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Mahabharata Tales-1: Justice for Draupadi and other stories

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Imagine if Krishna had heeded Draupadi’s appeal and dispensed instant justice during the game of dice! The re-imagined tale Justice for Draupadi takes a hard look at the role played by everyone present in the infamous dice game.

Duryodhana Humiliated, The Legend of Ghatotkacha, and Mahishmathi Conquered bring out the varied personalities of three characters from the epic.

The Night of Terror, Revelation, Waiting for Death, Mausala of Death, and Three Tests reveal what happened after the war.

The love of a mighty man and the story of Three Friendships narrate incidents that shaped the progress of events in the epic.

Know why Janmejaya’s Snake Sacrifice was doomed to fail.

Learn more about key incidents and characters from the epic.

This book has twelve retold tales that explore the lives of legendary characters from Vyasa’s immortal epic.

Read this book to know the essence of the Mahabharata. Know why the war occurred and how it affected the future of Bharatavarsha. Mahabharata Tales-1 is a book meant for everyone who wants to know about our past and read about our ancestors.
This is a book meant not just for lovers of mythology but for readers of all ages and interests.

138 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2021

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22 people want to read

About the author

Deepak M.R.

8 books7 followers

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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Adarsh ಆದರ್ಶ.
108 reviews22 followers
March 3, 2023
I thank @indicabooks for sending this book as a part of #1000reviewersclub.

What’s there not to like about one of
The Great Hindu Epic Mahabharata.
One might have heard many stories of Bharata in bits and pieces or as a ardent reader some might have read the epic as a whole. I being the former only had heard stories & yet to have read any of books.
Author has summed up tales from the Mahabharata and has done a great job in collaborating all the 12 stories . Starting from the Draupadi’s reasoning which will ultimately lead to the war of Kurukshetra and ends with a moral compass of great friendship between different characters of the epic. I enjoyed reading every bit of it. My personal favourite being the three tests and the night of terror which is bloodiest part that happens after the 18th day of the war a tragic event which turned out to be a defeat for Pandavas inspite of winning. Author has made it easy for readers to understand with glossary of places , people and event’s mentioned in the book.
Before I came across this book by Indica I had not heard of Sri Deepak M R or his works but after reading this book wish to read his books..
Forgot to mention @subbu has done a fabulous job in publishing this book.
Profile Image for Ujjwala Singhania.
221 reviews70 followers
November 11, 2021
A collection of stories taken from the important events from our epic Mahabharata. The first story, a reimagined version of Draupadi's humiliation in the Dyuttsabha, Justice for Draupadi is such hard-hitting take on identifying the people who wronged her, how the blame should be apportioned and who all should be punished. The story created as a dialogue between Krishnaa and Krishna involves a reader and leaves them with food for thought.
It is heartening to see authors coming up with collection of stories and reimagined works on our history and scriptures in such interesting ways. It helps to pull-in the young generation and the non-reader alike to start on their journey of the wonderful world that is our Itihaasa.
Profile Image for lakshmi.
5 reviews3 followers
April 4, 2023
Thank you for the opportunity to review this copy #1000ReviewersClub


Mahabharata tales by Deepak M.R is a modern retelling of some of the well-known episodes of the most popular Epic. It is truly fascinating and revetting in the manner, in which the author has relayed the stories to the next generation. It provides a fresh and a new perspective to the episodes such as Krishna's appearance in the court as Draupadi was going through her ordeal and questioning the Dharma of the action (or in-action) of everyone present, something that even the readers may have had in mind. Why didn't Bheshma intervene? How can a husband stake his wife in a game? In another story, the most popular version that the whole war took place because Draupadi laughed at Duryodhan's lack of orientation in their new palace, but it was the Pandavas who were having fun at his expense is a revelation. The story on Bheema's love for Draupadi shows his character in a new light, since he is otherwise known mostly for his strength and brashness. Krishna's helplessness as he sees his clan degenerate shows how even the most powerful have to follow the rule of Karma. The last chapter, which explores different friendships like that of Drona and Drupada, Karna and Duryodhana and Krishna and Arjuna, have lessons on how the right kind of friendship can elevate or destroy the experience and journey of life.

Deepak M R writes in a way which is simple and engaging at the same time. This collection of twelve tales is a must-read recommendation for young adults, who will certainly enjoy an insight into our epics.
Profile Image for Santosh.
Author 2 books
October 16, 2022
I became an admirer of the author from his first book itself which was "Unsung Valor - Forgotten warriors of the past" which was an anthology where this author had written one story on Bhagadatta. His way of story telling, the simplicity, and adherence to the original source scripture always makes me relish his writings.

