'Mahabharat- Different Versions -Perspectives'

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Shobha

@ssroomani

Rocker

+ 5

Posted: 11 years ago

#411

I have read Abhijit Basu's book too...and it is good. One other good book on MB and its lessons is The Difficulty of Being Good by Gurucharan Das.

Parva is about 1000 pages...it took me nearly a month to finish it. I am sure a little something was lost in translation because some sentence structures were awkward and there were editing mistakes with homophones, but it is worth the read, even in English!

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bheegi

@bheegi

Stunner

+ 5

Posted: 11 years ago

#412

Originally posted by: ssroomani

I have read Abhijit Basu's book too...and it is good. One other good book on MB and its lessons is The Difficulty of Being Good by Gurucharan Das.

Parva is about 1000 pages...it took me nearly a month to finish it. I am sure a little something was lost in translation because some sentence structures were awkward and there were editing mistakes with homophones, but it is worth the read, even in English!

I've read 'The Difficulty of being Good' It's one of the best analysis of MB characters. I'll keep looking for Parva and hope the price on amazon will come down😊

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bheegi

@bheegi

Stunner

+ 5

Posted: 11 years ago

#413

Here is an online link...you still have to pay to download the whole book but it's nominal

http://www.scribd.com/doc/185430228/S-L-Bhyrappa-Tr-K-raghavendra-Rao-Parva-a-Tal-Bookos-org

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bheegi

@bheegi

Stunner

+ 5

Posted: 11 years ago

#414

I know we all talk about the KMG version on this forum but after doing some research, it seems like the critical edition of Mahabharat done at BORI, Pune (under the supervision of VS Sukhtankar originally and then someone else) is based on the original manuscripts available (even though they used 1200+ manuscripts from all over India) They have included 3/4 of all the 100 000 verses.

There are very few English translations of the critical edition. One of them being, Bibek Debroy's volumes 1-10 (I don't know if he's completed all 10 yet)

Has anyone read Bibek's translation of the critical edition?

Apparently, KMG is not as authentic as the critical edition is.

Would love input from people who know more.

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Ashwini_D

@Ashwini_D

Navigator

Posted: 11 years ago

#415

Originally posted by: bheegi
I know we all talk about the KMG version on this forum but after doing some research, it seems like the critical edition of Mahabharat done at BORI, Pune (under the supervision of VS Sukhtankar originally and then someone else) is based on the original manuscripts available (even though they used 1200+ manuscripts from all over India) They have included 3/4 of all the 100 000 verses.

There are very few English translations of the critical edition. One of them being, Bibek Debroy's volumes 1-10 (I don't know if he's completed all 10 yet)

Has anyone read Bibek's translation of the critical edition?

Apparently, KMG is not as authentic as the critical edition is.

Would love input from people who know more.

Actually from what I've heard, the critical edition is quite similar to KMG barring a few aspects. That's the reason why I personally refer to KMG for the facts. Having said this, I also want to read a translation of the southern recension which I have no idea how to get my hands on. I just know the following points in which the critical edition differs from KMG:

1. Karna does not participate in Draupadi's swayamvar for her to reject him. (which makes a lot of sense to me because, based on my reading of the text, Karna's caste being the grounds for his discrimination has been blown out of proportion in my opinion)

2. There is no mention of Krishna saving Draupadi during her VH. The miracle is not attributed to him.

Even the critical edition has it's fair share of criticism, but yeah I would go by it were I to choose a definitive version as reference. I don't think Bibek Debroy has completed the translation yet. Hope he does, because nobody has done a complete translation of the edition yet.

I just read the preface by Debroy to one of his volumes and it was pretty good. He also takes the historicity rather than religious innuendos of the epic seriously, it seems, which appealed to me. Will definitely be reading it once I'm done with my exams.

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Ashwini_D

@Ashwini_D

Navigator

Posted: 11 years ago

#416

Originally posted by: AnjanaYYZ
I need to catch up on this thread. Am now reading some essays by Gurucharan Das and all the different things he is interlinking is boggling me.
To lighten my mood I watched a cartoon version with Vidya Balan as Draupadi, Amitabh as Bheeshma, Ajay Devgan as Arjuna, and Bhim as Sunny Deol🤣🤣🤣 It was less distorted though much much shorter. If anybody needs a kids version I would recommend it.😆 Available on U-tube

Have you watched 'Arjun-the warrior prince'? Apart from having some stunning visuals it thankfully does not treat the Mahabharat as a morality tale for kids.

