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Mahābhārata

महाभारत

Mahābhārata

The Great Epic of Bhārata

यत्र धर्मस्तत्र जयः - "Where there is dharma, there is victory"

The Mahābhārata is not just an epic; it is a vast ocean of wisdom containing 100,000 verses. It encompasses the entire spectrum of human experience - from the political intrigue of kingdoms to the profound philosophical teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

The Eighteen Parvas

Ādi Parva

आदिपर्व

236 Chapters

The Book of the Beginning - Chronicles the genealogies of the Kuru and Pandu dynasties, the birth of the heroes, and the events leading up to the great war.

Key Highlights:

  • Birth of Pandavas
  • Shakuntala Story
  • House of Lac
  • Draupadi Swayamvara

Sabhā Parva

सभापर्व

81 Chapters

The Book of the Assembly Hall - Features the construction of Maya Sabha, the dice game, and Draupadi's humiliation.

Key Highlights:

  • Maya Sabha
  • Dice Game
  • Draupadi's Humiliation
  • Exile Begins

Vana Parva

वनपर्व

324 Chapters

The Book of the Forest - Chronicles the twelve years of exile in the forest, filled with adventures and teachings.

Key Highlights:

  • Forest Life
  • Arjuna's Penance
  • Hanuman Meeting
  • Jayadratha Episode

Bhīṣma Parva

भीष्मपर्व

124 Chapters

The Book of Bhishma - Contains the Bhagavad Gita and the first ten days of the great war at Kurukshetra.

Key Highlights:

  • Bhagavad Gita
  • War Begins
  • Bhishma's Fall
  • Divine Weapons

Śānti Parva

शान्तिपर्व

365 Chapters

The Book of Peace - Bhishma's teachings on dharma, politics, and philosophy from his deathbed.

Key Highlights:

  • Dharma Teachings
  • Rajadharma
  • Moksha Dharma
  • Bhishma's Wisdom

Eternal Wisdom

"धर्मे च अर्थे च कामे च मोक्षे च भरतर्षभ"

In dharma, artha, kama, and moksha - all are found here, O best of Bharatas

"यदिहास्ति तदन्यत्र यन्नेहास्ति न तत्क्वचित्"

What is here may be found elsewhere; what is not here cannot be found anywhere

Project अर्थ (Artha): X, yashbonde.com, LinkedIn. See Sources