7 Things To Know Before reading the Mahabharata

 (The great Battle of Kurus Clan as depicted in the original Mahabharata)

Personally I am in the process of reading the Sanskrit Mahabharata so i wish to share with you what i've read and what i can understand from the context. Besides that, i am also in the mission of determining the accuracy of Mahabharata (do not get me wrong, i am not doubting the content of Mahabharata but as i was reading the Mahabharata, all the places and settings that took place are REAL and they exist until today which sparked my curiosity). The Mahabharata is a complete work, it explains from how the stories are being told, who wrote it, the author's history and how the author came to know about the incidents.Its more like a witness report and not an exaggerated account of deeds done by Gods, Kings and princes. It is neutral in that sense, meaning the epic poem is not siding any characters in play and there is no justification of wrong deeds even if it is done by a Godly character! 

1. Interpretation and Literal Meanings

Anybody with the aptitude to learn theological field would've probably heard of Mahabharata. As a Hindu, this epic poem might have been recited in a more simple and facile way by  parents or grandparents to entertain their children during leisure time. The problem lies with the facile interpretation of Mahabharata. The Mahabharata is not a fairy tale.One cannot, i repeat CANNOT understand the content by ignoring its complexities. The Mahabharata is complex, but the real reason behind its complexities is the language interpretation and not the content. Obviously, the Mahabharata was written in Sanskrit, an ancient language that is based on intonation of vocals whereby it is very difficult to translate a word to its literal meaning especially in English. This is because, in English we have one word one meaning. Abducting and kidnapping are two different verb. Taking and stealing are also distinct. In Sanskrit, harana bears the same meaning for all the four words in English above (i;e Abducting,Kidnaping,Taking,Stealing) However, in Sanskrit, harana could only bear one definition in a sentence and that would depend on the intonation or pronunciation (Its just like how we distinguish read with read (past tense). This is very crucial because literally translating a verse would make it look like a another episode from Ancient Alien.

 For example "And that discus blazing like the fire that consumeth all things at the end of Yuga, hurled with force from the hands of Narayana, and falling constantly everywhere, destroyed the Daityas and the Danavas by thousands. Sometimes it blazed like fire and consumed them all; sometimes it struck them down as it coursed through the sky; and sometimes, falling on the earth, it drank their life-blood like a goblin"   

 Lets be clear, the verse above does not refer to napalm strike. The power of weapons are often exaggerated to distinguish them from ordinary weapons and often described in hyperbola ( end of Yuga = end of the world)

2. In most cases it is not chronological.

The next issue with Mahabharata is that, its not in a chronological order but each verse is arranged based on their values implicated on each incidents. Therefore, readers might find the various accounts of incidents that took place in the same setting or time line in a different chapters and not in a same chapter.Another reason is because of the constant interruption by the curious  Saunaka. The Mahabharata is originated from Vyasa who later taught and recited it in detail to his disciples. One of the disciple's son who was present during the recitation by Vyasa is Sauti. Sauti is the narrator of this Mahabharata who returns to the hermitage of Saunaka and his disciples (rishis/brahmins) after being M.I.A (missing in action) for almost 12 years. When inquired by Saunaka on his M.I.A,  Sauti told that he was learning Mahabharata. Curious, Saunaka and his disciples begged Sauti to recite them in full of the entire accounts of Mahabharata. As such the Saunaka often interrupts Sauti to ask a particular matter on his story when they do not understand. ( for example, when Sauti was narrating the story of King Jayameyama performing Snake Sacrifice, the disciples stopped and asked him on Snake-Sacrifice rituals whic was explained in length from its origin before continuing the story of King Jayamejaya)

Here Sauti (left)  is narrating the Mahabharata which was passed to him by Krishna Vyasa to the great Brahmin sages ( the audience) - The Elephant Lord (right in the bubble) was Ordained by Brahma (Creator/Supreme Lord) to aid Vyasa  (left in the bubble) to write the Mahabharata

3. Objects and weapons are given names.

Amidst thousands of characters mentioned in the Mahabharata, readers find it to be very confusing. Even weapons/animals/objects/elements are given names (human names) and often narrated in a third person point. " And when the battle was raging fiercely, Nara and Narayana entered the field. And Narayana seeing the celestial bow in the hand of Nara, called to mind his own weapon, the Danava-destroying discus. And lo! the discus, Sudarsana, destroyer of enemies, like to Agni (Lord of Fire) in effulgence and dreadful in battle, came from the sky as soon as thought of. And when it came, Narayana of fierce energy, possessing arms like the trunk of an elephant, hurled with great force that weapon of extraordinary lustre..."  As we can see, Sudarsana is a weapon. This is just one example there are many more and readers need to carefully distinguish them.

