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Messages from Mahabharat

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This book, Messages from Mahabharat, presents the epic story of Mahabharat in simple English. After editing the Scriptures, the great sage created this wonderful epic to convey the underlying essence of Vedas using the story medium. Mahabharat is thus known as the ‘Panchama Vedam’, the fifth Veda. Addressing a group of scholar sages led by Kulapati Shounaka Maharshi, Ugrasravas, a talented storyteller, narrates the story of Mahabharat in the setting of a forest known as Naimisharanyam. The sages were conducting a long Yagnam. During one of the breaks of this Yagnam, they wanted to hear a new, unheard, enlightening and entertaining story. The epic unfolds a series of legendary events, culminating in the famed Kurukshetra War, and beyond. Running close to Vyasa’s original story, the book presents the entire epic story with all relevant features including many sub-stories and details of the eighteen-day war. Starting from the early origins of the Chandra Dynasty, the story revolves around the lives of the children of Kings Dhritarastra and Pandu. The detailed conduct of these main players and others portrays a wide spectrum of human behavioral traits.

683 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2022

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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
11 reviews
July 16, 2022
Murti Yerrapragada's "Messages from Mahabharat" is a collection of Mahabharat stories. At IIT Chennai, Dr. Murti Yerraparagada taught physics. He is now retired. The book includes tales that are referenced in the Telugu Mahabharata, which was composed in the 13th century by Kavithrayam (three poets), Nanaya Bhattu, Tikkana Somayaji, and Yerrapragada. This Mahabharat tale is told to the sages in the Naimisharanya forest by the famous storyteller of the day, Ugrasravas.

The book's 625+ pages are divided into 86 chapters. The Mahabharata, according to Yerrapragada ji, is an intricate labyrinth of tales. Stories within stories exist. In fact, the book is written in a narrative style. The epic's principal characters, as well as a few lesser-known ones, are the subjects of the stories. Each narrative is 3 to 5 pages long and is succinct and to the point. Any story in the book can be opened at random and read. Both the separate and related stories are told. Every one of the stories is written with a message—the Mahabharata's message, which is Dharma—in mind. In this book, the stories can be read aloud to kids, who can then be asked questions or given time to reflect.

Yerrapragada ji, a skilled physics instructor, skillfully dissected the Mahabharata, an old sacred epic, and distilled its lessons. A few incidents happened before and after the great war, despite the fact that many of the stories are well known. The reader will thus have the opportunity to examine both the war's causes and its effects. For instance, we are familiar with the legend of King Prashikshit, who, by placing a dead snake around the sage's neck, cursed that he would perish at the hands of a snake. But another tale that comes before this one explains what drove him to carry out such a filthy deed. There are more tales, too, in a similar vein.

The book also makes an attempt to shed light on life lessons like Karma, Faith, Duties, Dharma, Righteousness, etc. The scriptures, such as the Mahabharata, provide a wealth of management principles that one can apply both in daily life and daily work. Arjuna questions Vyasa in the epilogue as to why his shastra failed in Dwarka. In response, Vyasa says that is all a result of the times. Things succeed when the timing is appropriate, but they fail when it is not.

After a long search, I've found a truly outstanding book about Indian mythology. Given that the information is difficult to get elsewhere and that many of the stories required a lot of work to assemble, I suggest "Messages from Mahabharat."
Profile Image for Guruprasad.
119 reviews13 followers
March 16, 2023
Thanks to Indica Book Club for sending copy of this book as part for the 1000 Reviewers Club 2022.
As the titles suggest author has compiled the entire story of Mahabharat in the chapters of the books in simple English. book starts with the earlier events of the Mahabharat in an elaborate way to make us understand the story . each chapter is some what different and acts as a separate story itself , except the chapters on the last 18 days of Kurukshetra which needs continuation of the chapters to finish .
I got to know many things about many of the characters in the book which I was not aware earlier like Drona was amsha of brihaspathi, post Kurukshetra war events till the death of all the Pandavas . boons gained by so many warriors in Mahabharat .
Author has tried to made justice in bring the entire essence of Mahabharat and also its associated stories in a well-articulated manner in the book to capture the reader’s attention due to which book has become a page turner for me . this book is ideal for young adults whom we need to engage in dharmic ways on a daily basis.
The only drawback I found in the book was lots of spelling mistakes , need better proof reading.
3 reviews
June 27, 2022
This book presents the story of the epic Mahabharata in a simple language. It has 86 chapters depicting different events mentioned in the Mahabharata. The author mentions that he has taken the Telugu Mahabharata, written by Kavithrayam -- Nannaya Bhattu, Tikkana Somayaji and Yerrapragada -- as the basis while writing this book. The book has been very nicely produced. For those interested in reading the Mahabharata, this book is a must read.
Profile Image for Hitangi.
11 reviews2 followers
September 22, 2022
If you have been an Indian born before or during the 1900s, you would've certainly grown up watching the popular B.R. Chopra's Mahabharata on Indian television, which was recently telecasted on DD National during the lockdown period of the pandemic. Although I have later come across various sources of the Mahabharata - visual and textual, invariably every time, the visuals from the B.R. Chopra Mahabharata flash in my visual memory which is precisely what happened while I was reading this wonderfully well-compiled book.

