The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 / Books 4, 5, 6 and 7

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

15475

Title

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 / Books 4, 5, 6 and 7

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume presents the climactic war of the Mahabharata, detailing the Pandavas' twelve-year exile in disguise and the subsequent devastating battle against the Kauravas. Translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, the text captures the epic's grand scale, divine interventions, and profound moral complexities through vivid prose.

Summary up to 500 words

In this pivotal section of the Mahabharata, the narrative transitions from the Pandavas' final year of exile to the catastrophic war at Kurukshetra. Having completed twelve years of open exile, the Pandavas enter their thirteenth year of concealment within the kingdom of Matsya. To avoid detection by the Kauravas, they adopt humble disguises: Yudhishthira becomes a dice-player named Kanka, Bhima a cook named Vallabha, Arjuna a female dancer named Vrihannala, Nakula a horse-keeper, Sahadeva a cow-herder, and Draupadi a hairdresser. They serve King Virata, maintaining their secret while awaiting the end of their term. The story then shifts to the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where Duryodhana, desperate for victory, pressures the venerable grandmaster Bhishma to slay the Pandavas. Bhishma refuses to kill Sikhandin, who was born female, adhering to his vow against harming women. Consequently, Duryodhana arranges his army to shield Bhishma from Sikhandin's arrows. The battle commences with terrifying intensity, described through vivid imagery of nature recoiling from the violence; the earth trembles, the sun dims, and animals flee in terror. A tragic highlight of the conflict is the charge of Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna. Possessing immense skill and bravery, he single-handedly penetrates the complex Kaurava formation, scattering arrows like rain and slaying numerous warriors. Despite his heroic efforts, he is overwhelmed by the combined might of the Kaurava forces, including the formidable Karna and Drona. The text emphasizes the confusion and ferocity of the combat, culminating in the tragic heroism of the young Abhimanyu as he faces insurmountable odds. This section underscores the themes of duty, the complexity of vows, and the devastating cost of war, setting the stage for the epic's most tragic losses.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Religion