Mahabharata Series Mixed short Topics Compiled by: G H Visweswara PREFACE I have extracted these contents from my other comprehensive & unique work on Mahabharata called Mahabharata-Spectroscope. (See http://www.ghvisweswara.com/mahabharata-2/mahabharata-spectroscope-a-unique- resource/). Whereas the material in that was included in the order in which it appears in the original epic, in this compilation I have grouped them by meaningful Topics & Sub- topics thus making it much more useful to the student/scholar of this subject. This is a compilation of the contents appearing in the great epic Mahabharata about several mixed topics viz Subjects included in Mahabharata, Devarshi Narada’s profile, Brahma’s Neeti shaastra, Description of Yugas, Amazing lands, Characteristics of good speech, Rivers & countries, Pilgrimage & pilgrim centres, Inconsistent Count of soldiers and Miscellaneous passages. I hope the readers will find the document of some use. Please see http://www.ghvisweswara.com/mahabharata-2 for my other topic based compilations based on Mahabharata. G H Visweswara [email protected] www.ghvisweswara.com September 2017 Collected Topics: G H Visweswara Page 1 Table of Contents Mixed short Topics .................................................................................................................................. 4 Subjects included in Mahabharata ...................................................................................................... 4 Devarshi Narada’s profile .................................................................................................................... 4 Brahma’s neeti shaastra ...................................................................................................................... 5 Description of yugas ............................................................................................................................ 9 Hanuman’s description .................................................................................................................... 9 Krita Yuga ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Treta Yuga .................................................................................................................................. 10 Dwapara Yuga ............................................................................................................................ 10 Kali Yuga .................................................................................................................................... 10 Markandeya’s description .............................................................................................................. 10 Duration of yugas ....................................................................................................................... 10 Last part of Kali yuga.................................................................................................................. 11 Kali yuga ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Restart of creation ...................................................................................................................... 14 Sanjaya’s description ..................................................................................................................... 14 Amazing lands ................................................................................................................................... 15 Shaaka dwipa ................................................................................................................................ 15 Pushkara dwipa ............................................................................................................................. 15 Shweta dwipa ................................................................................................................................. 15 Prithu’s kingdom ............................................................................................................................ 15 Characteristics of good speech ......................................................................................................... 16 Rivers & countries ............................................................................................................................. 17 Rivers ......................................................................................................................................... 17 Countries .................................................................................................................................... 17 Countries/clans conquered by Pandavas before Rajasuya yaga .............................................. 18 Pilgrimage and Pilgrim centres .......................................................................................................... 19 Why undertake pilgrimage ............................................................................................................. 19 Who should undertake pilgrimage ................................................................................................. 19 Bhishma on tirthas ......................................................................................................................... 20 Greatness of mental and physical sacred places ...................................................................... 20 Pulastyas’s listing of pilgrim centres .............................................................................................. 21 Dhaumya’s listing of pilgrim centres .............................................................................................. 26 Centres in eastern countries ...................................................................................................... 26 Centres in southern direction ..................................................................................................... 27 Centres in western direction ....................................................................................................... 27 Centres in northern direction ...................................................................................................... 27 Pandava’s pilgrimage..................................................................................................................... 28 Inconsistent Count of soldiers ........................................................................................................... 30 Collected Topics: G H Visweswara Page 2 Miscellaneous passages ................................................................................................................... 30 Milk unaffordable to poor ............................................................................................................... 30 Gold brought up by Pipilika ants .................................................................................................... 31 About river Saraswathi ................................................................................................................... 31 Roman sports in Mahabharata times!! ........................................................................................... 31 Collected Topics: G H Visweswara Page 3 Mixed short Topics Subjects included in Mahabharata Vyasa to chaturmukha Brahma: Most Worshipworthy! I have written this worshipworthy mahakavya (great epic). In the maha-grantha (great work) I have incorporated the secrets of Vedas and essence of other shaastras. I have incorporated the essence of the six components of Vedas (shadanga) and essence of Upanishads. I have filled it with itihasa & puranas. It has description of the indicators of past, present & future. The swaroopa-lakshana of old age, death, fear, diseases, truth & falsehood of things (materials) have been given decisively. I have clarified the duties of the four varnas and the underlying principles of purana. It also has description of tapas, nature of brahmacharya, its practice (implementation) and the results thereof. The following have been incorporated in this great work: Earth, Moon, Sun, planets-stars-groups of stars, the measure & nature of the four yugas viz Krita, Treta, Dwapara & Kali, the philosophical points of Rig, Yajur & Sama Vedas. The following also have been included: nyaya, shiksha, chikitse, daan and preaching of Pashupathi. Along with this, the reasons/causes for taking birth as humans, animals & birds are also given. There is a eulogising of punya-tirthas, rivers, mountains, forests & oceans. It has description of construction of exquisite cities & forts and the fighting skills of the kings. There is description of various languages & community of people. It has ‘wise statements’ useful for day to day life. It propounds the Brahmavastu who is present in the heart of all living beings. But, Oh, Brahmadeva, I am unable to find a writer who can help me bring it to earth in the form of a book. (Adi; Anukramanika; 1) Vaishampayana: (Shl 53) This Mahabharatha akhyana was completed by Krishna Dwaipayana by composing it in an unbroken manner over a period of three years by getting up every day at brahmi muhurtha. Whatever has been said in Mahabharata about dharma, artha, kaama & moksha can be found in other works. But those topics which are not in Mahabharatha cannot be found in any other works. (Adi; Asthika;