Let’s admit it, two of the most extraordinary things to have come out of the 1980s would have to be the television series dedicated to two of India’s greatest epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. The latter, directed by late B.R. Chopra, remains ‘untouchable’ as per my mother, who has watched so many reruns of the series that she refuses to watch the newer versions, calling them “inferior on all accounts”. Isn’t it ironic how she is so prejudiced about retelling on an epic that compels you to keep your ‘judgements’ aside?
Set in ‘Dwapar Yug’, the third most significant epochs as per Hindu beliefs, Mahabharata is a world where kings gamble away their queens, cousins sully each other in a bloody battle of power, where gods descend to show mortals the real meaning of ‘dharma’, destiny and duty. Mahabharata is a legendary epic made of countless small stories depicting the brilliance and follies of humanity in general. And because it extends over a very long period, tracing the journey of a family for multiple generations, many stories are super fascinating for foodies like you and me too. Here are some of my favourites.
Was Bhima The Original Creator Of Kerala’s Mix Veg Dish Avial?
Upon losing his kingdom in a game of dice with Duryodhana, King Yudhishthira, his four brothers and Draupadi were forced into exile for thirteen years, twelve out of which they had to spend in the woods, and the thirteenth year they had to spend in ‘Agyaat Vaas’, wherein they had to live incognito. For their thirteenth year, the Pandavas lived in Matsya Desh, where Yudhishtira became an advisor to the king, Arjuna a eunuch and a dance teacher, Bhima became the cook, Nakul a horseman while Sahdev worked at the cowshed. Even though Bhima became the cook, he barely knew how to cook. So as per legends, one of the first dishes he prepared was a stew, where he chopped various vegetables, boiled them together, seasoned them with mild spices and topped them with grated coconut. This mix-veg delicacy is touted to be a precursor of modern-day Avial.
How Draupadi’s Magical ‘Akshay Patra’ Was Always Enough To Feed Everyone
During their exile, the Pandavas and Draupadi travelled to many parts of the country and food shortage was one of the many challenges they faced along the way. Draupadi was blessed with a divine bowl called the ‘Akshay Patra’ given to her by the Sun God. The bowl could offer food all day until Draupadi eats. However, once she had her meal, the bowl lost its power. One day, sage Durvasa and his students showed up at the cottage of Pandavas, which worried Draupadi a lot since there was no food left in the house, and they couldn’t turn away an sage empty stomach. Draupadi prayed to Lord Krishna, who requested to see the Akshay Patra. As per the legends, he saw a grain of rice sticking to one corner of the bowl. He had the grain and said he was full. Draupadi didn’t quite understand what happened here and went out looking morose. Later on, she heard sage Durvasa and the students also say that they suddenly felt satiated and were in no mood to eat. Draupadi connected the dots and thanked Lord Krishna in her prayers.
When Duryodhan’s ‘Poison’ Kheer Failed To Fulfill Its Purpose
Duryodhan was always jealous of Bhima for his power. When they were kids, the cousins were enjoying a meal together when Duryodhan fed Bhima a kheer laced with an intoxicating substance. When the Kauravas and Pandavas were playing after the dinner, Bhima sensed something weird and laid down on the grass, and soon he also lost consciousness. When Duryodhana appeared, he bundled Bhima up with grass and threw his body in a nearby river. As Bhima began to sink and reached the kingdom of snakes (Naga Lok). The vicious snakes bit him Bhima so many times that it neutralised the poison of the kheer. With all his might, he fought back the snakes and found his way back up.
When Lord Krishna’s Was Happy To Enjoy A Homely Meal At Vidur’s
When Lord Krishna went to the kingdom of Hastinapur as a peace envoy, he refused to stay there for the night. Instead, he chose to remain at Vidur’s place, an advisor to King Dhritrashtra, the father of Kauravas. Vidur felt slightly embarrassed of his modest living conditions and the lack of royal cooks at his place who couldn't make Krishna a feast fit for royalty. Lord Krishna said he was more than happy to have the meal cooked at his home every day. As per legends, this was a very basic vegetarian meal with lentils and vegetables.
How Were The Warriors Fed At Kurukshetra?
Millions of warriors fought from both sides on Kurukshetra, and the war went on for 18 days. King Udupi offered to feed the warriors of both sides, but then he also didn’t want any food to go to waste. Surprisingly, none of the cooked food went to waste, and there was always enough food for everyone in the camps. How was the Udupi king so accurate each time? It is said that Lord Krishna would munch on boiled peanuts every day; in some accounts, it is cooked rice. It is said that Lord Krishna would not eat all peanuts, and he would leave some on the plate. King Udupi would calculate the peanuts Lord Krishna ate every day from the remaining peanuts, and that number had a peculiar connection with the casualties. For instance, if Lord Krishna would eat only ten peanuts, the number of deaths the next day would be ten thousand. This way, King Udupi had an approximate figure of people to feed, and food was prepared accordingly.
Aren't these tales so awe-inspiring? Which one did you like the best. Do let us know.