Mahabharata

The Mahabharata is in my opinion the greatest story ever told, without even a near second. But this is definitely not the best version out there. Unfortunately, there really isn't a perfect version; but the flaws with this particular work are the following:Rajaji is a politician, not a writer, and was not capable of moulding the essential story into a readable whole. The first mistake he makes is that he follows the original Ganguli version by summarising the whole story before he even begins! A [...]

I still vividly remember the very first time I read Buck's translation of the Mahabharata. It was my first semester back to school after taking time off to have my son. We lived in a large room that was a sort of add-on to the side of my parent's church and doubled as the nursery on Sundays. My husband was working nights while going to school full time. I was trying to juggle a 21 hour semester at school while simultaneously only having my toddler in daycare for half days. Needless to say, I had [...]

Kisah Mahabharata diawali dg pertemuan antara Raja Sentanu dan Dewi Gangga yg cantik jelita. Sentanu ingin menikahi Dewi Gangga, namun Dewi Gangga mengajukan syarat, a.l. tdk akan menghalangi apapun yg Dewi Gangga lakukan. Sentanu menyanggupi. Dari pernikahan mereka, Dewi Gangga melahirkan banyak anak, namun setiap anak yg lahir ditenggelamkannya di sungai Gangga. Sentanu tak kuasa berbuat apa2 krn sumpahnya. Namun ketika Dewi Gangga akan menenggelamkan anaknya yg ke-8, Sentanu tak bisa lagi men [...]

If you ever start to feel like there's something special or unique about the Western literary tradition, here's a nice reminder that "our" background is kind of like the poor, illiterate, brutish cousin of a sophisticated, knowledgeable, emotionally wealthy woman. I'd read retellings of the M, but they conveyed nothing of the sheer joy of the whole; this, John D. Smith's translation/abridgement/retelling, manages to make clear just how amazing the whole thing must be, without actually giving you [...]

The Mahābhārata is much more accessible than, say, The Koran or Ta Hsüeh and Chung Yung, though also much much longer - the Penguin edition is 800 pages, and that is with two thirds of the text brutally summarized. Of course, it helps that there is a plot as well as profound philosophical, theological and moral discourse; perhaps the fairer comparison is with Homer (where I think the Mahābhārata still wins).I did sometimes find it difficult to keep the names straight on my head; John D. Smi [...]

Good book as far as myths and legends go, but I wanted to kick the idiot king who kept saying, "Well, if my son is misbehaving and his actions will cause a huge war, then it must be God's will and I can't do anything about it." Then he'd spend two pages after his son's idiot actions messed things up crying about how he should have done something.

I read it as a child, and it made me to believe that in all epics there will be a hidden hero, and in this too.ere is Karna. Most interpretations on Mahabharata characters are for Karna.I couldn't help myself in falling love with him, as a human,I would say he is the prominent character in this, his humanitarian concepts, his relationships as a friend, as a son and as a devotee of his father( the ultimate energy source sun).After reading this, first thing I done was to search interpretations of [...]

This is considered as one of the TRIO-Epics of Indian culture.Besides its epic narrative of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kauravas and the Pandavas, the Mahabharata contains much philosophical and devotional material, such as a discussion of the four "goals of life" or purusharthas. This is considered as the grandhas which guides people to live a sociable life.The division was into 18 parvasPersonally, I feel i have no words to describe these Trio-epics!!

This is an easy to read translation (if any are truly easy) of the great epic tale from India about the terrible feud and resulting battle between the Pandavas and Kurus (really two branches of one family). In some ways it is not always absorbing because there are so many details a modern author might skip without realizing their future importance in another book such as the Ramayana, which Buck also translated and which I own, though I have not read it yet. However, in sum, Buck has made of the [...]

The Mahabharata is one of those epics that needs to be constantly re-read. Its been an all time favourite with me since I was a little brat and now that I understand more of the spirituality of the book. From rage, blood lust, fraticide, passion, betrayal this epic has it all.What I enjoy most about the epic is that even through all the angst, hatred and betrayal each character is shrouded in humanity. Maybe a smaller measure than some but each character has been depicted to the depths with and [...]

It is absolutely an epic story that has a doubt of being a myth or reality. There is no need to review this epic work as it is really a wonderful tale. I have read this story in many different form and books since my childhood and it has always fascinated me. The characters and culture or Aryan period is a great source to study ancient India.

Right from my childhood, I had been listening to my grandmother telling us tales of Shri Krishna, or sometimes of Pandavas and Kauravas. And I had always been thrilled when I heard of 100 sons of Gandhari and crooked Duryodhana. But not much beyond that. Reading this book was like going back to childhood and listening to my grandmother again orating us the stories that she has always had in abundance. This book apart from being a great epic, is immensely morally enriching too. Many Hindus believ [...]

Anyone wondering why I moved so many books to my "on hold" shelf, this is why!I'm reading this in preparation to read Shashi Tharoor's "The Great Indian Novel," which is supposedly based on this in some way. Tharoor's book is about the Indian fight for independence from Britain I'm thinking he uses the metaphor of the warring cousins as the stage-setter. The Maha is a B-I-G book for sure. But as always, Penguin delivers. They are my go-to publishers for translations. This edition is abridged, bu [...]

