Essentials of Hinduism

Essentials of Hinduism

Mahabharata

Attainment of happiness is the prime purpose of all Beings. The happiness has to be of a permanent and infinite nature and not short-lived and limited. The direction on how to reach this state of bliss (complete happiness) is provided by the Vedas. As Vedas are cryptic (mysterious) and cannot be fully understood easily, the Knowledge needs to be passed on in the form of the Ithihasas. Vedavyasa created The Mahabharata Epic for this purpose. The Mahabharata consists of 18 Parvas (Chapters) as described below:

THE 18 PARVAS:

1. Adi Parva (The Chapter of the Beginning) -The Mahabharata came to be narrated by Sauti to the assembled Rishis at Naimisharanya. The recital of the Mahabharata by Vaishampayana at Takshila. The History of the Bharata race is told in detail and the Parva also traces History of the Bhrigu race. The birth and early Life of the Kaurava Princes.

2. Sabha Parva (The Chapter of the Assembly Hall) - Maya Danava erects the Palace and Court (sabha), at Indraprasta. Life at the Court, Yudhishthira’s Rajasuya Yajna, the game of dice, and the eventual exile of the Pandavas.

3. Vana Parva also Aranyaka-parva, Aranya-parva (The Chapter of the Forest)- The twelve years of exile in the Forest (aranya).

4. Virata Parva (The Chapter of Virata)- The year in incognito (the state of disguise) spent at the court of Virata.

5. Udyoga Parva (The Chapter of the Effort) - Preparations for war and efforts to bring about peace between the Kaurava and the Pandavas which eventually fail (udyoga means effort or work).

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6. Bhishma Parva (The Chapter of Bhishma) - Bhagavad Gita, the divine song of Lord Krishna occurs in this Bhishma Parva. Arjuna got shattered in his mental poise and lost his capacity to act with true discrimination. Lord Krishna treats the neurotic mind of Arjuna with Bhagavad Gita. The first part of the great Battle, with Bhishma as Commander for the Kauravas and his fall on the bed of Arrows. This is crucial moment of Significance in Mahabharata. When Bhishma was on his bed of Arrows, Vishnusahasranama Slokas were born in the presence of Lord Krishna.

7. Drona Parva (The Chapter of Drona) - The Battle continues, with Drona as Commander. This is the major book of the War. Most of the great Warriors on both sides are dead by the end of this Chapter.

8. Karna Parva (The Chapter of Karna) – The battle again, with Karna as Commander.

9. Shalya Parva (The Chapter of Shalya) - The last day of the Battle, with Shalya as Commander. Also told in detail is the Pilgrimage of Balarama to the fords of the River Saraswati and the mace (iron club) fight between Bhima and Duryodhana which ends the war, since Bhima kills Duryodhana by smashing him on the thighs with a mace.

10. Sauptika Parva (The Chapter of the Sleeping Warriors) - Ashvattama, Kripa and Kritavarma kill the Upapandavas and Draupadas who were in their sleep. Only 7 Warriors remain on the Pandava side and 3 on the Kaurava side.

11. Stri Parva (The Chapter of the Women) - Gandhari, Kunti and the Women (stri) of the Kauravas and Pandavas lament the dead.

12. Shanti Parva (The Chapter of Peace) - The Crowning of Yudhishtra as King of Hastinapura, and instructions from Bhishma for the new King on society, economics and politics. This is the longest chapter of the Mahabharata (shanti means peace).

13. Anushasana Parva (The Chapter of the Instructions) - The final instructions (anushasana) from Bhishma.

14. Ashvamedhika Parva (The Chapter of the Horse Sacrifice)- The Royal Ceremony of the Asvamedha Yajna (Horse Sacrifice) conducted by Yudhishtra. The world conquest by Arjuna. The AnuGita is told by Krishna to Arjuna.

15. Ashramavasika Parva (The Chapter of the Hermitage) - The eventual deaths of Dhirutarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti in a Forest Fire where they are living in a Hermitage in the Himalayas. Vidura predeceases them and Sanjaya on Dhirutarashtra’s bidding goes to live in the higher Himalayas.

16. Mausala Parva (The Chapter of the Clubs) – The infighting between the Yadavs with clubs (mausala) and the eventual destruction of the Yadavas.

17. Mahaprasthanika Parva (The Chapter of the Great Journey) – The Great Journey of Yudhishtra and his Brothers across the Entire Country and finally their ascent of the Great Himalayas where each Pandava falls except for Yudhishtra.

18. Svargarohana Parva (The Chapter of the Ascent to Heaven) – Yudhishtra’s final test and the return of the Pandavas to the Spiritual World (Svarga).

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.