The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. It is an epic narrative of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kauravas and the Pandava princes as well as containing philosophical and devotional material, such as a discussion of the four goals of life. Here we have Adi Parva, the first, discusses how the Mahabharata came to be narrated by Sauti to the assembled rishis at Naimisharanya after having been recited at the Sarpasatra of Janamejaya by Vaishampayana at Tak a il . It tells the history of the Bharata race traces history of the Bhrigu race. Vyasa is a...

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. It is an epic narrative of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kauravas and the Pandava princes as well as containing philosophical and devotional material, such as a discussion of the four goals of life. Here we have Sabha Parva, the second, discusses how Maya Danava erects the palace and court at Indraprastha, how life at the court and the eventual exile of the Pandavas. It also gives details of how and why the Krishna, Arujna and Bheem kill Jarasandha, and how Krishna kills Shishupala. Vyasa is a revered figure...

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. It is an epic narrative of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kauravas and the Pandava princes as well as containing philosophical and devotional material, such as a discussion of the four goals of life. Here we have Santi Parva, the twelfth, featuring the crowning of Yudhisthira as king of Hastinapura and the instructions of Bhishma for the newly anointed king on society, economics and politics. Vyasa is a revered figure in Hindu traditions. He is a kala-Avatar or part-incarnation of God Vishnu. Vyasa is sometimes...

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. It is an epic narrative of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kauravas and the Pandava princes as well as containing philosophical and devotional material, such as a discussion of the four goals of life. Here we have Anusasana Parva, the fourteenth, also known as the Book of the Horse Sacrifice consists of the narration about the royal ceremony of the Ashvamedha conducted by Yudhisthir. Yudhisthir was filled with joy when he heard from Arjuna about his great deeds upon his return to Kingdom of Hastinapur after his...