5. A brief introduction to each of the 18 parvas

The sage suta said – Let me begin with the story of Paulomana while narrating the Bharatakhyana in detail in this Shaunaka Satra. Praajna is of the opinion that this story, which is composed of strange words and covers many periods, is like a Vairagya for salvation. This history is considered to be the greatest of all the Agamas, as soul is among the knowable and life is among the beloved. In this great history there is a wonderful arrangement of vowel-consonants which the wise have accepted as the best, and which have been regarded as the language of the Vedas. Listen to this enlightening anthology of Indian history. Thus Mahatma Vyasa composed one hundred parvas in total. Later Lomaharsana said the same thing in 18 Parvas in Naimisaranya. The gist of the Parvas mentioned by him is as follows. In Astika there are stories of the birth of all Nagas and Garuda, the churning of the milky ocean, the birth of Uchchaishrava, and the Sarpasatra performed by King Parikshit. The events of Mahatma Bharata, various kings, Rishi Dwaipayana and other vipraras are told in Sambhavaparva. Samudbhava of Deva, Daitya, Danava, Yaksha, Mahaujasa Naga, Serpent, Gandharva, Bird and various other Bhutas are described in Ansavatarana.

Rebirth of the Vasus in Mahatma Bhagirathi and Shantanu, their return to the Devaloka, birth of the brilliant hero Bhishma, his leaving the kingdom and adopting a life of celibacy, keeping the vow, protecting Chitrangada, dedicating the protection of the kingdom to his Vichitravirya after Chitrangada's death, The birth of Dharma as a man by the curse of Animandavya, the birth of Dhritarashtra and Pandu by the boon of Krishnadvaipayana, the birth of the Pandavas, the Varanavata Yatra, the trickery of Duryodhana, the removal of the tunnel as said by Vidura, the vision of Hidimbi to the Pandavas in the Ghora forest and the birth of Ghatotkachan are all described in the Adiparva.

The disguise of Pandavas as Brahmins, the death of Baka and the astonishment of the citizens, Arjuna's defeat of Angaraparna on the banks of the Ganges, and his arrival at Panchala with all his brothers, the great story of Tapati, Vasishtha and Aurva and the anecdotes of the five Indras are told in it. It contains a review of Drupada about having only one wife for five, Draupadi's marriage, Vidura's arrival, Kesava's vision, rule of half the kingdom living in Khandavaprastha, Samayakriya with Draupadi as ordered by Narada, and the anecdote of Sundopa-Sunda.

Partha's exile, his encounter with Ulupi on the way, the birth of Babhrivahana on a pilgrimage, the lust-stricken Tikriti taking Kamini Subhadra from Dwaraka with Vasudeva's permission, Devakinanda Krishna taking his dowry, The burning of Khandava and the acquisition of chakra bows, the birth of Uttamtejasa Abhimanyu in Subhadre, the salvation of Maya and the serpents from fire, the birth of a son named Shangra to Maharishi Mandapala, all these are elaborately composed by Param Rishi Uttamtejasa Vyasa in the first Adiparva in 218 chapters. The total number of verses in this parva is 7940.

Many stories are told in the second sabhaparva. Sabhakriya, description of Pandavas Kinkaras, Lokpalaka's speech during Narada's devadarshan, Rajasuya's preparation and killing of Jarasandha, Krishna's release of captive kings in Girivraja, killing of Shishupala in Rajasuya's dispute over Arghya, Duryodhana's grief and envy at seeing the glorious sacrifice, He was ridiculed by Bhima in Sabathala, the defeat of Dharmasuta by the hypocrite Shakuni, the rescue of Draupadi who was drowned in the ocean of sorrows, and King Duryondhana inviting the Pandavas back to play dice game after learning that the Pandavas were freed from the consequences of the defeat, all these are told by the Mahatma in the 78 chapters of Sabhaparva. is Those in the know say that there are a total of 2511 verses in this parva.

