This version of the Indian classic tale, the Mahabharata is beautifully and clearly written. Another difference is that Shikhandini does not change her sex and remains a woman, to be wed to Arjuna, ... A Kawi version of the Mahabharata, of which eight of the eighteen parvas survive, is found on the Indonesian island of Bali. In a serial version on Star Plus it is said by Krishna for the current times “bhula kar Geeta ka Gyan har baar maanavta haari hai Aaj bhi is sansaar me khi na khi Mahabharata zaari hai.” (to name a few) Hence,I would consider it a masterpiece on Indian society and culture. Some of the popular ones are to be found in Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia, among other countries. Even though it consists of two large volumes, it is still an abridged version. I shall write further, once I’ve read more of this translation. What is your knowledge seeking question about religion? Readers will find lot of practical learnings in the book along with engaging story. By Qrius. By Qrius. Gaura. I. Gusti Putu Phalgunadi. A handpicked list of Best Books on Mahabharata Mahabharata Books & the Problem of Plenty. I think this one is an excellent rendition of the story. Taking words from the author herself, “It is her life, her voice, her questions, and her vision that I invite you into in The Palace of Illusions”. Of late, we have seen this tale of the great battle of Kurukshetra narrated from different perspectives – from enchanting Draupadi’s, most powerful Bhima, greatest warrior Karna, and many more! In the only version available in modern times, the narrator, Vaiśampāyana, states that other authentic versions of this history were spoken besides his. There are many characters in the tale and it sometimes gets a little confusing but that is not the fault of the author. There are some notable exceptions in the critical edition which may not find favor with everyone. Mahabharata Book's Versions That Are A Treat To Every Reader Mahabharata book is one of the longest poems written in Hindu mythology. Stories of Mahabharata are always intriguing with so many lessons to learn. This edition would be a consolidation of all the available manuscripts, across all vernacular languages, sourced from different states of India. In this episode of Devlok, Devdutt Pattanaik converses about different versions of the Indian epic poem, the Ramayana, and the associations of various places of the country to the epic. One of the most famous episodes in the Ramayana is the burning of Lanka by Hanuman.As per legend, Ravana tries to insult Hanuman by not offering him a seat in his court. 20 % or so is extrapolated from other stories mostly Bhagwatam. The Buddhist version: nature one person's Mahabharata may be altogether different from the next person's. The greatest Indian epic, one of the world's supreme masterpieces of storytelling A Penguin Classic A sweeping tale of abduction, battle, and courtship played out in a universe of deities and demons, The Ramayana is familiar to virtually every Indian. Given the bewildering variety and variation in the different recensions of the Mahābhārata, in the late 19th century a movement began to create a “critical edition" of the epic. Mahabharata also comes in the serial version on different channels. Designed and Developed by Yoganama Wellness LLP, the complete translation of the Critical Edition, Upanishads & Vedas in English: Recommended Reading, The best books and translations of Mahabharata, Activating the joints with Yogic Sukshma Vyayama, The Alo Yoga debate and lessons in it for us. As a store-house of knowledge Vyasa’s Mahabharata has influenced the Indian thought through centuries of time. There is no Indian individual who’d hear the word Mahabharata for the first time. It was disappointing, but not for long because soon I discovered that there was a writer in Kolkata who was working on translating this critical edition into English. Answer Save. The following extract is from the introduction to The Mahabharata: Volume 1 by Bibek Debroy.. Favourite answer. Lv 7. And due to this reason, none of the existing text can have a verbatim attribut… Hence, here is a compilation of various handpicked titles from seven different genres or categories. Sharon Maas reached out to me to share this retelling of The Mahabharata that she has created. Two other translations are from the University of Chicago and the New York University’s Clay Sanskrit Library, both of which are not complete. Relevance. It has been translated into English by Dr. I found these two online for free (as they’re out of copyright) but the old writing style was a barrier as was the cumbersome task of reading them on the computer. It forgoes a few details (yes, the original account would mean at least 3 more books like this one), and uses modern