Page:Monier Monier-Williams - Indian Wisdom.djvu/426

 additions, and the historical element from the purely fabulous, it may be expected that light will be thrown on the early history of India, religious, social, and political —a subject still veiled in much obscurity, notwithstanding the valuable researches of Professor Lassen and others.

I now give the names of the eighteen sections or Books which constitute the poem, with a brief statement of their contents:

1. Adi-parvan, 'introductory Book,' describes how the two brothers, Dhrita-rashtra and Pandu, are brought up by their uncle Bhishma; and how Dhrita-rashtra, who is blind, has one hundred sons—commonly called the Kuru princes—by his wife Gandharl; and how the two wives of Pandu—Pritha (Kunti) and Madri—have five sous, called the Pandavas or Pandu princes.

2. Sabha-parvan describes the great Sabha or 'assembly of princes' at Hastina-pura, when Yudhi-shthira, the eldest of the five Pandavas, is persuaded to play at dice with S'akuni and loses his kingdom. The five Pandavas and Draupadi, their wife, are required to live for twelve years in the woods.

3. Vana-parvan narrates the life of the Pandavas in the Kamyaka forest. This is one of the longest books, and full of episodes such as the story of Nala and that of the Kiratarjuniya.

4. Virata-parvan describes the thirteenth year of exile and the adventures of the Pandavas while living disguised in the service of king Virata.

5. ''Udyoga-parvan. ''In this the preparations for war on the side of both Pandavas and Kauravas are described.

6. ''Bhwhma-parvan. ''In this both armies join battle on Kuru-kshetra, a plain north-west of Delhi. The Kauravas are commanded by Bhislma, who falls transfixed with arrows by Arjuna.

7. ''Drona-parvan. ''In this the Kuru forces are commanded by Drona, and numerous battles take place. Drona falls in a fight with Dhrishta- dyumna (son of Drupada).

8. ''farnof-parvan. ''In this the Kurus are led by Karna, Other battles are described. Arjuna kills Karna.

9. ''Salya-parvan. ''In this S'alya is made general of the Kuru arm}'. The concluding battles take place, and only three of the Kuru warriors, with Duryodhana, are left alive. Bhima and Duryodhana then fight with clubs. Duryodhana, chief and eldest of the Kurus, is struck down.