Dear Readers,
At the outset, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your enthusiastic support and faith in our effort to present a balanced and insightful narration of the great epic, Ramayana. This timeless scripture, so deeply cherished by every Sanatana practitioner, was brought to you through the erudition of journalist and Vedic scholar U. Lakshman Rao. With today’s episode, we draw the curtains on this memorable journey that has unfolded over several weeks. But we will not leave you disappointed. From tomorrow, Shri Rao will begin unveiling the profound wisdom of yet another of Bharat’s eternal epics—the Mahabharata. We sincerely hope you will continue to enjoy these enriching explorations and stay abreast of the timeless truths presented in this unique manner. – Editor
The Mahabharata stands as a wish-fulfilling tree of divine origin, deeply rooted in the spirit of our land. It unravels the profound nature of man in all its shades and dimensions, offering solutions to questions of virtue and duty, of wealth and prosperity, of desire and fulfilment, and of salvation itself. Indeed, it proclaims with pride that if a problem of human life finds no answer within its folds, then such a problem scarcely merits consideration at all. This monumental work, born of the intellect of our ancient seers, springs from the inexhaustible spiritual treasure of India. It is the noble creation of the sage Veda Vyasa, also known as Krishna Dwaipāyana, the very image of Lord Viṣṇu, as testified even by Lord Krishna himself.
To Vyasa we owe the division of the Vedas into four, the composition of the Brahma Sutras—the very lamp of spiritual guidance—and the pouring forth of Vedic essence into the eighteen Puranas. In them he gathered the principles of life: values, virtues, duties, and the responsibilities of the individual and the collective in social, economic, and political spheres. These stand even today as beacons of brilliance, model codes of conduct for all mankind, irrespective of creed, clan, tongue, or station. His purpose was not merely to preserve history but to weave the story of the Bharata dynasty with the eternal principles of righteous conduct, noble attitudes, and harmonious living, so that future generations might walk the path of peace as the very foundation of wisdom.
When Vyasa completed his great task, he named it Jaya—Victory—and entrusted its spirit to be carried across the worlds. In the divine realm, Narada bore it forth; in the spiritual domain, Asita spread its truth; upon earth, Vaisampayana proclaimed it to rulers and sages alike. It was in the court of King Janamejaya that Vaisampayana, responding to the questions of scholars and seers, first expounded Jaya in its fullness. Thus, it grew vast, embracing countless perspectives, and came to be known as the Mahabharata. In time, the sage Romaharṣaṇa studied its depth, and his son Ugraśravas, skilled in narration, carried its fame among hermits, sages, and the common folk. On one of his journeys, he reached the forest of Naimiṣa, where the sage Śaunaka, engaged in a long sacrificial rite with many seers, requested him to recite the tale of the Bhāratas. Questions, doubts, and reflections arose, and through the answers preserved in Vyasa’s wisdom, the Mahabharata expanded into an ocean of knowledge, addressing every inquiry of human life.
Within it shines the Bhagavad Gita, a small portion of seven hundred verses, yet holding the spiritual essence of all the scriptures. In clear language and universal insight, it speaks of life in its physical, psychological, metaphysical, social, and political aspects. It stands as solace in sorrow, and as solution in crisis. Known as the divine song of Krishna, it sparked a new light in Hindu thought and became a fountain of renaissance for ages. It brought the hidden truths of the Vedas down from the silent caves of the Himalayas into the tumult of worldly action. When Arjuna, overwhelmed by despair and shaken from his inner balance, faltered before battle, Lord Krishna treated his stricken mind with the timeless wisdom of the Vedas. Religion here became philosophy in action, guiding man not only in contemplation but in conduct.
Thus, from time to time, ancient truths require new interpretations suited to the present moment. Prophets, seers, and men of wisdom show how eternal laws may be applied afresh to the present day. The vast intellect of Vyasa gave birth to characters each embodying a distinct lesson, each illuminating a path of action. The Mahabharata is not merely a book, nor a chronicle, but a living guide—teaching restraint, resilience, endurance, humanity, compassion, and purposeful living. Words are too frail to convey the flow of eternal energy that Vyasa poured into this immortal epic.
Spanning eighteen sections, it introduces the scholar and the seeker, the brave and the timid, the noble and the corrupt, the creative and the destructive, the harsh and the gentle. Every human being may find in their character some reflection of their own nature, and therein discover guidance for a better life. It has drawn to itself the interest of the devout and the skeptic, the indolent and the active, the philosopher and the scientist alike, each finding parallels to his condition. Truly, the Mahabharata is an eternal mirror of mankind.
