Synopsis of All Parvanns of Mahabharata

Synopsis of All
Parvans of
Mahabharata
1. Adi-Parvan
Adi-Parvanbegins with a table of contents and later forms background for the
recital of Mahabharata by Ugrashravas-sauti at the snake-sacrifice. Gradually
the Parvan incorporates the history of the Bhargava lineage, origin of the race
of Bharata, burning down of the house of lac, killing of Hidimba as well as
demon Baka, Svayamvara of Draupadee and acquisition of the kingdom by
Pandavas.
2. Sabha-Parvan
Sabha-Parvan starts with the description of the assembly hall built by Maya
for the Pandavas and moves on with the killing of Jarasandha, the expansion
of the borders of the kingdom by Pandavas, performance of Rajasooya
sacrifice, the killing of Shishupala by Krishna and the games of gambling; as
well as includes principles of governance and administration necessary for a
prosperous and virtuous kingdom, the geographical description of the
kingdoms surrounding that of the Pandavas.
3. Aranyaka-Parvan
Aranyaka-Parvan begins with the exile of Pandavas and develops

incorporating episodes like killing of Kirmira by Bhīma, Arjunas travel to the
heaven to attend celestial missiles, the travel of the other Pandavas to various
holy places etc. The Parvan as a whole contains numerous discussions on
virtues and ethics, along with myths of King Nahusha, Nala-Damayantee,
Satyavan-Savitree as well as a shorter version of Ramayana.
4. Virata-Parvan
Virata-Parvan starts with the discussion of the 13th year of exile which the
Pandavas must spend incognito to avoid another 12 years of exile in the
forest and includes episodes like entry of Pandavas in disguise at the court of
King Virata, killing of Keechaka by Bheema, seizure of the wealth in kine
(cows) by Susharma, the King of Trigarta etc. The Parvan ends with the
marriage of Uttara and Abhimanyu.
5. Udyoga-Parvan
Udyoga-Parvan describes the period immediately after the end of exile of

Pandavas and includes episodes like the refusal of Kauravas to give back half
of the kingdom to Pandavas , failure of efforts for peace and efforts to prepare
for the great Kurukshetra war.
6. Bheeshma-Parvan
Bheeshma-Parvan describes the first 10 days of the Kurukshetra war and its
consequences as well as recites the story of Bheeshma- the commander-in-
chief of the Kaurava armies, who was fatally injured and could no longer lead
as the commander. The Parvan also incorporates the Bhagavad-Geeta.
7. Drona-Parvan
Drona-Parvan describes the appointment of Drona as commander-in-chief of

the Kaurava alliance on the 11th day of the Kurukshetra war, the next four
days of the battle with increasing brutality, ignorance towards the rules of a
just war and the death of Abhimanyu, Jayadratha, Ghatotkaca and that of
Drona on the 15th day of the war.
8. Karna-Parvan
Karna-Parvan describes the appointment of Karna as the third commander-in-

chief of the Kaurava alliance, as well as recites how war begins to tire and
frustrate everyone, triggers angry shouting matches between Yudhishthira
and Arjuna who otherwise love each other, how brutal war leads to horrifying
behavior over the 16th and 17th day of Kurukshetra war, how Karna was killed
in the fierce battle with Arjuna.
9. Shalya-Parvan
Shalya-Parvan describes the appointment of Shalya as the fourth commander-

in-chief of the Kaurava alliance on the 18th day of the Kurukshetra war. It also
recites Shalya’s death, how Duryodhana becomes mortally wounded, how only
3 of the entire Kaurava army survive, how Pandavaswith Krishna are
victorious in the war, but lament the enormous toll of the 18 th day war on
human lives on both sides.
10. Sauptika-Parvan
Sauptika-Parvan refers to incidents which take place during the last night of
the war. This Parvan describes the nightly attack on Pandava camp by
Ashvatthaman, employment of missile called Brahmashiras, acquisition of the
wonderful gem in the crown of Ashvatthaman and the greatness of Rudra-
Mahadeva.
11. Stree-Parvan
Stree-Parvan describes the grief of women and men like Dhritarashtra and
Pandavas because of the war. The Parvan also includes a treatise by Vidura
and Vyasa on passage rites with words of comfort for those who have lost
loved ones.
12. Shanti-Parvan
Shanti-Parvan is set after the end of war, acceptance of peace and rule of
Yudhishthira by both sides of armies. The Parvan recites the duties of the
ruler, Dharma and good governance as counseled by Bheeshma who is on the
verge of death and various other Rishis.
13. Anushasana-Parvan
Anushasana-Parvan discusses the duties of a ruler, the rule of law,

