Mahabharata

The great epic of the Bharatas, in nine volumes

Vyasa’s Mahabharata — the longest poem ever composed — tells of the Kuru succession, the exile of the Pandavas, the eighteen days of war at Kurukshetra, and the long instruction on dharma that follows it. This edition presents the Sanskrit text with an English rendering, arranged in nine volumes.

Books

1 315 chapters

Volume I — Adi & Sabha Parva

The Beginning and the Assembly Hall

The birth of the Kuru line, the rivalry of the Pandavas and Kauravas, the burning of the house of lac, Draupadi’s marriage and the founding of Indraprastha — then the Rajasuya sacrifice and the game of dice that costs the Pandavas their kingdom.
2 315 chapters

Volume II — Vana Parva

The Book of the Forest

Twelve years of exile in the forest: Arjuna’s journey for celestial weapons, the pilgrimages, and the great inset tales — Nala and Damayanti, the Ramopakhyana, Savitri, and the riddles of the Yaksha.
3 266 chapters

Volume III — Virata & Udyoga Parva

The Year in Hiding and the Failed Peace

The thirteenth year spent in disguise at Virata’s court and the killing of Kichaka; then the embassies, Krishna’s mission for peace, and the mustering of both armies once every attempt at settlement fails.
4 124 chapters

Volume IV — Bhishma Parva

The First Ten Days — and the Bhagavad Gita

The geography of the world, the Bhagavad Gita spoken between the armies, and the first ten days of the war under Bhishma’s command, ending with the grandsire on his bed of arrows.
5 203 chapters

Volume V — Drona Parva

The Command of Drona

Drona takes the command: the chakravyuha and the death of Abhimanyu, Arjuna’s vow against Jayadratha, the night battle, Ghatotkacha’s fall, and finally the death of Drona himself.
6 206 chapters

Volume VI — Karna, Shalya, Sauptika & Stri Parva

The End of the War and the Night Raid

Karna’s command and his death at Arjuna’s hands, Shalya’s single day, the mace duel between Bhima and Duryodhana, Ashvatthama’s massacre of the sleeping camp, and the women’s lament over the field.
7 173 chapters

Volume VII — Shanti Parva (I)

Bhishma on Kingship and Calamity

Yudhishthira, sick with victory, is instructed by Bhishma from his bed of arrows: the duties of a king (rajadharma) and the conduct permitted in times of distress (apaddharma).
8 192 chapters

Volume VIII — Shanti Parva (II)

The Mokshadharma — Teachings on Liberation

The longest philosophical section of the epic: Samkhya and Yoga, the nature of the self, renunciation, and the many parables Bhishma tells on the way to liberation.
9 316 chapters

Volume IX — Anushasana to Svargarohana Parva

The Last Instruction and the Final Journey

Bhishma’s closing instruction and his death, the horse sacrifice and the Anugita, the old king’s retirement to the forest, the ruin of the Yadavas, the Pandavas’ last walk to the mountain, and the ascent to heaven.