Translation of the original Vyasa Mahabharata
Disagreement between Dhritarashtra and Vidura After the Pandavas had gone to the forest, Dhritarashtra became exceedingly sorrowful. Seated at his ease, the king addressed these words to the virtuous Vidura of profound intelligence: “Your understanding is as clear as that of Bhargava. You know also all the subtleties or morality,…
Maitreya curses Duryodhana Maitreya made his appearance at the Kuru court. King Dhritarashtra, with his son, respectfully received that Muni, with offerings of the Arghya and other rites. The king respectfully addressed the sage: “O holy one! Has your journey from the Kuru-jangala been a pleasant one? Are those heroes,…
Friends visit the Pandavas in the Kamyaka forest Hearing that the Pandavas had been banished, the Bhojas, the Vrishnis, and the Andhakas went to those heroes residing in affliction in the great forest. The consanguineous relatives of Panchala; Dhrishtaketu, the king of Chedi; and those celebrated and powerful brothers, the…
Conversations between Draupadi, Yudhishthira and Bhimasena in Dvaitavana Exiled to the woods, the Pandavas with Draupadi seated in the evening, conversed with one another afflicted with sorrow and grief. The handsome and well informed Draupadi, dear unto her lords and devoted to them, thus spoke unto Yudhishthira: “The sinful, cruel,…
Kiratarjuneeya: Arjuna obtains divine weapons While the sons of Pandu were thus conversing with each other, there came to that spot the great ascetic Vyasa. As he came, the Pandavas worshipped him duly. Then Vyasa addressing Yudhishthira, said: “O Yudhishthira! Knowing by spiritual insight what is passing in your heart,…
This story was narrated by Rishi Brihadashva to Yudhishthira during the latter’s exile in the forest (Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Indralokagamana Parva) Nalopakhyana: The story of Nala There was a king named Nala, the son of Virasena. He was strong, handsome, well-versed in the knowledge of horses, and possessed of…
This is the story of Agastya as narrated by Rishi Lomasha to Yudhishthira during the latter’s pilgrimage (Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Tirthayatra Parva) Agastyopakhyana: The story of Agastya Agastya marries his own creation Lopamudra Once, the illustrious Agastya beheld his deceased ancestors hanging in a pit with heads downwards. He asked…
This story of Ganga’s descent was narrated by Rishi Lomasha to Yudhishthira during the latter’s pilgrimage (Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Tirthayatra Parva) King Bhagiratha brings Ganga to fill the empty ocean There was born in the family of the Ikshvakus, a ruler of the earth named Sagara, endued with beauty, and…
This story is narrated by Rishi Lomasha to Yudhishthira, during the latter’s pilgrimage (Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Tirtyayatra Parva) Ashtavakra The sage Uddalaka had a disciple named Kahoda of subdued passions, and entirely devoted to the service of his preceptor and who had continued his studies long. The Brahmana had served…