instructions on dharma for those close to the leader and debates upon the
duties, behavior and habits of individuals with chapters dedicated to men and
women. The Parvan includes Vishnu-Sahasranama – 1000 names of Lord
Vishnu as the 149thadhyaya of the Parvan.
14. Ashvamedhika-Parvan
Ashvamedhika-Parvan narrates the royal ceremony of the Ashvamedha

initiated by Yudhishthira, over the recommendations of Krishna and Vyasa. It
also recites a restatement of Bhagavad-Geeta teachings by Krishna to Arjuna,
popularly known as the Anu-Geeta.
15. Ashramavasika-Parvan
Ashramavasika-Parvan is meant to describe the fifteen years of Yudhishthira’s

regime, how the blind and old Dhritarashtra was treated by the Pandavas,
Dhritarashtra’s advice to Yudhishthira how to rule a kingdom and
Dhritarashtra’s departure to forest to lead forester’s life with Gandharee,
Kuntee, Vidura and Sanjaya.
16. Mausala-Parvan
Mausala-Parvan narrates the havoc caused amongst the entire Vrishni and
Bhoja clans as a result of the curse of sages, the destruction of the entire
Yadava clan, Arjuna’s arrival to City of Dvaraka, funeral rituals of Krishna,
Balarama and Vasudeva performed by Arjuna, Arjuna’s departure towards
Hastinapura with Vajra, the surviving grandson of Krishna and the helpless
woman and men of Yadavas and finally the attack on Arjuna by some bandits
and Arjuna’s helpless state as he loses the war against the bandits.
17. Mahaprasthanika-Parvan
Mahaprasthanika Parvan refers to the last pilgrimage of Pandavas along with

Draupadi. After the destruction in Dvaraka, Pandavas, along with Draupadee,
unanimously resolve to terminate their earthly career and to undertake the
circumambulation of the Earth before the final departure. Thereafter when
they proceed towards the mountain Meru, Draupadee, Sahadeva, Nakula,
Arjuna and Bhīma (sequentially) fell down one by one. Yudhishthira, being
firm on proceeding towards heaven with his dog, succeeded the three tests of
Indra.
18. Svargarohana-Parvan
Svargarohana Parvan decribes the ascent of Pandavas to heaven. When

Yudhishthira reaches heaven with his physical body, the assistants of Indra
shows him the hell where he beholds his brothers and wife in miserable state
and pain. Yudhishthira decides to reside there with his people and succeeded
his last test. All the Pandavas and Draupadee merge in their divine abodes.
We are adding study material to get more glimpse of 18 Parvans.
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Synopsis of All Parvanns of Mahabharata

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Synopsis of All Parvanns of Mahabharata

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Synopsis of All

Aranyaka-Parvan begins with the exile of Pandavas and develops

Udyoga-Parvan describes the period immediately after the end of exile of

Drona-Parvan describes the appointment of Drona as commander-in-chief of

Karna-Parvan describes the appointment of Karna as the third commander-in-

Shalya-Parvan describes the appointment of Shalya as the fourth commander-

Anushasana-Parvan discusses the duties of a ruler, the rule of law,

Ashvamedhika-Parvan narrates the royal ceremony of the Ashvamedha

Ashramavasika-Parvan is meant to describe the fifteen years of Yudhishthira’s

Mahaprasthanika Parvan refers to the last pilgrimage of Pandavas along with

Svargarohana Parvan decribes the ascent of Pandavas to heaven. When

We are adding study material to get more glimpse of 18 Parvans.

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