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Ashwini_D

@Ashwini_D

Navigator

Posted: 11 years ago

#417

Has anybody here read 'Vyasparva' by Durga Bhagwat?

Ok I just found out that there might not be an English translation of the book since it's in Marathi. Anybody out there who's read it?

Another Marathi book, apart from Yuganta which I have heard is good is Mrityunjay by Shivaji Savant, from Karna's perspective. Should appeal to all Karna fans out there who know Marathi.

Edited by Ashwini_D - 11 years ago

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Srishti

@srishtisingh

Voyager

Posted: 11 years ago

#418

can anyone tell me abt aryavarta chronicles summary? because I read synopsis of third book and there was something that suggested krishna(govinda) being a threat. so plz give a brief idea abt the characters of book if anyone has read it

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bheegi

@bheegi

Stunner

+ 5

Posted: 11 years ago

#419

Originally posted by: Ashwini_D

Actually from what I've heard, the critical edition is quite similar to KMG barring a few aspects. That's the reason why I personally refer to KMG for the facts. Having said this, I also want to read a translation of the southern recension which I have no idea how to get my hands on. I just know the following points in which the critical edition differs from KMG:
1. Karna does not participate in Draupadi's swayamvar for her to reject him. (which makes a lot of sense to me because, based on my reading of the text, Karna's caste being the grounds for his discrimination has been blown out of proportion in my opinion)
2. There is no mention of Krishna saving Draupadi during her VH. The miracle is not attributed to him.

Even the critical edition has it's fair share of criticism, but yeah I would go by it were I to choose a definitive version as reference. I don't think Bibek Debroy has completed the translation yet. Hope he does, because nobody has done a complete translation of the edition yet.

I just read the preface by Debroy to one of his volumes and it was pretty good. He also takes the historicity rather than religious innuendos of the epic seriously, it seems, which appealed to me. Will definitely be reading it once I'm done with my exams.

Thanks Ashwini. I'll start with his first book- good thing it's available on kindle. I also like the fact that it's not written in archaic english- so hopefully would be easier to understand

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bheegi

@bheegi

Stunner

+ 5

Posted: 11 years ago

#420

Arjun and Karna actually had a mini war right after the swaymvar Arjun in brahmana disguise defeated Karna. Karna actually withdrew as he thought that brahaman was invincible.

Seeing Vaikartana Karna rush towards him, the wise Arjuna stretched his mighty bow and pierced him with three arrows. The impact of these sharp arrows stunned Radheya 31 and he approached with greater circumspection. Then those two invincible warriors fought violently, each eager to vanquish the other. Such was the speed that they became invisible. 32 "Look at the strength in my arms", "See how I countered that", they taunted each other in words that only warriors understand. Seeing the valour in Arjuna's arms, unparalleled on earth, Vaikartana Karna fought even more vigorously. Repulsing Arjuna's swift arrows, Karna shouted out aloud and the warriors applauded his feat. Karna said, "O foremost among Brahmanas! I am pleased with the strength of your arms, which do not tire in battle, and with your persistent control over weapons. O supreme among Brahmanas! Are you Rama, 33 the personification of the knowledge of weapons? 34 Or are you Harihaya 35 himself? Or are you Achyuta Vishnu himself? Have you assumed the form of a Brahmana to disguise yourself and are now fighting strongly with me for self-preservation, mustering the strength of your arms? When I am angry in the field of battle, no one except Shachi's husband 36 and Pandava Kiriti 37 can withstand me." Hearing these words, Phalguni 38 replied, "O Karna! I am not the science of weapons personified. Nor am I the powerful Rama. I am only a Brahmana, chief among warriors and supreme among those who have the knowledge of weapons. Through my preceptor's grace, I have become skilled in the use of brahma and paurandara 39 weapons. O warrior! Wait for a bit. I stand here today, to vanquish you in battle." At these words, Radheya Karna withdrew from the battle, because the maharatha thought that Brahmana strength was invincible.

Debroy, Bibek (2010-03-17). Mahabharata Vol. 1 (Penguin Translated Texts) (Kindle Locations 7044-7052). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition.

Edited by bheegi - 11 years ago