Sutasoma, the second child of Draupadi and Bhima, holds a unique position in the epic Mahabharata. Despite being one of the Upapandavas—five sons born to Draupadi from each of the five Pandavas—his story often gets overshadowed by the more prominent figures of the epic. However, his tale is significant and worth exploring in detail.
Birth and Naming of Sutasoma.
Sutasoma was born to Bhimasena and Draupadi. He was named Sutasoma because Bhima had performed one thousand sacrifices to the moon deity, Soma, before his birth. This divine connection to the moon god not only gives Sutasoma his name but also hints at his importance in the Pandava lineage.
The Upapandavas, including Sutasoma, are the five sons of Draupadi, each fathered by one of the Pandava brothers. The five brothers were:
- Prativindhya, son of Yudhishthira
- Sutasoma, son of Bhimasena
- Shrutakarma, son of Arjuna
- Shatanika, son of Nakula
- Shrutasena, son of Sahadeva
These sons, often overlooked, played vital roles in the events of the Mahabharata, particularly during the Kurukshetra War.
When did Draupadi get pregnant?
As the year finished and Draupadi’s experience with one spouse finished and another husband started, she would stroll through fire and accordingly recapture her virginity, many years. Over the long haul, Draupadi had five children, one with every one of the Pandavas; they were known as the Upapandavas.
Sutasoma’s Role in the Kurukshetra War.
Sutasoma, along with his brothers, fought valiantly on the side of the Pandavas during the Kurukshetra War. Though the Mahabharata does not extensively describe their feats, the Upapandavas are mentioned in key moments of the battle. Bhishma, the grand warrior of the Kauravas, acknowledged them as Ekarathis, meaning they were capable of fighting single-handedly against any opponent.
Despite their prowess, the Upapandavas faced challenges on the battlefield. On the 11th and 14th day of the war, Sutasoma and his brothers were defeated by Vrishasena, the son of Karna, in a battle that showcased the intense rivalries and complexities of the war.
The Tragic End of the Upapandavas.
The fate of Sutasoma and his brothers is one of the many tragedies of the Mahabharata. On the night of the last day of the war, when the Pandavas were celebrating their victory, the sons of Draupadi met a gruesome end. Ashwatthama, seeking revenge for his father’s death, stealthily entered the Pandava camp and killed all five of the Upapandavas as they slept.
This brutal act of vengeance serves as a stark reminder of the cycle of violence and retribution that defines much of the Mahabharata. The death of Sutasoma and his brothers added to the sorrow and loss experienced by the Pandavas, even in their moment of triumph.
Legacy of Sutasoma.
While Sutasoma may not be as widely recognized as some of the other characters in the Mahabharata, his story is a poignant part of the epic. His birth, life, and untimely death serve as a reflection of the themes of duty, sacrifice, and the inevitability of fate that permeate the Mahabharata.
In the grand narrative of the Mahabharata, where gods and heroes dominate the scene, characters like Sutasoma remind us of the many lives touched by the events of the epic. Though his life was short-lived, Sutasoma’s legacy endures through the retellings of the Mahabharata, where every character, no matter how briefly mentioned, contributes to the richness of the story.
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