Arjuna receives the blessing and the enchanted weapon Pashupasastra  from a huntsman who later revealed to be the Lord of Destruction himself (Lord Shiva)

4. Most characters in the Mahabharata are not ordinary human beings

Though many characters are depicted with the common attributes of human being, most narration deals with meta humans and Gods. The Rishis are the closest to human being, in fact there are humans but being the first born, the first generation of human beings, they are treated with respect by other creatures including God himself. Other prominent creatures include the Nagas (snake people) which i believe the same Draconian race depicted in the Annunaki conspiracy, Garuda is phoenix of the Bird Race, Ghandarvas and Asuras are larger race of Giant Demons, Rakshasa are Ogres/Trolls, Apsaras are nymphs and Agni (fire),Indra(king of gods/lightning) ,Vayu (wind) are Lord of the elemental world. Each Lord have their own kingdom and governs their lesser creature. For example the children of Nagas are common snakes of all species. Garuda naturally born in the element of fire is governed by Lord Agni. All of the creatures are answerable to the Supreme God Brahma (the creator). There are also various depiction of monstrous creatures capable of devouring whales & elephants (dinosaurs?), mermaids, devils, and many more. It may seem to be absurd on how human beings and supernatural creatures co-existed in the same world in the Mahabharata but it turns out the only reason the Rishis are able to perceive the supernatural being is due to their sixth sense. In the Vedas it is explicit that the first generation were gifted with sixth sense or the sixth attribute. I believe that it is this special ability that renders them to see the unseen. (The sixth sense can also be attained by ordinary humans by proper yoga practices )

Artist's imagination of the Naga Queen (Medusa?!)

5. Parvas

Basically the Mahabharata is divided into 18 divisions.which is further divided into many sub-division. Each division is called the Parvas. 18 Parvas of Mahabharata are in the forms of a collection of 100,000 verses or shatasahasri samhita. In the 18 Parvas of Mahabharata there are one hundred sub-parvas. Most of the parvas are named after one of their constituent sub-parvas. The Harivamsa consists of the final two of the 100 sub-parvas, and was considered an appendix or a khila to the Mahabharata. The central theme of the great Hindu epic of Mahabharata deals with the family feud between the two families, the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The entire epic has been divided into eighteen parvas and the parvas are divided further into one hundred sub-parvas. 

'Listen, O ye ascetics, to the outlines of the several divisions (parvas) of this history called Bharata, endued with great wisdom, of sections and feet that are wonderful and various, of subtile meanings and logical connections, and embellished with the substance of the Vedas.- Sauti

6. Mahabharata rewards it readers. 

It is believed that upon reading each parvas. The Supreme God himself will reward the reader, for the study of the Bharata is an act of piety. This is stated in the very introduction of the Mahabharata itself. 

Sauti "He that readeth even one foot, with belief, hath his sins entirely purged away. Herein Devas, Devarshis, and immaculate Brahmarshis of good deeds, have been spoken of; and likewise Yakshas and great Uragas (Nagas). "
"The man of faith, devoted to piety, and constant in the exercise of virtue, on reading this section is freed from sin. The believer that constantly heareth recited this section of the Bharata, called the Introduction, from the beginning, falleth not into difficulties. The man repeating any part of the introduction in the two twilights is during such act freed from the sins contracted during the day or the night.
"He that causeth it, even a single foot thereof, to be recited to Brahmanas during a Sradha, his offerings of food and drink to the manes of his ancestors become inexhaustible.
"By the aid of history and the Puranas, the Veda may be expounded; but the Veda is afraid of one of little information lest he should it. The learned man who recites to other this Veda of Vyasa reapeth advantage. It may without doubt destroy even the sin of killing the embryo and the like. He that readeth this holy chapter of the moon, readeth the whole of the Bharata, I ween. The man who with reverence daily listeneth to this sacred work acquireth long life and renown and ascendeth to heaven.
"In former days, having placed the four Vedas on one side and the Bharata on the other, these were weighed in the balance by the celestials assembled for that purpose. And as the latter weighed heavier than the four Vedas with their mysteries, from that period it hath been called in the world Mahabharata (the great Bharata). Being esteemed superior both in substance and gravity of import it is denominated Mahabharata on account of such substance and gravity of import. He that knoweth its meaning is saved from all his sins.

