Mahabharata Most Recent Table of Contents as of July, 2015, including Bhagavad-gita study guide.

नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्

 देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयम् उदीरयेत्

महाभरत

Mahābharata

As retold by

Michael Dolan, B.V. Mahāyogi

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.


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

Episodes in order:

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

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...

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

I'm preparing a course on mythology that will touch on these themes.

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






The story of the Mahabharata is continued here.

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 scene
http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/bhishma-departs-earthly-sphere.html

45. (A) summary of Bhishma's departure...http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-passing-of-bhishma-complete.html

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

 46. (A) Continuation of a new era...http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-new-era.html

47. Suta Goswami begins his description of how the Mahabharata was spoken at the snake sacrifice 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

48. Continuation of the story of the snake sacrifice, the nagas, and the churning of the ocean of milk.
        1. http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-story-of-nagas.html and
        2 ..http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-snake-people.html
        3. http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/curse-of-nagas.html

49. The story of Astika and how the Snake Sacrifice was halted.
      1. Astika's question.   http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-snake-people-         continuedastika.html 
      2. Janamejaya's boon.  http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-boon-is-granted-law-of-karma.html
      3. End of the snake sacrifice,   http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/snake-sacrifice-ended.html

50.  Shaunaka asks about Bhagavad-gita and Suta explains the glories of the Bhagavad-gita         http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/bhagavad-gita.html

52. General conditions for the battle of Kurukshetra, the Age of Kali is nigh: http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/bad-omens.html

53. Introduction to Bhagavad-Gita:  http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/bhagavad-gita_25.html

54. Bhagavad-gita, the great Conversation http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-great-conversation.html

55. Bhagavad-gita chapter one: The Beginning. Arjuna's crisis of conscience.   http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/bhagavad-gita-chapter-one-arjunas.html

56. Bhagavad-gita chapter one, analysis, Arjuna's crisis of conscience. http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/arjunas-crisis-of-conscience.html

57. Bhagavad-gita chapter two summary:    http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/06/bhagavad-gita-chapter-two.html

58. Bhagavad-gita chapter three and four summary: Essence of Yoga. http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/07/essence-of-yoga.html

59. Bhagavad-gita chapter five summary: What is renunciation? http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/07/renunciation.html

60. Bhagavad-gita chapter six summary: Ashtanga yoga and meditation...  http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/07/blog-post_45.html

61. Bhagavad-gita chapter seven summary, "Relative and Absolute conceptions of the Supreme... http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/07/bhagavad-gita-summary-chapter-7.html

62.  First Six Chapters of Bhagavad-Gita, summarized.  http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/07/essence-of-gita-part-one.html

63. Bhagavad-Gita Chapter eight: Cosmic evolution. http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/07/cosmic-evolution.html

64. Bhagavad-gita, Chapter Nine: Universal Message... http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/07/universal-message.html

65. Bhagavad-Gita 9th Chapter Continued, Intro to 10th Chapter...http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/07/what-would-he-say.html

66. Bhagavad-gita 10th Chapter, essence of the Gita  http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-heart-of-matter.html

67. Bhagavad-Gita summary, complete to 11th Chapter... (text only) http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/07/gita-summary-complete-to-chapter-11.html

67. Bhagavad-Gita, 11th Chapter summarized... http://mexpostfact.blogspot.com/2015/07/gita-summary-complete-to-chapter-11.html

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

Interesting Mahabharata Links for discussion: 

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.