Translation of the original Vyasa Mahabharata
Vishwamitra: How a Kshatriya attained Brahminhood This story of how Vishwamitra, being a Kshatriya, attained Brahminhood, appears in Dana-dharma Parva of Anushasana Parva. Yudhishthira said, “If, O prince, Brahmanahood be so difficult of attainment by the three classes (Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras), how then did the high souled Vishwamitra, O…
The story of Indra and a compassionate parrot This story appears in the Dana-dharma Parva of Anushasana Parva. Yudhishthira said, “O you that know the truths of Dharma, I wish to hear of the merits of compassion, and of the characteristics of devout men. Do you, O sire, describe them…
Karma and Destiny: Conversation between Vasishtha and Brahma This conversation is narrated by Bhishma to Yudhishthira (Dana-dharma Parva of Anushasana Parva) Yudhishthira said, “Tell me, O learned sire that are versed in all the scriptures, of Exertion and Destiny which is the most powerful?” Bhishma said, ‘This ancient story of…
Fruits of good deeds: Conversation between Yudhishthira and Bhishma This conversation is narrated by Vaishampayana to Janamejaya (Dana-dharma Parva, Anushasana Parva) Yudhishthira said, “O the best of Bharata’s race and the foremost of great men, I wish to know what the fruits are of good deed. Do you enlighten me…
Who deserves worship? Conversation between Yudhishthira and Bhishma This conversation was narrated by Vaishampayana to Janamejaya (Dana-dharma Parva, Anushasana Parva). Yudhishthira said, “Who are deserving of worship? Who are they unto whom one may bow? Who are they, O Bharata, unto whom you would bend your head? Who, again, are…
Broken promise to Brahmanas: Conversation between Yudhishthira and Bhishma This conversation is narrated by Vaishampayana to Janamejaya (Dana-dharma Parva, Anushasana Parva) Yudhishthira said, “O grandsire, O you of great splendour, what do those men become who, through stupefaction of intellect, do not make gifts unto Brahmanas after having promised to…
Instructions unto a person belonging to low order of birth: Conversation between Yudhishthira and Bhishma Yudhishthira said, “I wish to know, O royal sage, whether any fault is incurred by one who from interested or disinterested friendship imparts instructions unto a person belonging to a low order of birth! O…
Kinds of men and women in whom goddess prosperity always resides: Conversation between Yudhishthira and Bhishma This conversation was narrated by Vaishampayana to Janamejaya (Dana-dharma Parva, Anushadana Parva). Yudhishthira said, “Tell me, O grandsire, in what kind of man or woman, O chief of the Bharatas, does the goddess of…
The story of Bhangaswana: Who derives greater pleasure from an act of union with each other? Man or woman? This story is narrated by Bhishma to Yudhishthira in Dana-dharma Parva of Anushasana Parva. Yudhishthira said, “It befits, O king to tell me truly which of the two viz., man or…
What should a man do to pass pleasantly from this world into the other? Conversation between Yudhishthira and Bhishma This conversation is narrated by Vaishampayana to Janamejaya (Dana-dharma Parva, Anushasana Parva). Yudhishthira said, “What should a man do in order to pass pleasantly through this and the other world. How,…