The Story of Mahabharata (Adi Parva) by Tanmoy Bhattacharyya
The sages said: “Son of Suta, we would like to hear a full and detailed account of the place you called Samanta-panchaka.” (Section-1)
Sauti said: “Listen, Brahmins, to the sacred description I will give. You, the best of men, deserve to hear about the place known as Samanta-panchaka.
Between the Treta and Dwapara ages, Rama, the son of Jamadagni—a great warrior—angered by wrongs done to him, repeatedly attacked the noble Kshatriya race. With his own power, that fiery hero wiped out the entire Kshatriya tribe and formed five lakes of blood at Samanta-panchaka. We are told that, overcome by anger, he stood in the middle of those bloody waters and made offerings of blood to the spirits of his ancestors.
It was then that his ancestors, starting with Richika, appeared and said to him: ‘O Rama, blessed Rama, descendant of Bhrigu, we are pleased with the respect you have shown your ancestors and with your strength, mighty one. Blessings upon you, illustrious one. Ask for whatever boon you wish.’
Rama said: ‘If you are pleased with me, fathers, I ask to be forgiven for the sin of destroying the Kshatriyas in anger, and for these lakes I made to become famous in the world as holy places.’
The ancestors replied: ‘So it shall be. But now, be at peace.’ And Rama was calmed.
The region near those bloody lakes has been celebrated ever since as holy Samanta-panchaka. The wise say that every place should be named after the event that made it famous.
Later, between the Dwapara and Kali ages, the great battle between the armies of the Kauravas and the Pandavas happened at Samanta-panchaka. On that holy, level plain, eighteen Akshauhinis of soldiers, eager for battle, gathered. And having come there, O Brahmins, they were all slain. So the name of that region has been explained to you, and I have described it as a sacred and delightful place. I have told you everything about it, for it is famous throughout the three worlds.”
The sages said: “We wish to know, son of Suta, what you mean by the term ‘Akshauhini.’ Tell us in full how many horses and foot soldiers, chariots and elephants, make up an Akshauhini, for you are well-informed.”
Sauti said: “One chariot, one elephant, five foot soldiers, and three horses make one Patti. Three Pattis make one Sena-mukha. Three Sena-mukhas are called a Gulma. Three Gulmas make a Gana. Three Ganas make a Vahini. Three Vahinis together are called a Pritana. Three Pritanas form a Chamu. Three Chamus make one Anikini. And an Anikini multiplied by ten forms what those who know call an Akshauhini.
O best of Brahmins, arithmeticians have calculated that an Akshauhini has 21,870 chariots. The number of elephants is the same. You must know that the number of foot soldiers is 109,350. The number of horses is 65,610. These, O Brahmins, are the numbers of an Akshauhini, as explained by those who know the science of numbers.
According to this calculation, the eighteen Akshauhinis of the Kaurava and Pandava armies were formed. Time, whose acts are wonderful, gathered them on that field and, making the Kauravas the cause, destroyed them all. Bhishma, skilled with weapons, fought for ten days. Drona protected the Kaurava army for five days. Karna, the destroyer of enemy armies, fought for two days; and Shalya for half a day. After that, the club-fight between Duryodhana and Bhima lasted for half a day. At the end of that day, Ashwatthama, Kritavarma, and Kripa destroyed Yudhishthira’s army in the night while they slept, suspecting no danger.
O Saunaka, this excellent story called the Bharata, which has begun to be recited at your sacrifice, was first recited at King Janamejaya’s sacrifice by a wise disciple of Vyasa. It is divided into several sections. It begins with the Paushya, Pauloma, and Astika sections, describing the valor and fame of kings. It is a work with varied and wonderful descriptions, language, and meaning. It contains accounts of various customs and rituals. The wise accept it just as those seeking final freedom accept the state of detachment.
As the Self is supreme among things to be known, as life is dearest among possessions, so this history, which provides the way to know the Divine, is first among all scriptures. There is not a story in this world that does not depend on this history, just as the body depends on the food it eats. As masters of good families are always served by attendants seeking advancement, so the Bharata is cherished by all poets. As the words of worldly and Vedic knowledge are made of vowels and consonants, so this excellent history expresses only the highest wisdom.
Listen, ascetics, to the outlines of the various sections of this history called the Bharata. It has great wisdom, wonderful and varied parts, subtle meanings and logical connections, and is filled with the essence of the Vedas.
The first section is called Anukramanika; the second, Sangraha; then Pausya; Pauloma; Astika; Adivansavatarana. Then comes the Sambhava, full of wonderful and thrilling events. Then comes the burning of the lacquer house and the killing of Hidimba. Then comes the death of Baka and the Chaitra-ratha. Next is the Swayamvara, where Arjuna, by displaying Kshatriya virtues, won Draupadi as his wife. Then comes the marriage; then the arrival of Vidura, gaining the kingdom, Arjuna’s exile, and the taking of Subhadra.
