The venerable narrator Ugrasrava unfolds the sacred chain of events with dignity and order. King Janamejaya, son of Parikshit, brought the serpent-sacrifice to a halt without transgressing the etiquette of ritual, yet with a noble spirit he bestowed abundant gifts and charities upon priests, assistants, and invitees. With folded hands, he then turned to the sage Vedavyasa, seated amidst his retinue, and entreated him to illumine the doubts that troubled his mind regarding the deeds of the Dvapara age. “O venerable sage,” he said, “you, together with Bhishma and other stalwarts of the Kuru race, divided the wealth with fairness. Yet instead of preserving prosperity and peace, why did the Kauravas and Pandavas cross the bounds of righteousness and plunge into enmity, bringing devastation to countless lives? Why did you not avert the fratricidal war? How did this fearful conflict begin? Enlighten me.”
Pleased with the king’s earnestness, Vyasa instructed his disciple Vaisampayana to narrate the great tale of the Bharatas, and then departed with his entourage. Janamejaya, with due reverence, bade farewell to the sage and prepared a noble seat for Vaisampayana in the assembly, where multitudes had gathered. As tradition ordained, the disciple first saluted Vyasa, sought leave of the scholars and ascetics present, and began the recital.
He proclaimed that the Mahabharata embodies the fourfold aim of life—dharma, artha, kama, and moksha—the lamp of kings, the guide of peace-seekers, the harmony of thought, word, and deed. It is a garland of truth, a treasury of valour, gratitude, wisdom, and compassion. In it shine heroes chivalrous, sagacious, and mighty, enduring harsh trials with fortitude, yet bound together by devotion and order. Thus, with reverence he commenced the narration of the story woven by Vyasa.
After the death of King Pandu, the Kauravas and Pandavas grew up together at Hastinapura, studying under Bhishma, Drona, and other teachers. The Pandavas, steadfast and gifted, excelled in learning and martial skill, which stirred envy in the hearts of the Kauravas. Misled by Shakuni, Karna, and Dushasana, Duryodhana conspired ceaselessly to harm his cousins. But the Pandavas, protected by their virtue and the grace of destiny, escaped every plot. Bheema was bound and cast into deep waters, yet survived by ancestral blessing; he was bitten by serpents and poisoned, yet rose unharmed by his strength. At last, Duryodhana built the wax palace at Varanavata and set it aflame, but the Pandavas, forewarned by Vidura, escaped through a secret tunnel.
The sons of Pandu, steadfast in dharma, truth, and compassion, carved noble paths in service of the weak, the aged, and women, ever winning the favour of Heaven. Wandering in the forest after their escape, Bheema slew the demon Hidimba and wedded his sister Hidimbi, begetting Ghatotkacha. At Ekachakrapura, Bheema destroyed the ravenous demon Baka, bringing deliverance to many villages. Thereafter Arjuna, at the swayamvara of Draupadi, pierced the target by his matchless skill and won her hand, defeating rival kings. By Vyasa’s counsel and Kunti’s word, Draupadi became the wife of all five brothers.
Dwelling in the kingdom of Drupada for a year, they earned renown. At last, King Dhritarashtra summoned them, granted half the kingdom, and established them at Indraprastha. There the Pandavas ruled with justice, winning the hearts of people and the blessings of sages. Arjuna journeyed to Dwaraka, married Subhadra, and begot the valiant Abhimanyu. By aiding Agni in the burning of Khandava forest, Arjuna received celestial weapons—the Gandiva bow, inexhaustible arrows, and divine steeds. Maya, the architect of the asuras, built for them a wondrous palace, famed through the ages. Bheema slew Jarasandha, liberating captive kings; Yudhishthira subdued rulers in every direction and performed the great Rajasuya sacrifice.
But Duryodhana, consumed by envy at their glory, plotted anew. By the deceit of dice contrived by Shakuni, Yudhishthira lost his kingdom, wealth, and honour. The Pandavas was exiled for twelve years, followed by a year in disguise. In the forest, Arjuna obtained celestial weapons from Shiva and Indra, including the terrible Pashupata. After exile, the Pandavas sought the return of their land, but Duryodhana denied them. Thus, strife between the cousins ripened into the great war of Kurukshetra, a conflict that shook the world. Because its heroes belonged to the line of Bharata, the tale is called the Mahabharata.
This story, adorned with the virtues of the Pandavas and illumined by Krishna’s grace, upholds the four pursuits of man and flows like a mighty river from Vyasa’s wisdom. Its light dispels darkness in every age, under every condition.
The birth of Vyasa himself bears divine significance, and every figure shaped by him carries a spark of the eternal. Among such stories is that of King Vasu of Chedi, resplendent like Indra and beloved of his subjects. Once while hunting he renounced arms, turned inward, and sat in penance. Pleased with his just and selfless rule, Indra appeared and said, “O King, sinless in purpose, impartial in justice, you have earned my favour. Rule your realm, but also ascend to my paradise at will.” He bestowed upon him celestial powers, a divine staff, and a garland of unfading lotus. In his honour, kings celebrated the Indrotsava, venerating Indra and Shiva with grandeur, believing that such worship brings health, prosperity, and harmony among peoples and cultures.
Thus unfolds the great stream of the Bharata, ever nourishing, ever resplendent, a mirror of dharma and destiny.
