INDIAN CLASSICAL DRAMA( 1500 -1000 )

MAHABHARATA

Author: Sage Vyasa, Language: Sanskrit Length:

1,000 Shlokas( verses) covering upto 1.8 million
words. Longest narrative poetry in the globe.
18 Books(Parvas) Supplementary Part + Harivamsa
Structure: The Mahabharata the longest Sanskrit
epic is divided into 18 books (Parvas).
1. Adi Parva Book of the Beginning) Introduction of
the characters. Pandavas and Kauravas their birth
and early life of Krishna. The Kuru Dynasty. The
book has a little books sub-books.236 chapters.
2. (The book of the Assembly Hall) The royal court
of Hastinapur and the not so talked of of the town
game. (The game of Dice). In this the Pandavas
loose their kingdom and going into exile. Total 81
chapters. 10 Sub-parvas.
3. Vana Parva( The book of the forest) Chronicles
the twelve year exile of the Pandavas in the forest,
their various adventure and hardships 12 sub-parvas
and total of 299 chapters.
4. Virata Parva : (The book of Virata) The Pandavas
spent their 13 years in the court of King Virata. The
book has 4 Sub Parvas( little books) and 72 chapters.

5.Udyoga Parva: The book of effort Preparations for

the great war of the Kauravas and Pandavas. The
main aim was to bring peace with diplomatic
methods, strategies. Their little book has 10 sub-
parvas and total of 197 chapters.
6. Bhishma Parva (The Book of Bhishma ) The first
part of his book shows how he was the one to lead
the grandfather of( Kauravas and Pandavas) in the
war field for the first time( Kurukshetra). Sub-Parvas
are 9 and 122 chapters.
7. Drona Parva:( The Book of Drona) The Drona
charya the Guru of Archery and warfare skills who
was the central figure to the Kauravas in the war.
Sub-parvas are 8 and 204 chapters.
8. Karna parva( The Book of Karna) Karna took over
as the kauravas army commander after Dronacharya
and has he wished and aimed for the victory of
Duryodhana over the Pandavas.
9. Shalya Parva: The final days of the war lead by the
powerful king of Madra and the brother of Pandu's
wife who was on the Kauravas army. This is of 4 sub-
parvas and 64 chapters.
10. Sauptika Parva:( The Book of the sleeping
warriors) One of the three survivors of the Kauravas
army who took revenge on the Pandavas army
forces. 2 sub-parvas, 18 Chapters.
11. Stri-Parva:( The book of the women) The
grievences of the women and their lossing of their
loved ones in the war. It has 4 sub-parvas and 27
chapters in total.
12. Shanti-Parva:( The book of peace) After the war
when the two decide Kauravas and the Pandavas
decide peace and Yudhisthira begins his rule of the
Pandava kingdom under the advice and presence of
Bhisma who is dying and explains the duty of the
good ruler who is prudent and humble to his
subjects.
13. Anushasana Parva: The book of instructions
Bhisma continues his teachings. Focusing variuos
aspects of dharma. ( 4 Sub- parvas) and 168
chapters in total.
14. Ashvamedhika Parva:( The book of the horse
sacrifice). Ashvamedha Yajna adviced by Krishna and
Vyasa and were performed by Yudhishthira to
establish his authority.
15. Ashramvasika Parva: ( The book of the
hermitage) The later years of Dhritarashtra,
Gandhari,( wife of Dhritarashtra), Kunti and Vidura
in the forest(uncle of the pandavas and
kauravas).Consists of 3 sub-parvas and total 96
chapters.
16. Mausala Parva: ( The book of the clubs)The
destruction caused by the Yadava dynasty to Krishna
and his death in the warfare after 36 century. Also,
with the Dwarka sinked in the water after the
Yadava's.
17. Mahaprastarika Parva: ( The book of the great
journey) The Pandavas renouned wordly pleasures
and duties after the sad demise of Krishna. Being
disinterested in life.
18. Swargarohana Parva: ( The book of the ascent)
The epic ends with the ascend of the Pandavas 1
sub-parva and 6 chapters.
The Epic of Mahabharat is based on the principles of
Dharma which is Righteousness The theme
showcases the trials in duty,morality and
righteousness.
Karma(action) which is consequences of one’s own
act.
Bhakti(devotion) to worship God as in the Bhagavad
Gita.
Main Leads:
Pandavas:
Yudhisthira,Bhima,Arjuna,Nakula,Sahadeva.
Kauravas: Duryodhana and his 99 brothers.
Krishna: The Sarathi to Arjuna in the
Kurukshetra.Incarnation of Vishnu.
Bhisma: The granduncle of the Pandavas and
Kauravas.
Draupadi: The shared wife of the Pandavas.
Karna: The half brother of the Pandavas.The friend
of Duryodhana.
Drona,Kripa And Ashwatthama: the key warriors and
teachers.
Bhagvad Gita:
Bhisma Parva Book 6
Content: 700 verse dialogue between Prince Arjuna
and Krishna.
Key Teaching: Yoga,Bhakti and the true meaning of
action.
Critical Incidents:
The dicing and sequel of dicing: Sabha Parva-The
book of the Assembly hall.
The temptation of karna: Udyoga Parva-The book of
effort.
The battle of Kurukshetra:The epic war between the
kauravas and pandavas.
Bhagavad Gita revelation: Krishna discourse to
Arjuna.
The end of the Key warriors: Bhishma,
Drona,Karna,Duryodhana and others.
The end of the Yadava dynasty: following the wars
conclusion.
The Dicing Sabha parva:The central part of the
Sabha Parva the second book of the Mahabharata.
It details the crucial game of dice that is the turning
point of fate of the Pandavas.
Content: The game of dice takes place in Hastinapur
which is orchestrated by Duryodhana the eldest of
the Kauravas and his uncle shakuni.The main aim
was to decieve and humiliate the Pandavas
especially Yudhisthira the eldest Pandava.
Yudhisthira:The eldest Pandava known for his
adherence to dharma(duty/righteouness).
Duryodhana:The eldest kaurava who has
unexplainable animosity towards the Pandavas.
Shakuni: The uncle of Duryodhana who is evil and is
the one to create the game’s strategy.
Dhritarashtra: The blind king of Hastinapura who
knowing the game’s twisted rules,allows the game.
Shakuni’s Dice: The dice are used in the game are
said to pre planed for the Pandavas to lose.
The game:
Yudhishthira is being challenged to play a dice game
by Duryodhana.On knowing the game is a
manipulated. He accepts the challenge for his duty
and respect for the Kauravas.
Process of the game: Yudhisthira risks his valuable
possessions extremely his kingdom, brothers and
even his wife Draupadi.
Events preceeding: Loss of Kingdom: Yudhisthira
loses his kingdomand is forced into exile.
Loss of Brothers and self: Yudhisthira losses his
brothers and himself which leads to their exile.
Loss of Draupadi: The final consequence is when
Yudhisthira losses his wife to be humiliated amongst
the Kaurava court.
Aftermath: The humilaiation of Draupadi and how
trickily the game was played by the Kauravas which
was an injustice that leaded to the epic war
between Kauravas and pandavas.
The pandavas were forced in 13 years exile living in
disguise as they lost their status.
The sequel of the dicing is the result of the game of
dice played between Kauravs and Pandavs.
Draupadi Disrobing: The public humiliation at the
assembly hall where she is draged by her hair that is
the tipping point for the Pandavas level of
disrespect by the Kauravas.
The Curse of Draupadi: The curse given by Draupadi
to the Kauravas after she sees forsees their
trecherous end.
The vengenace vow: Yudhishtira and his brothers
after being insulted by the Kauravas and so the
Pandavas decided to take revenge after their wife
Draupadi was degraded in front of the Kauravas in
their assembly hall.
Dhrama(Righteousness) The conflict between
dharma and adharma. The manner in which
righteousness is tested.
Deception and injustice:
The way for personal growth by deceving for
personal gain.
The events following dice game thereby being the
initiater for the Kurukshetra war.
Context: Udhyoga Parva-The third book of the
Mahabharata focusing on the efforts to avoid
impending war between the Pandavas and kauravas.
Karnas: A central figure renowned for his courage
and his faithfulness. He was the warrior of the
Kauravas Army.
Karnas Dilema: Karna is loyal to Duryodhana and his
family.
Karnas Position: Despite all his skills and mastery he
is uncertain of his stand in the Kurukshetra.
Krishna Offer: Krishna approaches Karna and offers
him a kingdom of his choice and a higher position.
He wanted Karna to abandon Duryodhana and join
the Pandavas. Krishna said to Karna he will be the
greatest warrior and will achieve victory.
Test of the Character: Krishna tries to make use of
Karna’s sense of responsibility towards Duryodhana
and his internal talk between righteousness and his
choice of duty.
Karna’s refusal: Inspite of agreeing to the offer by
Krishna Karna chose to help his friend and support
him in the war which states the grit and sincerity he
had towards his beliefs systems and his own self
interest.
Significance: In Mahabharat the role of Karna
teaches us the faithfulness he had for Kauravas
eldest brother which paved the down his downfall.
This shows us the individual choices and how they
get reflected in our life path.
Loyalty Vs Righteousness: Karna’s refusal to Krishna
on advicing Karna to leave Kauravas Army had no
importance for Karna instead he chose to support
Kauravas against Pandavas thereby making the
personal trust win and the higher good.
Moral Dilemma: The absence of decision making
based on justice and the fickel state of a human
actions.