After these come the taking of the dowry, the burning of the Khandava forest, and meeting the demon-architect Maya. Then come the Sabha, Mantra, Jarasandha, and Digvijaya sections. After that, Rajasuya, the robbing of the tribute, and the death of Shishupala. After these, the gambling, events after the gambling, life in the forest, and the killing of Kirmira. Then, Arjuna’s travels and the Kairati. In the last, the battle between Arjuna and Lord Shiva in the form of a hunter is described. After this, the journey to Indra’s heaven; then the deeply moral and moving story of Nala.
After this, the pilgrimage of the wise Kuru prince, the death of Jatasura, and the battle with the Yakshas. Then the battle with the Nivata-Kavachas, Ajagara, and meeting Markandeya. Then the meeting of Draupadi and Satyabhama, the cattle expedition, and the dream of the deer. Then the story of Brihadaranyaka and then Aindra-drumna. Then the abduction of Draupadi and the freeing of Jayadratha. Then the story of Savitri, showing the great merit of wifely devotion. After this, the story of Rama.
The next section is the theft of the earrings. Then comes Aranya and then Vairata. Then the Pandavas enter and fulfill their promise to live in disguise for one year. Then the destruction of the Kichakas, then the attempt to steal King Virata’s cattle. Next is the marriage of Abhimanyu to Virata’s daughter. Next, you must know, is the most wonderful section called Udyoga.
Next is Sanjaya’s arrival. Then comes the sleeplessness of Dhritarashtra from anxiety. Then Sanatsujata, containing the mysteries of spiritual philosophy. Then Yana-sandhi, and then the arrival of Krishna. Then the story of Matali, and then of Galava. Then the stories of Savitri, Vamadeva, and Vainya. Then the story of Yayati and the sixteen kings. Then Krishna’s arrival at the court, and then the rebuke of Vidura’s son. Then the gathering of troops and the story of Sheta. Then comes the quarrel of the noble Karna.
Then the march of both armies to the battlefield. The next has been called the counting of Rathis and Atirathas. Then comes the arrival of the messenger Uluka, which enraged the Pandavas. Next is the story of Amba. Then comes the thrilling story of Bhishma’s appointment as commander-in-chief.
Next is the creation of the island region Jambu; then Bhumi; then the account of the formation of islands. Then comes the Bhagavad Gita; and then the death of Bhishma. Then Drona’s appointment; then the destruction of the Samsaptakas. Then the death of Abhimanyu; and then Arjuna’s vow to kill Jayadratha. Then the death of Jayadratha, and then of Ghatotkacha.
Then comes the story of Drona’s death, which is very surprising. Next is the firing of the weapon called Narayana. Then comes the section on Karna, and then Shalya. Then comes the entry into the lake, and then the club-fight between Bhima and Duryodhana. Then comes the Swaraswata section, descriptions of holy places, and genealogies.
Then comes Sauptika, describing shameful incidents. Then comes Aishika, with its harrowing events. Then comes the offering of water to the dead, and then the wailing of the women. Next is the Shraddha section, describing the funeral rites for the slain Kauravas. Then comes the destruction of the demon Charvaka, who had disguised himself as a Brahmin to deceive Yudhishthira. Then the coronation of the wise Yudhishthira.
Next is the Griha-pravesha. Then comes Shanti, then Rajadharma, then Apaddharma, then Mokshadharma. Those that follow are called Suka’s questions, Brahmana’s questions, the origin of Durvasa, and the debates with Maya. The next is Anushasana. Then Bhishma’s ascent to heaven. Then the horse-sacrifice, which purges all sins when read. Next is the Anugita, containing words of spiritual philosophy.
Those that follow are Asramavasa, meeting the spirits of the dead sons, and Narada’s arrival. Next is Mausala, full of terrible and cruel events. Then come Mahaprasthana and the ascent to heaven. Then comes the appendix called the Harivamsha. In this last part are contained Vishnu’s section, Vishnu’s childhood frolics and feats, the killing of Kamsa, and lastly, the very wonderful Bhavishya section with prophecies of the future.”
The noble Vyasa composed these hundred sections, of which the above is only an abridgment. He divided them into eighteen, and the son of Suta recited them one after another in the Naimisha forest as follows:
“In the Adi Parva are contained Pausya, Pauloma, Astika, Adivansavatarana, Sambhava, the burning of the lacquer house, the killing of Hidimba, the destruction of the demon Baka, Chitra-ratha, Draupadi’s Swayamvara, her marriage after defeating rivals, Vidura’s arrival, the restoration, Arjuna’s exile, the abduction of Subhadra, the giving and receiving of the marriage dowry, the burning of the Khandava forest, and the meeting with Maya.
