Major Sections
Mahabharata

INDEX OF MAHABHARATA

Kulapati's Preface

Preface

The Publisher's Preface On the book "Maha- bharata" summarized by one of the greatest living Indians, C.Raja Gopala Chari.

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Preface on the Great Indian Epic " Mahabharata" including prefaces to the first, second ,third, fourth and sixth editions.

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Ganapati, the Scribe

Devavrata

Bhagavan Vyasa, the cele-brated compiler of the Vedas and it was he who gave to the world divine epic of the "Maha- bharata"

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The Story of Devavrata, who is eighth child of Santanu and Ganga who in time mastered the art of wielding arms and learned the vedas and vedanta

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Bhishma's Vow

Amba And Bhishma

The chapter is about the Bhishma's Vow,  Child of King Shantanu and Ganga. The old grandsire to whose care were committed the five pandavas.

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The Chapter is about the story of Amba daughter of King Of Kasi and Bhishma who cast about for a bride for Vichitra- virya, brother of Chitrangada.

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Devayani And Kacha

The Marriage Of Devayani

The chapter is about of bitter struggle between the devas or gods and the asuras or demons for the lordship of the three worlds.

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The chapter is about the marriage of Devayani, beautiful daughter of Sukracharya ( Preceptor of the demons who fell in love with kacha son of Brihaspati, preceptor of Devas.

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Yayati

Vidura

The Chapter is about Yayati. Emperor Yayati was one of the ancestors of the Pandavas who followed the dectates of the sastras adored the gods and venerated his ancestors with intense devotion.

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The chapter is about Vidura who was the incarnation of Dharma. The great men of the world  regarded Vidura as a mahatma who was unparalleled in his knowledge of Dharma, sastras and devoid of anger.

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Kunti Devi

Death Of Pandu

The Chapter is about the Kunti Devi, daughter of Sura and was known as Pritha. Who chose Pandu as her husband at a Swayamvaram. 

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The Death Of Pandu, Second Son of Vichitravirya and Ambalika who succeeded to the throne of Hastinapura on his father's death. Father of Pandavas.

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Bhima

Karna

The Chapter is about the Bhima, the second son pandava brother who excelled in physical prowess as he was born of the wind-god.

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The Chapter is about Karna, A Matchless warrior, son of the Sun-god and Kunti. Disciple of Parasurama. Also son of Radha his foster-mother, and was known as Radheya.

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Drona

The Wax Palace

The chapter reflects the role of Drona, son of Brahmana named Bharadwaja; married a sister of Kripa and a son Ashwatthama. Instructor of the Kaurava and Pandava Princes in the use of arms.

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The chapter is all about the Jealousy Duryodhana and dexterity of Arjuna. Karna and Sakuni became Duryodhana's evil counselors in planning wily stratagems. various ways and plots to kill pandavas under wax palace.

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The Escape Of The Pandavas

The Slaying Of Bakasura

The Chapter is all about the escape of Pandavas from the wicked Kauravas.

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The Chapter is about Slaying of Bak asura, A Voracious, cruel and terribly strong rakshasa or demon who lived in a cave.

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Draupadi's Swayamvaram

Indraprastha

The Chapter is about Draupadi Swayamvara m, daughter of king Drupada, King of Panchala who married all the five pandavas .

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The chapter is all about the Jubliant welcome of  Pandavas returning back to home after long years of exile and Yudhishthira crowned as King.

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The Saranga Birds

Jarasandha

The chapter is about the story of  Saranga Birds,  about which puranas say that birds and beasts speak like men and sometimes give sound advice and teach wisdom.

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The chapter  is about the Yudhishthira and Jarasandha mighty king of Magadha of whose prowess all Kshatriyas were afraid.

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The Slaying OF Jarasandha

The First Honour

The Chapter is all about the Slaying of Jarasandha.   Son of the Brihadratha the commander of three regiments reigned in Kingdom of Magadha.

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The Chapter is about the period which came for doing the honours of the occasion. The custom was to render the first honour of the guest who was considered most worthy over all others.

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Sakuni Comes In

The Invitation

The chapter is all about the Sakuni who considered to be the evil genius, who beguiled Duryodhana to take to evil ways.

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The Chapter is about the Duryodhana and Sakuni who succeed to over persuade Dhritarashtra for the Invitation to Pandavas to take part in the game.

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The Wager

Draupadi's Grief

The Chapter is about the game of dice between Duryodhana and Yudhishthira and which leads to the destruction of Pandavas

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Yudhisthira fell under the spell of the game of dice and has wagered and lost event Draupadiand where shedraged and insulted in the assembly.

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Dhritarashtra's Anxiety

Krishna's Vow

When the pandavas set out for the forest,the blind Dhritarash- tra sent for Vidura and asked him of describe the departure of Pandavas into exile.

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The Chapted is about the Krishna's vow who was deeply moved and consoled the weeping of Draupadi about the insult she faced in the assembly.

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Pasupata

Affliction is Nothing New

The chapter is all about the pandavas in the begining of their stay in the forest.

