Mahabhārat–The Epic containing everything


Ugrasrava, son of Lomaharshana, surnamed Sauti, was well-versed in Puranas. One day he approached great sages of rigid vows, who had attended 12 years' sacrifice of Saunaka, in the forest of Naimisha. Those ascetics, wishing to hear his wonderful narrations, addressed him with respect. Sauti also saluted the sages & enquired about progress of their asceticism. When all were comfortably seated, sages asked Sauti, where he had spent time & other details of his travels


Sauti said-Having heard diverse, sacred & wonderful stories composed by Vyāsdev in Mahabhārata, which was recited in full by Vaisampayana at snake sacrifice of King Janmejaya (son of Parikshit), I visited many sacred waters, holy shrines & went to the land where the great battle between the children of Kuru & Pandu was fought, together with all chiefs of lands ranged on either side


O sages! Shall I repeat & recount those sacred stories collected in puranas containing precepts of religious duty, worldly profit & acts of illustrious saints & kings?


The sages replied-The Purana, first promulgated by Rsi Vyāsdev, was heard both by gods & Brahmarsis, is highly esteemed. Being the most eminent narrative that exists, diversified both in diction & division, it possesses subtle meanings logically combined. Gleaned from Vedas, it is sacred work composed in elegant language. It includes diverse subjects elucidated by other Sastras & comprehends sense of 4 Vedas. We are desirous of hearing that history also called Bharata, which dispels fear of evil


Sauti said-I seek blessings of Hari, who is the beneficial Vishnu, ruler of faculties & guide of all things movable & immovable. I will retell sacred thoughts of eminent Vyāsadev put in his poem Mahabharata. It is a great source of knowledge established throughout 3 regions of world. It is delight of learned, is embellished with elegant expressions & is conversation of human & divine in variety of poetical measures


The wisdom of this work has opened eyes of inquisitive world blinded by darkness of ignorance. As sun dispels darkness, so does the Bharata by its discourses on religion, profit, pleasure & final release. As full moon by its mild light expands buds of water lilies, so this Purana, by exposing the light of Sruti expands human intellect. By the lamp of history, which destroys darkness of ignorance, whole mansion of nature is completely illuminated


Our Epics are treasure house, containing knowledge about 4 puruṣārthas- Dharma (righteousness, moral values), Artha (prosperity, economic values), Kāma (pleasure, love, psychological values) & Moksha (liberation, spiritual values)


Like sages of Naimisharanya, we all should be enthusiastic & inquisitive to hear it as it gives insights about all aspects of our existence be it relationships, science, human behavior, nature, politics, business, environment & host of other topics


We start the journey to learn in detail about this


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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