Study Guide and Table of Contents for Mahabharata

नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्

 देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयम् उदीरयेत्

महाभरत

Mahābharata

As retold by

Michael Dolan, B.V. Mahāyogi

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Dear Readers:
I began this blog in November, thinking to share my journey in Russia with a few friends. I wanted to show how my life would be transformed through adventure in my search for truth. Along the way, I met new friends and reunited with old ones. I visited Cancun, Frankfurt, Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Angkor Wat, China and Los Angeles, California before returning to Mexico.

Meanwhile the blog has morphed in another direction. While I began by documenting my physical journey around the world, I'm now deeply involved in a creative project that takes up a lot of my time, so I'm sharing my creative journey. My journey has taken me thousands of years into the past, where I follow the lives and adventures of the heroes of Mahabharata.

My own creative process is incredibly chaotic, but I try to follow a certain organization. For those of you who have been following the blog, it may be difficult to see that organization, so here's a bit of a study guide.

The Mahabharata Project is a complex series of creative projects drawn together and promoted by Swami B.B. Avadhuta and his production teams in Russia, Ukraine, China, Thailand, Mexico and the United States.

The idea is to produce a series of graphic novels, books, feature films, exhibitions, and even a theme park based around the Mahabharata with a view towards promoting the values and culture of ancient Indian and Vedic civilization.

Here's a promo briefly describing the project.

Mahabharata Promo

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/promo-for-mahabharata.html

My interest as a writer is in trying to produce story ideas, episodes, scripts, screenplays and promotional materials. Here's a brief introduction to the Mahabharata...

Critical Resources and Bibliography:

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/resources-for-critical-reading-of.html

Mahabharata Introduction

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/studying-mahabharata.html

A bit more complete introduction can be found here, including R.K. Narayana's introductory notes.

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/02/mahabharata.html

What is mythology? How do we interpret meaning?

Notes on Mythology

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/notes-on-mythology.html

Resources for a Critical Reading of Mahabharata:

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/resources-for-critical-reading-of.html

Dates and narrators in Mahabharata:

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/mahabharata-dates-and-narrators.html

A Skeleton for Episodes

I've been asked to prepare a skeleton of the entire work as well as potential episodes. The order of the episodes reflects a possible retelling. Obviously a work of this length can be seen in a variety of ways and lends itself to a number of different retellings. The Mahabharata is like an infinite series of Russian dolls where each doll contains within in it an infinite number of dolls.

One can begin anywhere and examine the story and life of a particular individual within the Mahabharata and find that it reveals the whole. All the stories are interconnected, and each individual can trace his own story back a number of lives. The lives of the characters and their karma criss-cross like the intertwining branches of a banyan tree that extends endlessly in all directions and reaches the sky. My current retelling is a work in progress.

 I am sharing my creative process here because the Mahabharata is for everyone. I have no doubt that the finished version of the story will differ in important ways from what I'm representing here.

Of course, there are those who are worried about "authenticity" and deviation from the received version. I have done my best to refer to the most authentic translations and differ only for dramatic purposes. The license I have taken to do so is in the interest of creating literary art that furthers the purposes of the original work. Those who are fascinated by the distinction between authorized work and literary license would do well to study the distinctions between the story of Shakuntala as seen in Mahabharata and the version given by the great sanskrit poet Kalidasa. I make no comparison between myself and Kalidasa other than that I have taken a certain amount of license, following a long tradition of authors, poets, and dramatists. I don't say this as a matter of pride, but I was asked to produce this material as a part of my service to Krishna, and so I pray that there is nothing offensive in my version.

Here's the epidodes in order, as I've worked them out so far.

Episodes 

We begin at the ending. The devastation of Kurukshetra.
0. Kurukshetra: The End
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/02/chapter-one-holocaust-of-kuruksetra-it.html


The battle isn't entirely over. As an epilogue to the violence, one man is determined to revenge the memory of his father, the military mentor of the Pandavas

1. The Revenge of Ashvattama
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/02/revenge.html


But there has been enough blood:
2. Draupadi forgives
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/draupadi.html

3. Mercy above Justice
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/mercy-above-justice.html

Still, Ashvatthama continues. He escapes and unleashes atomic weapons against the heir to the throne:

4. The Curse of Ashvatthama
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/sanskrit-version-of-mahabharata.html

Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, makes her appearance and bids farewell to Krishna:

5. Every Wave is Favorable
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-pandavas-mourn-there-by-banks-of.html

We visit the great Bhishma, most powerful warrior who ever lived.
6. Die to Live
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/die-to-live.html

7. Bhishma's version: Listen...
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/bhismas-story-mahabharata-bhishma-said.html

Bhishma narrates the story of the Kurus and the Pandavas from the beginning with his own birth and the story of his father Shantanu and the Ganges

8. The birth of Bhishma and the story of Ganges
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/bhishmasstory-was-born-son-of-river.html

9. Bhishma continues his story with his education in the Himalayas: he meets Parashurama

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-story-continues.html

10. Bhishma tells the Story of Parashurama

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/die-to-live_11.html

11. Parasurama's trial by his father: obedience

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/mercy-above-justice_12.html

12. Parashurama becomes a man: Kartavirya Arjuna

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-axe-of-parashuram.html

13. Death to Tyrants: wherein Parashuram revenges himself against the kshatriyas

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/death-to-tyrants.html

14. Return of Bhishma: wherein Bhishma returns to claim the throne

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/bhisma-returns-in-this-way-i-became-man.html

