Notes 1 A-M

Arjun and Karn
It is so surprising that once Indra saved Soorya from Vritraasur and gave light to world, the same Soory's son Karn was killed by Indra's son Arjun. Indra himself helped Arjun in this by asking Karn's "Kundal and Kavach" in alms.

Arjun Defeats Karn
Arjun defeated Karn several times - (1) First when the fight occurred at the time of Draupadee's Swayamvar; (2) Then he defeated him when Duryodhan attacked at Kaampilya Nagaree after Draupadee's marriage; (3) Then he defeated him at the time when Duryodhan attacked at Virat Nagar to identify Paandav

Arjun's Chariot
Krishn was Arjun's Saarathee and Hanumaan was sitting on his chariot's flag according to his promise to Bheem. Arjun got this chariot and his Gaandeev bow from Agni Dev when he fed him by burning Khaandav Van.

Arjun's ten Names
Arjun said to Uttar - "My ten names are - Arjun, Phaalgun, Jishnu, Keeriti, Shwetvaahan, Vibhatsu, Vijaya, Paarth, Savyashachee and Dhananjaya. 
(1) Arjun - My complexion is unique like Arjun tree, and my name is stainless, that is why I am named as Arjun.
(2) Phaalgun - I was born on the slopes of Himvaan in a place called Satsring on a day when the star Uttaraa Phaalgunee was in ascent, that is why my name is Phaalgun. 
(3) Jishnu - I am called Jishnu because because I am terrible when I am angry.
(4) Keeriti - My father Indra gave me a beautiful crown when I was with Him, that is why I am called Keeriti. 
(5) Shwetvaahan - My horses which were given to me by Agni Dev are white, that is why I am called Shwetvaahan too.
(6) Vibhatsu - I have never fought by unfair means in any battle that is why I am called Vibhatsu.
(7) Vijaya - I always fight till end and I always win, that is why I am called Vijaya. 
(8) Paarth - My mother's original name is Prithaa, so I am also called Paarth.
(9) Savyashachee - I never frighten my enemies by meanness, I can shoot with my both hands, thats why I am called Savyashachee. 
(10) Dhananjaya - I was called Dhanajaya when I conquered all the kings at the time of Raajsooya Yagya and collected wealth from all of them.

Bheeshm's Death
It was told to Bheeshm in the Heaven itself before coming to Earth, that he must die when the Sun is in northern solstice, otherwise he will not able to come back to his previous position of Vasu. He was the eighth Vasu left on Prithvi to bear the Shaap of Vashishth. The rest seven left Prithvi through he grace of Gangaa. That is why he was very particular about it.

Bows
There were only three celestial bows in Mahaabhaarat - Gaandeev of Varun with Arjun, Vijaya of Indra with Rukmee, and Shaarng of Vishnu with Krishn. Gaandeev was obtained by Arjun through Agni Dev at the time of Khaandav Van burning, Vijaya was obtained by Rukmee from Drone, and Shaarng bow was obtained by Krishn at the time of slaying Narakaasur and recovering various kinds of gems and jewels, 16,000 girls and mother Aditi's earrings.

Cleaned Himself
During the days of mourning, after the death of a person in a family, a person is considered unclean. He cannot perform his daily worship and other religious rites. After completing all ceremonies related to it, the man is supposed to be clean, and he can resume his normal duties. Normally it is of 13 days.

Dhan (Wealth)
Garud explains Dhan as wealth. He said to Gaalav Muni - "Because it is created by Agni (fire), and augmented by Vaayu (air), and Earth itself is said to be Hiranyamaya, that is why wealth is called Hiranya. And because wealth supports the world and sustains life, it is called Dhan. To meet these two ends Dhan exists in the world since the beginning."

Dharm, Arth, Kaam, Moksh
There are four aims of people in this world - Dharm, Arth, Kaam, and Moksh.

1. Dharm - one's own nature and duty towards others. Everybody has his own Dharm towards others, so one should follow his own Dharm. To know about one's own Dharm, people should read ethics, religious books and study their own nature. People in this world always want to earn some Dharm, that is why they do charity work, give donations, do good to others etc.

2. Arth means wealth. Another aim of life is to earn money. (see Dhan above)

3. Kaam (desires). Everybody has some kind of desire in this world and he always wishes that they should be fulfilled. The problem with the desires is that they are never fulfilled completely. As soon as one desire is fulfilled, another one arises, and the man starts fulfilling that desire. There is no end of them.

4. Moksh (emancipation). Everybody wishes for Moksh so that he is freed from the cycle of births and rebirths.

Divine Pot
Draupadee had a divine pot, given by Soorya to feed Braahman who depended on Yudhishthir. Yudhishthir got it by worshipping Soorya. It used to give food until Draupadee had eaten her food.

Four Elephants
In Hindu mythology there are four elephants (some say they are ten). The reference of these elephants comes at two places: (1) In Vaalmeeki Raamaayan, in Kishkindhaa Kaand, when Sugreev sends his Vaanar in search of Seetaa, he mentions about them; and (2) In Bhaagvat Puraan, 9th Skandh, in the story of Raajaa Sagar, when his 60,000 sons went in the search of their father's Yagya horse, and they dug the earth, they met these four elephants. Even Anshumaan, Sagar's grandson, also met them.

Four Kinds of Subjects
Oviparous, Viviparous, those born of filth, and the vegetables.

Gangaa
It is believed that Gangaa came here, in Bindusar, in three streams. In Heaven she is called Mandaakinee, on Earth she is called Gangaa, and in subterraneous world she is called Bhogvatee. Then divided herself in seven streams - Vaswokasar, Nalinee, Saraswatee, Jambonadee, Seetaa, Gangaa and Sindhu. Saraswatee is visible in some parts, and not visible in some parts.

Garud's Descendents
Read about them in "Story of Maatali".

Ichchhaa Mrityu
This Vardaan was given to Bheeshm (Devvrat) by his father Shantanu when he got pleased on sacrifice of Bheeshm that he wouldn't marry at all so that Satyavatee and Shantanu's children can rule Hastinaapur. In this Vardaan, Bheeshm had full control on his death as whenever he wanted to die, he could die.

Limbs
The limbs that should be 'prominent' or 'elevated' in order to constitute an indication of beauty or auspiciousness are variously mentioned. The general opinion seems to be that these are six only, the back of each palm, the two dorsa, and the two bosoms should be elevated. Another opinion would seem to indicate that the two bosoms, the two hips, and the two eyes should be so. The seven that should be delicate or slender are unanimously mentioned as the skin, the hair, the teeth, the fingers of the hands, the fingers of the feet, the waist, and the neck. The three that should be deep are the navel, the voice, and the understanding. The five that should be red are the two palms, the two outer corners of the eyes, the tongue, the nether and the upper lips, and the palate. These five also, are variously given.

Muhoort
About half an hour time.