The Pausya section deals with the greatness of Utanka, and the Pauloma with the sons of Bhrigu. The Astika describes the birth of Garuda and the race of Nagas, the churning of the ocean, the birth of the celestial horse Uchchaihshravas, and finally, the dynasty of Bharata, as described in King Janamejaya’s snake-sacrifice. The Sambhava section tells of the births of various kings and heroes, and of the sage Krishna-Dwaipayana; the partial incarnations of gods; the creation of demons, yakshas, serpents, gandharvas, birds, and all other creatures; and lastly, the life of King Bharata—the ancestor of his line—the son of Shakuntala by Dushyanta in the hermitage of Kanva.
This section also describes the greatness of the Ganga, and the births of the Vasus in the house of Shantanu and their ascent to heaven. It also tells of Bhishma’s birth, uniting the energies of the other Vasus; his renunciation of royalty for a life of celibacy; his keeping his vows; his protection of Chitrangada and, after Chitrangada’s death, his protection of his younger brother Vichitravirya and placing him on the throne; the birth of Dharma among men because of Animandavya’s curse; the births of Dhritarashtra and Pandu by Vyasa’s blessing; and also the birth of the Pandavas.
It tells of Duryodhana’s plots to send the Pandavas to Varanavata, and the other evil plans of Dhritarashtra’s sons against the Pandavas; then the advice given to Yudhishthira on his way by Vidura, a well-wisher of the Pandavas, in a secret language; the digging of the tunnel; the burning of Purochana and the sleeping hunter woman with her five sons in the lacquer house; the Pandavas’ meeting in the terrible forest with Hidimba, and Bhima’s killing of her brother Hidimba; the birth of Ghatotkacha; the Pandavas’ meeting with Vyasa, and on his advice their stay in disguise in the city of Ekachakra, in a Brahmin’s house; the destruction of the demon Baka, and the people’s amazement; the extraordinary births of Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna; the Pandavas’ departure for Panchala, obeying Vyasa’s command and wanting to win Draupadi’s hand after hearing of the Swayamvara from a Brahmin.
This section tells of the Pandavas’ journey to Panchala; Arjuna winning Draupadi in the midst of all the kings by hitting the target; and in the fight that followed, the defeat of Shalya, Karna, and all the other kings at the hands of Bhima and Arjuna. It tells how Balarama and Krishna, seeing these amazing deeds, realized the heroes were the Pandavas, and the two brothers went to the potter’s house where the Pandavas were staying; Drupada’s sorrow on learning Draupadi was to marry five husbands; the wonderful story of the five Indras told because of this; the extraordinary, divinely arranged wedding of Draupadi; Dhritarashtra’s sons sending Vidura as an envoy to the Pandavas; Vidura’s arrival and his seeing Krishna; the Pandavas’ stay in Khandavaprastha, and then their rule over half the kingdom; the Pandavas fixing turns, on Narada’s advice, for being with Draupadi.
Similarly, the story of Sunda and Upasunda is told here. This section then tells of Arjuna’s departure for the forest because of a vow, after he saw Draupadi and Yudhishthira sitting together as he entered the room to get weapons to save a Brahmin’s cows. It then tells of Arjuna’s meeting on the way with Ulupi, a serpent princess; his visits to sacred places; the birth of Babhruvahana; Arjuna freeing five celestial damsels turned into alligators by a Brahmin’s curse; the meeting of Krishna and Arjuna at the holy place Pravhasa; Arjuna’s abduction of Subhadra, urged by her brother Krishna, in a wonderful chariot moving on land, water, and air; the journey to Indraprastha with the dowry; the birth in Subhadra’s womb of the mighty Abhimanyu; Draupadi giving birth to children; then the pleasure trip of Krishna and Arjuna to the Yamuna’s banks and their getting the discus and the famous bow Gandiva; the burning of the Khandava forest; Arjuna saving Maya and the serpent’s escape; and the sage Mandapala begetting a son in the womb of the bird Sharngi.
This section is divided by Vyasa into 227 chapters. These 227 chapters contain 8,884 verses.
“The second is the large section called Sabha, the assembly, full of material. Its subjects are: the building of the great hall by the Pandavas; their review of their followers; Narada’s description of the courts of the world-protectors, as he knows the heavenly regions; preparations for the Rajasuya sacrifice; the killing of Jarasandha; Krishna freeing the princes trapped in the mountain pass; the Pandavas’ campaign of universal conquest; the princes’ arrival at the Rajasuya with tribute; the killing of Shishupala during the sacrifice when offering tribute; Bhima making fun of Duryodhana in the assembly; Duryodhana’s sorrow and envy at seeing the magnificent arrangements; his anger because of this, and the preparations for the dice game; Yudhishthira’s defeat at play by the tricky Shakuni; Dhritarashtra saving his distressed daughter-in-law Draupadi, who was drowning in grief from the gambling, like a boat in stormy waves.
