1. Adi Parva (आदि पर्व)
(19 sub-parvas, 225-236 chapters depending on the editions)
* The first sloka of Mahabharata: नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम् । देवीं सरस्वतीं व्यासं ततो जयमुदीरयेत् ॥
Ugrashravas Sauti (उग्रश्रवस् सौती) narrates to assembled rishis at Naimisharanya (नैमिषारण्य) jungle. He narrates the story of how the Mahabharata was written. It describes the significance of Mahabharata, claims comprehensive synthesis of all human knowledge, and why it must be studied. Anukramanika Parva (chapter 1)
*Following few chapters talks about Kurukshetra, various rishi muni, samundra manthan, etc.
*Story of Shantanu, Bhishma and Satyavati. Adivansavatarana Parva (chapters: 59–64)
*Story of Vichitravirya, and birth of Dhritarasthra, Pandu, and Bidur.
*Stories of Karna's birth, Lord Krishna's birth.
*Pandu became King
*Wedding of Dhritarashtra to Gandhari, Pandu to (Kunti & then Madri), and Bidur. Sambhava Parva (chapters: 65–142)
*Pandu kills the sage, get curse and renounce the throne, Dhritarastra becomes regent.
*Story of Pandava & Kauravas birth, and Pandu's death, Dhritarastra becomes the King.
*Grow up and conflict between Pandava & Kauravas.
*Pandavas survives Lakshagriha house born conspiracy and retreat to forest. Jatugriha (Jatugriha-daha) Parva (chapters: 143–153)
*Bhim kills Hidambasur demon in the forest, marries his sister Hidimbi and Ghatotkacha born. Hidimva-vadha Parva (chapters: 154–158)
*Pandavas kill Bakasur in Ekachakra. Draupadi, is born in holy fire. Word spreads that the Pandavas may be alive. Baka-vadh Parva (chapters: 159–166)
*Draupadi's swayamvara. Pandavas arrive in Panchal in disguise of Brahmanas, Arjun excels in the swayamvara and wins Draupadi's. Other participants object, fight erupts, but Bhima and Arjuna defeats all. While taking Draupadi to their cottage, Kunti mistakenly orders to share the win (Draupadi), thus she becomes shared wife of all five pandavas. Krishna, Dhrishtadyumna knows the true identity of Pandavas. Swayamvara Parva (chapters: 186–194)
*Vidura's attempt to reconcile the Kaurava and Pandava. Various speeches by Karna, Bhishma, Drona and Vidura. Pandavas return to Hastinapur. The construction of the city Indraprastha. Viduragamana Parva (chapters: 202–209)
*Arjuna violates dharma. He accepts voluntary exile. Arjuna marries Ulupi and Chitrangada, and rescues Apsaras. Arjuna and Krishna become close friends. Arjuna goes to Dwarka, lives with Krishna. Arjuna-vanavasa Parva (chapters: 215–220)
*Arjuna falls in love with and takes away Subhadra, Krishna's sister. The upset Vrishnis prepare war with Arjuna but finally desist. Subhadra-harana Parva (chapters: 221–222)
*Arjuna returns from exile, with Subhadra. They marry. Their son Abhimanyu is born. Story of the Upapandavas, the five sons of Draupadi. Harana-harana (Harana-harika) Parva (chapter: 223)
* The reign of Yudhishthira. Krishna and Arjuna go to the banks of Yamuna and meet Agni. Agni gives Arjuna the Gandiva bow and the ape-bannered chariot, while Krishna receives the discus. Agni starts consuming Khandava forest when Indra and other deities obstruct. The fight of Krishna and Arjuna with celestials, their combined abilities, and their victory. Maya rescued by Arjuna. Khandava-Daha Parva (chapters: 224–236)
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2. Sabha Parva
*Pandava expand their empire on all direction and Yudhishthira is declared Dharmaraja. It describes the geography, tribes and various kingdoms as pandavas go in different directions to expand their empire. Digvijaya Parva (chapters: 25–31)
*Kings, sages and visitors from around the world arrive for Rajasuya ceremony by Pandavas. As Sahadeva offers Arghya to pray Krishna, Shishupala objects. Hostilities begin. Shishupala leaves with some kings following him. Yudhishthira tries to reconciliation. Arghyaharana Parva (chapters: 35–38). Krishna first refuses to fight Shishupala, but finally kills him and leaves. Shishupala-vadha Parva (chapters: 39–44)
*Shakuni provokes Yudhishthira for the game of dice. Yudhishthira loses his kingdom, his brothers, himself, and finally his wife in the 20th round of the game of dice to Shakuni. Draupadi is humiliated in the Assembly Hall by disrobing her saree but God protects her. Draupadi argues and establishes the game was flawed because it wrongfully treated her as property. The entire gambling game is declared invalid; Yudhishthira recovers everything he had lost. Dyuta Parva (chapters: 45–73)
*Another round of dice occurs. Yudhishthira loses again. As a result, Pandavas go into exile for 12 years and the 13th year, unrecognized in some inhabited place, and if they are recognized in the 13th year, they are found then they would go into exile for another 12 years. Dhritarashtra comes to power and refuses the Sages advice to make peace with Pandavas. Anudyuta Parva (chapters: 74–81)
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3 Vana Parva also Aranyaka Parva, Aranya Parva 29–44 The twelve years of exile in the forest (aranya). The entire Parva describes their struggle and consolidation of strength.