The same magical effect he carries even in this current book "Mahabharata Tales -1". Some mytho-fiction genre authors say that they cannot retell the stories given by Vyasa and Valmiki without creatively modifying them (read distorting the original version), all such authors should learn from Deepak M.R. ji type of authors who narrate the stories in their own style but the core essence neither deviates away from the original scripture nor distorts them. The paurANika stories that we have listened from our grandparents were never verbatim of the original scripture, they were all retellings but the point is there were no distortions. Let me give an example - narrating the core story imagining as a conversation between some other characters is fine, creating some connectors to fill gaps is also fine; but to make things spicy and appealing to the masses making Draupadi secretly love Karna kind of narrations are *atrocious*. Some authors know where to draw a line and how to use creativity to narrate the same old story in an interesting way, while some others don't know this and cross their boundaries and do a disservice to Vyasa. Creative-retelling is ok, when people take the term "liberty" in phrase "creative-liberty" literally, they usually end up distorting the tales hence that's not ok for me.

I appreciate author Deepak M.R. ji for the way he sticks to the original essence even while retelling in creative ways. This is what is skill.

The very Preface made me applaud him in my mind on two occasions -

1) He mentions that it is a retelling and then emphasises saying, "However, while retelling, care has been taken to ensure there are no major deviations from the essence of the epic"

2) I like when fiction authors' works finally lead the audience to take interest in reading the original scripture. I loved when I saw the same as the goal of the author when he said in preface, "If you feel like reading more about the Mahabharata after reading these stories, then I have achieved my goal". How genuine and pious wish this is! There are others who would feed you with distortions and would aim for more sales of their future works but hardly would intend their readers to go to original scripture.

Authors like Deepak ji are rare and must be encouraged. Now coming to the review part.

1) Captivating - Author's style of story telling is very captivating. It has always been right from his first essay in the previously mentioned anthology book to even this current one, every story we read from his pen, would immerse us in the story. We would visualize them we would see the events not just read them

2) The Choice of Topics - The very choice of topics blew my mind. He included story of Mahishmati conquest of Sahadeva, which is rarely known to the masses, only Mahabharata learners know. That is a beautiful story and Sahadeva and Nakula usually are lesser sung heroes. Even the retellers hardly take any interest in their stories. But seeing this story in this book was a pleasant surprise. Secondly, the story titled "waiting for death" is yet another great tale which no one touches. I am stopping myself from revealing the internals of them to not spoil the experience. Story titled "The Mousala of death" and "the love of a mighty man" are other great topics which usually people don't write about. His choice of picking such topics is laudable.

3) Originality retention - Many stories are in the form of a dialogue or conversation between Parikshit and Yuyutsu which is a creative way to retell the stories but the stories inside those conversations adhered greatly to the original text.

4) Moral lessons - In stories like "A tale of three friendships" the author has not just ended the stories after narrating them but also added moral lessons from each tale which all were great takeaways especially for young readers.

What else? In short - This is a great book. Recommended for beginners of Mahabharata if they want to start small first, they can safely read this book without any worries. This book will certainly induce further interest to next go to reading the original Mahabharata text.

Wishing the author a great success with this book and also all his upcoming works. May your all works as always stay simple, honest and retaining the originality despite retelling in creative way. You are awesome. All the best!
Profile Image for Vidhya Thakkar.
1,042 reviews133 followers
December 15, 2021
We all know Draupadi loved Arjuna the most, but do you know who loved Draupadi the most? We know how Krishna was killed, but do we know about the bow that killed him? We know Ghatotkacha saved Arjuna but do we know the reason he was born? Well well, there are many exciting questions and the author answers them all which makes this book a treasure for life.

The 12 unheard tales will astound you. Be it friendship or love, be it the curse of Gandhari or the birth of Duryodhana, to the greatness of Sahadeva, the stories are too interesting.The stories retell great incidents from the epic and gives you an insight about the legendary characters of Mahabharata.

The engaging narration and the crisp writing style of the author keeps the readers invested in. It's a short 138 pages read but but full of great stories.

The author makes the readers curious with his words and conversations. The conversations between Parikshith and Yuyutsu we're super interesting.