15. The story of Satyavati, and how she captivates Shantanu; birth of Vyasa

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/love-and-lust.html

16. Bhishma's Oath: the terrible vow that changes the course of the dynasty

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/promises.html

17. Shantanu's Sons: Chitrangada the elder and Vichitravirya the younger

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/shantanus-sons.html

18. Bhishma abducts the three virgins at the svayamvara of the King of Kashi

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/amika-ambalika-add-caption-saying-this.html

19. A Woman Scorned: Amba's Hatred for Bhishma and her determination for revenge.

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-womans-revenge.html

20. Amba performs austerities for revenge

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/austerity-and-renunciation-are-not.html

21. Amba seeks the advice of Sages

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/obey-or-die.html

22. Duel of Giants: Bhishma fights his guru Parashurama

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/battle-royale.html

23. Death to Bhishma! Amba swears eternal Revenge

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/amba-performs-austerities-amba-was.html

The Story of Shakuntala

The story of Shakuntala is a separate narrative that has little to do with the actual argument of Mahabharata other than that Shakuntala is the mother of Bharata, the ancient ancestor of the Pandavas. Still the version of Kalidas, recounted here, is one of the most charming love stories in the history of great literature and deserves to be included. Those who wish to skip this part and return to the story of Bhishma and the Kuru dynasty can skip this and go to 24 in the numbered section below.

Kunti's tale: Shakuntala

Introduction
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/shakuntala-commentary-and-introduction.html

Shakuntala Part One

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/bhisma-rests-let-me-rest-while.html

Shakuntala Part Two: Mother of India: In the ashram of Kanva

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/mother-of-india.html

Shakuntala Part Three: Mad Elephants

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/mad-elephants.html

Shakuntala Part Four: Infatuation

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/infatuation.html

Shakuntala Part Five: Marriage promises

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/03/kunti-tells-of-shakuntala-mother-of.html

Shakuntala Part Six: Curse of Durvasa: Absent-minded Service

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/absent-minded-service.html

Shakuntala Part Seven: A King's Amnesia

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/amnesia.html

Shakuntala Part Eight: A Royal Visit

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/royal-visit.html

Shakuntala Part Nine: The Ring

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-ring.html

(RECAP OF FIRST NINE CHAPTERS OF SHAKUNTALA STORY)

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/bhisma-rests-let-me-rest-while.html

Shakuntala Part Ten: The king discovers the ring: he travels through the air

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/story-of-shakuntala-continued.html

Shakuntala Part Eleven: Adventures of Dushyant

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/airships.html

Shakuntala Part Twelve: Dushyant in Kailash

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/complete-shakuntala-second-part.html

Shakuntala Part Thirteen: Child Bharata

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/kunti-continued-with-this-nanny-came.html

Shakuntala Part Fourteen: Reunion of Shakuntala and Dushyant

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/as-kunti-finished-her-tale-of-dushyant.html

Shakuntala Part Fifteen: Final and End of Shakuntala Story

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/shakuntala-finalebhara.html

Shakuntala Part Sixteen: Epilogue of Shakuntala Story.

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/departure.html

Shakuntala Complete all in one: http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/shakuntala-final-version.html

Commentary on Shakuntala Story:
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/shakuntala-commentary-i.html

Continuation of Mahabharata

24. Bhishma continues the narrative: Origin of the Kurus. Kunti continues her story.

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/family-secrets.html

25. Origin of the Pandavas: Family secrets.

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/origin-of-pandavas.html

26. Kunti's sand the power of the mantra: the birth of Karna

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/kuntis-secret.html

27. "Yes, my son, he was your brother."

http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/brothers.html

28 Kunti reveals more secrets. The story of Krishna
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/kunti-reveals-more-secrets.html

29. The story of Krishna continued...
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/advent-of-krishna.html

30. The birth of Krishna (from Krishna Book) by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-birth-of-krishna.html

31 Kunti finishes the story of Krishna's appearance.
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/04/karma.html

32. Kunti reveals the secret origin of the Pandavas.
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/origins.html

33. Death of a King: Pandu passes on.
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/death-of-king.html

34. Bhishma continues his story: the Revenge of Amba, her rebirth as Shikhandi:
Shikhandi's story, Part One
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/shikhandis-story.html
35. Shikandi's Story Part Two
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/shikhandis-story_13.html
36. Shikandi's Story Part Three
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/shikhandis-story-part-iii.html

37. Drona and Drupada part 1: Not from woman born
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-story-of-drona-not-from-woman-born.html

38. Drona and Drupada paret 2: Childhood Friendship
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/childhood-friendship.html

39. Friends become Foes:
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/friends-will-be-foes.html

40. Friends become Foes: Drupada insults Drona
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/friends-will-be-foes_22.html

41. Bhishma's Wisdom teachings 1: Avoid Harsh Speech
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/wisdom-of-bhishma-avoid-harsh-speech.html

42. The swan and the sadhyas
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/a-word-to-wise.html

43. The swan continues his advice
 http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/advice-from-swan.html

44. Bhishma begins his departure. Death of Bhishma part 1
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/death-of-bhishma.html

45. Bhishma departs the earthly scenehttp://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/bhishma-departs-earthly-sphere.html

46. A century later, Suta Goswami speaks the Mahabharata before Shaunaka at the Forest of Naimisharanya. http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/naimisharanya-forest.html


47. Suta Goswami begins his description of how the Mahabharata was spoken at the snake sacrifice of King Janamejaya by Vaishampayana Rishi. He tells the history of Maharaja Pariksit and how his curse by a brahmana led to his murder by Taksaka. http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/snake-sacrifice.html

46. King Janamejaya and details of the snake sacrifice
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-snake-people.html

Interesting Links for discussion on Vedic Civilization: 

Vedic technology: http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/amazing-vedic-aeronautics.html

Vedic weapons: http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/05/vedic-weapons.html

As this work is continuing, I will add more.