Mahabharata is a vast compilation of several stories within stories, often interconnected and traversing across time, often confusing us as we try to remember the reason behind a contemporary event from a story that has unfolded in the past. The author has made attempts to make this traversing back and forth in time both interesting and meaningful for the readers. In spite of being aware of the general storyline of this great epic, there were several details that the author often quotes from the Dharmasastra, which I was unaware of. Not knowing Sanskrit and being at a disadvantage of being unable to read and decipher the primary sources, I have often been wary of secondary sources. However, I was intrigued by various instances where the author has enumerated points from the Dharmasastra such as the part when King Pandu illustrates the ways in which his wife, Kunti and he can have children which he quotes from his knowledge of the Dharmasastra.
There are of course many philosophical teachings, being imparted through Rishi, Maharshi or Shri Krishna which are of paramount importance and conveyed in a simple manner for the reader to comprehend, more importantly, there are always reasons given for most of the contemporary events, which sometimes might appear a little ridiculous to the modern mind and therefore incomprehensible too.
However, what I found most interesting in this book was the fact that the author made attempts to connect the Hindu rituals that we follow in India to relevant events from the past. For example, the Hindu calendar observes the full moon fortnight as Shuklapaksha and the new moon fortnight as Krishnapaksha and the reason behind it is the curse on the moon, Chandra by his father-in-law, Daksha, according to which, the moon would be afflicted with the disease of decay and therefore lead to the moon losing its glow day by day for a fortnight, and later would regain his glow for the next fortnight. In another instance, the author illustrates how the hill, Vindhya grows tall in pride and anger and only bows down to sage Agastya and then remains in that position which we witness in the present day. The episode that enumerates the descent of Ganga to its Earthly abode is again an interesting one. This book or the Mahabharata story is not just a story of the victory of dharma over adharma but in fact, is a reminder of how Hinduism is not just a religion, but a way of life which consists of rituals and practices that are deeply embedded within the confluence of the rich mythological and historical past of India. Alas, it is a work of paramount significance making us aware of our entire being and existence in this world, in this life and as the author quotes towards the end: "one finds all things of the world present in it and there is nothing that is not in this that is absent in the world." (p.624-25)

P.S: I wish the book would've undergone a better editorial process as it has too many printing errors. Besides that, the book is a wonderful read.
Profile Image for Vidhya Thakkar.
1,099 reviews139 followers
May 13, 2024

I love reading Mahabharat and knowing the incidents from various perspectives. Messages from Mahabharat unfold a series of legendary events, the Kurukshetra War and beyond. As the author says, Mahabharat has ethics; it has Magic; it has politics; it has logistics; it has science; mathematics, spiritual lessons and guiding norms at family and societal levels.

It's a well-detailed, insightful read with many unheard stories we are unaware of. We see accounts of various people in the form of small stories which are interesting to read. Murti’s writing style is simple and exciting making readers curious about the stories and their impact. I loved the way he added pictures and details of the Great War. Ienjoyed reading this part the most. While it shows the traits of human behaviour, we see the war from a different perspective which adds the element of curiosity in the minds of readers.

Another thing I loved about this book is his straightforward approach. He keeps it light, short and content making it easy for the readers to seize the account of events. It's a bit heavy read with too many things happening, but the way Murti explains makes it easy for the readers.