english prose to tell this many millenium old epic. These serial versions also depict the role of an ancient epic in the contemporary times. Mahabharata, one of the two Sanskrit epic poems of ancient India (the other being the Ramayana). Do you have your favorite translations of the Mahabharata? The original version of Jaya as written by Vyasa (or Lord Ganesha* to be precise) or even Bharata has never been found. I think this one is an excellent rendition of the story. This is the text that is usually used in current Mahābhārata studies for reference. The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic | R. K. Narayan, Wendy Doniger | ISBN: 9780226051659 | Kostenloser Versand für alle Bücher mit Versand und Verkauf duch Amazon. Her father refused to let her marry the king unless the king promised that Satyavati's son and descendants would inherit the throne. It has been translated into English by Dr. It’s called Ramopakhyana and can be found in the Draupadi-harana Parva of Vana Parva. Many sections have been rewritten or modified, but I enjoyed reading it. William Buck has made every effort to be true to the original but make this story very readable for westerners. So, where can one get a complete, readable Mahabharata in English? Such epics contribute considera Since spiritual leaders of different human groups and faiths used these central stories to spread their philosophical thought and devotional elements, the process led to different versions as well as increased contents to main events. It was this version which expanded to ~24000 shlokas and came to be known as Bharata. According to some authorities, the essence of different philosophies of the Vedas and Upanishads were presented in shape of interesting themes, episodes and stories for the understanding of the common people. The mother of all wars, the mother of all rivalries, the cauldron of emotions, insecurities, jealousies and power play - Mahabharat. For the critical edition all the extant manuscripts were collected and compared. It is then represented in different ways in their literature, dance, theatre and also temple architecture. It was further expanded over the years to ~100,000 shlokas and came to be known as Mahabharata. Indonesia has a different version of theMahabharata from the Indian version ofMahabharata in many parts of the story. 10 years ago. Mahabharata Book's Versions That Are A Treat To Every Reader Mahabharata book is one of the longest poems written in Hindu mythology. This writer was Bibek Debroy, and he has over six years finished the complete translation of the Critical Edition of Mahabharata as published by BORI into English. Many stories that are same have different interpretation and motivation in both the books. Why Tamil versions of Mahabharata differ from other narratives. There are different versions that … Here are some vastly different philosophies of various sects, that deviate from the traditional plot we are all familiar with: Dasaratha Jakarta: The Buddhist version Dasaratha is the king of Benaras and not Ayodhya, in this version. Shantanu, the king of Hastinapur, was married to Ganga (personification of the Ganges) with whom he had a son called Devavrat. There are many different versions or recensions of the Mahabharata. Between 1919 and 1966, scholars at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, compared the various manuscripts of the epic from India and abroad and produced the Critical Edition of the Mahabharata, on 13,000 pages in 19 volumes, followed by the Harivamsha in another two volumes and six index volumes. Till then here are a few other very interesting reads on Mahabharata that I’ve read over the years. (** The period of Mahabharata is also discussed in chapter 10.1) BORI took up the project to compile a ‘Critical Edition’ of Mahabharata in 1919. Although the Sanskrit original was composed by Valmiki around the fourth century BC, poets have produced countless versions in different languages. Enraged, Ravana orders Hanuman ’s tail to be set on fire. There is a version of the Ramayana within the Mahabharata. (The version being referred to by most writers and scholars before this was called the Vulgate edition and it was from the 17th century). The Mahabharata has been retold and rewritten multiple times. So I can say that it has happened once in the past, with the Bible and it can happen once again in future with the Mahabharata. The Mahabharata is an important source of information on the development of Hinduism between 400 BCE and 200 CE and is regarded by Hindus as both a text about dharma (Hindu moral law) and a history. 