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Balarama and Krishna came with their retinue to the abode of the Pandavas in the Forest

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Agastya

Rishyasringa

Agastya , A great sage whose life-story the Pandavas learnt while on pilligrimage to holy places.

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Rishyasinga, the son of sage Vibhandaka, who had grown up seeing no mortal except his father.

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Fruitless Penance

Yavakrida's End

Fruitless Penance is the story of Yavakrida, Son of sage Bharadwaja who was bent upon mastering the vedas.

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The chapter is about the Yavakrida's End, Son of sage Bharadwaja who was bent upon mastering the vedas.

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Mere Learning Is Not Enough

Ashtavakra

The Story is about the King Brihadyumna, a disciple of the sage Ribhya, performed a great sacrifice.

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This chapter is all about the Ashtavakra,  A towering scholar while still in his teens.

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Bhima And Hanuman

I am No Crane

The Chapter is about the incident where Bhima and Hanuman meet in the forests during their exile

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The chapter is about the sacred story told by sage Markandeya to the Yudhishthira.

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The Wicked Are Never Satisfied

Duryodhana Disgraced

Many Brahmanans visited the Pandavas during their exile, and one such, went to Dhrita- rastra and explained the same to him.

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The Kauravas reached Dwaipayana with great army and many followers. Duryodhana and Karna went with unconcealed joy at the very thought.

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Sri Krishna's Hunger

The Enchanted Pool

Draupadi was greatly troubled and perfectly at a loss to find food. where Krishna appears with terribly hungry and ate a grain of rice sticking the vessel.

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The Enchanted Pool where Yudhishthira brothers die for not answering to the questions put by the pool, later Yudhishthira answers to them and get back them alive.

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Domestic Service

Virtue Vindicated

Yudhishthira spoke to the Brahmanas as they have finished their 12 years of exile and they parting from there enters Virata.

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Yudhishthira put on the grab of a sanyasin. Arjuna transformed himself into a eunuch. others also disguised themselves and went to Virata  seeking service.

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Matsya Defended

Prince Uttara

The fate of Kichaka made Draupadi an object of fear to the people of Virata.

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Uttara, the son of Virata, set off with enthusiasm from the city in his chariot with charioteer.

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Promise Fulfilled

Virata's Delusion

The chariot of Arjuna thundered on its way, seeming to shake of earth and the hearts of the Kauravas quaked.

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After defeating Susarma, King of Trigarta, Virata returned to capital amidst the acclamations of the citizens.

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Taking Counsel

Arjuna's Charioteer

The thirteenth year during which the pandavas had to remain undiscovered came to an end.

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Having send Draupada's brahmana to Hastinapura on the peace mission.

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Salya Against His Nephews

Vritra

Salya, the ruler of Madradesa, was the brother of Madri and the mother of Nakula and Sahadeva.

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Indra, the lord of three regions was once so drunk with pride what he quite  forgot the courteous manners and forms that the gods had observed.

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Nahusha

Sanjaya's Mission

The sin of the unrighteous slaughter of  Vritra pulled Indra down and made the Nahusha became  the king Gods.

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The Pandavas were camping at Upaplavya in Virata's territory. From there they sent emissaries  to all friendly rulers.

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Not a Needle-Point Of Territory

Krishna's Mission

After he had despatched sanjaya to the Pandavas, Dhritarashtra filled with anxiety could not get wink of sleep that night.

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Satyaki accompanied Govinda, to Hastinapura. Before setting out on his journey, Krishna had a long discussion with the pandavas.

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Attachment and Duty

The Pandava Generalissimo

Any ray of hope there might have been of peaceful settlement when Krishna went to Hastinapura was extinguished.

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Govinda, reached Upaplavya and told the Pandavas what had happened in Hastinapura.

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Balarama

Rukmini

Balarama the illustrious brother of Krishna, visited the Pandavas in their encampment.

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Bheeshma, the king of Vidarbha. had five sons and an only daughter Rukmini, a princess of matchless beauty.

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Non - Co-Operation

Krishna Teaches

It was the day before the commencement of the great battle. The grandsire now the Kaurava Generalissimo was with Duryodhana.

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All the ready for the battle. The warriors on both sides gathered together and solemnly bound themselves to honour the traditional rules of war.

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Yudhishthira Seeks Benediction

The First Day's Battle

Everything was ready for the battle to begin. At this tense moment, both armies saw with amazement.

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Dusshasana was leading the Kaurava forces and Bheemasena did the same on the Pandava side.

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The Second Day

The Third Day's Battle

The Pandava army, having fared badly on the first day of the battle, Dhrishtadyumna, the Generalissimo devised measures to avoid a repetition of it.

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On the morning, of the third day Bhishma arrayed his army in eagle formation and himself led it while Duryodhana and his forces protected the rear.

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The Fourth Day

The Fifth Day

The battle was very much the same every day and the narrative is one of the monotonous fighting and killing.

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" I am like a shipwrecked man seeking to save himself by swimming in a storm-tossed ocean."

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The Sixth Day

The Seventh Day

According to Yudhishthira order  Dhrishtadyumna arrayed the Pandava army in Makara.

