Basic concepts of Mahabharata
Shrimad Ananda Teertha (Shri Madvacharya) in Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya has given the concept of Mahabharata by defining the attributes of each personality.
1.Dharma raja : Symbolic of Dharma -righteousness(1)
2.Bheema had these qualities viz.,
i) Bhakti – Devotion ii) JNaana – Knowledge iii)Vairagya – freedom from all worldly desire
iv) PragNa – intellectual
v) Medha – wisdom
vi) Druitt – courage
vi[ )Sthiti – perseverance
viii)] Yoga – contemplation (meditation)
ix) PrANaH – breath of life
x) Balam – power
Total – 10 qualities
3. Arjuna is symbolic of 3 qualities :
i) shravana – listened to upadesha of Lord Krishna
ii) manana – paid honour
iii)Dhyana – reflection – participated in the yudda (war).
4 . Nakula – Sheela – represents character (1)
5. Sahadeva – Vinaya – represents obedience (1)
6 Droupadi – represents all knowledge – VedABimAni is Droupadi.
7 Krishna represents Narayana – Sarvothama.
When all these qualities are added it amounts to 18.
(1+10+3+1+1+1+1=18)
IFrom these 18 qualities one can achieve grand success (jaya) in life.
This is known as manvAdi artha. (manvAdi meaning of Mahabharata.
The number 18 represents number of parvas and the perod of war that took place between Pandavas and Kouravas.
This is the great message (Sandesha) of Mahabharata.
These meanings were given by Ananda Teertha (Shri Madvacharya) in Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya.
BharatiramaNa Mukyapraanantargata shri viShNu preetyartam samarpayaami
Shri ktishNarpanamastu
Acknowledgement: - With due respects to Dr. V. Prabhanjanacharya’s paaTa pravachana.