Mahabharata Vol. 3 (Penguin Translated Texts) (89 page)
Read Mahabharata Vol. 3 (Penguin Translated Texts) Online
Authors: Bibek Debroy
35
Arjuna.
38
A reference to Vishnu’s boar (varaha) incarnation.
39
Kartana
means to cut or slice. However, Vikartana is the name of the sun-god and the sun-god’s son is Vaikartana.
40
Jayadratha.
4
The word used is tata, which means son. But it is affectionately used for anyone who is younger.
5
The word used is tata, which means son. But it is affectionately used for anyone who is younger.
6
The word used is tata, which means son. But it is affectionately used for anyone who is younger.
7
Vijaya is Arjuna’s name, as is Bibhatsu, or Gudakesha. Shvetavahana (meaning the one whose steeds are white) is also one of Arjuna’s names and so is Savyasachi.
8
The word used is tata, which means son. But it is affectionately used for anyone who is younger.
9
The architect of the gods.
10
Five-leafed tree (
Vitex negundo
) with medicinal properties, also known as
nirgundi.
11
Flowering plant.
12
Kind of tree.
13
The sacred fig tree.
14
Lokapalas.
15
Shakuni.
16
The word used is tata, which means son. But it is affectionately used for anyone who is younger.
17
The yaksha has said that he is a crane.
18
The four Pandavas.
19
Specifically, the shrutis or revealed texts.
20
The word used is
dvitiyavana
, meaning one who has a second. But the meaning remains obscure. However,
dvitiya
also means the second in a family, that is, a son. Perhaps the sense is that one obtains a son through perseverance.
21
Prana.
22
The critical edition uses the word
pravadatam
, meaning those who speak. Some other versions use the word
prasavatam
, meaning those who are born. Since the answer is a son, the latter fits better than the former.
23
The critical edition uses the word
nrinam
, meaning men. Some other versions use the word
trinam
, meaning grass. Grass does fit better than men.
24
The three Vedas—Rig Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda.
25
The water.
26
Meaning
brahma muhurta
, those specific times of the day that are regarded as being presided over by the brahmana. They occur towards the early part of the day.
27
The five qualities of equanimity, self-control, abstinence, control of the senses and yoga.
28
Hunger, thirst, sorrow, delusion, fear and death. Hunger and thirst occur early in life, sorrow and delusion later and fear and death right at the end.
29
The brahmana’s.
30
The restoration to life of the four Pandavas and the encounter between the father (Dharma) and the son (Yudhishthira).
31
The Pandavas and the ascetics respectively.
32
Shakuni.
33
Pursued by Vritra, Indra hid inside a mountain.
34
Hayashira (head of a horse) or Hayagriva (neck of a horse) is one of Vishnu’s incarnations. Vishnu, as an Aditya, is also Aditi’s son. There are different stories associated with Hayashira, some connected with killing a demon named Hayagriva, others connected with the demons Madhu and Kaitabha.
35
This is a reference to Vishnu’s vamana (dwarf) incarnation.
36
Ourva was the son of Chyavana and the father of Jamadagni. He was born from his mother’s thigh (
uru
).
37
This is a reference to Rama’s story.
38
Arjuna’s name, the wielder of the Gandiva.
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First published by Penguin Books India 2011
Translation copyright © Bibek Debroy 2011
Cover design by Nitesh Mohanty
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ISBN: 978-01-4310-015-7
This digital edition published in 2012.
e-ISBN: 978-81-8475-293-9
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