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DYK:
... that in Hindu mythology, Madhavi, who was blessed with the miraculous ability to regain her virginity after each childbirth, was married to three kings, each in exchange for 200 rare horses?
You have one of the finest contributions, especially your artwork, and your work-related to Hindu mythology is appreciable. LearnIndology (talk) 12:39, 15 December 2020 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
Great work on subcontinent related articles. Keep up the good work. Zakaria1978 ښه راغلاست (talk) 17:07, 25 December 2020 (UTC)
Thanks for being so kind! You are a gem of an editor. I hope to see you as an administrator one day! All the best. Zakaria ښه راغلاست (talk) 19:14, 28 December 2020 (UTC)
The Special Barnstar
For outstanding work on Mahabharata related articles Keep up the good work! mate. MRRaja001(talk) 09:44, 30 December 2020 (UTC)
The Userpage Barnstar
I was just looking over your user page, and wow! it is so organized and very informative! I like that you added the part Useful links to it along with the color chart (sorry, English)! Jack Reynolds (talk to me!) (email me!!) 14:08, 4 February 2021 (UTC)
For your dilgent improvements to Mahabharata related articles and maintenance of quality standards on Hinduism articles. Chariotrider555 (talk) 04:55, 22 June 2021 (UTC)
Sri, loyal to Vishnu, is the mother of the world. Vishnu is the meaning, Sri is the speech. She is the conduct, he the behavior. Vishnu is knowledge, she the insight. He is dharma, she the virtuous action. She is the earth, the earth's upholder. She is contentment, he the satisfaction. She wishes, he is the desire. Sri is the sky, Vishnu the Self of everything. He is the Sun, she the light of the Sun. He is the ocean, she is the shore. — Vishnu Purana
Thanks for recovering the content on Mahadevi to its last stable version. MRRaja001(talk) 15:24, 8 July 2021 (UTC)
Yaaron Utho Chalo Bhago Daudo Marne se Phele Jeena na chodo[6] LearnIndology (talk) 11:14, 12 September 2021 (UTC)
"O sweet food, honeyed food, we have chosen you: |
for us be a helper, ||
Draw near to us, food-kindly with your kindly help, |
joy itself, not to be despised, a very kind companion without duplicity. ||
-RV 1.187.2-3 (Annastuti), Agastya Maitrāvaruṇi, gāyatrī and anuṣṭubh meters
Chariotrider555 (talk) 04:20, 16 October 2021 (UTC)
^I don't deserve this barnstar for Vaishno Devi Temple, as I have made insignificant contributions to the article..💠245CMR💠.•👥📜 16:46, 28 December 2020 (UTC)
Beginners' guide to the Mahabharata
Things new enthusiast of Mahabharata should know:
The difference between mythology and history, Mahabharata is mainly a mythological poem, with some historical background
The text has undergone centuries of transformation, so one must learn what interpolations are.
The Sanskrit Mahabharata exists in two principal branches: the Northern Recension (NR) and the Southern Recension (SR). The NR consists of manuscripts written in scripts prevalent in North India, such as Devanagari and Bengali, while the SR includes manuscripts recorded in southern scripts like Telugu, Malayalam, and others. It is important to note that Sanskrit as a language does not have its own script; instead, it is written using regional scripts. This is why recensions are categorized based on the script and geographical manuscript traditions rather than linguistic differences.
One notable example of variation between these recensions can be found in the episode involving Karna’s participation in the svayamvara of Draupadi. Some Northern Recension manuscripts mention both Karna's rejection by Draupadi and his subsequent failure in the contest, while others—along with most Southern Recension manuscripts—focus only on his failure, omitting the explicit scene of rejection.
The widely known English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli is based on a Northern Recension manuscript. As such, it includes both elements of the Karna episode. This translation has become the most referenced version primarily because it is the only full translation of the Mahabharata currently available in the public domain. Its accessibility has led to its extensive use in modern adaptations—ranging from television serials to contemporary retellings—though it should not be mistaken as the sole or ultimate version of the epic.
The most accepted version of the Mahabharata is the Critical Edition, prepared by scholars led by Vishnu Sukthankar at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, preserved at Kyoto University, Cambridge University and various Indian universities. This version attempts to remove all later interpolations from the epic. There are mainly two translations of it, one by JAB van Buiten and another by Bibek Debroy. I personally prefer van Buiten's translation, but it is incomplete.
Many stories you might believe are part of the Mahabharata are actually just folktales with no textual basis in the epic. For example:
Draupadi’s bloodbath: The tale that Draupadi washed her hair with the blood of Dushasana after he was killed, as revenge for her humiliation, is a popular folk story not found in the original text. In the original story, Draupadi's revenge is taken when Bhima kills Duhsasana.
The dramatic line "andhe ka putra andha" ("the son of a blind man is blind"): This oft-quoted line, used to mock Duryodhana by Draupadi, is a later addition and not present in Vyasa’s Mahabharata. Seriously serial makers have repeatedly shown this just for drama, shifting the entire blame of war on a woman without any care for Draupadi's actual virtuous character in the epic.
Karna being morally good (he’s just whitewashed in the modern period): The modern portrayal of Karna as a noble, tragic hero wronged by fate exaggerates his virtues and downplays his flaws, unlike the more complex and flawed character in the original epic. In the epic, he is one of characters who initiates various evil plans.
Abhimanyu learning about the Chakravyuh in womb: The story that Abhimanyu learned how to break the Chakravyuh formation while in his mother Subhadra’s womb, overhearing Arjuna, is a folk embellishment not supported by the critical text. In the epic, he simply learnt from Arjuna during his training.
Shakuni having any grudge against the Kuru dynasty: The popular narrative that Shakuni sought revenge against the Kurus because they destroyed his family or imprisoned his father is a folk invention; in the original, his motivations are less personal and more tied to Duryodhana’s ambitions.
Gandhari opening her blindfold to save Duryodhana: The dramatic tale that Gandhari removed her blindfold to use her accumulated spiritual power to make Duryodhana invincible in battle is a later addition, not part of the core Mahabharata narrative. In the original story, Duryodhana just showed superior skills in comparison to Bhima.
Puranic Encyclopedia: a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature, Vettam Mani, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 1975, p. 057.
Encyclopedia of Hinduism by Constance A. Jones and James D. Ryan
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism by James G. Lochtefeld,
Handbook of Hindu mythology
Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion by David A. Leeming, Kathryn Madden, Stanton Marlan (Eds.)
South Indian Sculptures: A Reappraisal by Pratapaditya Pal (Boston Museum Bulletin, Vol. 67, No. 350 (1969))
Hindu Goddesses : Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition by David Kinsley
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