Thread by @BhandarkarI

18 Parvans of Mahaharata - Adi Parvan

live thread of the snippets from the lecture delivered by Dr. Gauri Moghe

Ādi-parvan, the first parvan of Mahābhārata, is known as the Book of the beginning. It illustrates & initiates all the issues that the text, as a whole, raises. The Parvan not only states about the origin of Kuru-lineage but also narrates multitude of episodes on various subjects

“Episode of Lākṣāgṛha” includes the conspiracy of Duryodhana, and how he manipulates the King Dhṛtarāṣṭra to send Pandavas to Varanavata, ‘Vidura’s counter- plan to protect Pāṇḍava-s and Kuntī.

Lākṣāgṛha/Laakshagriha incidence also involves an illuminating dialogue between Kanaka and Dhṛtarāṣṭra.

The next major incidence is Hidimba Vadha, and the birth of Ghatotkacha through the marriage of Bhima and Hidimbaa. It is a vital incidence that fits into the Jigsaw homogeneity of Mahabharata, for e.g. Ghatotkacha's role in the War.

And then comes one of the pivotal moments of Mahabharata, that is the birth-story of Draupadi and her swayamwara, followed by the explanation of why she would have to marry all 5 Pandavas.

And then comes one of the pivotal moments of Mahabharata, that is the birth-story of Draupadi and her swayamwara, followed by the explanation of why she would have to marry all 5 Pandavas.

Soon after Arjuna's redemption journey begins, and towards its end includes a comparatively lesser-known but a significant story of the Khadava Van Dah.

This is a story that leads to Arjuna's war with Indra, and Varuna granting him the Gandiva bow with inexhaustible arrows, and a chariot with the flag embodying Hanumat.

This is the inventory, which plays an instrumental role in Arjuna's victory in the ultimate war.

These main episodes are not only interconnected but they also end up playing a very significant role in the fate of the Kuru war.