fall, it will be interpreted as an omen of impending serious changes and crises.

This prediction is often connected to the super cyclone in Odisha in 1999. During this devastating hurricane, many large branches of the Kalpavriksha broke and fell. Following this, followers of the 'Bhavishyamalika' began correlating this with the signs mentioned in the text. Although opinions on the link between this event and the prophecy differ, this incident remains an important part of discussions about the mysteries surrounding this 'Malika.'

Falling Stones from the Temple Top

Another prophecy in the 'Bhavishyamalika' concerns the upper part of the Lord Jagannath temple. It is believed that instances of heavy stones falling from the roof or near the Nilachakra can signal a major crisis or difficult times. In previous years, incidents of stones falling from the upper tiers of the Jagannath temple occurred, causing concerns about the structure and its preservation. These events were viewed through the lens of the signs described in the 'Bhavishyamalika,' generating numerous social media posts. However, it is difficult to state definitively whether these events happened according to the prophecy or if they were subsequently interpreted in line with the 'Malika's' assertions. This uncertainty adds an extra layer of mystery to the 'Bhavishyamalika.'

Spread of Deadly Epidemics

'Bhavishyamalika' contains a prediction about a time when the world will face suddenly spreading, severe, and mysterious diseases. It is claimed that these illnesses will be so aggressive that the medical community may be powerless in the initial stages, putting many lives at risk. Followers of the 'Malika' relate this assertion to the coronavirus pandemic that swept the globe in 2020. COVID-19 rapidly affected the planet, and anxiety persisted afterward regarding various viruses and infectious diseases. Nevertheless, it is hard to determine if the signs in the 'Malika' specifically pointed to the coronavirus pandemic or if they were interpreted retrospectively based on subsequent events.

Decline in Moral Values and Emotional Distance

'Bhavishyamalika' also addresses changes in social and family structures. There is a conviction that a time will come when people become more prone to anger, greed, and selfishness. Closeness in relationships will decrease, and family members will begin to drift apart. It also speaks of increased disagreements and conflicts between parents and children. Modern trends, such as rising family disputes, relationship tension, and elderly loneliness, are linked by some people to this prophecy. The increasing need for nursing homes and changing family structures are also cited as examples. However, it is easy not to consider social changes as proof of any single prophecy, as societal and relational structures have changed in every era.

Lack of Taste and Nutrition in Grains

'Bhavishyamalika' contains a warning about the changing state of the earth and the quality of agricultural products. It is believed that soil fertility will suffer over time, and grains, even if they look good, will lose their natural taste and nutritional value. Signs of changes in animal husbandry and agricultural production are also mentioned. Today, constant debates revolve around the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in modern agriculture, as well as soil quality and food nutritional value. Some followers of the 'Bhavishyamalika' connect these changes to the signs mentioned in the text. However, it is scientifically inaccurate to claim that all modern food has lost its nutrition or become entirely harmful. Therefore, statements made regarding this prophecy are viewed from various perspectives.