Know that the next third Parva is the largest Aranyaka Parva. Dhimanta Dharmaputra is followed by the villagers, the arrival of Vrishni and the Panchalas there, the stories of Saubhavadha and the slaying of Kirmir, the departure of Amita Tejasa Partha for weapons, the battle with Mahadeva in the form of Kirata, the vision of the guardian of the world and the ascension, Yudhishthira seeing the spiritual sage Brihadashva in him.

Addiction Pariveda, a narrative telling the story of Damayanti's Karunodaya situation when she lost her beloved Nala, an account of Arjuna's life in heaven , pandavas who were exiled from Lomash, the pilgrimage of the Mahatma Pandavas, the slaying of Jatasura, Bhimasena, sent by Draupadi as Mandarapuspartha on Mount Gandhamadana, his fierce battle with Manimata, the chief hero of demons and yakshas, the eating of Vatapi, the consorts of Putartha Rishi and Lopamudra. The story of the beleaguered Agastya, the hawk and The story of the pigeons, Indra, Agni and Dharma inspecting Nrupa Shibi, Story of Kaumara Brahmachari Rishyasringa, story of Bhuritejasa Jamadagni Rama, slaying of Haihaya Kartivirya, story of Bhargava Chyavan making all Nasatyarirs drink soma in Sharyati Yajna and asserting youth to all of them, story of King Somaka Jantu who sacrificed one son and got a hundred sons, the story of sage Ashtavakra who defeats Bandi and gets his father drowned in the ocean , Savyasachi, who obtained the divine weapons for his elder, fought with the Nivatakavas of Hiranyapur, Partha's meeting with the brothers at Gandhamadana, Ghoshayatra and Kiriti's battle with the Gandharvas, their return to Dvaitavana, where Jayadratha's abduction of Draupadi from the hermitage and Bhima's pursuit of him at air speed, the Upakhyanas described by Markandeya, the interview of Krishna And conversation with Satyabhame, The stories of Vrihidrauni and Indradyumna, Savitri, Uddalaka and other anecdotes, the extensive Ramayanopakhyana, Purandara's gift of Karna's kundalas, Dharma's offering of a boon to his son Aryanopakhyana, and the departure of the Pandavas in the western direction, are all narrated in the third Aranyaka Parva. Those in the know say that it has a total of 269 chapters and 11,664 verses.

Next is Virata Parva. Pandavas go to Viratanagara and see a thick shami tree in the crematorium where the Pandavas hide their weapons, enter the city incognito, kill Duratma Keechaka by Vrikodara, Pandava Partha defeats the Kauravas who were carrying cows in a battle and saves Virata's Godhana, The daughter Uttara was given to the kireeti by Virata and he accepted her to Arighati, Saubhadri Abhimanyu, all of which are detailed in the fourth Virata Parva. The Mahatma composed 2,050 verses of it in a total of 67 chapters.

Now know about the great fifth parva. Duryodhana and Arjuna both went to Vasudeva and asked Mahamati Krishna to help in the war! When Mandatma Durmati Duryodhana chose Krishna’s army and Dhananjaya chose Krishna Pratapi Maharaja Dhritarashtra sent Sanjaya as an emissary to the Pandavas, Dhritarashtra was sleepless with worry after hearing about the Pandavas, Vasudeva and their supporters, Vidura comforted Dhritarashtra, the king of men, with strange words, the sad and resentful king was told good spiritual things through the story of Sanatsujata, Prabhata. Mahayasha Dayapanna Krishna came to Nagasahvaya city by himself to bring peace, King Duryodhana rejected the benevolent peace of both parties that Krishna pleaded, Krishna, knowing the evil plan of Karna-Duryodhana, demonstrated his yoga power in the presence of the kings, Krishna seated Karna on the chariot and Krishna gave advice, which Karna rejected softly, A multitude of chariots, horses, warriors and elephants set out from the city of Hastinapura, the cruel king sending Uluka as an emissary to the Pandavas a day before the great war, the enumeration of chariots and Atirathas, and the Ambopakhyana, all these and many other stories are described in the fifth Parva Udyogaparva of India. It has 168 chapters and 6698 verses.

