(FIFTH PARVA BRIEF)
"Listen then to (the contents of) the fifth Parva which must be known as Udyoga. While Pandavas, desirous of victory, were residing in the place called Upaplavya, Duryodhana and Arjuna both went at the same time to Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna), and said, "You should render us assistance in this war." The high-souled (Sri) Krishna, upon these words being uttered, replied, "O you first of men, an adviser in myself who will not fight and one Akshauhini of troops (21,870 chariots; 21,870 elephants; 65,610 cavalry; 109,350 infantry), which of these shall I give to which of you?" Blind to his own interests, the foolish Duryodhana asked for the (Akshauhini) troops; while Arjuna requested (Sri) Krishna as an unfighting adviser. Then is described how, when the king of Madra (Salya) was coming for the assistance of Pandavas, Duryodhana, having deceived him on the way by presents and hospitality, induced him to grant a boon and then requested his (Salya's) assistance in battle; how Salya, having passed his word to Duryodhana, went to Pandavas and consoled them by reciting the history of (Lord) Indra's victory (over Vritra).
"Then comes the despatch by Pandavas of their Purohita (priest) to Kauravas. Then is described how king Dhritarashtra of great skills, having heard the word of the Purohita of Pandavas and the story of (Lord) Indra's victory decided upon sending his Purohita and ultimately despatched Sanjaya as envoy to Pandavas from desire for peace. Here has been described the sleeplessness of Dhritarashtra from anxiety upon hearing all about Pandavas and their friends, Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna) and others. It was on this occasion that Vidura addressed to the wise king Dhritarashtra various counsels (advise) that were full of wisdom. It was here also that Sanat-sujata recited to the anxious and sorrowing monarch (Dhritarashtra) the excellent truths of spiritual philosophy. On the next morning Sanjaya spoke, in the court of the King (Dhritarashtra), of the identity of Vaasudeva and Arjuna.
"It was then that the illustrious (Sri) Krishna, moved by kindness and a desire for peace, went himself to the Kaurava capital, Hastinapura, for bringing about peace. Then comes the rejection by prince Duryodhana of the embassy of (Sri) Krishna who had come to request peace for the benefit of both parties. Here has been recited the story of Damvodvava; then the story of the high-souled Matuli's search for a husband for his daughter; then the history of the great sage Galava; then the story of the training and discipline of the son of Bidula.
"Then the exhibition by (Sri) Krishna, before the assembled Rajas, of his Yoga powers upon learning the evil counsels of Duryodhana and Karna; then (Sri) Krishna's taking Karna in his chariot and his tendering to him of advice, and Karna's rejection of the same from pride. Then the return of (Sri) Krishna, the punisher of enemies from Hastinapura to Upaplavya, and his narration to Pandavas of all that had happened. It was then that those oppressors of enemies, the Pandavas, having heard all and consulted properly with each other, made every preparation for war.
"Then comes the march from Hastinapura, for battle, of foot-soldiers, horses, charioteers and elephants. Then the tale of the troops by both parties. Then the despatch by prince Duryodhana of Uluka as ambassador to Pandavas on the day previous to the battle. Then the tale of charioteers of different classes. Then the story of Amba.
"These all have been described in the fifth Parva called Udyoga of the (Maha)Bharata, abounding with incidents concerning to war and peace. O you Rishis, the great Vyasa has composed one hundred and eighty-six (186) sections in this Parva. The number of shlokas also composed in this by the great Rishi (Vyasa) is six thousand, six hundred and ninety-eight (6,698).
(SIXTH PARVA BRIEF)
"Then is recited the Bhishma Parva replete with wonderful incidents. In this has been narrated by Sanjaya the formation of the region known as Jambu (Jambudweepa in Sanskrit). Here has been described the great depression of Yudhishthira's army, and also a fierce fight for ten successive days. In this the high-souled Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna) by reasons based on the philosophy of final release (Moksha in Sanskrit) drove away Arjuna's uneasiness springing from the latter's (Arjuna's) regard for his relations (whom he was on the eve of slaying).
"In this the magnanimous (Sri) Krishna, attentive to the welfare of Yudhishthira, seeing the loss inflicted (on the Pandava army), descended quickly from his chariot himself and ran, with fearless chest, his driving whip in hand, to achieve the death of Bhishma. In this, (Sri) Krishna also striked with piercing words Arjuna, the bearer of the Gandiva and the foremost in battle among all wielders of weapons.
"In this, the foremost of bowmen, Arjuna, placing Shikandin before him and piercing Bhishma with his sharpest arrows felled him from his chariot. In this, Bhishma lay stretched on his bed of arrows.
"This extensive Parva is known as the sixth in the (Maha)Bharata. In this have been composed one hundred and seventeen (117) sections. The number of shlokas is five thousand, eight hundred and eighty-four (5,884) as told by Vyasa knowledgeable with Vedas.
(SEVENTH PARVA BRIEF)
"Then is recited the wonderful Parva called Drona full of incidents. First comes the installation in the command of the (Kaurava) army of the great instructor in arms, Drona; then the vow made by that great master of weapons (Drona) of seizing the wise Yudhishthira in battle to please Duryodhana; then the retreat of Arjuna from the (battle)field before the Sansaptakas, then the overthrow of Bhagadatta like to a second Indra in the (battle)field, with the elephant Supritika, by Arjuna; then the death of the hero Abhimanyu in his teens, alone and unsupported, at the hands of many Maharathas including Jayadratha; then after the death of Abhimanyu, the destruction by Arjuna, in battle of seven Akshauhinis of troops (153,090 chariots; 153,090 elephants; 459,270 cavalry; 765,450 infantry) and then of Jayadratha; then the entry, by Bhima of mighty arms and by that foremost of warriors-in-chariot, Satyaki, into the Kaurava ranks impenetrable even to Devas, in search of Arjuna in obedience to the orders of Yudhishthira, and the destruction of the remaining of Sansaptakas.
"In the Drona Parva, is the death of Alambusha, of Srutayus, of Jalasandha, of Shomadatta, of Virata, of the great warrior-in-chariot Drupada, of Ghatotkacha and others; in this Parva, Ashwatthaman, excited beyond measure at the fall of his father in battle, discharged the terrible weapon Narayana. Then the glory of Rudra in connection with the burning (of the three cities). Then the arrival of Vyasa and recital by him of the glory of (Sri) Krishna and Arjuna.
"This is the great seventh Parva of the (Maha)Bharata in which all the heroic chiefs and princes mentioned were sent to their account. The number of sections in this is one hundred and seventy (170). The number of shlokas as composed in the Drona Parva by Rishi Vyasa, the son of Parasara and the possessor of true knowledge after much meditation, is eight thousand, nine hundred and nine (8,909).
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