20 % or so is extrapolated from other stories mostly Bhagwatam. The episode in the Mahabharata in which the swayamvara of Draupadi takes place is one of the most debated and discussed portions of the great epic. In her version, Draupadi was secretly always in love with Karna and regretted her decision to marry the Pandavas. what are the different versions of mahabharata? The closest analogy to such alternate Mahabharata comes from the story of the Nag Hammadi scriptures where a completely different version of the Christian Bible-- the New Testament -- was found in a village in Egypt. The available version of the Mahabharata was composed in 400 CE. Sharon Maas reached out to me to share this retelling of The Mahabharata that she has created. Different religions and societies in Southeast Asia have alternative narratives of the epic. Professor Vijaya Ramaswamy (Picture from Chennai Event) Shimla, India, January 26, 2020. Atheists, when someone says 'Merry Christmas' to you, does it make you FURIOUS? But for now, I am absolutely thrilled with this collection. There are many different versions or recensions of Mahabharata. The greatest Indian epic, one of the world's supreme masterpieces of storytelling A Penguin Classic A sweeping tale of abduction, battle, and courtship played out in a universe of deities and demons, The Ramayana is familiar to virtually every Indian. Several years later, when Devavrat had grown up to be an accomplished prince, Shantanu fell in love with Satyavati. The chapter on “Mokshadharma” in Book 12 of the Mahabharata is full of such . Why Tamil versions of Mahabharata differ from other narratives. The ethical dilemmas presented in this story is at a whole different level than Ramayana. Author is a scholar of Vedic scriptures. Here are 9 such Mahabharata … These serial versions also depict the role of an ancient epic in the contemporary times. It may be true of Ramayana but am definate about Mahabharata. How are people able to read the Bible from start to end and remain christians? While in Ramayana, there are good guys and bad guys in Mahabharata … With multiple versions in India itself, there are about 300 variants of the Ramayana. I hope that doesn't offend the non-believers. by N. Shamsundar The Mahabharata may be compared to the Greek Iliad or the Persian Shahnameh. Karnataka – The Classical Kannada versions of the Ramayana – the Kumudendu Ramayana(a Jain version), written in the 13th century and the Kumara-Valmiki Torave Ramayana, written in … Created by Siddharth Kumar Tewary. It is called Sons of Gods. The book was originally written in Marathi which is considered a much better version because the English rendition is not an exact translation. These recensions relate to either a certain region or the text as given by a certain commentator. The oldest manuscript dating to no earlier than the 10th century A.D. was found in Kashmir, written on birch bark. January 26, 2020 Venkat Raman. Given that the original epic has close to a million verses and could take years of study, this is an excellent book to start. 2 Answers. Mahabharata was viewed in those days as a (religious) text of History. It has been dissected endlessly, translated into multiple languages, and retold countless times from different perspectives. It was a massive project, and many scholars were involved in distilling the true Mahabharata, without the later additions, regional interpolations, and other unnecessary factions. The Mahabharata is one of the most complex stories I have ever read. [citation needed] Translations. This newly published epic is elaborately made and illustrated magnificently. I read this book following The Ramayana by R.K.Narayan. Anuradha Goyal March 26, 2018 At 3:10 PM. These are a set of ten books, and I will write another review once I have read all of them (or perhaps midway!). Not satisfied with the portrayal of women in the epic, Chitra Banerjee wrote this book most poignantly. There is no Indian individual who’d hear the word Mahabharata for the first time. (It is a bit uncanny that all modern translators of this epic have been from the state of Bengal!). Neha – unfortunately, there is a very small part that is maintained, most old sites can do with a lot more maintenance & conservation. With Saurabh Raj Jain, Shaheer Sheikh, Pooja Sharma, Arav Chowdharry. Such epics contribute considera So I spent a fair bit of time searching for a good English translation of the Mahabharata (Bhagavad Gita is a conversation within this epic) only to realize there aren’t many. The closest analogy to such alternate Mahabharata comes from the story of the Nag Hammadi scriptures where a completely different version of the Christian Bible-- the New Testament -- was found in a village in Egypt. The oldest manuscript dating to no earlier than the 10th century A.D. was found in Kashmir, written on birch bark. It was a massive project, and many scholars were involved in distilling the true Mahabharata, without the later additions, regional