If you are someone who loves reading Indian Epics, this book is surely the one. It has a detailed account of the Great War with many enlightening sub-stories. Truly a book to have on your shelf. Read a few stories every day before bedtime and you will feel content.
Profile Image for Ujjwala Singhania.
221 reviews68 followers
September 7, 2022
Messages from Mahabharata by Murti Yerrapragada is my fourth book by Indic Org under their 1000 Reviewers Club 2022 edition.
The book is an abridged version of the great epic, The Mahabharata, primarily basing the story on the unabridged Telugu translation from 13th CE. And in 700 pages the author has condensed all the 18 Parvans of the epic.
The story is told in small, quick to read chapters. The book is written in simple English, using humor and sometime playful language to keep the readers engaged. And I think this is one of the strong points, as a 700 pages book oft get tedious after a point for many, but the way the stories are narrated it is hard to put away the book once you have picked it up.
Another key point about this book is its selection of stories from the epic which primarily aren't part of the central narration. From the start, the author has used important stories and did justice to the oft-ignored pieces like Pandavas' time during their Teerth-Yatra and the Shanti Parva.
Overall, this is a very good book for Young Adults and others who want to know the epic but do not want to pick up the unabridged works.
The one issue I have with this book is the typos. There are too many to ignore and I hope this get addressed in the next print.
May 10, 2024
When it comes to endorsing Dharma, which refers to moral and ethical duties, Mahabharata becomes a significant read to rely upon. There have been numerous translations & interpretations of Mahabharata done across the length and breadth of this country which bespoke it’s presence in Human consciousness and how people were keen to learn the scripture in their ideal mother tongue.

“Messages from Mahabharata” by Murti Yerrapragada brings you a sincere and genuine approach for the epic. This is the modern rendering based on “Telugu Mahabharatam” originally authored (translated from Samskrit) by the Kavitrayam (three poets)—Nannaya Bhattu, Tikkana Somyaji & Yerrapragada under the courtesy of Eastern Chalukya King Raja Raja Narendra in the span between 11th & 13th Century AD.

Spread out in 86 chapters, it initiates itself from the pre-Mahabharata stories to the post-Mahabharata stories referring to all the major events. Book slightly lean towards the specifics as well which adds spine to it. In initials pages, book specifies important dates associated with the Mahabharata and clarify correct year notations and some dimensional units as well.

This epic of the epics is one of the most vital components which adds weight to the Indic Culture and informs us about the periodic development of the nation and the religion as whole. Which is why I advocate to protect the sanctity of this scripture. Still in midst of all this, I have come across few modern adaptations which are totally devolved from the real story.

This is where this book comes in to solves the purpose. This book has been precisely produced with little to no distortions and sticks to authenticity. Major characters have been given out a fair share of proportions in the form of separate chapters. Since it is based on the adaptation of Telugu Mahabharatam, it reflects how consciously the translation was done centuries ago without compromising the narrative and the true core of the story.

Characters have been sincerely dealt and dialogues have been perfectly positioned giving a beautiful narration to the story. In my consciousness, it is among few concisely produced Mahabharata which encapsulates nearly every important happenings including those which are less prevalent or unknown to the masses.

At few instances, to sum up the numerical data, dedicated tables have been provided which genuinely helps, especially the first time readers, to memorise those statistics and allow them to quickly refer to at the time of need. This small yet big gesture seems missing in most of the modern adaptations and I am genuinely grateful to the author for this offering.

Having read the numerous versions of Mahabharata myself, I espouse this beautiful manifestation authored while taking the modern (youth’s) consciousness in mind and seeking to rely upon a very reader friendly language which can cater a vast audience. If you are looking to read Mahabharata, and those grandeur volumes demotivate you from this venture, I insist you to opt for this concise substitute. Read the book, deliver the teachings among your zone of influence and promote the word. I wish you a very happy reading!
Profile Image for Khushi Rungta.
231 reviews6 followers
May 5, 2024
Literatures that try to explain and convey the hidden messages and lessons that Mahabharata's each small incident carries with it, has always been something I look forward to. I also love to one day own a collection of different interpretations and translations of the great epic.

Messages from Mahabharata by Murti Yerrapragada was an addition to that collection. And trust me, it's a worthy addition. Why? Because there's a need for people to read a simplified version of the epic that teaches us about such diverse emotions and way of living. The main takeaway which is the power of Karma for me has always been based strongly on Mahabharata texts. Even in this book you'll find stories which show you how your karma will decide your future. Karma that didn't leave the Pandavas as well. The author has traced right from the start till the period after the war ended in Kurkshetra. Instead of the gory details in length you'll find the subtle in between the lines messages.

