Adi Parvamu

Introduction

The Sacred place Naimisharanya is an abode for many Rishis and Munis. For the well being and prosperity of the whole world, Saunaka Mahamuni was performing Satra Yaga. A Yagna in which everyone gets to perform the rituals as priests. Saunaka is called as Kulapathi, which means, a Holy person who provides food and shelter for ten thousand Munis and teaches them Vedas. Sutha Mahamuni Ugrasravana came to the Yagna. Ugrasravana is the son of Romaharshana who is the disciple of Vyasa Mahamuni. He is well versed in Vedas and Puranas. When he arrived at the Yagna, everyone was so attracted by his grace that they came and surrounded him and treated him with respect and hospitality. They requested him to read them some sacred stories and Epics which give immense happiness to their souls. Ugrasravana greeted all the Munis and asked them what kind of story they would like to listen to. The Munis who were so happy just by the mere presence of him asked him to narrate something which is of immense importance and which will give good knowledge and wisdom in all aspects of life. He said he would narrate the great Epic Mahabharata which describes in detail every aspect of life, every dharma and values for all people.

Ugrasravana started his narration as follows. In the Olden times, all Vedas were at one place causing a little confusion in identifying their importance. Vyasa is the great sage who has taken the responsibility of organizing them in the righteous way. He divided them in to four Divisions namely, Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Adharvana Veda. He called his disciples Paila, Vaisampayana, Sumantha and Gemini and had them write the principles for these Vedas. His Holyness Veda Vyasa has written the great epic Mahabharata.

Veda Vyasa has incorporated the following great facts of the great eighteen puranas (detailed as Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Shiva Purana, Srimadbhagavatam, Narada Purana, Markandeya Purana , Varaha Purana, Skanda Purana, Vamana Purana, Kurma Purana, Matsya Purana, Garuda Purana, Bramhanda Purana, , Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Linga Purana, Vishnu Purana and Agni Purana), Dharma Shastras and their Essence, Essence of Vedas, stories of Salvation, Itihasas, the stories of great sages and Kings, the principles and dharmas of chatur varnas, the greatness of Lord Sri Krishna, the great qualities of Mahabharata War heroes in his Monumental Epic of Mahabharata. It took three years for him to complete the great Epic.

People who know the essence of Dharma appreciated the scripture as an source of great principles of Dharma. Some appreciated it as great Vedanta, Neeti Shastra, Mahakavya, Lakshana Shastra, Itihasa and Purana. Like the created of the World made Continents and Sub Continents, Mahabharata has Parvas and Sub Parvas. Let me narrate them in detail.