The Essential Mahabharata is an abridged rendering of Maharshi Veda-Vyasa’s original Mahabharata. It is an English adaptation of Prof. A.R. Krishnasastri’s Kannada classic Vachana Bharata. The book here is a faithful modern translation of the Kannada original. Those who read this book will understand the essence of the Mahabharata. The very intention of writing Vachana Bharata was that the common should also easily understand and appreciate Mahabharata. Probably one of the best Mahabharata i have read.
The books come with a lot of philosophical discourse about aspects of Dharma. It was a riveting account of the most prestigious war in the Indic civilizational history that bore testimony to many a principle of Dharma and Divine. Krishnasastri takes us through the part of the War that became Adharmic and drifted into an absolute horror. All rules of the game change and it tell us why Dharma is supreme. It provides a new and profound vision for those wanting to understand the epic war that has no end and will go on between the good and the evil until the human race exists.
I also appreciate the fact that this book provided map of Bharata, glossary and extensive footnotes which was quite helpful. Introduction itself was around 100 pages explaining us the nuance of backstories and various writings. The cover of this book is so aesthetic. If you can read Kannada, do read ವಚನ ಭಾರತ or this English one is too good.
This is the perfect book to introduce someone to Mahabharata. The language is simple and the translator does not confuse us with lengthy explanations. This is one is as close to the original Sanskrit as you can get and is very readable but remember its an abridged version but it covers every aspect of Mahabharata.
ನಮ್ಮ ಜನರಿಗೆ ಮೂಲ ವ್ಯಾಸಭಾರತವನ್ನು ಓದುವಷ್ಟು ತಾಳ್ಮೆ ಇರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ನಾವು ಓದಿದವರಿಗೆ ಅದನ್ನು ಅವರಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸುವುದು ಹೇಗೆಂಬ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ. ಆದರೆ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಮೂಲ ವ್ಯಾಸಭಾರತದ ಕಥೆಗಳನ್ನು ಯಥಾವತ್ತಾಗಿ ಸಂಕ್ಷಿಪ್ತವಾಗಿ ಕಟ್ಟಿಕೊಡುತ್ತದೆ. ಆಬಾಲವೃದ್ಧರಾದಿಯಾಗಿ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬರೂ ಓದಲೇಬೇಕಾದ ಪುಸ್ತಕ....
Mahabharata for me is always an interesting read because each of its version presents a different viewpoint as propounded by its author. Each time I read it, I seem to get an entirely new perspective. I guess, this is the beauty of this magnum opus. Vachana Bharata is definitely a compelling read and the book is simply un-putdownable. The introduction of the characters and the exchange of dialogues between them during tense moments of the story are quite intense. This book truly does justice to the epic of all times.