The language is very easy, making it a perfect book for young adults too. The chapters are short enough for one to not get overwhelmed. What I really liked in this book was some additional tales that I didn't know earlier. Being an enthusiast for these tales, it was a sweet surprise to unearth new unheard stories.

I further also liked the initial introduction by the author informing us the basis of the Tamil translation of the original Sanskrit version. Also the details of parvam and upaparvas. The last line if the chapter - "Vyasa chose the following publishers of the book of Mahabharata: Narada, Devala, Suka, Sumnath and Vyshampayan." It would always be a joy to have picked up this book.

And at last - the cover. It gives the proper feel of the intent behind writing the book. The color scheme and the beauty of the picture gives a soothing effect to me atleast.
Profile Image for Darshika Srivastava.
105 reviews
May 5, 2024
My mind immediately thinks up an image of a number of different adaption programs once I hear the name Mahabharat." Having the opportunity to read this book was like taking a trip down memory lane since I too recall listening to stories that my grandma used to tell me.

In addition to being written in a narrative style, this book contains 86 chapters and may be read on its own as an independent work. It was able to capture the essence of Mahabharata in its entirety. I was immediately captivated by the book in the very first chapter due to the fact that the narrative is well-known. While I started reading the book, I anticipated that it would be filled with philosophical teachings and preaching; however, the thing that first caught my attention was the humorous tone with which the author wrote the book. Reading it was a wonderful experience in every way. Characters have been given new depth, originality, and perspective as a result of his contributions. In addition, the book makes an effort to bring information on several life lessons, including karma, faith, responsibilities, dharma, righteousness, and so on. There are a multitude of leadership ideas that can be found in the classics, such as the Mahabharata, and these ideas may be utilized in both one's personal life and in the commercial world.

This is a fantastic book for young adults and other persons who are interested in learning about the epic but do not desire to acquire the whole work. In general, this book is an excellent choice for such people.
Profile Image for Atul Sharma.
269 reviews6 followers
May 8, 2024
𝙈𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙈𝙖𝙝𝙖𝙗𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙮 𝙈𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙞 𝙔𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙙𝙖

🏹 Did you know that Mahabharat is know as "Pancham Vedam", the fifth Veda.

🏹 Mahabharat is not a simple story. The book is a complex web of many stories. These stories don't stand apart from one another. Like pearls on a golden thread, these stories are all strung.

🏹 "Messages from Mahabharat" is a compilation of 86 chapters, totalling upto 600+ pages. These chapters aim on narrating the stories and sub stories from the epic battle of kurukshetra.

🏹 The portrayal of the characters and figures in the stories projects a detailed description about them and offers a variety of perspectives to explore on the subjects of human behaviour and society.

🏹 Not only that but it also contains a short introduction to the Vedas, and their significance which serves as a base for further understanding.

📌 "Messages from Mahabharat" is a smooth story like condensation of the Mahabharata, especially the later parts and war. It's a must read for children, youngsters and those who are interested in learning more about Hinduism but don't know where to start.

* Cover Picture: Ugrasravasa narrating the Mahabharata Story to a group of Maharshis headed by Kulapati Shounaka Maharshi. The place is called Naimisharanyam. *
Profile Image for bookswithkinkita.
437 reviews4 followers
April 15, 2024
Messages from Mahabharat by Murti Yerrapragada is an engaging and informative retelling of the ancient Indian epic, The Mahabharat. The author begins by providing a complete understanding of the Veda and various Hindu time frames. Through this, the readers can gain insight into the lives of many kings from the Chandra and Kuru Dynasty, as well as learn about the story of Shakuntala.
One of the most striking features of this book is the crispness and attention to detail in each chapter. The author has deftly managed to keep the chapters short, making it easy for readers to grasp the writing. The book is an interesting and easy read that is sure to captivate readers.
The author's ability to articulate each detail of the story is commendable. Despite there being numerous characters, the author has managed to develop each one of them with equal care and attention. This makes the book a great recommendation for new readers who want to learn more about Mahabharat.
Overall, Messages from Mahabharat is an excellent book that not only provides a comprehensive overview of the epic but also helps readers understand the nuances of the characters and their stories.
Profile Image for Paperback_reviews .
270 reviews5 followers
March 20, 2024
As the title defines this book was based on the Sanskrit epics of ancient India. 86 Chapters and a length of 625 pages make it a very lengthy and time-consuming read. 