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Duryodhana wounded all over and suffering greatly, went to Bhishma and Bhishma soothed him.

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The Eighth Day

The Ninth Day

When the eighth day dawned, Bhishma arrayed his army in tortoise formation.

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On the morning of the ninth day , before the battle began, Duryodhana was closeted with grandsire.

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The Passing Of Bhishma

Karna and the Grandsire

It was the tenth day of the battle. Keeping Sikhandi in front of him, Arjuna attacked Bhishma.

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When he learnt that Bhishma lay wounded and dying, Karna hurried to the place and fell at his feet.

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Drona in Command

To Seize Yudhishthira Alive

Duryodhana and Karna held counsel as to who should be put in supreme command of the forces.

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As soon as Drona assumed command of the Kaurava forces, Duryodhana, Karna sat in council and decided on a plan.

The Twelfth Day

Brave Bhagadatta

The attempt to capture Yudhishthira alive failed. Drona was speaking to Duryodhana about this.

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Drona made many attempts to take Yudhishthira prisoner, but failed.

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Abhimanyu

The Death Of Abhimanyu

Early next morning, Duryodhana in a state of bitterness and anger and after the customary salutation.

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The Pandavas, proceeding according to plan, had  closely followed Abhimanyu when he broke into the Kauravas.

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A Father's Grief

The Sindhu King

Yudhishthira was plunged in sorrow.  He has gone to the sleep that knows no waking.

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News of Arjuna's oath reached the enemy. The spies informed Duryodhana's friends that Arjuna.

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Borrowed Armour

Yudhishthira' s Misgivings

When Dhritarashtra heard Sanjaya relate the success of Arjuna, he had discussion with Sanjaya about the war.

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When the Pandavas saw Duryodhana proceeding in the direction of Arjuna, they attacked the Kaurava army in force.

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Yudhishthira's Fond Hope

Karna And Bhima

"Arjuna has not returned, not has satyaki, who was sent after him. Bhima, my fear grow. I hear the Panchnajanya but not he twang of Arjuna's bow-string"

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Arjuna had left Yudhishthira behind to repel Drona's attacks and had gone to make good his word that before sunset Jayadratha would lie dead.

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Pledge Respected

Somadatta's End

Dhritarashtra, hearing of the slaughter of his sons and the check received by Karna, was desolate.

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"There comes the valorous Satyaki" said Krishna, the charioteer of Dhananjaya.

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Jayadratha Slain

Drona Passes Away

"The Decisive hour has come, Karna" said Duryodhana, " If before nightfall this day Jayadratha is not slain, Arjuna will be disgraced and he will kill himself.

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All those who have heard the story of the Mahabharata Know about Ghatotkacha, Bheemasena's famous son by his asura wife.

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The Death Of Karna

Duryodhana

When Drona died, the princes of the Kaurava army installed Karna as Generalissimo.

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When Duryodhana beheld Karna's death, his grief knew no bounds.

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The Pandavas Reproached

Aswatthama

When the war was nearing its end, Balarama arrived at Kurukshetra after completing his tour of holy places.

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When Ashwatthama, heard how Duryodhana lay mortally injured, and learnt the details of the combat his righteous anger swelled like the sea.

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Avenged

Who Can Give Solace?

"O Duryodhana, you are yet alive - hear the news and rejoice ! All the Panchalas have been slaughtered. When the battle was over, Hastinapura was a city of mourning : all the women and children were weeping and lamenting their slain.

Yudhishthira' s Anguish

Yudhishthira Comforted

The Pandavas performed the till and water ceremonies for the peace of the souls of the dead warriors and camped on the bank of the Ganga for a month. Yudhishthira' s pain of mind increased every day as he thought of all the kinsmen that had been killed. He was stricken with intense remorse .

Envy

Utanga

After the libation ceremony for Bhishma was over, Vyasa narrated to grief - stricken Yudhishthira an episode in Brihaspati' s life.

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When the battle was over, Krishna bade farewell to the Pandavas and went to Dwaraka.

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A Pound Of Flour

Yudhishthira Rules

When Yudhishthira was crowned and installed as king after the Kurukshetra battle, he performed an Ashwamedha Yaina.

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Man pursues madly the object of his desire until it is got. When it is in his possession, he is soon sated, but he becomes the slave of ever fresh longings and fresh griefs

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Dhritarashtra

The Passing Away Of The Three

Fifteen years passed under kingYudhishthira's reign, when old Dhritarashtra found himself utterly unable any longer   to bear the burden of grief.

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When Yudhishthira at last gave his consent for Dhritarashtra's retirement to the forest, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari went back.

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Krishna Passes Away

Yudhishthira's Final Trial

Krishna ruled at Dwaraka for thirty-six years after the Kurukshetra battle was over.

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To Hastinapura came the sad tidings of the death of Vasudeva and the destruction of the Yadavas.

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Glossary

Author - C.RajaGopalachari

The Glossary  Of the Book " Mahabharata"

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Introduction to the Author of the Book "C.Rajagopalachari"

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