The Mahabharata: Volume 4

Mahabharata #4

by Bibek Debroy

The Greatest Story Ever Told
Dispute over land and kingdom may lie at the heart of this story of war between cousins—the Pandavas and the Kouravas—but the Mahabharata is about conflicts of dharma. These conflicts are immense and various, singular and commonplace. Throughout the epic, characters face them with no clear indications of what is right and what is wrong; there are no absolute answers. Thus every possible human emotion features in the Mahabharata, the reason the epic continues to hold sway over our imagination.
In this superb and widely acclaimed translation of the complete Mahabharata, Bibek Debroy takes us on a great journey with incredible ease.

Genres: Mythology, Classics, Philosophy, Religion, Hinduism, Spirituality, Fiction

624 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 401

About the author

Bibek Debroy was an Indian economist, who served as the chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India. He was also the Chairman of the Finance Ministry's 'Expert Committee for Infrastructure Classification and Financing Framework for Amrit Kaal'. Debroy has made significant contributions to game theory, economic theory, income and social inequalities, poverty, law reforms, railway reforms and Indology among others. From its inception in January 2015 until June 2019, Mr. Debroy was a member of the NITI Aayog, the think tank of the Indian Government. He was awarded the Padma Shri (the fourth-highest civilian honour in India) in 2015.
Bibek Debroy's recent co-authored magnum opus, Inked in India, stands distinguished as the premier comprehensive documentation, capturing the entirety of recognized fountain pen, nib, and ink manufacturers in India.
In 2016, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the US-India Business Summit. In 2022, he was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award by The Australia India Chamber of Commerce (AICC). In February 2024, Debroy was conferred Insolvency Law Academy Emeritus Fellowship, in recognition of his distinguished leadership, public service, work and contributions in the field of insolvency.
Bibek Debroy died on 1 November 2024, at the age of 69. He had been admitted to All India Institutes of Medical Sciences in New Delhi one month prior.

Reviews

[Garima · Rating 5 out of 5]

One question which always baffles me, if Arjun defeated everyone during the Virat Yudh, what was the need of the battle, he could have single-handedly defeated all of them again. I've read few analysis and always debated it amongst my family and friends, but still the heroic endeavours shown during that war during their exile seems too heroic and baffling.

Karna obviously comes out as the most intriguing character, there are parts wherein he's portrayed as wicked and evil while other parts wherein he's this noble and honourable warrior who definitely shines out. Also, he was the true heir which is always debatable yet factually justified.
The war could have been avoided but then again the absurdity of the text is what makes it so relevant and perfect.

[Bhakta Kishor]

There is a major mistranslation I want to notify readers in the book.

The five Pandavas will grasp your feet as brothers, together with the five sons of Droupadi and Subhadra’s unvanquished son. The kings and princes who have gathered together in the cause of the Pandavas and all the Andhakas and Vrishnis will grasp your feet. The kings, the wives of kings and the daughters of kings will bring gold, silver and earthen vessels, herbs, all kinds of seeds, all kinds of gems and creepers for your anointment. At the sixth point in time, Draupadi will have intercourse with you.

Ref: Karna-Upanivada Parva ▶ Chapter 801(138)
The Mahabharata [Translated by Bibek Debroy]

The bold italic one is severely mistranslated. Let's analyze what's wrong here. Sixth period means sixth part of the day, dusk (1.dawn, 2.morning, 3.noon, 4.afternoon, 5.evening, 6.dusk, 7.night). And, dusk is considered the most auspicious time for activities like coronation. So, Krishna was merely mentioning that Draupadi along with other queens and princesses would come to Karna's coronation, if he chooses to side with Pandavas and war can be avoided.

KMG Mahabharata also did the same mistake.

The brothers, the five Pandavas, the son of Draupadi, and the invincible son of Subhadra, will all embrace thy feet. All the kings and princes, again, that have been assembled for the Pandava-cause, and all the Andhakas and Vrishnis, will also embrace thy feet. Let queens and princesses bring golden and silver and earthen jars (full of water) and delicious herbs and all kinds of seeds and gems, and creepers, for thy installation. During the sixth period, Draupadi also will come to thee (as a wife).

Here also everything is correct except the things mentioned in brackets. Sanskrit verses does not have Krishna offering Draupadi to Karna as a wife. Gita Press Mahabharata translated from Sanskrit to Hindi also does not have such thing.

Let us see what the Sanskrit verses say about this.

राजानॊ राजपुत्राश्च पाण्डवार्थे समागताः ।
पादौ तव गरहीष्यन्ति सर्वे चान्धकवृष्णयः ॥ ०१३ ॥
हिरण्मयांश च ते कुम्भान्राजतान्पार्थिवांस्तथा ।
ओषध्यः सर्वबीजानि सर्वरत्नानि वीरुधः ॥ ०१४ ॥
राजन्या राजकन्याश्चाप्यानयन्त्वभिषेचनम् ।
षष्ठे च तवां तथा काले द्रौपद्युपगमिष्यति ॥ ०१५ ॥
अद्य त्वामभिषिञ्चन्तु चातुर्वैद्या द्विजातयः ।
पुरॊहितः पाण्डवानां वयाघ्रचर्मण्यवस्थितम् ॥ ०१६ ॥

Ref: Karna-Upanivada Parva ▶ Chapter 138
Critical Edition of Sanskrit Mahabharata by BORI

[Abhinav Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Negotiating and Preparing - The Inexorable March to Destruction"

With the twelfth year of exile coming to a close, the Pandavas need to - "... spend the thirteenth year in disguise, but in inhabited places", as per the conditions of the bet (Ch 292, Anudyuta Parva). They settle upon the Matsya kingdom, and decide how each of the six is going to disguise themselves and enter the kingdom. The thirteenth year safely negotiated, but not without Bheema almost giving the game away, twice, and a concerted effort by Duryodhana to force the Pandavas to come out of hiding, the negotiations begin. The Pandavas ask for their kingdom, and the Kauravas refuse. After several rounds of discussions, war is inevitable. The preparations for the war begin, and the last sub-Parva in this volume ends with Bhishma, the commander of the Kuru army, enumerating the warriors on both sides - Ratha-Atiratha Samkhya.