Next is Bhishma Parva, which has strange meanings. The construction of Jambukhand described by Sanjaya, Yudhishthira's army in ten days of fierce battle, great regret, Mahamati Vasudeva destroying Partha's Kashmala born of love with salvation visions, Mahadhan Partha standing in front of Shikhandi, striking him with sharp arrows and knocking Bhishma from his chariot, all this in this sixth Mahaparva of mahabharata composed by Vedavidusha Vyasa. A total of 5884 verses.

Then there is Dronaparva who tells many strange stories. In this, the conspirators took Partha from the battlefield, the crown killed Shakrasama Maharaja Bhagadatta along with his elephant Supratika in the battle, Jayadratha killed the brave boy Abhimanyu, and Partha, who became deaf due to Abhimanyu's death, killed a total of seven Akshauhini armies, the hero Alambusa, The deaths of Srutayu, Jalasangha, Somadatta, Virata, Maharathi Drupada, Ghatotkacha, Drona, etc., and the exercise of the fierce Narayanastra by Ashwatthama after Drona's death in battle are all described.

Drona Parva, the seventh Parva of mahabharata, describes the death of Shura Purusharshabha Maha Mahipala. This Dronaparva is composed by Muni Parashari in 170 chapters containing a total of 8,900 verses.

This is followed by Paramadbhuta Karnaparva. It contains the description of Dimata assigning Madraraja as a charioteer, the legendary story of the downfall of Tripura, the dialogue between the knight Karna and Shalya on the way, the story of the swans and crows humiliating Karna, the anger between Yudhishthira and the Kiratis and the death of Maharathi Karna by Partha in a duel. Karna Parva, the eighth Parva of mahabharata, has a total of 4,964 verses and 69 chapters.

This is followed by Shalya Parva which has strange meanings. It describes Madresvara as the leader of the army after the death of many adepts, the accounts of chariot wars, the destruction of the Kurumukhyas, the slaying of Shalya by the Maharathi Dharmaraja, the tumula of Gadayuddha, and the merits of Saraswati Tirtha. Proclaiming the success of the Kauravas, the sage composed this ninth parva of 3,220 verses in 59 chapters.

Then I will tell you about Daruna Souptika Parva. Kritavarma, Kripa and Drauni, who were coming after the departure of the Parthas, saw King Duryodhana lying in a pool of blood with a broken thigh. Maharathi Drauni joined Dhrishtadyumna in anger made a firm pledge that they would not remove their shield till they kill all the Panchalas and the Pandavas along with the Amatyas.,

Drauni killed all the Panchalas who were sleeping as companions in the night, except the Pancha Parthas and Satyaki who survived under the shelter of Maheshvasa Krishna, Draupadi, who was saddened by the slaughter, sat in despair in front of her husbands. Prithea narrated the mysterious story of Karna's birth from her and that he too was her son, all of which are narrated in this tenth Souptika Parva. It has eighteen chapters and 870 verses.

Next is Karunodaya Striparva. In this, there is a description of the lamentation of Veerapatnis, the rage of Gandhari-Dhritarashtra, seeing the sons and fathers of brave Kshatriyas who were all killed in the battle, and the ritual burning of the bodies of the kings by Mahaprajna, the greatest of all religious devotees. This parva of the eleventh is considered the most pitiable. It is said to have 17 chapters with a total of 775 verses.

Then Buddhivardaka Shrestha is the twelfth Shantiparva. It contains the story of Dharmaraja Yudhishthira repenting for killing his father, brother, son and relatives. Bhishma, who was lying on Saratalpa, said, as kings should hear and know, Includes religious topics. Apaddharma, which directs to conduct appropriate work at appropriate time period, and Mokshadharma, are told in great detail through strange stories. This twelfth parva, beloved of sages, has 14,732 verses and 339 chapters.