You can read it over a month or an entire year it depends on you. 

The Book cover is beautifully illustrated and the title and blurb are matched and go well with each other. The book starts with an introduction to the Mahabharat, The Veda story and timelines. Figures were also given to make readers understand. 

In chapter 51, I enjoyed the conversation between Nahusa and Yudhishtir. 

The writing style was so engaging and small details were given. You will get to know the settings, characters and everything related to the Mahabharata. I felt so hooked to the book till the end. 

I appreciate the efforts the Author has put into this amazing well-researched work. Such works need a lot of knowledge. 

This book can be read by young readers, you can use it for retelling to your little ones. Also, the book could be gifted to grandparents.
Profile Image for Shruti Skye.
314 reviews4 followers
May 3, 2024
This book offers the opportunity to reimagine and reinterpret the ancient epic "Mahabharata" for modern audiences. One of the most striking aspects of this book is its characters. The author has literally given a new life to all the characters with the essence of original story.

One encounters fresh perspectives, nuanced characterizations, and innovative narrative structures. The author's voice shines throughout the whole book, adding depth and texture to the timeless tale of the Mahabharata.

The language of the text is quite easy and lucid and the modern generation will easily grasp it as the author tries to cover every episode within a few pages which is quite good for readers who lovtes to read short stories.

Overall, this book is a triumph of storytelling, a captive reinterpretation of an epic tale.

10 reviews
April 2, 2023
"Messages from Mahabharat" book by Murthi Yerrapragada is a breezey read book.Though the title of the book is misleading, thr book is not an analysis or message kinda book, it contains the entire story in simple english taking us to that era when we read.

Thr effort taken by the author to gather data and provide the entire mahabaratha story including all the sub stories in common man english is really appreciable. Many lesser known back stories and sub stories are included, making it very interesting to read.

The book is divided into small small chapters, making it convinient to read in a go. Though editing of the book could have been better, i would really suggest all Indian purana lovers to get this book. I am pretty sure you will not regret the decision.
Profile Image for Our_readingjourney.
599 reviews8 followers
April 24, 2024
MESSAGES FROM MAHABHARAT - MURTI YERRAPRAGADA

5⭐

Messages from Mahabharat presents the epic story of Mahabharat in simple English. As we all know Mahabharat is an epic take told to us from generations to generations and this book very meticulously narrates these takes right from its early orgion of Chandra Dynasty to the epic Kurukshetra war .
There are a total of 86 chapters but wash chapter is short ranging from 3-10 pages this making it easy to read.
We read a few stories each day and found it to be very informative as we got to know about various characters and how what they did.
There is no message as such and kudos to the author who has taken a tremendous effort in meticulously compiling all these stories in one book
It is a perfect book for you g readers intersted in reading about Indian mythology. Even older generations will enjoy reading these stories which are narrated in a simple lucid language.
This will be one such book which we will keep revisiting time and again and a must in everyone's library.
Profile Image for Sameeksha.
447 reviews17 followers
June 19, 2024
When it comes to celebrating rich heritage and culture, few texts rival the profound wisdom found in the Mahabharata. This literary masterpiece continues to be cherished for its timeless insights, serving as a guiding light for generations.

The book seamlessly weaves together a tapestry of minute details, offering a comprehensive journey through the pre and post-Mahabharata narratives that provide invaluable insights into this epic saga.

Comprising 86 chapters, the book meticulously covers a wide array of events, each narrated with simplicity and depth.
Characters are brought to life with vivid detail, allowing readers to fully grasp the essence of each individual’s journey.

Through the exploration of the four purusharthas - Dharma, Artha, Kaama, and Moksha - the story delves into the essence of virtue and vice, providing a profound understanding of life’s complexities.

For those eager to unravel the depths of the Mahabharata and its profound reflections on existence, this book is an essential read.
3 reviews
August 22, 2022
As you know message from mahabharat is epic in mahabharat have 86 language and and the mahabharata is wrote by tikkanna, nannayya bhatt, yerrapragada the greate sage created this wonderful epic the epic unfolds a series of legendary all we have to must read it
And mahabharata is fountainhead of indian culture of olden days and these is epic
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