summary of the mahabharata of vyasa

THE MAHABHARATA OF VYASA

The World’s Largest Epic

Larger than Odyssey & Iliad combined

Written/Compiled ≈1700-2300 years ago

100,000 Verses

18 Sections / Parvas

THE MAHABHARATA OF VYASA

Copyright Pandit Parasram School of Hinduism

1. AADI PARVA

45 Sanskrit / 26 Hindi Chapters

Birth of Bhishma

Pandavas & Kauravas: Birth, Childhood, Youth

Story of Dronacharya & Kapilacharya

Burning of Lakshagraha

Draupadi: Birth, Youth, Marriage

Birth of Ghatokach

Progeny of the Pandavas


2. SABHA PARVA


Victory of the Pandavas

Preparations for the Rajsuya

Sri Krishna & Bhim slay Jarasandha & Shishupal

Game of Dice

Attempted Disrobing of Draupadi

Second Game of Dice

Exile of the Pandavas


3. BAN PARVA


Sri Krishna meets Pandavas in the Forest

Arjun has Darshan of Kirat Shiva

Nal and Damyanti: Love, Separation and Reunion

The Pandavas go to Kailash

Dialogue between Hanumanji and Bhima

Abduction of Draupadi by Jayadrath

Dialogue between Yudhissthira and Yama



The Pandavas live Incognito in Kingdom of Virat

Death of Kichak

Defeat of the Kaurava Army

Marriage of Abhimanyu and Uttara

4. VIRAT PARVA



Sri Krishna speaks of Wrongdoings of thePandavas

Arjun and Duryodhan visit Dwarika

Sri Krishna counsels the Kauravas in Hastinapur

Dhritarashtra counsels Duryodhan

Preparations for War

The Battlefield

5. UDYOG PARVA


6. BHISHMA PARVA


SANSKRIT VERSION Chapters

23-40


7. DRONA PARVA


Death of Abhimanyu

Arjun kills Jayadrath

Karna kills Ghatokach

Drona dies at the hands of Dhristyadyum


8. KARNA PARVA

69 Sanskrit / 7Hindi Chapters

The Heroics of Karna

Bhima destroys Dushasana

Karna falls by the arrow of Arjun


9. SHALYA PARVA


Fall of Duryodhana by hands(mace /gada) of Bhima

Installation of Ashwatthama as general

Copyright Pandit Parasram School of Hinduism Copyright Pandit Parasram School of Hinduism

10. SAUPTIK PARVA


Ashawatthama kills the sons of Draupadi

Draupadi’s Revenge

Protection of Parikshit in the womb of Uttara Angushtha-matram amalam sphurat-purata-maulinam

Apivya-darsanam syamam tadid vasasam acyutam (1.12.8)

Srimad-dirgha-catur-bahum tapta-kancana-kundalam

Kshatajaksham gada-panim atmanah sarvato disam

Paribhramantam ulkabham bhramayantam gadam muhuh (1.12.9)

Of the size as a thumb, with four graceful arms, shining golden crown, cloud blue skin

tone, dress glittering yellow like a thunderbolt, rosy eyes, molten gold earrings, this

divine form circled around the child whirling the powerful mace (Gadha) dissipating

the energy of Brahmastra protecting the child who watched the form in wonder.


11. STRI PARVA


Grief of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari

Crushing of the Iron Pillar

Visit to the Battlefield


12. SHANTI PARVA


Coronation of Yudhhisthira

The Way to Peace, Knowledge of Self

Social Structure, Caste, Conduct

Attaining Brahman

Varaha Avatar

Guru/Chela Dialogue

Story of King Bali


13. ANUSHASAN PARVA


The supremacy of Karma, Caring for others,

Brahmin,Dev and Pitr Yagnas

Glory of Bhagwan Shiva, Sri Krishna ,Sri Vishnu

Road to Heaven & Hell

Story of the Sages

Death of Bhishma

Vishnusahasranaam


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14. ASHWAMEDHIK PARVA


Preparations to Commence Ashwamedha


15. ASHRAMVASIK PARVA


Dhrirtarashtra, Gandhari, Kunti and Vidura visit

the Forest Ashram

They see the Departed Souls

Immolation of Gandhari,

Dhritarashtra & Kunti,

Departure of Sanjay


16. MUSAL PARVA

9 Sanskrit Chapters

Evil omens

In-Fighting at Prabhas

Destruction of Dwarika

Ascension of Sri Krishna

Balaram & Arjun perform the last rites


17. MAHAPRASTHANIK PARVA


Pandavas’ Final Journey to the Himalayas

Yudhisthira’s Ascension


18. SWARGAAROHAN PARVA


Description of Hell

Yudhishtara Attains the Sublime State

Visits Arjun and Others

Darshan of Sri Krishna

Divine World of the Pandavas and Kauravas


CONCLUSION

It took 3 years to complete the Mahabharat

It is recommended that it be read at Sradha

It promises the Achievement of the Goals of Life and

Eventual Salvation

Idam Bhaaratam Aakkyaanam Yaha Patathetsu Samahitaha

Sa Gachet Paramaam Siddhim Iti Me Naasti Sanshaiaha

If one reads this epic attentively, he attains the highest fruits.

Of this there is no doubt.


SOURCES

SANSKRIT ONLINE VERSION

Aryabharati International Society for Hindu Ved Vigyan and Atmic

Research. Copyright Aryabharati.org 2004-2008

HINDI VERSION

Sri Mahabir Prasad Mishra; Vidyabaridhi Pustakalaya.Haridwar

ENGLISH VERSION

The Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyas: Kisori Mohan Ganguli.

1893-96

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summary of the mahabharata of vyasa

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