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The very mention of the name gives a thrill of
holy ideas. This is a
great epic heroic poem. It contains one hundred
thousand verses. It contains
the essence of all scriptures. It is an
encyclopedia of ethics, knowledge, politics,
religion, philosophy and Dharma. If you cannot
find anything here, you cannot find it anywhere
else.
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 Parva contains 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."
The Mahabharata is the history of the Great War
of India between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
The two brothers Dhritarashtra and Pandu were
born through sage Vyasa after the death of
Vichitravirya. Dhritarashtra being blind, Pandu
succeeded to the throne but he entrusted the
kingdom to his elder brother and himself
proceeded to forest where his five sons
Yudhishthira, etc., were born and were called
the "Pandavas." Dhritarashtra also had one
hundred children in Duryodhana and others, who
were called the "Kauravas." Pandu died during
the infancy of his sons and Dhritarashtra
continued to rule the kingdom with the help of
their granduncle Bhishma, who had pledged
himself to lifelong celibacy. The Pandava and
Kaurava princes were brought up together and
also educated and trained alike through
Dronacharya. Both sets of princes considered
themselves entitled to the kingdom and looked
upon the other with hostility and their feelings
and relations grew strained from day to day. On
account of persecution by the Kauravas, the
Pandavas left their home and suffered much
hardship and pain, but on their marriage with
the daughter of Drupada, king Dhritarashtra sent
for the Pandavas and made over half the kingdom
to them. The Pandavas improved their country and
established their capital at Indraprastha and
then performed the horse-sacrifice with great
pomp. The Kauravas were also invited there but
on seeing the good fortune of the Pandavas and
being offended by jokes made at them, they were
overcome with jealousy and resentment and
returned home with feelings of enmity and
revenge. They then conspired against the
Pandavas and invited them to gamble and thereby
they won all their wealth, kingdom and their
person and also insulted and ill-treated their
wife, Draupadi, in the presence of all. In the
end, it was settled that the Pandavas should go
out in exile to the forest for twelve years and
pass another year in secrecy and on return from
the exile be entitled to get back their lost
kingdom. The Pandavas did all this but on their
return the Kauravas refused to return the
kingdom. This gave rise to the great family war
in which all the Kauravas and the two armies
were annihilated and the Pandavas alone survived
and got the victory.
The Pandavas were assisted by Sri Krishna and
other relations, Drupada, Virata, etc., and
their forces numbered seven battalions (Akshauhinis).
The Kauravas were also assisted by their
relations and friends and their forces numbered
eleven battalions. The Pandavas were successful
on account of their righteous cause and divine
grace.
The blind Dhritarashtra represents Avidya
or ignorance; Yudhishthira represents Dharma;
Duryodhana Adharma; Draupadi Maya;
Bhishma dispassion; Dussasana evil quality;
Sakuni jealousy and treachery; Arjuna the
individual soul; and Lord Krishna the Supreme
Soul. Antahkarana is the Kurukshetra.
The Mahabharata war was a just war. If you go
through the speech given by Bhishma to
Yudhishthira, you will know the usages of
righteous war. A brave hero would fight only
with an enemy of equal strength and on equal
vantage. This was the motto of every brave
soldier who engaged himself in warfare in days
of yore in India. Perfect justice and fairness
in everything was rigidly observed on both
sides. There was no fighting during nights; when
the enemy had no arms in his hands, no arrows
were aimed at him.
The Mahabharata, the most renowned epic of
India, is the only book of its kind in the whole
world. It contains countless stories besides the
main episode—the Mahabharata—which teach
moral lessons or illustrate distinguishing
characteristics of the ancients of India. It
contains the history of ancient India and all
the details of its political, social and
religious life. The stories, songs, nursery
tales, anecdotes, parables, the discourses and
sayings contained in this epic are marvellous
and highly instructive. It contains the
brilliant records of mighty heroes, warriors of
great prowess, deep thinkers, profound
philosophers, sages and ascetics and devoted
wives of chastity. The beauty and charm of the
language is extremely striking and attractive.
One is struck with amazement and becomes
tongue-tied when he reads the marvellous
strength of Bhima, of the wonderful skill in
archery and bowmanship of Arjuna, of the
dexterity of Sahadeva in the use Of swords and
of the profound knowledge of Nakula in
astronomy, and of the extreme righteous conduct
and justice of Yudhishthira in all matters. The
deeds of heroism done by Bhishma, Karna, Drona,
Parasurama, Jayadratha, Dhrishtadyumna and many
others are superhuman. These heroes did severe
Tapas and obtained rare boons from the Lord.
That is the reason why they did marvellous
heroic deeds which baffle description.
Yudhishthira did not wield arms. He did not take
active part in the war-front. He did not use bow
and arrows. He had neither the strength of Bhima
nor the skill of Arjuna in archery. But he was
an embodiment of righteousness. He was an
incarnation of Dharma. That is the reason
why he was called as Dharmaputra. He was
a wise and ideal king. He established peace and
order. He guided his brothers in the path of
truth and righteousness and checked them
whenever they went astray. Arjuna bore manfully
the insults which Draupadi was subjected to
before his eyes. He could not disobey
Yudhishthira or show him the least disrespect.
