Mahabharat Hindi Anuwad Sahit (Bhag-1), Code 0032, Sanskrit Hindi, Gita Press Gorakhpur (Official)

by Vedvyas(Gita Press Gorakhpur)

महाभारत (खण्ड-1) - महाभारत भारतीय संस्कृतिका, आर्य सनातन-धर्मका अद्भुत महाग्रन्थ है। इसे ‘पंचम वेद’ भी कहा जाता है। इस महाग्रन्थमें उपनिषदोंका सार, इतिहास, पुराणोंका उन्मेष, निमेष, चातुर्वर्णका विधान, पुराणोंका आशय, ग्रह, नक्षत्र, तारा आदिका परिमाण, तीर्थों, पुण्य देशों, नदियों, पर्वतों, समुद्रों तथा वनोंका वर्णन होनेके कारण यह अनन्त गूढ़, गुह्य रत्नोंका भण्डार है। सबसे महत्त्वपूर्ण बात यह है कि इसमें निखिल रसामृत-सिन्धु, अनन्त प्रेमाधार भगवान् श्रीकृष्णके गुण-गौरवका गान है। छ: खण्डोंमें प्रकाशित यह ग्रन्थ-रत्न हिन्दू संस्कृृतिके अध्येताओंहेतु मननीय और संग्रहणीय है। सचित्र, सजिल्द।

Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2017

Reviews

[The Conch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thousand and thousand years have been passed but still Mahabharata retains charm and beauty. Infinite thanks to Gita Press Gorakhpur for continuing the legacy of accurate translation. The Gita Press edition is always helpful to detect any deviation from deformed version translated by Ivy League cabal.

[Kubera Kalyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally completed this 1st volume of the epic

An awesome read if you are coming from Hindi background. Other English versions are more popular because of large customer reach, but the truth is without proper Sanskrit sloka and Hindi translation, the whole story is just another story. Many many thanks to Gitapress for bringing this book. I have to go now and start volume 2. God bless you.

[Aditya Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

What resonates most is how the epic’s core ideas, dharma amid competing duties, karma and consequence, and the burdens of leadership, map cleanly onto modern life and work, keeping the narrative relevant well beyond its era.On every re‑read, new nuances emerge: characters refuse simple labels, moral choices are contextual, and the text repeatedly urges thoughtful action over easy certainty, qualities that reward slow study and fresh perspective each time. For anyone seeking a practical guide to decision‑making and inner steadiness, this edition’s structure supports iterative reading and reflection, with the epic’s lessons on duty, responsibility, and resilience landing as sharply today as ever.

[Saurabh Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome read.
It is full of stories, values, teachings and lots more.
All written in simple and linear writing.

[Omkar Joshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer(s):
1. I am interested in factual History, rather than novels or fictional depictions of historical entities. I have read this volume with that hat on.
2. As an epic, I doubt there would any Indian who is unaware of Mahabharat and I belong to that humongous population. My intention was/is to gain at least a brief understanding of the political and social events during that era. The simultaneous and sequential events that occurred in the then known geographical areas are what I wanted to learn from this epic.
3. My views should be read and interpreted with the above two points in mind, I have no intentions and capabilities to evaluate or criticize a timeless legend like Mahabharat and it's characters.
4. Last but not the least, I am completely aware of the rule of reading History that one should not judge the past based on the present standards, paradigms and situations.

Impressive:
1. The events, since the formation of universe, are stated briefly. Cosmologists, physicists, chronologists and many more scientific streams might not be impressed but for a common man, it provides a starting point. I recall one section where the law of conservation of energy is stated, of course, in a different manner. Aplenty individuals, their family trees are stated which definitely deserves an independent research in genetics.
2. Briefly touches the social and economic aspects of the society during the various regimes and eras. For example, the state of rainfall, agriculture and animal husbandry, the lifestyle of the various professionals, famines/droughts, life expectancy and so on. It was not uncommon for women to propose the men they liked/took fancy.
3. There exist branches of mathematics like predictive modeling, data mining and so on which analyze current and past events, and then predict the future events. When we read about the lifestyle and deeds of entities (I don't want to call them 'Gods' but they weren't common menfolk either!) like Vyas, Krishna, many Rishis, etc., we realize that they were aware of so many minute details and events that happened in the past, and those happening in their present, that they could have easily got a fair idea of what was coming. Their correlation and deduction genius shouldn't be undermined!
4. The common man knows about Mahabharat from sources like the TV series, the tales passed on over generations, the various personal takes on Mahabharat published as novels, books, lectures, etc. and now-a-days, social media. Read this volume and you will learn aplenty lesser-known/concealed/distorted events. The list is too long to post here e.g: Dhristarashtra's dialogue with/confession to Sanjay where the former admits that he was well aware since the beginning that if a war happens between Kauravas and Pandavas, the Kauravas will be vanquished. Karna is celebrated as a hero/anti-hero in the recent History, well, his behaviour proves him otherwise. Duryodhan's jealousy and desire to grab the riches of Indraprastha but his fear of military and financial might of Pandavas is NOT told to the common man, in any way.

Now, why only 3 stars?
Disappointing:
1. For the very two points in the 'Disclaimer' section, the book disappoints a lot - what were Kauravas, Karna, Ashwathama and others up to when Pandavas were involved in the events described at so much length. At a point, the book smelled of the paradox 'Victors write the History'. Khandav-van carnage by Krishna and Arjun is glorified? Seriously???
2. Krishna is one of the entities I respect a lot, mainly because of his statesmanship. At least, this volume sheds no light on what makes him great! Except the known events like freeing kings and womenfolk from the captivity of Jarasandh and Narkasur, respectively, the texts and the characters (Bhishma, Pandavas, etc.) keep on showering praise on him while amateur readers, who wish to know the facts, are stumbling in the dark. Vyas knew that mere mortals of Kaliyug are gonna read this epic, right?
3. The book provides aplenty details and is having a gradual pace till the birth of Pandavas but then all the way till their 13 years in exile, it gallops, and misses details e.g: How was Hastinapur doing financially/economically since Duryodhan became the crowned prince, how were the masses perceiving the administration of Dhristarashtra (a lot is written about Krishna's and Yudhishthir's administration). A curious reader is left guessing how was the social and political situation during all these years.
4. Lack of details that are required to establish chronology and timeline e.g: Since when were Karna and Duryodhan knew each other? Was it during their education? Or when there was an exhibition of skills(of Kauravas and Pandavas) in Hastinapur?

It is a must-read book for every Indian. It provides practical insights abou human history and behaviour, provides important, timeless political lessons. As a history enthusiast, despite of numerous disappointments, this book cannot be left unread!

[Ujjwala Singhania · Rating 5 out of 5]

ऊँ श्री कृष्णार्पणमस्तु।🙏🏼

[Mohit Yadav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book to completely spiritualize your life … loved reading it !

[Upendra Awasthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

One must read and ponder the epic for a positive change in life. It is very entertaining also which is healthy.

[Chetan Soni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jai shree krishna

[Sukriti · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Vedvyas by Gita Press Gorakhpur offers a comprehensive exploration of Hindu scriptures, presenting ancient wisdom in a concise and accessible format. The book delves into Vedic philosophy, providing insightful commentary on sacred texts. The language is approachable for readers seeking a deeper understanding of Hinduism. However, the translation occasionally lacks fluidity, making it challenging for those unfamiliar with the subject. Despite this, Vedvyas serves as a valuable resource for individuals on a spiritual journey, offering profound insights into the timeless teachings of the Vedas and Upanishads."