Tales from the Mahabharata

“If the ethos of India is enshrined in its two great epics, its soul lies in the woodlands that lie at the heart of the compositions of Valmiki and Vyasa,” says Pradip Bhattacharya in his Foreword to a book that seeks to retell some gripping tales from the great epic. This is more clearly outlined by Kavita Sharma, the author, in her preface: “Apart from active contribution to the events of the main story, tales involving birds and beasts are told to illustrate a code of conduct or a mode of behaviour? All creation interacts intimately as heavenly beings, humans, denizens of the animal world and natural phenomenon all take part in the cosmic dance called life.” The book is divided into eight distinct sections – Introduction; The telling of the tale Adi Parva; Exile in the forest – Vana Parva; Preparation for the war – Udyog Parva; The battle of Kurukshetra; The Aftermath; The duties of a King in times of Crisis – Shanti Parva; The Life of Discipline – Anushansana Parva; and Janamejaya’s Final Lesson – Ashwamedhika Parva, Birds, Beasts, Men and Nature. Narrative style The Mahabharata abounds with fables, parables and moralistic dialogue between humans and birds and beasts forming definitive characters.