The Mahabharata
Included in the Itihasas is the Mahabharata, written by Srila Vyasadeva. It is an historical epic about the great kingdom of Bharatavarsa, or the region of India. It contains 110,000 couplets making it the longest poem and greatest epic in world literature. It is divided into 18 sections called parvas, such as the Adi Parva, etc. It is a treasure house of Indian lore and holds within it a code of life for ethical, social and spiritual relations. Throughout this great epic every sort of human situation is described and every kind of emotion is aroused. There is a saying that if it is not in the Mahabharata then it is not to be found.
The Mahabharata deals with the activities of the Pandavas and Krishna's relations,
as well as topics that include the creation of the world, history of the sages,
dharma, politics, military strategies, proper behavior of a king, and ways of
spirituality and devotion to God. It includes the essence of the Upanishads
and Vedic teachings, and the famous Bhagavad Gita.
The Mahabharata also explains a great variety of historical incidents, mainly
consisting of the story of how the demoniac Kuru dynasty cheated the family
of pious Pandavas time and time again out of their rightful heritage of the
kingdom of northern India. Finally, after the Pandavas are exiled to the forest
and attempted peaceful means to gain their right to the throne, the epic centers
around the eighteen day battle at Kuruksetra, a place which is still found in
Madhyadesa, a three hour train ride north of Delhi. There the Pandava army defeated
the Kurus and their soldiers. This is also where Sri Krishna speaks the Bhagavad Gita
to His friend Arjuna just before the battle takes place.
The Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is from chapters 25 to 42 of the Bishma-parva section of the
Mahabharata. It is a classic of Indian literature and considered the essence
of all Vedic knowledge. It is the indispensable Upanishad and the important
handbook or guide for traveling the spiritual path to God realization. It is
especially good for those who do not have much time for reading or who cannot
go very deeply into studying the Vedic literature. It contains knowledge of
the soul, law of karma, reincarnation, attaining the Supreme, knowledge of God,
and the essential purpose of life. It ultimately reveals the supremacy of the
path of devotion, bhakti-yoga, as the best means for regaining our awareness
of our relationship with the Supreme Lord. More importantly, the Bhagavad Gita
is the direct instruction from God to His devotee. The Mahabharata is especially
meant to draw the attention of people to the Bhagavad Gita through the format
of an exciting, historical adventure, which is certainly found in the Mahabharata.
The Ramayana
The Ramayana is a similar epic, consisting of 24,000 verses, and first written
during the time of Lord Ramachandra by the great poet Valmiki, which describes
the life of Lord Ramachandra, an incarnation of God, and His wife Sita. This
is also a most touching and exciting adventure which explains how Lord Ramachandra
lived in the forest and fought against and killed the great demon Ravana and
his armies in order to rescue His wife, Sita, who had been kidnapped. Many other
stories are included in this storehouse of wisdom that has been an inspiration
for thousands of years to all people who have read it. In the incarnation of
Lord Ramachandra, God appears as the perfect king and ruler, and inspires all
His subjects with the greatest love for Him.
Continued to Page 2 >>
