Mahabharata's time was a transition time – from Vedic to Puranic.
This is evidenced by the fact that of the 5 Gods Kunta and Madri sought to sire
their children, none was from the “trinity” !!!
Mitra was the original solar deity, friend to all lifeforms. (Mitra = friend) Kunta chose Mitra / Surya to sire her first son.
Dharma - Yama / Varun was originally the god of righteousness – an earlier
version of Dharma.
As kings must be righteous, Pandu chose him has the ideal God to sire his first
son
Vayu was the god of strength, as can be seen from Ramayana when he sired Hanuman
– the strong man of that epic.
Kings require strength and so Vayu was chosen to sire the second child.
Indra was the petulant God of heaven who could shower his mercy or withhold his
grace in the form of rain.
As Lord of heaven and king of "devatas", Indra was chosen as the ideal god to
sire the third son.
Ashwini twins were probably pre Vedic Gods and dealt with herbal lore, healing
and health.
They were chosen as the ideal gods to sire the fourth and fifth sons by Madri.
Later, Vishnu and his avataras became more popular. Krushna and Rama became the most
popular.
Shiva and his forms were popular in Mahabhart times and continue to be so even
now.
As this was a transition time – between old and new – sometimes the text prefers the older gods, sometimes the new ones (Krushna and Balarama). Sometimes the Vedic gods require the help of Krushna, Arjun and sometimes, they help these heroes in their own battles.
Vedic Gods of heaven would not require humans to fight for them.
Puranic gods of heaven seek humans to fight on their behalf.
In Puranic legends, the Trinity are infallible and defeat the heavenly gods with
ease.
Mahabharat reflects these changes. There are legends, myths and histories
from all corners of
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