Next is the Great Anushana Parva. In it Bhagirathi's son Bhishma comforts Kururaja Yudhishthira, an illustration of the business and conduct of charitable giving, and various charitable phala-yogas are described. The special character of charity, the importance of rites, and the culmination of truth, all these stories and Bhishma's ascension to heaven are described in this great precept. This thirteenth parva is Dharmanishchaya-karaka and has 8000 verses and 146 chapters.

The fourteenth Parva is called Ashwamedhika Parva. In which the unparalleled story of Samvarta-Maruttara is told. Suvarnakosa Samprapti, the birth of Parikshitha who was burnt by Astragni in the east and revived by Krishna, the Pandava's pursuit of the abandoned Haya and the war with angry princes here and there; Dhananjaya in the battle with Chitrangade's son Babhruvaha with doubt, Nakulakhyana in Ashwamedha Mahayagna, all these Mahadbhutas are told in this Aswamedhika Parva. It has 103 chapters and 3320 verses.

Fifteenth parva is Ashramavasika parva. In this, Nripa Dhritarashtra abandoned the kingdom and went to the ashram along with Gandhari and Vidura. Seeing this, , the son of Guru Sushrushana, abandoned the kingdom and followed him. The king, who saw the amazing scene of his brave sons going to the other world, by the blessings of Krishna, gave up mourning and became great having siddhi, Dharmasamashrita Vidura and Mahamatra Vidwan Gavalgani Sanjaya meet with good, Narada was seen by Dharma King Yudhishthira and Narada told about the great battle of Vrishni, all of which are mentioned in Sumahadbhuta Ashramavasakhya. It consists of 1,506 verses in 42 chapters.

Next is Daruna Mausala Parva. In this, the Purushavaghras, who were punished by the God-inspired Brahmins, got drunk on the beach and killed each other with a cast of diamond-shaped grass, even though everything was destroyed, Rama Kesava did not protest, at the same time Sarvahar Kaal came, Arjuna, who came to Dvaravati and saw the destruction of Vrishni, was very sorry.

He entertained his brother-in-law Yadushreshta Shouri, saw the Yaduviras falling dead, saw the bodies of Mahatmas Vasudeva and Rama, the bodies of all the Vrishni Pradhans who had performed the rites, the defeat of Gandiva when the women were taking the old men and boys from Dvaravati, the displeasure of all the gods, He experienced a lot of hardships like the inability to protect the chastity of the Vrishnistris, and after seeing all this, he went to Dharmaraja and accepted sanyasa according to Vyasa. All these are described in this sixteenth Mausala parva. It has 8 chapters and 320 verses.

The seventeenth Parva is known as Mahaprastanika Parva. It describes how Purusharshabha Pandava left the kingdom and went to attain higher siddhi with Draupadi. According to the philosophers it has three chapters and 320 verses.

Then the Divine Amanush Swargaparva; The 209 verses are organized into five chapters.

These are total eighteen Parvas. Harivamsa is considered as appendages of these. All these are mentioned in Parvasamgraha of mahabharata. In this way, eighteen Akshauhini armies participated in the fierce battle that lasted for eighteen days.Just as those who hear the cry of a cuckoo do not want to hear the cry of a crow, those who hear this anecdote have no interest in hearing anything else. All the poets' intellects have been stimulated by this great history. How the universe contains four types of beings. The images of all the senses can be known through the action of the mind similarly all the actions can be understood with the help of this narrative. All the stories on earth depend on this story just as the body depends on food for sustenance. All great poets depend on this anecdote as how all servants depend on their master. This mahabharata which came from the lips of Dwaipayana is pure, virtuous, holy and auspicious. What is the need for a person who reads this to bathe in Pushkar Tirtha? Anuttama with maharthas can know this story with the help of Parvasamgraha, just as how one can know the vastness of an ocean from a ship.”