Translation of the original Vyasa Mahabharata
Tapatyopakhyana: The story of TapatiThat one in heaven who pervades by his light the whole firmament, the Sun, had a daughter named Tapati equal unto himself. Tapati, the daughter of the god Vivaswat, was the younger sister of Savitri, and she was celebrated throughout the three worlds and devoted to…
Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura Bhishma declines Satyavati’s suggestion to beget children on Vichitravirya’s widows The unfortunate Satyavati then became plunged in grief on account of her son. After performing with her daughters-in-law the funeral rites of the deceased, consoled, as best she could, her weeping daughters-in-law and Bhishma. Turning her…
The birth and childhood of Kauravas and Pandavas A little while after his return from Digvijaya, Pandu, accompanied by his two wives, Kunti and Madri, retired into the woods. Leaving his excellent palace with its luxurious beds, he became a permanent inhabitant of the woods, devoting the whole of his…
The burning of house of lac After the expiration of a year from this, Dhritarashtra, moved by kindness for the people, installed Yudhishthira, as the heir-apparent of the kingdom on account of his firmness, fortitude, patience, benevolence, frankness and unswerving honesty (of heart). Within a short time Yudhishthira, by his…
The burning of Khandava Forest The Pandavas, after they had taken up their abode at Indraprastha at the command of Dhritarashtra and Bhishma began to bring other kings under their sway. All the subjects lived most happily depending upon Yudhishthira the just, like a soul living happily depending upon a…
This is narrated by Arjuna to Yudhishthira in his attempt to convert the latter from taking up asceticism after winning back the kingdom through a great war (Shanti Parva) The glory of Domesticity over Asceticism: Conversation between Indra and ascetics A number of well-born Brahmana youth of little understanding, without…
The Great Journey Having heard the particulars of the great slaughter of the Vrishnis, Yudhishthira set his heart on leaving the world. He addressed Arjuna, saying, “It is Time that cooks every creature in his cauldron. I think that what has happened is due to the cords of Time with…
Kripa, Drona, the tournament and Guru-dakshina Meanwhile, the king Dhritarashtra, beholding the Kuru princes passing their time in idleness and growing naughty, appointed Gautama as their preceptor and sent them unto him for instruction. Born among a clump of heath, Gautama was well-skilled in the Vedas and it was under…