The MahabharataJohn D. Smith ‘The three worlds are set shaking, great one, to see this wonderful, terrible form of yours'The Mahabharata is the story of two warring factions of cousins – 100 demons in human form against five sons of gods. Woven into this martial epic tale of great and bloody battles are numerous narrative digressions and much religious instruction – including the wisdom of Bhisma [accent note: there should be a dot beneath the s of ‘Bhisma'], given from a deathbed of arrows, and the legendary ‘Bhagavadgita', spoken by Krsna [accent note: there should be a dot beneath the r, s and n of ‘Krsna'] at the very verge of war. An enactment of eternal conflicts, it is also a vital Hindu text on the nature of dharma – the right way for each person to live his or her life, and the only way to secure an improved lot in future births.This selection by John D. Smith includes an introduction on the nature and fundamental themes of the Mahabharata, the events of story and the massive cast of characters appearing in it, and its importance to India and Hinduism. This edition also includes a pronunciation guide, map, glossary and key to names, bibliography and index.Abridged and translated with an introduction by John D. Smith |
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Abhimanyu answered Arjuna army arrows ascetic Aśvatthāman attack attain austerities battle battlefield Bhima Bhīṣma boon Brahmā Brahmins Bṛhaspati brothers bull-like heir celestial chariot cites the dialogue curse death deeds defeat demons dharma Dhrstadyumna Dhṛtarastra Draupadi Drona Drupada Duḥśāsana Duryodhana earth elephants enemies father fierce fight fire force forest Gāndhārī Gandharvas Gangā Ghatotkaca gifts give gods grief Hastinapura hear heaven heir of Bharata hermitage hero honour horses Indra Janamejaya Jarāsamdha Jayadratha Karna Kauravas kill King Yudhisthira Krpa Krsna Kṣatriya Kuntī Kunti's Kurus lord of dharma lovely Mahābhārata Matsya mighty chariot-fighters Nakula Nārada Nārāyaṇa noble numbers once Pāńcāla Pandavas Pandu's performed pierced priests prince Rākṣasa Rāma replied roar sacrifice Sahadeva Śakuni Śalya Samjaya Satyaki Sāvitrī seers Śiva slain slay snake sons spoke strong-armed Sūta tells terrible thousand tiger-like told Vaiśampāyana Vasudeva Vedas Vidura Virāța virtuous Vrsnis Vyāsa warriors wealth wealth-winner Arjuna weapons wife words Yudhisthira asks