Mahabharata

Since childhood I've been hearing stories from the Mahabharata and the fascinating history of India. Based on the family of the Kauravas and the Pandavas; one party driven by greed and lust and the other filled with the values and love for the Supreme, Mahabharata is filled with stories of struggles, victory, hatred and love. In the middle of all the apparent struggles, the most important book the song of God "Bhagavad-Gita" is spoken, decorating the Mahabharata with verses and giving important life lessons to someone who is confused.

I was introduced to Mahabharata at a very young age as my parents narrated it to me, and sometimes in lectures different devotees would tell some happenings from the book. The stories stuck in my mind and each time anyone narrated Mahabharata I would feel connected to it; it's a part of me, as I grew up hearing about it. Great heroes like Arjuna and Bhima were the ones I looked up to, and in my heart I never felt as if the Mahabharata happened thousands of years ago, rather I would feel it happening so close to me that I could always relate to it.

For generations parents have been narrating these historical events to their children, and it became a habit in my own home that a bedtime story would sometimes be from the Mahabharata. My kids listened with rapt attention always eager to hear more and after relating a part I would pause and say, "To be continued tomorrow night," to complaints of, "No please tell us more!" In an attempt to have something that not only my kids could enjoy I began penning whatever I could remember from the Mahabharata, and I discovered a huge and relishable history that can be enjoyed by all. I cannot claim full accuracy, but I've tried to stick to what I have been hearing since I was a child.

I am very grateful to everyone who has given me these stories from my childhood - my parents, the tapes by Amala Bhakta Swami, the movies that were made on the Mahabharata, but I owe special gratitude to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedhanta Swami Prabhupada who brought this timeless knowledge and these stories from India and shared it with us exposing us to the incomparable beauty of the ancient culture of India and its literature.

In times gone by, knowledge was passed from spiritual master to disciple through oral recitation; however, with the decrease in the ability to absorb everything, the great sage Vyasadeva began to write the Vedic narrations preserving them and allowing us get a glimpse into the vast treasure of knowledge. My narration cannot in any way compare to Vyasadeva's, but I am enthusiastic that the stories must not die with the older generations and for us to keep on passing them on so that everyone can benefit and relish the stories.

I am writing this during the auspicious month of Purusottam and seeking the blessings of all the great saints and devotees of the Lord, I will attempt to present the Mahabharata as I’ve heard it so that this great book will always remain alive with the upcoming inquisitive generations and they will treasure it, understanding the intricate yet beautiful story of the Great Mahabharata.