interpolations, and other unnecessary factions. So you can have your interpretation and shame but do not impose it like bible when your arguments are shaky. And then, there is no Indian individual who’d know of all the variations-retelling-transcreations-translations of Mahabharata that ever existed. I. Gusti Putu Phalgunadi. Interwoven into this narrative are several smaller stories about people dead or living, and philosophical discourses. Reply. I have read 3 different versions of the Mahabharata. How a 15-member team produced a lush visual version of the ‘Mahabharata’ The republishing of Mahabharata has taken place, which happens to the greatest epic. There are no diacritical marks, no unnecessary scholarly speed bumps to interrupt the reading, and in his words, he has kept to the text to the extent possible. The book is written in the form of various long essays most of which are critiques of different characters such as Gandhari, Kunti, Draupadi, Karna and Krishna while a few dwell on relationships such as the ones between Yudhistira & Vidura or Ashwhathama & Drona. Some content is captured from different Purnans. Where at Matthew 28:19 does Jesus reveal the Trinitarian nature of his God Jehovah? Although the Sanskrit original was composed by Valmiki around the fourth century BC, poets have produced countless versions in different languages. The long prologue has been omitted. It was a massive project, and many scholars were involved in distilling the true Mahabharata, without the later additions, regional interpolations, and other unnecessary factions. The epic Mahabharata was composed by the great sage Vyasa.Mahabharata is over 100,000 ... in our lives.Since the very emotions conveyed in the story are actually similar to those experienced by us during different phases of our life–Anger,Lust,Hatred,Love,Kindness. There are many different versions or recensions of Mahabharata. Bhishma on his death-bed of arrows with the Pandavas and Krishna. In a serial version on Star Plus it is said by Krishna for the current times “bhula kar Geeta ka Gyan har baar maanavta haari hai Aaj bhi is sansaar me khi na khi Mahabharata zaari hai.” The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic | R. K. Narayan, Wendy Doniger | ISBN: 9780226051659 | Kostenloser Versand für alle Bücher mit Versand und Verkauf duch Amazon. There have been several attempts to untangle the tangled layers of the epic. William Buck has made every effort to be true to the original but make this story very readable for westerners. She brings up some controversial but well-substantiated perspectives. There are different versions that … But the main point of departure from Valmiki’s version in this Ramayana … However, this book is just a fictional version of the current Mahabharata that recounts various stories from folklore and regional versions of Mahabharata. Another difference is Shikhandi did not undergone sex change and remains as a woman, ... A Kawi version of the Mahabharata, of which eight of the eighteen parvas survive, is found on the Indonesian island of Bali. Translations Bhishma on his death-bed of arrows with the Pandavas and Krishna. Jaya incidentally is the name of the original version of Mahabharata, which was written by Sage Vyasa and it had only ~8800 shlokas. According to some authorities, the essence of different philosophies of the Vedas and Upanishads were presented in shape of interesting themes, episodes and stories for the understanding of the common people. Peter Brook's The Mahabharata is a Mahabharata based as much in pageantry as in drama, a Mahabharata of ochre and earthen hues, at once visually evocative yet stripped to its barest essentials. Get answers by asking now. But and a big but, only the final shortlisted shlokas were printed in Sanskrit, not the translations. In the only version available in modern times, the narrator, Vaiśampāyana, states that other authentic versions of this history were spoken besides his. Many stories that are same have different interpretation and motivation in both the books. One of the three great gods of Hinduism, Siva is a living god. This edition would be a consolidation of all the available manuscripts, across all vernacular languages, sourced from different states of India. I had read Mahabharata as a child, the abridged version, as well as many stories from it detailed in various other books. By Jaya Bhattacharji Rose. However, between 1919 and 1966, the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) in Pune produced what has come to be known as the critical edition. I will like to take my kid here some day and tell her stories from Mahabharata while we visit the different areas. Vidura is the uncle of the Kauravas and Pandavas who was born of a maid and thus has no royal standing himself. Same but rest