4 Virata Parva 45–48 The year spent incognito at the court of Virata. A single warrior (Arjuna) defeated the entire Kuru army including Karna, Bhishma, Drona, Ashwatthama, etc. and recovered the cattle of the Virata kingdom.
5 Udyoga Parva 49–59 Preparations for war and efforts to bring about peace between the Kaurava and the Pandava sides which eventually fail (udyoga means effort or work).
KURUKSHETRA WAR BEGINS
6 Bhishma Parva 60–64 The first part of the great battle, with Bhishma as commander for the Kaurava and his fall on the bed of arrows. The most important aspect of Bhishma Parva is the Bhagavad Gita narrated by Krishna to Arjuna. (Chapters 25–42.)
7 Drona Parva 65–72 The battle continues, with Drona as commander. This is the major book of the war. Most of the great warriors on both sides are dead by the end of this book.
8 Karna Parva 73 The continuation of the battle with Karna as commander of the Kaurava forces.
9 Shalya Parva 74–77 The last day of the battle, with Shalya as commander. Also told in detail, is the pilgrimage of Balarama to the fords of the river Saraswati and the mace fight between Bhima and Duryodhana which ends the war, since Bhima kills Duryodhana by smashing him on the thighs with a mace.
10 Sauptika Parva 78–80 Ashwatthama, Kripa and Kritavarma kill the remaining Pandava army in their sleep. Only seven warriors remain on the Pandava side and three on the Kaurava side.
11 Stri Parva 81–85 Gandhari and the women (stri) of the Kauravas and Pandavas lament the dead and Gandhari cursing Krishna for the massive destruction and the extermination of the Kaurava.
12 Shanti Parva 86–88 The crowning of Yudhishthira as king of Hastinapura, and instructions from Bhishma for the newly anointed king on society, economics, and politics. This is the longest book of the Mahabharata.
13 Anushasana Parva 89–90 The final instructions (anushasana) from Bhishma. This Parba contains the last day of Bhishma and his advice and wisdom to the upcoming emperor Yudhishthira.
14 Ashvamedhika Parva 91–92 The royal ceremony of the Ashvamedha (Horse sacrifice) conducted by Yudhishthira. The world conquest by Arjuna. Anugita is told by Krishna to Arjuna.
15 Ashramavasika Parv 93–95 The eventual deaths of Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kunti in a forest fire when they are living in a hermitage in the Himalayas. Vidura predeceases them and Sanjaya on Dhritarashtra's bidding goes to live in the higher Himalayas.
16 Mausala Parva 96 The materialization of Gandhari's curse, i.e., the infighting between the Yadavas with maces (mausala) and the eventual destruction of the Yadavas.
17 Mahaprasthanika Parva 97 The great journey of Yudhishthira, his brothers, and his wife Draupadi across the whole country and finally their ascent of the great Himalayas where each Pandava falls except for Yudhishthira.
18 Svargarohana Parva 98 Yudhishthira's final test and the return of the Pandavas to the spiritual world (svarga).
*Harivamsa Parva 99–100 This is an addendum to the 18 books, and covers those parts of the life of Krishna which is not covered in the 18 parvas of the Mahabharata.
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