Mahabharata

Adi Parva

The book of beginnings: how the epic came to be told, the origins of the Kuru line, the births of the Pandavas and Kauravas, the house of lac, Draupadi's svayamvara and the founding of Indraprastha.

Sabha Parva

The book of the assembly hall: the building of Yudhishthira's hall, the Rajasuya sacrifice, the game of dice, the humiliation of Draupadi and the Pandavas' exile.

Aranyaka (Vana) Parva

The book of the forest: twelve years of exile, rich with embedded tales — Nala and Damayanti, Savitri and Satyavan, the Ramopakhyana — and closing with the Yaksha's questions.

Virata Parva

The year in disguise at King Virata's court, the slaying of Kichaka, and Arjuna's stand against the Kuru cattle raid.

Udyoga Parva

The book of effort: embassies for peace, Vidura's counsel and Sanatsujata's teaching to Dhritarashtra, Krishna's mission to Hastinapura, and both sides preparing for war.

Bhishma Parva

The first ten days of the war under Bhishma's command, containing the Bhagavad Gita, and ending with Bhishma on his bed of arrows.

Drona Parva

Drona leads the Kauravas: the chakravyuha and Abhimanyu's death, Arjuna's vow and the slaying of Jayadratha, the night battle, and Drona's fall.

Karna Parva

Karna commands the Kaurava army; Bhima fulfils his vow against Duhshasana, and Karna falls to Arjuna.

Shalya Parva

The last day of battle under Shalya, Balarama's pilgrimage along the Sarasvati, and the mace duel in which Duryodhana falls.

Sauptika Parva

The night raid: Ashvatthama slaughters the sleeping Pandava camp, and is cursed by Krishna.

Stri Parva

The women of both houses lament on the battlefield; Gandhari curses Krishna, and the dead receive their rites.

Shanti Parva

The book of peace: Bhishma, from his bed of arrows, teaches Yudhishthira the duties of kings, conduct in times of distress, and the way to liberation.

Anushasana Parva

Bhishma's final instructions on dharma, gifts and conduct, including the Vishnu Sahasranama, and his departure from the body.

Ashvamedhika Parva

Yudhishthira's horse sacrifice and Arjuna's campaign with the horse; it contains the Anugita, Krishna's teaching retold.

Ashramavasika Parva

Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti retire to the forest; Vyasa shows the living the fallen warriors for one night; the elders perish in a forest fire.

Mausala Parva

The Yadavas destroy one another with iron clubs; Krishna leaves the world and Dvaraka is swallowed by the sea.

Mahaprasthanika Parva

The great journey: the Pandavas and Draupadi walk towards the Himalaya and fall one by one; only Yudhishthira, with his dog, reaches heaven's gate.

Svargarohana Parva

Yudhishthira's ascent to heaven, his final test, and the closing of the epic.