The lessons Parikshith and Janmejaya learned from the tales of their Ancestors, the way the author kept it light and intense at the same time makes this book more interesting.

I loved reading three friendships tale, the night of terror, the Mausala of death the most. Read any story from the book and I am sure it will capture your attention.

Love reading mythology? Want to read some amazing, unheard tales from Mahabharata? Do not skip this book.
A short, detailed and interesting read.
14 reviews
June 5, 2023
How do you retell a tale which is well known to Indians? By re-imagination, creative liberty and a flair for storytelling. This booklet combines all these to tell us a pick of 12 tales from Mahabharata.

As such we all have grown up listening to tales from Mahabharata from our elders or reading from books. As such who does not know the story of attempt to disrobe Draupadi in the royal court of Dhrtarashtra by Duryodhana and his cohorts? Or how Duryodhana got fooled in Panadav’s new palace built by Maya, or the horror of murder of Pandava children in the night soon after conclusion of Mahabharata war?

But what is fascinating is that the author still makes it worth reading. The stories are elaborated with a contemporary touch, with detailing of each character with flesh and blood and thoughts and feelings, and also with logical explanation to make the actions plausible. As result the stories look realistic and engrossing.

This is not an effort of re-looking of a few famous episodes of the epic with a different perspective, but rather re-telling of the same with a lot more detail. The narrative style in English does justice to the characters. The creative freedom taken by the author in elaborating and providing a realistic context to each story still manages to remain loyal to the original in the Mahabharata in overall storyline.

Do read and enjoy this booklet (just around 100 pages). It is also ideal for gifting to school-going children.
Profile Image for Rutuja Ramteke.
1,938 reviews85 followers
January 17, 2022

🥀Firstly, kudos to the author for writing something as intriguing and mind boggling. I have read a lot of Mahabharata retelling but definitely this has to be one of the most unique, interesting and full of thrill. This book is a collection of 12 short stories, retold in a way that will surely brighten those spots of your mind which help you imagine more and more. The book starts with Draupadi's tale and takes the readers on an unforgettable journey through the kings, queens and the kingdom. It talks about the epic mythology in a way that feels modern, uplifting yet very raw and original. The small twists in each story make them special and worth reading.
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If you are a mythical enthusiast you're sure to love this book, because deep down it will play your imagination tabs and as you turn pages. To every Mahabharata incident we read, we always have thought about what if things weren't this way, what would have actually happened then? Here you get your answers. The language is easy yet sophisticate, each story is short and crisp. Even if you aren't mythology reader even then you can try it because nevertheless these are short stories that can read by anyone.

I will definitely recommend it to everyone.
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Rating: 4.25⭐️
Profile Image for Divya.
53 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2021
As Krishna says in Mahabharata he who has no attachments can really love others , for his love is pure and divine . The book starts with the Chapter on Draupadi and how she felt humiliated and the horrible blow to her dignity . This is not just a book it's about the possible human emotions summarised in a text . The anguish Draupadi carries is worth understand .
🌞 The author has a distinct command on presentation of events in a coherent manner . Narration is completely graphic .
👍My personal favourite is the Ch 10 depicting the love of Bheema towards Draupadi . Bheem climbs the mountain Gandhamadana known be the abode of kuber , to get lovely lotuses for his beloved Draupadi . Read the book to know further
✅Look for a man who loves you and fights for you .
👍Felt in love with Ch 8 as the Yudhishthira passes the three tests .
✅"Yudhishthira says I do not want to live in heaven that excludes the people who I value most "

I loved the book and assure the readers that it's an emotional roller coasters ride . Be prepared to feel the love , the joy and sometimes tears rolling down your eyes .
Profile Image for Nanda Rajanala.
Author 2 books18 followers
March 6, 2023
Charming stories from the Mahabharata that I guarantee not all must have read or can remember. This book by the author, Deepak M R, is a unique tribute to the evergreen classic, the Mahabharata and its undying influence on seekers of truth, values, morality and the fight between good vs. evil.

Perhaps, illustrations to go with the stories would make this a wonderful reading companion for kids of all ages too. The story of Ghatotgaja, the son of Bheema is worth reading. Also, the story, "The Three Tests" is a must read to understand how following dharma in one's life leads to the accumulation of punya that protects you in the after life, as one transcends hell and heaven. Yudhistra, rightly called as a the King of Dharma, exemplifies those qualities.