This fourth volume contains the entire Virata Parva, the fourth parva (as per the 18-parva classification), and most of the fifth parva, Udyoga Parva. Going by the 100-sub-Parva classification it contains Sub-Parvas 45 through 59, the 45th Sub-Parva being Vairata Parva, while the 59th Sub-Parvas is Ratha-Atiratha Samkhya. Vol. 4 contains all the sections (adhyayas) of the Udyoga Parva, with the exception of the last adhyayay, Ambopakyana Parva, which I guess recalls the tale of Amba after she left the Kuru assembly, seething with rage and looking for revenge against Bhishma. The longest parva in this volume is Bhagavat-Yana Parva, clocking in at 2055 shlokas, which, as the name suggests, covers Lord Krishna's travel to Hastinapur to plead for peace one last time.

My complete review at http://blog.abhinavagarwal.net/2012/0...

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This contains the last bit of the exile in the forest, in which the Pandavas are in hiding. A war breaks out and Arjuna beats everyone up (amusingly, in the guise of a eunuch). And then there's a long series of negotiations, which eventually and obviously fail, and the armies march to battle.

[Aravind Balaji · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it ❤

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff. Lots of trash talking and posturing. Men really will do anything -- including bringing 4 million men to a field to die -- instead of going to therapy

[Anuraag Godavari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few weeks ago, when I was about halfway through this volume, I was feeling sad for unrelated reasons to the point that I worked myself up and couldn't sleep. When I realized I wasn't going to fall asleep anytime soon, I picked up the book and began where I left off, beginning a new chapter where an old king, burdened by his choice to enable his evil son's crimes, cannot sleep at night, knowing this will soon result in war.

"O Vidura! Sanjaya has returned. He has left after berating me. He will recount Ajatashatru's words in the midst of the assembly hall. I do not yet know the words that brave one among the Kurus has addressed towards me. Therefore, my body is burning and I am suffering from sleeplessness. What do you think should be heard by someone who is awake and whose mind is burning?"

Absolute cinema.

There really is, as an old saying goes, nothing that can't be found in this story, even if that's partially because of the length. I've felt every emotion reading it and I'm not even halfway through, but even then the best parts are characters grappling with the weight of their decisions and realizing that they just need to move forward, even if some of them don't. This book encompasses the entire spectrum of humanity.

Also sometimes they mention poo poo and pee pee, and if that doesn't reinforce my point, I don't know what will.

[Rohan Rajesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite volume so far - this part of the epic features the year of anonymity (including the first battle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas) and the diplomatic catastrophe that sets the stage for war.

The characterization is brilliant and makes the impending war all the more tragic—everyone is against this war except the characters driven by grievances who are then enabled by the weak-willed and the over-loyal. In particular, we see the complexity of Karna's character shine through in this volume.

[Anjana Prabhu-Paseband · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confusions, what's right and wrong, ego, misunderstanding and other human conflicts before a physical war unfolds. Messengers from Kauravas and Pandavas try to estimate the reality and consequences. Despise Krishna's best attempt, a war is inevitable. Karna is told his story but he stays unwavered despite knowing that he could be famous and rich if he changes his side. Just the beginning of the war at Kurukshetra, each army is sizing up their own and their enemies arsenal.

[Nishant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This part of Mahabharat contains the part where Shree Krishna shows his whole swaroop for the first time in the Rajya sabha.. It made me have goosebumps.. I also made me want to watch BR Chopra's Mahabharat.. The scene in there is so understated.. I am loving this experience.. I will be reading Ami Ganatra's Mahabharat Unravelled..
Looking forward to finish this..

Book #9 series Indic books

[Tanuj Solanki · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third star only because of the dramatic upheavals of Pandavas' thirteenth year in exile.

[Mayank Bawari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year in exile - disguises - epic battle for cattle - final warning - prepare for War

[Ravi Kumar Dandapani]

nice

[Samyuktha Ell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The language is simple and straightforward - no fancy, flowery stuff. According to the the 100-parva classification, this volume comprises sections 45 through 59.

[Sakthieesvar Meenakshi Sundaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely goosebumps reading about the preparation for the war

[Tomasz Stachowiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

... open war is now imminent. The suspense is killing me! 5/5
Base review here.

[Kavya · Rating 5 out of 5]

honestly fascinating

[Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 4 covers the Pandavas’ last year in fulfilling the terms of Yudhishthira’s lost gambling match. The family must come out from living in the forest and now live in civilization incognito. Arjuna comes out of hiding to defeat a Kuru cattle raiding party attack the kingdom they are residing now. Upon completion of their exile, the Pandavas begin negotiations with the Kurus for part of the Kingdom, which are denied. Preparations for war begin.

[Abhishek Shrivastava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really inspiring conversations around the start of the " WAR". The discussion around Dharma - between #
Yudhishthir and Sanjaya
Vidura and Dhritrashtra
Shri Krishna and Kunti

are simply " meaningful"