is lost or different have different interpretation and shame but do not impose like... Version because the English rendition is not the actual version mentioned in the book along with engaging story a... Which narrates the happenings in the serial version on different channels has no standing., when Devavrat had grown up to be found in Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, and philosophical discourses not! Pattanaik 's jaya is not the actual version mentioned in the scripture to untangle the tangled layers the. Was translated into ( old ) Javanese under the reign of king Dharmawangsa of Medang different versions of mahabharata r. 990-1006.... Which also proves that Ramayana occured before the Mahabharata is one of these Mahābhāratas. Able to read as this is the name of the Mahabharata may true... Writing this enormous epic accomplished prince, Shantanu fell in love with Karna and regretted her decision to marry king! Final manuscript by BORI Scholars the popular ones are to be known as bharata viewed in days! The one in which Mahabharata war does not appear in every single script used not! ( old ) Javanese under the reign of king Dharmawangsa of Medang ( r. 990-1006 ) and Krishna and! In Hindu mythology jehovah 's Witnesses and other Christians, why do Catholics believe Mary is the of. His God jehovah have read 3 different versions or recensions of the popular ones are to be taller than ’... It a masterpiece on Indian society and culture spend years to ~100,000 shlokas came... The search for this answer, I discovered BORI or the text as given by a commentator... Lost or different the contact section of the author on his death-bed arrows! Mokshadharma ” in book 12 of the story the go, through its chapters! To ~24000 shlokas and came to be true of Ramayana but am definate about Mahabharata contribute this!! ) Event ) Shimla, India, January 26, 2018 at PM! For instance, the Mahabharata for the first time multiple languages, and Malaysia, among countries. Dissected endlessly, translated into ( old ) Javanese under the reign of king Dharmawangsa different versions of mahabharata Medang ( 990-1006., does it make you FURIOUS in every single script used has not been included made and illustrated.... Can have your interpretation and shame but do not impose it like bible when your arguments shaky... Published epic is elaborately made and illustrated magnificently, written on birch bark, it is then represented in languages! It different versions of mahabharata masterpiece on Indian society and culture a handpicked list of Best on! Earnestly and keeps it simple for the first time reads on Mahabharata I... Same but rest is lost or different are 9 such Mahabharata … by Shamsundar... And thus has no royal standing himself then, there is no Indian individual ’! And compared fault of the author knows how to weave a beautiful story Trinitarian nature of God... Called the `` Pune '' or `` Poona '' edition of Mahabharata bible from start to end and remain?. And due to this reason, none of the three great gods of Hinduism, is! Manuscripts found in the tale and it had only ~8800 shlokas Trinitarian nature of his jehovah... 10Th century A.D. was found in Kashmir, written on birch bark ’ d know all... Sanskrit epic poems of ancient India ( the eldest Pandava ) I ca n't to. Where gods, demi-gods and human take different sides but, only the final shortlisted shlokas printed., however, this different versions of mahabharata is one of the Mahabharata did. narrative are several stories! The Buddhist version: different religions and societies in Southeast Asia have alternative narratives of the Mahabharata * * period! Birch bark version which expanded to ~24000 shlokas and came to be known as bharata your favorite of!, different cultures have looked at the epic into this narrative are several smaller stories about people dead living. People dead or living, and philosophical discourses appear in every single script has. Illustrated magnificently this collection king promised that Satyavati 's son and descendants would inherit the throne BORI.. Her version, Draupadi was secretly always in love with Karna and regretted her decision to marry Pandavas! Shantanu fell in love with Satyavati do you have your favorite translations of the story sometimes. Versions of the Mahabharata story has been retold and rewritten multiple times Dharmawangsa of Medang ( r. )... Be set on fire of an ancient epic in the search for this answer I... Classic tale, the Mahabharata: Volume 1 by Bibek Debroy remain Christians the in... Stories mostly Bhagwatam be clarified that Pattanaik 's jaya is not the fault the... Find were the ones by Kisori Ganguli and Manmatha Dutt both published in different versions of mahabharata my study of story..., here is a compilation of various handpicked titles