Mahabharata, The Greatest Indian Epic

ராதே கிருஷ்ணா 12-11-2011

Mahabharata, The Greatest Indian Epic

The Mahābhārata, is the greatest, longest and one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Rāmāyana. With more than 74,000 verses, plus long prose passages, or some 1.8 million words in total, it is one of the longest epic poems in the world.

It contains eighteen Parvas or sections viz., Adi Parva, Sabha Parva, Vana Parva, Virata Parva, Udyoga Parva, Bhishma Parva, Drona Parva, Karna Parva, Shalya Parva, Sauptika Parva, Stree Parva, Shanti Parva, Anushasana Parva, Asvamedha Parva, Ashramavasika Parva, Mausala Parva, Mahaprasthanika Parva and Swargarohanika Parva. Each Parvacontains many sub-Parvas or subsections.

This wonderful book was composed by Sri Vyasa (Krishna Dvaipayana) who was the grandfather of the heroes of the epic. He taught this epic to his son Suka and his disciples Vaisampayana and others. King Janamejaya, son of Parikshit, the grandson of the heroes of the epic, performed a great sacrifice. The epic was recited by Vaisampayana to Janamejaya at the command of Vyasa. Later on, Suta recited the Mahabharata as was done by Vaisampayana to Janamejaya, to Saunaka and others, during a sacrifice performed by Saunaka in Naimisaranya, which is near Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh.

It is very interesting to remember the opening and closing lines of this great epic. It begins with: "Vyasa sang of the ineffable greatness and splendour of Lord Vasudeva, who is the source and support for everything, who is eternal, unchanging, self-luminous, who is the Indweller in all beings, and the truthfulness and righteousness of the Pandavas." It ends with: "With raised hands, I shout at the top of my voice; but alas, no one hears my words which can give them Supreme Peace, Joy and Eternal Bliss. One can attain wealth and all objects of desire through Dharma (righteousness). Why do not people practise Dharma? One should not abandon Dharma at any cost, even at the risk of his life. One should not relinquish Dharma out of passion or fear or covetousness or for the sake of preserving one’s life. This is the Bharata Gayatri. Meditate on this daily, O man! when you retire to sleep and when you rise from your bed every morning. You will attain everything. You will attain fame, prosperity, long life, eternal bliss, everlasting peace and immortality."   

parva	title	sub-parvas	contents
1	Adi-parva	1-19	Introduction, birth and upbringing of the princes.
2	Sabha-parva	20-28	Life at the court, the game of dice, and the exile of the Pandavas. Maya Danava erects the palace and court (sabha), at Indraprastha.
3	Vana-Parva	29-44	The twelve years in exile in the forest (aranya).
4	Virata-parva	45-48	The year in exile spent at the court of Virata.
5	Udyoga-parva	49-59	Preparations for war.
6	Bhishma-parva	60-64	The first part of the great battle, with Bhishma as commander for the Kauravas.
7	Drona-parva	65-72	The battle continues, with Drona as commander.
8	Karna-parva	73	The battle again, with Karna as commander.
9	Shalya-parva	74-77	The last part of the battle, with Shalya as commander.
10	Sauptika-parva	78-80	How Ashvattama and the remaining Kauravas killed the Pandava army in their sleep (Sauptika).
11	Stri-parva	81-85	Gandhari and the other women (stri) lament the dead.
12	Shanti-parva	86-88	The crowning of Yudhisthira, and his instructions from Bhishma
13	Anusasana-parva	89-90	The final instructions (anusasana) from Bhishma.
14	Ashvamedhika-parva	91-92	The royal ceremony of the ashvamedha conducted by Yudhisthira.
15	Ashramavasika-parva	93-95	Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti leave for an ashram, and eventual death in the forest.
16	Mausala-parva	96	The infighting between the Yadavas with maces (mausala).
17	Mahaprasthanika-parva	97	The first part of the path to death (mahaprasthana "great journey") of Yudhisthira and his brothers.
18	Svargarohana-parva	98	The Pandavas return to the spiritual world (svarga).

Contents

1. Ganapati, the Scribe2. Devavrata 3. Bhishma's Vow 4. Amba And Bhishma 5. Devayani And Kacha 6. The Marriage Of Devayani 7. Yayati 8. Vidura 9. Kunti Devi 10. Death Of Pandu 11. Bhima 12. Karna 13. Drona 14. The Wax Palace 15. The Escape Of The Pandavas 16. The Slaying Of Bakasura 17. Draupadi's Swayamvaram 18. Indraprastha 19. The Saranga Birds 20. Jarasandha 21. The Slaying Of Jarasandha 22. The First Honor 23. Sakuni Comes In 24. The Invitation 25. The Wager 26. Draupadi's Grief 27. Dhritarashtra's Anxiety 28. Krishna's Vow 29. Pasupata 30. Affliction Is Nothing New 31. Agastya 32. Rishyasringa 33. Fruitless Penance 34. Yavakrida's End 35. Mere Learning Is Not Enough 36. Ashtavakra 37. Bhima And Hanuman 38. I am No Crane 39. Wicked Are Never Satisfied 40. Duryodhana Disgraced 41. Sri Krishna's Hunger 42. The Enchanted Pool 43. Domestic Service 44. Virtue Vindicated 45. Matsya Defended 46. Prince Uttara 47. Promise Fulfilled 48. Virata's Delusion 49. Taking Counsel 50. Arjuna's Charioteer 51. Salya Against His Nephews 52. Vritra 53. Nahusha

54. Sanjaya's Mission55. Not a Needle-Point Of Territory 56. Krishna's Mission 57. Attachment and Duty 58. The Pandava Generalissimo 59. Balarama 60. Rukmini 61. Non-Cooperation 62. Krishna Teaches 63. Yudhishthira Seeks Benediction 64. The First Day's Battle 65. The Second Day 66. The Third Day's Battle 67. The Fourth Day 68. The Fifth Day 69. The Sixth Day 70. The Seventh Day 71. The Eighth Day 72. The Ninth Day 73. The Passing Of Bhishma 74. Karna and the Grandsire 75. Drona in Command 76. To Seize Yudhishthira Alive 77. The Twelfth Day 78. Brave Bhagadatta 79. Abhimanyu 80. The Death Of Abhimanyu 81. A Father's Grief 82. The Sindhu King 83. Borrowed Armor 84. Yudhishthira's Misgivings 85. Yudhishthira's Fond Hope 86. Karna And Bhima 87. Pledge Respected 88. Somadatta's End 89. Jayadratha Slain 90. Drona Passes Away 91. The Death Of Karna 92. Duryodhana 93. The Pandavas Reproached 94. Aswatthama 95. Avenged 96. Who Can Give Solace? 97. Yudhishthira's Anguish 98. Yudhishthira Comforted 99. Envy 100. Utanga 101. A Pound Of Flour 102. Yudhishthira Rules 103. Dhritarashtra 104. The Passing Away Of The Three 105. Krishna Passes Away 106. Yudhishthira's Final Trial