The Mahabharata is actually creepy. For every parvas or stories told are relatable to the very problem that the readers are facing at the moment. It is as if the Bharata is giving you hints to solve the problem. Many readers have claimed that every time they read the Bharata, they learn something new to improve their material and spiritual world. Personally, i read the Mahabharata when im depressed and usually i get too immersed in the story that i will forget my problems. Of course one can achieve the same thing by reading 50 Shades of Grey but after reading the Bharata, my problems seems to be timid and i will have this feeling that every problem can be solved so lets just face it. It could be my mindset but we'l never know.

  'Tapa is innocent, study is harmless, the ordinance of the Vedas prescribed for all the tribes are harmless, the acquisition of wealth by exertion is harmless; but when they are abused in their practices it is then that they become sources of evil.'"

7. Ancient Alien's Theory

Could it be that the Hindu Gods came from outer space? Chariots in metal, could it be spacecrafts? Atomic bombs?Whoa, thats cool- welcome to ancient aliens where half of the theory is made up and fabricated. The fact that the Hindu Gods came from outer space is in fact stated in the very Vedas. Worlds or planets are called lokhas. In the Garuda Purana (Book of death) Garuda explains about the 16 different planets, their creatures,environment and their King/God residing in them. What is interesting is that, it is stated that the denizens of certain planet although shaped as human being are very superior in their senses. Their senses is not limited like ours to 5 but more. Meta humans i called them. Meta humans are psychics with  extraordinary skills, teleportation, inter dimension travelling, invisibility, super speed, super strength and many more that are all the common attributes of God like entity. This skills are also known as Siddhis that can be learned by Yoga and the instructions are even available in the Vedic text. 

The common Siddhis in Hinduism are known as :

Aṇimā: reducing one's body even to the size of an atom

Mahima: expanding one's body to an infinitely large size

Garima: becoming infinitely heavy

Laghima: becoming almost weightless

Prāpti: having unrestricted access to all place

Prākāmya: realizing whatever one desires

Iṣṭva: possessing absolute lordship

Vaśtva: the power to subjugate all

In popular culture, the Street Fighter game character Dhalsim's fighting moves are the depiction of all 8 main siddhis.

In the Mahabharata the 5 Siddhis mentioned are tri-kāla-jñatvam: knowing the past, present and future, advandvam: tolerance of heat, cold and other dualities, para citta ādi abhijñatā: knowing the minds of others and so on agni arka ambu viṣa ādīnām pratiṣṭambhaḥ: checking the influence of fire, sun, water, poison, and so on aparājayah: remaining unconquered by others.

Further the 10 secondary siddhis described by Lord Krishna are

1)anūrmi-mattvam: Being undisturbed by hunger, thirst, and other bodily appetites

2)dūra-śravaṇa: Hearing things far away

3)dūra-darśanam: Seeing things far away

4)manaḥ-javah: Moving the body wherever thought goes (teleportation/astral projection)

5)kāma-rūpam: Assuming any form desired

6)para-kāya praveśanam: Entering the bodies of others

7)sva-chanda mṛtyuh: Dying when one desires

8)devānām saha krīḍā anudarśanam: Witnessing and participating in the pastimes of the gods

9)yathā sańkalpa saḿsiddhiḥ: Perfect accomplishment of one's determination

10)ājñā apratihatā gatiḥ: Orders or commands being unimpeded

Psychic power and meta science is something that is very new to the modern world. Being an ignorant creature we tend to explain everything within our box of current science knowledge and that is what exactly Ancient Alien Theorist are doing. They failed to realize that there are science that we are not capable of understanding yet, for example dark matters. We know dark matters exist but it is just beyond our knowledge to explain the exact science behind it without making a hypothesis (a theory which can be true or false) Imagine Green Lantern's super powers, that is exactly what we are talking about here. It is beyond our knowledge. (Unless of course if you read the veda and know how to find them.(I will post on yoga practices soon) Nevertheless, the veda warns that if any of the Siddhi is used unlawfully or with an evil intention the learner will become insane.Perhaps thats why we have many crazy Sadhus in India) 

In attempt to enlighten the readers in the field of Hindu theology i will be explaining each Parvas in the coming post. I hope this will be helpful. Thank you for reading. Namaste