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The Mahabharata, Volume 2

Book 2: The Book of Assembly; Book 3: The Book of the Forest

The Mahabharata, an ancient and vast Sanskrit poem, is a remarkable collection of epics, legends, romances, theology, and ethical and metaphysical doctrine. The core of this great work is the epic struggle between five heroic brothers, the Pandavas, and their one hundred contentious cousins for rule of the land. This is the second volume of van Buitenen’s acclaimed translation of the definitive Poona edition of the text. Book two, The Book of the Assembly Hall, is an epic dramatization of the Vedic ritual of consecration that is central to the book. Book three, The Book of the Forest, traces the further episodes of the heroes during their years in exile. Also included are the famous story of Nala, dealing with the theme of love in separation, and the story of Rama, the subject of the other great Sanskrit epic, the Ramayana, as well as other colorful tales.

871 pages | 6-1/8 x 9-1/4 | © 1975

Asian Studies: South Asia

Literature and Literary Criticism: Asian Languages

Religion: South and East Asian Religions

Table of Contents

Preface
The Mahabharata Translated
Book 2. The Book of the Assembly Hall
Introduction
Contents
Summaries and Translation
Book 3. The Book of the Forest
Introduction
Contents
Summaries and Translation
Notes to Text
Concordance of Critical Edition and Bombay Edition: Books 2 and 3
Index

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