The Story of Mahabharata (Sabha Parva)

The second book is called Sabha Parva. 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.