Section XCVII - Rishi Kanva advises Duryodhana to make peace
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section XCVII including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
Kanva tells the story of Matali, the charioteer of the king of the three worlds, who had a daughter named Gunakesi known for her beauty. When the time came to find a suitable husband for her, Matali was unable to find anyone worthy among the gods, Daityas, Gandharvas, men, or Rishis. He then decided to journey to the world of the Nagas as he believed he might find a suitable husband for his daughter there.
Upon reaching the world of the Nagas, Matali searched high and low but still could not find a husband worthy of Gunakesi's beauty and virtues. Feeling disheartened, Matali was about to return empty-handed when he came across a group of powerful warriors known for their prowess and bravery. Among them, he found a young prince named Nala, who stood out for his exceptional courage and noble character, making him an ideal match for Gunakesi.
Impressed by Nala's qualities, Matali approached him with the proposal of marrying Gunakesi, his daughter. Nala, too, was drawn to Gunakesi's beauty and agreed to the marriage, thus uniting the two noble families. The wedding was celebrated with great joy and splendor, marking the beginning of a happily ever after for Gunakesi and Nala.
The marriage between Gunakesi and Nala was blessed by the gods and brought prosperity and happiness to both families. Their union was regarded as an example of an ideal match, where beauty, nobility, and strength were balanced perfectly. Gunakesi and Nala's love story became famous throughout the worlds, symbolizing the power of true love and destiny in bringing two souls together.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section XCVII - Rishi Kanva advises Duryodhana to make peace, have a look at the following articles:
Section XCVII, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section XCVII:
Who was Gunakesi and why was Matali searching for a husband for her?
Gunakesi was the daughter of Matali, sought an eligible husband due to her unparalleled beauty.
Why did Matali decide to journey to the world of the Nagas?
Having found no suitable husband among gods and men, Matali searched among Nagas.
Daily life: Rishi Kanva advises Duryodhana to make peace:
The story from the ancient text illustrates the timeless lesson of seeking harmony and recognizing strength beyond the physical. In daily life, this can be adapted by encouraging peace and cooperation among individuals, understanding that true strength comes from character and virtues rather than mere physical capabilities. For instance, in a workplace or family setting, instead of competing for dominance or proving who's the strongest, individuals can focus on collaboration, appreciating each other’s unique strengths and contributions.
Furthermore, the narrative of Matali's quest for the perfect suitor for his daughter teaches us about the importance of diligence and open-mindedness in our endeavors. Just as Matali searched through different realms for a suitable match, we should be thorough and consider all possibilities in our pursuits, whether it’s looking for a solution to a problem or making significant life decisions. It underlines the belief that sometimes what we seek may not be in the most obvious places, and thus keeping an open mind can lead us to unexpected and rewarding discoveries.