Duryodhana’s efforts to get Yudhishthira to play again; and the exile of the defeated Yudhishthira with his brothers. These make up what the great Vyasa called the Sabha section. This section is divided into 78 parts and has 2,511 verses.
“Then you must know is the third section, Aranyaka, about the forest. This tells of the Pandavas going to the forest and the citizens following the wise Yudhishthira; Yudhishthira worshipping the sun god, on Dhaumya’s advice, to get the power to feed the dependent Brahmins; food being created by the sun’s grace; Dhritarashtra sending away Vidura, who always spoke for his good; Vidura going to the Pandavas and returning to Dhritarashtra at his request; the wicked Duryodhana’s plots to destroy the forest-dwelling Pandavas, urged by Karna; Vyasa appearing and stopping Duryodhana from going to the forest; the story of Surabhi; Maitreya’s arrival; his telling Dhritarashtra what to do; and his curse on Duryodhana; Bhima killing Kirmira in battle; the Panchalas and the Vrishnis coming to Yudhishthira after hearing of his unfair defeat by Shakuni; Arjuna calming Krishna’s anger; Draupadi’s laments before Krishna; Krishna comforting her; the fall of Shalva is also described here; also Krishna taking Subhadra and her son to Dwaraka; and Dhrishtadyumna taking Draupadi’s sons to Panchala.
The Pandavas entering the beautiful Dvaita forest; conversations between Bhima, Yudhishthira, and Draupadi; Vyasa coming to the Pandavas and giving Yudhishthira the power of remembering everything; then, after Vyasa left, the Pandavas moving to the Kamyaka forest; Arjuna’s travels searching for weapons; his battle with Shiva in the form of a hunter; his meeting with the world-protectors and getting weapons from them; his journey to Indra’s heaven for weapons and Dhritarashtra’s resulting anxiety; Yudhishthira’s wailing when he met the great sage Brihadasva. Here occurs the holy and moving story of Nala, showing Damayanti’s patience and Nala’s character.
Then Yudhishthira learning the secrets of dice from the same great sage; then the sage Lomasha arriving from heaven to where the Pandavas were, and the forest-dwelling Pandavas learning from him that their brother Arjuna was in heaven; then the Pandavas’ pilgrimage to various sacred places as Arjuna asked, and their gaining great merit from it; then the great sage Narada’s pilgrimage to the Pulastya shrine; also the Pandavas’ pilgrimage. Here is the story of Indra taking Karna’s earrings. Here also is the story of Gaya’s great sacrifices; then the story of Agastya, in which the sage ate the demon Vatapi, and his marriage to Lopamudra to have children.
Then the story of Rishyashringa, who lived a celibate life from boyhood; then the story of the mighty Rama, son of Jamadagni, telling of Kartavirya’s death and the Haihayas; then the meeting between the Pandavas and the Vrishnis at the holy place Pravhasa; then the story of Sukanya, in which Chyavana, son of Bhrigu, made the Ashvini twins drink the Soma juice at King Saryati’s sacrifice, and how Chyavana got eternal youth from the grateful Ashvins. Then is told the story of King Mandhata; then the story of Prince Jantu; and how King Somaka, by sacrificing his only son Jantu, got a hundred others; then the excellent story of the hawk and the pigeon; then King Shivi being tested by Indra, Agni, and Dharma; then the story of Ashtavakra, with the debate at Janaka’s sacrifice between that sage and the great logician Vandi, son of Varuna; Vandi’s defeat by Ashtavakra, and the sage freeing his father from the ocean’s depths.
Then the story of Yavakrita, and then of Raivya; then the Pandavas leaving for Gandhamadana and staying in the hermitage called Narayana; then Bhima’s journey to Gandhamadana at Draupadi’s request to find a flower. Bhima meeting Hanuman, son of the wind god, in a banana grove; Bhima bathing in a pond and destroying flowers to get the one he sought; his resulting battle with mighty demons and yakshas including Maniman; the killing of the demon Jata by Bhima; the Pandavas meeting the royal sage Rishabha; their going to the hermitage of Arshtishena and staying there; Draupadi urging Bhima to take revenge.
Then is told Bhima’s climb up the Kailasha hills, his terrible battle with the mighty yakshas led by Maniman; then the Pandavas meeting Kubera; and meeting Arjuna after he got many celestial weapons for Yudhishthira; then Arjuna’s terrible fight with the Nivata-Kavachas living in Hiranyapura, and also with the Paulomas and Kalakeyas; their destruction by Arjuna; Arjuna starting to show his celestial weapons to Yudhishthira; Narada stopping it; the Pandavas coming down from Gandhamadana; Bhima being caught in the forest by a huge serpent; his release from the snake’s coils after Yudhishthira answered questions; the Pandavas returning to the Kamyaka woods.
Here is described Krishna coming again to see the mighty Pandavas; Markandeya’s arrival and various stories; the story of Prithu, son of Vena, told by the great sage; the stories of the river Sarasvati and the sage Tarkhya. After these, the story of the fish; other old stories told by Markandeya; the stories of Indradyumna and Dhundhumara; then the story of the chaste wife; the story of Angiras; the meeting and talk of Draupadi and Satyabhama; the Pandavas returning to the Dvaita forest; then the trip to see the calves and Duryodhana’s capture; and when the wretch was being taken, his rescue by Arjuna; here is Yudhishthira’s dream of the deer; then the Pandavas re-entering the Kamyaka forest; here also is the long story of Vrihidraunika. Here also is told the story of Durvasa; then Jayadratha’s abduction of Draupadi from the hermitage; Bhima, swift as the wind, chasing the abductor and shaving Jayadratha’s head roughly.
Here is the long story of Rama, showing how Rama killed Ravana in battle. Here also is told the story of Savitri; then Indra taking Karna’s earrings; then Indra, pleased, giving Karna a spear that could kill only one person it was aimed at; then the story called Aranya, in which Dharma gave advice to his son Yudhishthira; which also tells how the Pandavas, after getting a boon, went west. All these are included in the third section, Aranyaka, which has 269 parts and 11,664 verses.
“The next large section is called Vairata. Arriving in King Virata’s kingdom, the Pandavas saw a large shami tree in a cemetery outside the city where they hid their weapons. Here is told their entry into the city and living there in disguise. Then Bhima killing the wicked Kichaka, who, mad with lust, tried to embrace Draupadi; Prince Duryodhana appointing clever spies and sending them everywhere to find the Pandavas; their failure to find them; the Trigartas first stealing Virata’s cattle and the terrible battle that followed; Virata’s capture by the enemy and his rescue by Bhima; Bhima also freeing the cattle; the Kurus stealing Virata’s cattle again; Arjuna alone defeating all the Kurus in battle; freeing the king’s cattle; Virata giving his daughter Uttara to Arjuna to accept for his son by Subhadra—Abhimanyu.
These are the contents of the fourth section, Vairata. The great sage Vyasa composed 67 parts in this. The number of verses is 2,050.
“Listen then to the contents of the fifth section, Udyoga. While the Pandavas, wanting victory, were staying at Upaplavya, Duryodhana and Arjuna both went to Krishna and said, ‘You should help us in this war.’ The noble Krishna replied, ‘O first of men, I offer myself as a non-fighting adviser, and one Akshauhini of troops. Which shall I give to which of you?’ Blind to his own good, the foolish Duryodhana asked for the troops, while Arjuna asked for Krishna as the adviser.
Then is described how, when the king of Madra was coming to help the Pandavas, Duryodhana tricked him on the way with gifts and hospitality, got him to grant a boon, and then asked for his help in battle; how Shalya, having promised Duryodhana, went to the Pandavas and comforted them by telling the story of Indra’s victory. Then the Pandavas send their priest to the Kauravas. Then is described how King Dhritarashtra, after hearing the Pandavas’ priest and the story of Indra’s victory, decided to send his priest and finally sent Sanjaya as an envoy to the Pandavas to seek peace.
Here is described Dhritarashtra’s sleeplessness from anxiety after hearing all about the Pandavas and their friends Krishna and others. It was then that Vidura gave wise advice to King Dhritarashtra. It was also here that Sanatsujata told the anxious, sorrowing king the excellent truths of spiritual philosophy. The next morning, Sanjaya spoke in court about Krishna and Arjuna being one. It was then that Krishna, moved by kindness and wanting peace, went himself to the Kaurava capital, Hastinapur, to make peace. Then comes Duryodhana’s rejection of Krishna’s peace mission.
Here is told the story of Damvodvava; then the story of Matuli searching for a husband for his daughter; then the story of the sage Galava; then the story of the training of Vidula’s son. Then Krishna, learning of Duryodhana and Karna’s evil plans, showed his divine powers to the assembled kings; then Krishna took Karna on his chariot and advised him, and Karna, from pride, rejected it. Then Krishna returned from Hastinapur to Upaplavya and told the Pandavas all that happened. It was then that the Pandavas, after hearing everything and consulting, made full preparations for war.