CLASSICAL SANSKRIT LITERATURE:

Kalidasa: Often regarded as the greatest Sanskrit
poet and dramatist known for his works like
Shakuntala, Meghaduta, Raghuvansa.
Bharavi: This is a known Kiratarjuniya a epic poem
that is a story of Arjuna’s battle with Lord Shiva.
Magha: Author of Shishupalavadha another
mahakavya depicting the slaying of Shishupala by
Krishna.
Bhavabhuti: He is known for his play maltimadhava
and Uttararama-charita.
Drama:
Bhasa: Pre-kalidasa playwright known for like
Svapnavasavadattam and Pratijna
Yauganrdharayana.
Kalidasa: Kalidasa was a classical Sanskrit author he
was known as India’s famous poet and writer. His
plays and poetry are based on Hindu Purans and
Philosophy. His surviving works consists of three
plays two epic and two shorter poems.
Kalidasa”The servant of Kali 4 to 5 century.
Sudraka: The Indian writer to who the three classical
plays are contributed are Mrichchhakatika The little
clay cart,Vinavasavadatta and a bhana.
Padmaprabhritika.
Panchatantra: A collection of animal fables
dedicated to Vishnu Sharma who teaches moral
lessons through stories.
Hitopadesha: Similar to Panchatantra written by
Narayana intructing young princes.
KALIDASA: One of the most popular Sanskrit poets
and dramatist.He is referred as the Shakespeare of
India.
He lived during the Gupta Dynasty around to 4 to 5
dynasty.
He is blessed by goddess Kali.
His play Abhijanasakuntalum was the first sanskrit
play which was translated into European languages,
He got applauds for his work. The Western Sholars
and poets {Goethe)
He was known for his poetic experssions, wealthy
imagination, deep human emotions and natural
beauty.
He was said to be the 9 gem of Vikramaditya court
King of Ujjain, Known for his plays, poetries and
these are some of his renowned works: