Mahabharata - The Fifth Veda

The epic Mahabharata is based on Indian (Bharat) ideas and beliefs. It is also called the fifth Veda because, through these stories, the knowledge of the four Vedas reaches the masses. The oldest text of Mahabharata is 2300 years old which was written in Sanskrit. Historians believe that this poetry is 3000 years old. Before this period it was oral and it was translated into folk languages ​​1000 years ago. But some people believe this story to be 5000 years ago.

For the first time this story reaches the people when, on the banks of the Gomati/Gomti river in Naimisharanya (Morden day Neemsar, Uttarpradesh), the sage Ugrashrava narrates this story to the sage Shaunak. This story was narrated by the sage Ugrashrawa was from his father, the sage Romaharsha. Sage Romaharsha heard this story in the Sarpasatra / Naga Yagnya of King Janmejaya. The sage Vaishampayana narrated this story of the Bharata Kings to Kuru king Janmejaya during that yagnya, so that he could get knowledge of the Vedas.


Story of Maharshi Vedavyasa and Lord Ganesh

The sage Vaishampayana had heard this saga of Mahabharata from his guru Maharshi Vedavyasa. When Vedavyasa was dividing the knowledge of the four Vedas into six Samhitas, He realized that the knowledge here which is based on Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha is very important to reach out to the common people rather than confined to sages. Ved Vyas knew that in the era of Kali-yuga, people will leave the talk of Dharma (what is established or firm/ The right thing to do) and Moksha (Salvation) and will be subjugated by Kama (Desire), Krodha (Anger), Lobha (greed) and Moha (fascination). In this thinking, he thought that the knowledge of these Vedas could be developed not only by mantras but also by stories, which could be understood by ordinary people. Hence he composed the maha kavya (great poem) like Mahabharata.

Mahabharata was not an imaginary event. Maharshi Vedavyasa was himself a witness to all events and characters. Therefore this epic is considered history in India. History means "Which as happened in the past". Vedavyasa had only composed Mahabharata, but he needed someone who could scribble this great poem in a simple script. On his insistence, the gods requested Lord Ganesh to write this maha kavya.

Shri Ganesh went to Maharshi Vyasa and said to him, "I will write the poetry, but if you stop speaking even for a moment, then I will go to my abode the Ikshuvan."

Vyasa said on this, "Okay. But before writing, please understand the meaning of each verse."

Lord Ganesh, who was so knowledgeable thought, "what would be the verses which I will not understand?" So he agreed to the sage Vyasa's condition. He sat down with Vedavyasa and started writing.

When Vyasa started speaking shloka (the verses), Ganesh understood that it was not so simple. Ganesha's pen was not able to cope with Vyasa's speaking speed and while writing, Ganesh's pen broke down. Ganesh understood that he had become a little proud of himself. That is why he could not understand the knowledge and capability of Maharshi Vedavyasa. He asked Maharshi Vyas to stop. Then he broke his right tusk, dipped it in the ink and again started writing. He has since been named Ekadanta (He who has one tooth).

There were spiritual and practical secrets that were hidden in every verse. They were so complicated to understand that, in order to understand the meaning from Maharshi Vedavyasa, Ganesh had to stay in the middle of each verse. Meanwhile, Vyasa composed the next verses in his mind. By doing this slowly, he got Ganesha to write the whole Mahabharata.

Mahabharata is not a simple poem. In this, knowledge like Aatmagyana (Enlightenment), Punarjanma (rebirth), Karmayog, Kama (Desire), Krodha (Anger), Lobha (Greed), Moha (Fascination) and Moksha (Salvation) is found. This knowledge is understood only by listening and not by thinking. Maharshi Vedavyasa created Mahabharata in Dwapara Yuga so that the hidden knowledge of Veda's could be employed for human welfare in the Kalyuga.

There are various aspects of the Mahabharat which you will find simply unbelievable and uncanny. But you should not disbelieve anything. As I can say that we are in the 21st century and we value the dissection more than the embrace. You should believe this story and the characters in it. The human beings, gods, and goddesses, animals, yakshas, kinnaras, devas, asuras, in all. Then only you will understand why it was the way it was, and above all, how & why it is relevant to you.

Mahabharata begins with the story of Shantanu and Ganga. But before that, we will see the linage of King Shantanu and his back story.

To be continued...