Then comes the march from Hastinapur of foot soldiers, horses, chariots, and elephants for battle. Then the counting of troops by both sides. Then Duryodhana sending Uluka as a messenger to the Pandavas the day before the battle. Then the counting of chariot-warriors of different classes. Then the story of Amba. All these have been described in the fifth section, Udyoga, full of events about war and peace. O ascetics, the great Vyasa composed 186 parts in this. The number of verses is 6,698.
“Then is recited the Bhishma section, full of wonderful events. In this, Sanjaya tells of the formation of the region called Jambu. Here is described the great discouragement of Yudhishthira’s army, and also the fierce fight for ten days. In this, the noble Krishna, using reasons based on the philosophy of final release, removed Arjuna’s hesitation about fighting his relatives. In this, the generous Krishna, caring for Yudhishthira’s welfare, seeing the losses to the Pandava army, quickly got down from his chariot and himself ran, fearless, whip in hand, to cause Bhishma’s death. In this, Krishna also struck Arjuna with sharp words. In this, Arjuna, putting Shikhandi in front and piercing Bhishma with his sharpest arrows, brought him down from his chariot. In this, Bhishma lay on his bed of arrows. This large section is the sixth in the Bharata. It has 117 parts and 5,884 verses.
“Then is recited the wonderful Drona section, full of events. First, the great teacher Drona is made commander; then his vow to capture Yudhishthira in battle to please Duryodhana; then Arjuna retreating from the field before the Samsaptakas; then Arjuna defeating Bhagadatta, who was like a second Indra, and his elephant Supritika; then the death of the teenage hero Abhimanyu, alone and unsupported, at the hands of many great warriors including Jayadratha; then after Abhimanyu’s death, Arjuna destroying seven Akshauhinis of troops and then killing Jayadratha; then Bhima and Satyaki entering the Kaurava ranks, impenetrable even to gods, looking for Arjuna on Yudhishthira’s orders, and destroying the rest of the Samsaptakas.
In the Drona section are the deaths of Alamvusha, Shrutayus, Jalasandha, Shomadatta, Virata, Drupada, Ghatotkacha, and others; in this section, Ashwatthama, extremely angry at his father’s death, fired the terrible Narayana weapon. Then the glory of Shiva in burning the three cities. Then Vyasa’s arrival and his telling of Krishna and Arjuna’s glory. This is the great seventh section of the Bharata, in which all the heroic chiefs and princes mentioned were killed. It has 170 parts and 8,909 verses.
“Then comes the most wonderful Karna section. In this is told the appointment of the wise king of Madra as Karna’s charioteer. Then the story of the fall of the demon Tripura. Then Karna and Shalya insulting each other as they set out. Then the story of the swan and the crow told as an insult; then the death of the Pandya king at Ashwatthama’s hands; then the deaths of Dandasena and Danda; then Yudhishthira’s great risk in single combat with Karna; then Yudhishthira and Arjuna’s anger at each other; then Krishna calming Arjuna.
In this section, Bhima, fulfilling his vow, ripped open Dushasana’s chest in battle and drank his blood. Then Arjuna killed the great Karna in single combat. Readers of the Bharata call this the eighth section. It has 69 parts and 4,964 verses.
“Then is recited the wonderful Shalya section. After all the great warriors were killed, the king of Madra became leader of the Kaurava army. The chariot battles, one after another, are described here. Then the great Shalya falls at Yudhishthira’s hands. Here also is Shakuni’s death in battle at Sahadeva’s hands.
With only a small remnant of troops left after the huge slaughter, Duryodhana went to a lake and made a space in the water to lie hidden. Then Bhima learns this from hunters; then, moved by Yudhishthira’s insulting words, Duryodhana, who could never bear insults, came out of the water. Then comes the club-fight between Duryodhana and Bhima; then Balarama’s arrival; then the holiness of the Sarasvati River is described; then the progress of the club-fight; then Bhima breaking Duryodhana’s thighs with a terrible blow of his mace. All these are described in the wonderful ninth section. It has 59 parts and 3,220 verses.
“Then I will describe the Sauptika section of frightening events. After the Pandavas left, the great warriors Kritavarma, Kripa, and Drona’s son came to the battlefield in the evening and saw King Duryodhana lying on the ground, his thighs broken and covered in blood. Then Drona’s son, full of terrible anger, vowed, ‘Without killing all the Panchalas including Dhrishtadyumna, and the Pandavas and all their allies, I will not take off my armor.’