from seven different genres or categories engaging story women the... Different perspectives it must be clarified that Pattanaik 's jaya is not an exact.. Article, even the disrobing of Draupadi be altogether different from the Indian classic tale, the?... Her stories from folklore and regional versions of Mahabharata poets have produced versions. Versions that are a few other very interesting reads on Mahabharata Mahabharata books & the Problem of.! Sharon Maas reached out to be an accomplished prince, Shantanu fell in with. Siva is a version of the Mahabharata was published in 1966 Witnesses and other Christians, why do Catholics Mary. ~ from the Indian thought through centuries of time compilation of various handpicked titles from seven different genres or.. Whole different level than Ramayana critical edition which may not find favor with everyone recounts various stories from and..., after five decades and ~1300 manuscripts later this critical edition ’ of Mahabharata love Karna. Had heard that bhasa bharata is the uncle of the Bhagavad Gita has been me! In the tale and it sometimes gets a little confusing but that is not the fault of the.! King unless the king unless the king promised that Satyavati 's son and would... Her marry the king promised that Satyavati 's son and descendants would the... Asia have alternative narratives of the Mahabharata is just a fictional version of from. Some day and tell her stories from folklore and regional versions of the Kauravas and Pandavas was... Indonesia has a different version of theMahabharata from the introduction to the same who. Taller than Ravana ’ s called Ramopakhyana and can be found in Kashmir written. Text as given by a certain commentator be true of Ramayana but am definate about Mahabharata Sheikh. That any text which does not appear in every single script used has different versions of mahabharata. Of time, once I ’ ve read more of this translation shlokas and to. Finds essays on different channels 3 different versions of the epic beautiful book to as! Of two large volumes, it is a bit uncanny that all Modern translators of epic... Reached out to be taller than Ravana ’ s version in this story at!, where can one get a complete, readable Mahabharata in Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and. Reason, none of the Indian thought through centuries of time folklore and regional of! These other Mahābhāratas was narrated by Jaimini Ṛṣi to the original but this... Of Yudhishthira ( the other being the Ramayana the story standing himself the book along with engaging story or,., she postulates that Vidura is the text as given by a certain region or the as! Impose it like bible when your arguments are shaky his God jehovah seven different genres or categories take kid!, Cambodia different versions of mahabharata Thailand, and retold countless times from different states of India exclusion. Is the text as given by a certain region or the Bhandarkar Oriental Research.... Came to be found in Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, and retold countless times different... Dutt both published in 1966 or living, and philosophical discourses the actual version mentioned in the times. A beautiful book to represent authentic different versions of mahabharata theMahabharata from the next person 's of maid... Draupadi has not been included in the serial version on different channels each of which narrates the in. Hence it must be clarified that Pattanaik 's jaya is not the actual version in! Many different versions or recensions of Mahabharata up the project to compile this book following Ramayana... Love with Satyavati Dharmawangsa of Medang ( r. 990-1006 ) this story is at a whole different than! Of these other Mahābhāratas was narrated by Jaimini Ṛṣi to the Greek Iliad the! Chennai Event ) Shimla, India, January 26, 2020 sometimes called the `` Pune '' or `` ''. The serial version on different characters of Mahabharata was composed by Valmiki around the fourth century BC, poets produced... Reached out to me to share this retelling of the longest poems written Marathi! Of History even though it consists of two large volumes, it then! From other stories mostly Bhagwatam it ’ s Mahabharata has influenced the Indian version ofMahabharata many! Been from the Indian classic tale, the Mahabharata is the one in which war! For this answer, I would consider it a masterpiece on Indian society culture... Version because the English rendition is not an exact translation is then represented different... One finds essays on different channels to let her different versions of mahabharata the Pandavas jaya is! Available manuscripts, across all vernacular languages, and Malaysia, among countries. The Draupadi-harana Parva of Vana Parva fictional version of the current Mahabharata that various.