All the twelve stories can be read independent of each other and there is a sweet lesson to take from each of them. I highly commend the author for doing the research, interpreting the stories, creating meaningful dialogues between characters and showcasing lessons to learn from each of the stories.
189 reviews
October 22, 2021
The Greatest Epic

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. It narrates the struggle between the Kaurava and the Pandava and their descendants. It is an important source of information on the development of Hinduism.

In "Mahabharata tales 1" Deepak MR has covered such stories from the Mahabharata which teaches such lessons to us today also. Different 12 stories are well expressed by an author with a deep meaning. The stories are based on such incidences of past.

Some stories i liked the most are Justice for Draupadi, waiting for death, the three tests, three friendships. All having insightful cultivation. Highly recommend to all.

The moral is: Mahabharata may revolve around the war of duty. But we cannot escape the fact that the major reason behind the destruction of all was revenge. The Kauravas lost everything to their blinded desire to ruin the Pandavas.
Profile Image for Tejaswini Rao.
Author 1 book17 followers
December 17, 2021
This book contains a collection of 12 short stories from the Mahabharata.

The initial stories focus on the main characters, but the later ones are stories retold by Yuyutsu to Parikshit.

The best thing about this book is that the stories that are not highlighted in Mahabharata, like the story of Sahadeva and Lord Agni, Bheema getting the beautiful flowers for Draupadi etc., can be found in this book. Another less known fact of Ghatotkacha's son is also mentioned.

Usually, the story of Mahabharata ends with Yudhishthira becoming the king after the great war. That's not the case here, stories of Yudhishthira’s journey to heaven, Janamejaya and Parikshit are also included which makes the read interesting.

Overall, it's a great book that contains interesting and rare stories from the Mahabharata written beautifully. It is worth reading and is recommended to all people of all ages, especially mythology lovers.
144 reviews
November 17, 2021
Mahabharata Tales- 1" by Deepak MR is a book which is based on mythology. The book is very prominent as well as a short read and has only twelve the events that took place in the past.The author had beautifully highlighted the context of the book with Justice for Draupadi. The great epic Mahabharata began only when Draupadi faced the humiliation in the court.
Later, there are other prominent stories of Duryodhana when he is humiliated, Ghatotkacha when he sacrifices his life for his father and family and many others.
The characters of Mahabharata have their shades and goodwill turns into evil, and there is some good in evil. Author did a great job through this book.
The language was easy to read and readers can understand it because the characters are well explained in each tale and the story goes with flow.
Profile Image for Neelabh Pratap  Singh.
Author 40 books26 followers
May 19, 2024
"Mahabharata Tales-1: Justice for Draupadi and Other Stories" by Deepak M.R. is a captivating collection that brings fresh perspectives to the legendary characters of Vyasa's immortal epic. The book offers twelve short stories that delve into key incidents and characters from the Mahabharata.

The standout story, "Justice for Draupadi," reexamines the infamous dice game and Draupadi's humiliation, raising thought-provoking questions about accountability and punishment. Other stories like "Duryodhana Humiliated," "The Legend of Ghatotkacha," and "Mahishmathi Conquered" highlight the complex characters of these epic characters.

Deepak MR masterfully reimagines these stories, making them engaging for readers of all ages. Whether you're a mythology enthusiast or new to the Mahabharata, this book offers fascinating insights into Bharatavarsha's past and the lives of our ancestors.
2 reviews
February 15, 2023
'Mahabharata Tales' is a collection of 12 interesting stories from the Mahabharata. Each tale has presented particular characters from the epic and events concerning them with different perspectives revolving round the original story. My favourite tale among all the 12 stories was definitely the one about Draupadi, my favourite character in the Mahabharata. This book is quite an interesting read. The dialogues written among the characters are also wonderfully assembled.
160 reviews9 followers
October 8, 2022
A wonderful book with interesting 12 stories from the timeless immortal epic. I would recommend this to young and old alike, but definitely for the young developing minds. The stories have been selected with careful precision to ensure that valuable lessons are etched in mind forever.

Highly recommended !!!
Profile Image for RRK.
349 reviews13 followers
October 30, 2022
The reimagining of draupadi vastraaharana was good. Other than that rest are popular stories that I am quite familiar with. If you are new to Mahabharata and you want to dip your toes into this great epic I would recommend this book. This is a beginner friendly book. Go for it. #3stars #3starread #hinduism #mahabharata
51 reviews3 followers
October 24, 2021
A good one time read. Especially good for young readers who might not be aware of the details of the story of Mahabharata.
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