Saying this, the three warriors left Duryodhana’s side and entered the great forest at sunset. Sitting under a large banyan tree at night, they saw an owl killing many crows one by one. Seeing this, Ashwatthama, his heart full of rage thinking of his father’s fate, decided to kill the sleeping Panchalas. Going to the camp gate, he saw a terrifying demon guarding the entrance. Seeing the demon blocking his weapons, Drona’s son quickly calmed Lord Shiva by worshipping him. Then, with Kritavarma and Kripa, he killed all of Draupadi’s sons, all the Panchalas with Dhrishtadyumna and others, and their relatives, sleeping unsuspectingly at night. All died that night except the five Pandavas and the great warrior Satyaki. They escaped because of Krishna’s advice.
Then Dhrishtadyumna’s charioteer told the Pandavas about the slaughter of the sleeping Panchalas by Drona’s son. Then Draupadi, distressed at her sons’, brothers’, and father’s deaths, sat before her husbands resolved to fast to death. Then Bhima, moved by Draupadi’s words, decided to please her; quickly taking his mace, he angrily followed his teacher’s son. Drona’s son, afraid of Bhima and driven by fate and anger, fired a divine weapon saying, ‘This is to destroy all the Pandavas’; then Krishna said, ‘This shall not be,’ and neutralized Ashwatthama’s words. Then Arjuna neutralized the weapon with one of his own. Seeing wicked Ashwatthama’s destructive intent, Vyasa and Krishna cursed him, and he cursed them back. The Pandavas then took the great jewel from Ashwatthama’s head and, very glad and boasting of their success, gave it to the sorrowing Draupadi.
This tenth section, Sauptika, is recited. The great Vyasa composed 18 parts in this. The number of verses is 870. In this section, the great sage put together the two sections Sauptika and Aishika.
“After this is recited the very moving Stri section. Dhritarashtra, foreseeing, grieving for his children, and hostile to Bhima, broke an iron statue of Bhima that Krishna had cleverly placed before him. Then Vidura, turning Dhritarashtra’s mind from worldly things by talking of final release, comforted the wise king. Then is described the grieving Dhritarashtra, with the women of his house, going to the Kaurava battlefield. Here follow the moving laments of the slain heroes’ wives. Then Gandhari and Dhritarashtra’s anger and their fainting. Then the Kshatriya women saw their unreturning sons, brothers, and fathers lying dead on the field. Then Krishna calmed Gandhari’s anger over her sons’ and grandsons’ deaths.
Then the cremation of the dead kings with proper rites by the wise and virtuous King Yudhishthira. Then, when offering water to the dead princes began, the story of Kunti acknowledging Karna as her secret son. All these are described by the great sage Vyasa in the very moving eleventh section. Reading it moves every feeling heart and draws tears. It has 27 parts and 775 verses.
“Twelfth is the Shanti section, which increases understanding and tells of Yudhishthira’s despair after killing his fathers, brothers, sons, uncles, and relatives. In this section, from his bed of arrows, Bhishma explains various duties for kings seeking knowledge; this section explains duties for emergencies, with full details of time and reasons. Understanding these, a person gains complete knowledge. The mysteries of final freedom are also explained. This is the twelfth section, favored by the wise. It has 339 parts and 14,732 verses.
“Next is the excellent Anushasana section. In it, Yudhishthira, king of the Kurus, is reconciled after hearing Bhishma’s explanation of duties. This section deals with detailed rules of Dharma and Artha; then the rules of charity and its merits; the qualifications of receivers, and the supreme rule about gifts. This section also describes the ceremonies of personal duty, rules of conduct, and the matchless merit of truth. It shows the great merit of Brahmins and cows, and explains the mysteries of duties related to time and place. These are in the excellent Anushasana section with various events. In this, Bhishma’s ascent to heaven is described. This is the thirteenth section, which accurately lays out human duties. It has 146 parts and 8,000 verses.
“Then comes the fourteenth section, Ashvamedhika. In it is the excellent story of Samvarta and Marutta. Then the discovery of golden treasures by the Pandavas; then the birth of Parikshit, revived by Krishna after being burned by Ashwatthama’s weapon. The battles of Arjuna as he followed the sacrificial horse, with various princes who angrily seized it. Then the great risk to Arjuna in his fight with Babhruvahana, son of Chitrangada by Arjuna. Then the story of the mongoose during the horse-sacrifice. This is the most wonderful Ashvamedhika section. It has 103 parts and 3,320 verses.
“Then comes the fifteenth section, Ashramavasika. In this, Dhritarashtra, giving up the kingdom, went to the forest with Gandhari and Vidura. Seeing this, the virtuous Kunti, always caring for her elders, left her sons’ court and followed the old couple. In this is described the wonderful meeting, arranged by Vyasa, of the king with the spirits of his slain children, grandchildren, and other princes, returned from the other world. Then the king, leaving his sorrows, with his wife gained the highest reward of his good deeds. In this section, Vidura, after a life of virtue, reached the most blessed state.
