10 stories from the Mahabharata (English)

Chinmaya Mission is renowned for its excellent resources for children, particularly through their Bala Vihar program, which aims to impart cultural and spiritual values. They often publish simplified stories from Indian epics like the Mahabharata, making them accessible and engaging for young minds.

While I don't have a specific list of "10 stories" verbatim from a single Chinmaya Mission publication, they have a book titled "10 Stories from the Mahabharata" by Sri. C. L. Purushothama Rao, available through Chinmaya Vani (their e-shop). This book is explicitly designed for children and aims to convey moral lessons from the epic.

Based on the typical themes and key events that are usually highlighted for children from the Mahabharata, here are 10 probable stories that Chinmaya Mission would likely include, focusing on moral values and exciting narratives:

1. The Birth of the Pandavas and Kauravas: This sets the stage, introducing the two rival families and the circumstances of their births, often emphasizing the contrast between virtue and ambition from the very beginning.
2. The Lakshagraha (House of Lac): The treacherous plot by Duryodhana to burn the Pandavas alive in a house made of lac, and how Vidura helps them escape. This highlights themes of cunning, loyalty, and divine protection.
3. Draupadi's Swayamvara and Marriage: The story of Arjuna winning Draupadi's hand, and how, due to Kunti's misunderstanding, she becomes the common wife of all five Pandavas. This introduces a pivotal character and the unusual circumstances of her marriage.
4. The Game of Dice (Dice Game): The most devastating event that leads to the exile of the Pandavas, emphasizing the dangers of gambling, pride, and the humiliation of Draupadi, which fuels the subsequent war.
5. The Pandavas' Exile in the Forest: Stories from their twelve years in exile, highlighting their resilience, spiritual growth, and encounters with various sages and divine beings (like the Yaksha Prashna).
6. Arjuna's Penance and Acquisition of Pashupatastra: Arjuna's rigorous penance to please Lord Shiva and gain the powerful divine weapon, showcasing dedication and the pursuit of power for righteous purposes.
7. Yaksha Prashna (The Yaksha's Questions): A famous episode where Yudhishthira answers profound questions about Dharma, life, and wisdom, demonstrating his deep understanding and righteousness.
8. Abhimanyu's Valour: The tragic but heroic tale of Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu, breaking into the Chakravyuha formation and his brave fight, highlighting courage and sacrifice.
9. The Bhagavad Gita (in a simplified form): Not a single story, but the essence of Lord Krishna's teachings to Arjuna on the battlefield, emphasizing duty, selflessness, and faith. This would be presented as a core moral message.
10. The Final Battle and the Victory of Dharma: A summary of the Kurukshetra War's conclusion, focusing on the ultimate triumph of good over evil, the sacrifices made, and the re-establishment of Dharma.

Chinmaya Mission's approach would always be to extract the moral and ethical lessons from these narratives, encouraging children to imbibe virtues like truthfulness, courage, devotion, forgiveness, and integrity, while subtly introducing them to the vastness and depth of Hindu philosophy.