All the brothers were meek and submissive before
Yudhishthira, however mighty and heroic they
were. They could crush mountains and dry up
oceans with their arrows. They were terrible
before their opponents but they were mild and
gentle before Yudhishthira and were ever ready
to obey his commands. They would never speak a
word in opposition. Such was the awe-inspiring
personality of Yudhishthira. Had it not been for
Yudhishthira, Arjuna and his brothers would not
have won the war. Yudhishthira was the founder
of an empire. He is in an inspiring example,
even now, for the rulers of kingdoms and states.
He was an embodiment of justice, patience,
steadiness, purity, truthfulness and
forbearance.
The kings had a complete knowledge of the
scriptures and of right and wrong. They
practised rigid austerities also. That is the
reason why Yudhishthira and Nala were able to
bear the privations and hardships. They rolled
in wealth and yet they had the strength and
power of endurance to walk barefooted in forests
and sleep on a bed of stones. They had such a
rigorous training and discipline in suffering.
Draupadi, Savitri, Kunti, Madri and Damayanti
were highly devoted to their husbands. They were
bold and fearless when they were under extreme
difficulties, hardships, sufferings and
privations. They were pious. They bore the
sufferings through the force of their chastity
and moral strength. They were ideal wives and
ideal mothers. That is the reason why they have
left an immortal name behind them.
The Mahabharata still exerts a marvellous
influence over the millions of Hindus. The
lustre and high renown of these brilliant
personages of Mahabharata has not suffered a
diminution, in spite of the ravages of cruel
time. Their character was untainted and sublime.
Hence their deeds also were admirable, laudable
and sublime. Determination has ever been the key
to success in the lives of great men of all
countries. Heroes would not move an inch from
the path of their duty when they are called upon
to perform it. They were fiery in their
determination. They had iron will.
The noble and heroic grandsire Bhishma—who had
control over his death and who was unconquerable
in war even by the gods—still inspires us with
the spirit of self-sacrifice, undaunted courage
and purity. Yudhishthira is still a model of
justice and righteousness. Remembrance of his
very name generates a thrill in our hearts and
goads us to tread the path of truth and virtue.
Karna still lives in our hearts on account of
his extreme munificence and liberality. Karna’s
name has become proverbial. People even now say,
whenever they come across a very generous man,
"He is like Karna in gifts."
Arjuna was the bravest of all the five Pandavas.
Arjuna had got Draupadi by winning in the
selection match and he had defeated the Kauravas
on several occasions. He was a devoted friend of
Sri Krishna who had him married to his sister
Subhadra, even against the wishes of his elder
brother Balarama. Sri Krishna assisted the
Pandavas in the great war on account of Arjuna
and by acting as his charioteer, led him to
victory.
Even now, we admire Arjuna as a perfect man and
worship Lord Krishna as our Protector and
Saviour. Whenever we are in trouble and distress
we pray to Him, "O Lord! Save us just as you
saved Draupadi and Gajendra in days of yore."
The sufferings of the Pandavas and Draupadi,
Nala and Damayanti, Savitri and Satyavan,
clearly explain to us the fact or hard truth
that the goal of life or perfection can only be
attained through pain and suffering. Pain is the
means through which man is moulded, disciplined
and strengthened. Just as impure gold is turned
into pure gold by melting it in the crucible, so
also the impure and imperfect weak man is
rendered pure, perfect and strong, by being
melted in the crucible of pain and suffering.
Therefore, one should not be afraid of pain and
sufferings. They are blessings in disguise. They
are eye-openers. They are silent teachers. They
turn the mind towards God and instil mercy in
the heart, strengthen the will and develop
patience and power of endurance, which are the
pre-requisites for God-Realisation.
The message of the Mahabharata is the message of
Truth and Righteousness. The great epic produces
a moral awakening in the readers and exhorts
them to tread the path of Satya and
Dharma. It urges them strongly to do good
deeds, practise Dharma, cultivate dispassion by
realising the illusory nature of this universe
and its vainglories and sensual pleasures, and
attain Eternal Bliss and Immortality. It induces
people to do what Yudhishthira did and abandon
what Duryodhana did. Stick to Dharma
tenaciously. You will attain everlasting
happiness and Moksha, the summum bonum of
life. This is the final purport or central
teachings of the Mahabharata.
May the teachings of this illustrious and
ancient epic guide you in every walk of your
life. May you stick to Dharma. May the great
characters of the Mahabharata inspire you! May
you imbibe the righteousness of Yudhishthira,
the purity of Bhishma, the courage of Arjuna and
the liberality of Karna! Glory to Sri Bhagavan
Vyasa, the grandsire of the heroes, the author
of the Mahabharata, a Chiranjeevi and an Avatara
of Lord Hari. May His blessings be upon you all!
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