For beginners and enthusiasts of the Mahabharata, this book would undoubtedly prove to be a well justified and a rational choice. This book is truly a masterpiece by the grand old scholar C. Rajagopalachari and a testimony to his genius is the continued circulation of this book for more than half a century since its was first published.Through simple language and undiluted translation Rajaji builds the epic saga in a manner that is enjoyable and easy to recollect. Its uninterrupted chronological [...]

Mahabharata. The greatest story ever told. Discount that this is a rendition by C. Rajagopalachari, you can bank upon his virtuous intellect and assiduous efforts to bring to you the greatest epic in the world veritably unabridged and undefiled. I am no one to review the Mahabharata and any efforts by me to rate or judge this grandiose epic would do nothing to attenuate the indelible glory of this literary creation.If there is a book that projects all imaginable and thinkable facets of human exp [...]

The Mahabharata is an Ancient Sanskrit epic, believed to have been begun in the 8th or 9th century BC, and 'completed' in the 4th century BC.The whole thing is about ten times the size of the Iliad or the Odyssey, but I read an abridged version— the parts that contain the actual story of the epic, and less of the moralizing sections that explained to ancient Hindus how they should behave.The epic follows the five Pandu/Pandav brothers (most concerned with Yadhisthir, the eldest, and Arjun, the [...]

I first read this book when I was aged 8.And have read it close to 23 times from cover to cover since then.I have been absolutely in love with this much so that I even know the pages and words used by heart!The best part of this book, which is one of the best books about India, is that you get way more than what you bargained for.The number of sub stories within this book is just mind-blowing!It touches almost every cultural aspect of India and also touches on certain major scientific processes [...]

MAHABHARATA is the greatest story ever told!This book is undoubtedly my first choice for someone who is a beginner. Simple language and undiluted translation of the epic saga what makes this book a master piece. It starts with Adiparva and ends with Swargarohanparva. The best thing about this book is it is left to the readers to analyse and evaluate the events happening. Other versions of Mahabharata which I have come across, it more of reading the author's perspective into the events happening. [...]

A beautiful, beautiful story that resonates across not only cultures but thousands of years. Even though this is the only translation I've read, I understand that C. Rajagopalachari version is the best.

had to read this book for my class for religion in India Its really and interesting read. if you are interested in India's culture, and religions.

Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata is probably the best english retelling of Mahabharata available.

THE INDIAN CLASSICS---THE MAHABHARATA,BHAGAVAD GITA & RAMAYANA CYCLE---FROM THE WORLD LITERATURE FORUM RECOMMENDED CLASSICS AND MASTERPIECES SERIES VIA —-ROBERT SHEPPARD, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF"Man is a slave to power" says the Mahabharata,"but power is a slave to no one." The puzzle of power in its acquisition, intrinsic contradictions, disillusionments and disappointments, transience, arbitrariness, loss and questionable legitimacy is one of the principal themes of this monumental epic, and its [...]

Not a fan. I prefer the Ramayana. Less bloody battles and more compelling characters.

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مهابهارتدر دربار اکبرشاه گورکانی: سومین پادشاه مغولی هند، در ماه شعبان سال 992 هجری قمری یا آگوست 1584 به فارسی ترجمه شد و با نام "رزمنامه" معروف گردیددر این ترجمه که غیاث الدین علی قزوینی مشهور به نقیب خان در مدت یک سال ونیم از زبان سانسکریت به زبان فارسی ترجمه کرده، از کمک و همکا� [...]

This is the second book I have read on the Mahabharatha - the first one being an Amar Chitra Katha comic on the epic. I vividly remember finishing of the whole comic book in the sixth grade a day before my English exams. It was one riveting read - do get hold of the comic version if you can!This book by C.Rajagopalachari can be considered as a super-abridged version of Vyasa'a Mahabharatha. The first half of the book consists of events leading up to the eventual battle of Mahabharatha, and, the [...]

Oh sweet goodness - I finished it. All 909 pages of it. I feel a strangely satisfying sense of accomplishment.After reading that this epic adventure was as important to Indian civilization as the Iliad & Odyssey were to western audiences, I felt I owed it to myself to read it. The library only had Krishna Dharma's prose adaptation, and I have to say that I wasn't disappointed.This particular book has retained the feel of an ancient epic while being very readable. The same repetitious phrasin [...]

Before starting this review, I want to say that I absolutely love this epic story of Mahabharata. I have followed the TV Shows and short stories quite passionately. It's an epic saga and having a fair amount of knowledge about the tidings of this story, I wanted to read it too. I asked a couple of my friends and researched online to find the best book in English and I stumbled upon this one. Mr. Rajagopalachari has written this book just for the sake of it. It is as if he has done a great favor [...]

I've read the Mahabharatha story written by other authors before. And I am extremely familiar with all the other stories associated with it. But I did not like this version at all. The war is explained in an inadequate and silly fashion. He belittles the soul of Mahabharatha.

The God mother of family politics!