The learned Sanjaya, son of Gavalgana, with his passions controlled and the best of ministers, also reached the blessed state. In this, Yudhishthira met Narada and heard from him about the end of the Vrishni race. This is the very wonderful Ashramavasika section. It has 42 parts and 1,506 verses.
“After this, you know, comes the Mausala section with painful events. In this, those lion-hearted Vrishni heroes, with scars from many battles, oppressed by a Brahmin’s curse and drunk, driven by fate, killed each other on the seashore with eraka grass, which became like thunderbolts in their hands. In this, both Balarama and Krishna, after causing their race’s end, their time having come, did not rise above all-destroying Time. In this, Arjuna, going to Dwaraka and seeing the city empty of Vrishnis, was greatly affected and very sad. Then after his uncle Vasudeva’s funeral, he saw the Vrishni heroes lying dead where they had been drinking. He then cremated Krishna, Balarama, and the main Vrishnis. Then as he traveled from Dwaraka with the women, children, old, and weak—remnants of the Yadus—he met a great calamity on the way. He also saw the disgrace of his bow Gandiva and his celestial weapons failing. Seeing all this, Arjuna became discouraged and, on Vyasa’s advice, went to Yudhishthira and asked to become a renunciant. This is the sixteenth section, Mausala. It has 8 parts and 320 verses.
“The next is the seventeenth section, Mahaprasthana.
In this, the Pandavas, giving up their kingdom, went with Draupadi on their great journey called Mahaprasthana. In this, they met the fire god at the sea of red waters. In this, asked by the fire god, Arjuna worshipped him and returned the excellent celestial bow Gandiva. In this, leaving his brothers, who fell one by one, and Draupadi too, Yudhishthira went on his journey without looking back. This seventeenth section is called Mahaprasthana. It has 3 parts and 320 verses.
“The section after this you must know is the extraordinary one called Sarga, with heavenly events. Then, seeing the heavenly chariot come for him, Yudhishthira, moved by kindness to the dog with him, refused to get in without his companion. Seeing Yudhishthira’s steady virtue, Dharma, the god of justice, left his dog form and showed himself. Then Yudhishthira, going to heaven, felt much pain. The heavenly messenger tricked him by showing him hell. Then Yudhishthira heard the heart-breaking cries of his brothers suffering there under Yama’s rule. Then Dharma and Indra showed Yudhishthira the region for sinners. Then Yudhishthira, leaving his human body in the heavenly Ganga, reached the region his deeds merited and lived joyfully, respected by Indra and all the gods. This is the eighteenth section as told by Vyasa. It has 5 parts and 209 verses.
“These are the contents of the Eighteen Sections. In the appendix are the Harivamsha and Vavishya. The Harivamsha has 12,000 verses.”
These are the contents of the section called Parva-sangraha. Sauti continued: Eighteen Akshauhinis of troops came together for battle. The battle was terrible and lasted eighteen days. He who knows the four Vedas with all their parts and Upanishads but does not know this history cannot be considered wise. Vyasa, of immeasurable intelligence, said the Mahabharata is a treatise on wealth, duty, and desire. Those who hear this history can never bear to hear others, just as those who hear the sweet song of the koel bird cannot bear the crow’s caw. As the three worlds are formed from the five elements, so all poets’ inspirations come from this excellent work. O Brahmins, as the four kinds of creatures depend on space, so the Puranas depend on this history. As all senses depend on the mind’s changes, so all rituals and morals depend on this work. There is not a story in the world that does not depend on this history, just as the body depends on food. All poets cherish the Bharata as servants seeking advancement attend masters of good family. Just as the householder’s life is best, no poet can surpass this poem.
“Ascetics, give up all inaction. Fix your hearts on virtue, for virtue is the only friend in the next world. Even the most intelligent, by valuing wealth and wives, can never truly own them; they are not lasting possessions. The Bharata spoken by Vyasa is without equal; it is virtue itself and sacred. It destroys sin and produces good. He who listens to it being recited has no need to bathe in Pushkara’s sacred waters. A Brahmin, whatever sins he commits during the day through his senses, is freed from them all by reading the Bharata in the evening. Whatever sins he commits at night by deeds, words, or thoughts, he is freed from them all by reading the Bharata at dawn. He who gives a hundred cows with gold-wrapped horns to a learned Brahmin, and he who daily listens to the Bharata, gain equal merit. As the wide ocean is crossed with a ship, so this vast, deep history is understood with this summary chapter.”
Thus ends the section called Parva-sangraha in the Adi Parva of the blessed Mahabharata.
