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 Vana Parva, the third, which discusses the twelve-year exile of the Pandavas in the forest. It is one of the longest of the eighteen books in the Mahabharata, and contains in it both the story of Arjuna and the Kirata, and that of Nala and Damayanti. Vyasa is a revered figure in Hindu traditions. He is...

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 Virata Parva, the 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....

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 Udyoga Parva, the fifth, features the preparathis for war and efforts to bring about peace between the Kurus and the Pandavas. Vyasa is a revered figure in Hindu traditions. He is a kala-Avatar or part-incarnation of God Vishnu. Vyasa is sometimes conflated by some Vaishnavas with Badarayana, the...

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 Bhishma Parva, the sixth, featuring first part of the great battle of the Kurukshetra War with Bhishma as commander for the Kauravas. Vyasa is a revered figure in Hindu traditions. He is a kala-Avatar or part-incarnation of God Vishnu. Vyasa is sometimes conflated by some Vaishnavas with Badarayana,...

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 Drona Parva, the seventh, is the major book of the Kurukshetra war with Drona as commander. The narration is on most of the great warriors who served on respectively to the Kauravas and the Pandavas in the battle. Drona or Dronacharya is portrayed as the royal guru to the Kauravas and the Pandavas. He...

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 Karna Parva, the eighth, in which the battle continues with Karna as commander. Vyasa is a revered figure in Hindu traditions. He is a kala-Avatar or part-incarnation of God Vishnu. Vyasa is sometimes conflated by some Vaishnavas with Badarayana, the compiler of the Vedanta Sutras and considered to be...

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 Shalya Parva, the ninth, and the last part of the battle with Shalya as commander. It also tells of the pilgrimage of Balarama to the fords of the river Saraswati and the mace fight between Bhima and Duryodhana which ends the war. Vyasa is a revered figure in Hindu traditions. He is a kala-Avatar or...

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 thirteenth, which starts on the battlefield, where Bhishma is lying on a bed of arrows shot by Arjuna. It follows final instructions from Bhishma to Yudhisthir called Anushashana. Bhishma tells Yudhisthir of nine duties belonging to all 4 orders of society. These duties include;...

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 Asramavasika Parva, the fifteenth, in which Hastinapur is ruled by Pandavas with Dhritarashtra as their head. It details the deaths of Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti in a forest fire, Vidura preceding them and Sanjaya goes to live in the higher Himalayas. Vyasa is a revered figure in Hindu...

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 Mausala Parva, the sixteenth, in which Krishna and Balarama die, the Yadavas are destroyed, the Yadava women mourne their dead husbands and Dwaraka, the city of Krishna, is submerged in the sea. Vyasa is a revered figure in Hindu traditions. He is a kala-Avatar or part-incarnation of God Vishnu. Vyasa...