MAHABHARAT

 This great epic poem of the Hindus is most probably the longest in the world. It contains about 2,20,000 lines divided into 18 Parvas or sections. The central figure of this huge epic is Krishna who is known as he eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The leading subject of the epic is the battle of Kurukshetra, the main object being the kingdom of Bharatvarsa of which Hastinapur was the capital. 

The main story starts from Kind Vichitravirya who was a decendent of legendary Bharat after whose name present day India was given the name Bharatvarsa He was the king of Hastinapur

And that he had two sons, Dhritarashtra and Pandu. Dhritarashtra, the elder one being a blind person, younger brother Pandu became the successor of the throne. In consequence of a curse or due to his disease suspected as leprosy, he took retirement and went to the forest for leading retired life. So Dhitarashtra had to become King inspite of his being blind. Pandu had two wives Kunti and Madri, out of five sons of Pandu, first three namely Yudhisthir, Bhimsen and Arjun were from Kunti and the rest Nakul and Shahadev were from Madri. The paternity of these children is attributed to different gods and that Pandu had acknowledged them. These five sons are jointly known as Pandavas. The eldest son Yudhistir is known as the son of Dharma, the judge of the dead and is, thus, known for his firmness and justice. Bhima or Bhimsen, the second one is known as he son of the wind-god, Vayu. So he is renowned for his extraordinary strength and courage. The third son Arjun, the very important character in Mahabharat is known as the son of Indra, the king of the heaven. Generosity, bravery, kindness and skill in warfare etc. are considered as his qualities. Two younger sons were also brave and spirited, but they are not taken as very important personalities compared to their elder brothers. 

Dhritarashtra, the reigning monarch of Hastinapur had one hundred sons, Duryodhana being the eldest and most dynamic. Those hundred sons were commonly known as Kauravas. They are known for their jealousy and cruelty, specifically Duryodhan being almost the personification of all evils of a prince. So when Dhritarashtra nominated Yudhisthir as his successor instead of his own son, vehement opposition began from his sons. Duryodhan even plotted to kill his cousins i.e. Pandavas by setting fire to their residence, but they escaped to the forest where they lived in disguise upon alms. There, they came to know that Draupadi, the daughter of the king of Panchal had proclaimed a swaymvara at which the husband of Darupadi is to be selected by herself from princely suitors. So, Arjun went there and won the race by bending the mighty bow. On returning back home with Draupadi, Arjun told his mother about his great acquisition, but not knowing what it was she ordered to share it among five brothers. That is how, Draupadi became the common wife of Pandavas. 

Dhritarashtra later divided his kingdom between his sons, Kauravas and Pandavas. Hastinapur was in the share of Kauravas and the Chief city in the share of Pandavas was Indraprastha. Yudhisthir who became the king of Indraprastha conquered many countries performed Rajsuya Yanjan (sacrifice) with a view to be the king of kings. Duryodhan, the king of Hastinapur became furious with hatred and envy. So he started playing tricks against Pandavas. Yudhisthir was invited by him to gamble and was mischievously defeated depriving him from all his possessions, kingdom and even Draupadi. Pandavas had also to pass twelve years in exile incognito, beside insults and degradation they encountered. 

After completion of their period of exile Pandavas determined to restore their lost empire with the help of Lord Krishna. It is during this battle that Krishna had spoken divine song “Geeta” or Bhagvat Geeta addressed to Arjun. The great battle was fought between Pandavas and Kauravas in the battlefield of Kurukshetra which lasted for 18 days. Kaurava’s army was commanded in succession by Bhishma, Drona, Karna and Salya. 

Almost everybody in both sides except five brothers of Pandvas died in he battle. Then, Yudhisthir and his brothers went to negotiate with Dhritarashtra and thus, Yudhisthir was put to the throne of Hastinapur. 

This battle gave a great shock to Dhritarashtra and also Pandavas for the death of a large number of their kith and kin. So pandavas, later, performed Aswamedh Yajna (a great worshipping in which a  powerful horse is sacrificed). Because of deep sorrow, Yudhisthir abdicated soon and went to the Himalayas on way to the heaven on Mt. Sumeru. Pandavas had also to repent and realize various mistakes and philosophical misunderstanding regarding ideal life before they are entered into the heaven at the insistence of Yudhisthir. 

The eighteen Paravas or sections of Mahabharat are as follows: 

1. Adiparva- This introductory section describes the genealogy of Pandavas and Kauravas, their rivalry upto the marriage of Pandavas with Draupadi. 

2. Sabhaparva- The assemble section describes how Yudhisthir lost his kingdom etc. and had had to retire into exile. 

3. Vanaparva- The life of Pandavas in the forest. 

4. Varatparva- Adventures of Pandavas while extending their help to king Virat after completion of their years of exile. 

5. Udyogparva- Preparations of war o both sides. 

6. Bhishmaparva- Description of the battle when the Kaurava army was under the command of Bhishma. 

7. Dronaparva- Battle scenes during Drona’s command of Kaurava army. 

8. Karnaparva- During Karna’s command of Kaurava army. 

9. Salyaparva- Battle scenes during Salya’s command of Kaurava army. 

10. Suptikaparva- Mighty attack of Kauravas on the Pandav camp. 

11. Striparva- Description of women including Gandhari lamenting over the slain. 

12. Shantiparva- Discourse by Bhishma on morality and princely duties with an intention to assuage the grief of Yudhisthir. 

13. Anusasanaparva- Bhishma’s discourses and his death. 

14. Aswamedhikaparva- Performance of Horse sacrifice by Yudhisthir. 

15. Ashramparva- Retirement of Dhritarashtra, Kunti, Gandhari etc. in the woods and their death. 

16. Mausalaparva- Death of Krishna and Balram. Mutual fight of Yadavas resulting into their self-destruction. 

17. Mahaprasthanikaparva- Yudhisthir’s self-abdication and departures with his brothers towards the heaven. 

18. Swargarohanparva- Entrance of Pandavas and Draupadi into heaven.