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{{short description|First book of the Mahabharata}}
{{short description|First book of the Mahabharata}}[[File:Ugrashravas narrating Mahābhārata before the sages gathered in Naimisha Forest.jpg|thumb|250px|Adi Parva describes Mahabharata as being recited before sages because its scope includes all knowledge known.]]The '''''Adi Parva''''' or '''''The Book of the Beginning''''' is the first of eighteen books of the [[Mahabharata]]. "Adi" ([[wiktionary:आदि#Sanskrit|आदि]], Ādi) is a [[Sanskrit]] word that means "first".
The '''''Adi Parva''''' or '''''The Book of the Beginning''''' is the first of eighteen books of the [[Mahabharata]]. "Adi" ([[wiktionary:आदि#Sanskrit|आदि]], Ādi) is a [[Sanskrit]] word that means "first".


Adi Parva traditionally has 19 sub-books and 236 adhyayas (chapters).<ref>Ganguli, K.M. (1883-1896) "[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/index.htm Adi Parva"] in ''The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa'' (12 Volumes). Calcutta</ref><ref>Dutt, M.N. (1895) ''The Mahabharata (Volume 1): Adi Parva''. Calcutta: Elysium Press</ref> The [[Textual criticism|critical edition]] of Adi Parva has 19 sub-books and 225 chapters.<ref>van Buitenen, J.A.B. (1973) ''The Mahabharata: Book 1: The Book of the Beginning''. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, pp 475-476</ref><ref>Debroy, B. (2010) ''The Mahabharata, Volume 1''. Gurgaon: Penguin Books India, pp xxiii - xxvi</ref>
Adi Parva traditionally has 19 parts and 236 adhyayas (chapters).<ref>Ganguli, K.M. (1883-1896) "[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/index.htm Adi Parva"] in ''The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa'' (12 Volumes). Calcutta</ref><ref>Dutt, M.N. (1895) ''The Mahabharata (Volume 1): Adi Parva''. Calcutta: Elysium Press</ref> The [[Textual criticism|critical edition]] of Adi Parva has 19 parts and 225 chapters.<ref>van Buitenen, J.A.B. (1973) ''The Mahabharata: Book 1: The Book of the Beginning''. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, pp 475-476</ref><ref>Debroy, B. (2010) ''The Mahabharata, Volume 1''. Gurgaon: Penguin Books India, pp xxiii - xxvi</ref>


Adi Parva describes how the epic came to be recited by [[Ugrasrava Sauti]] to the assembled [[rishi]]s at the [[Naimisha Forest]] after first having been narrated at the ''sarpasatra'' of [[Janamejaya II|Janamejaya]] by Vaishampayana at [[Taxila]]. It includes an outline of contents from the eighteen books, along with the book's significance. The history of the [[Bhāratas]] and the [[Bhrigu]]s are described. The main part of the work covers the birth and early life of the [[Mahabharata#Kuru family tree|princes]] of the [[Kuru Kingdom]] and the persecution of the [[Pandava]]s by [[Dhritarashtra]].
Adi Parva describes how the epic came to be recited by [[Ugrasrava Sauti]] to the assembled [[rishi]]s at the [[Naimisha Forest]] after first having been narrated at the ''sarpasatra'' of [[Janamejaya II|Janamejaya]] by Vaishampayana at [[Taxila]]. It includes an outline of contents from the eighteen books, along with the book's significance. The history of the [[Bhāratas]] and the [[Bhrigu]]s are described. The main part of the work covers the birth and early life of the [[Mahabharata#Kuru family tree|princes]] of the [[Kuru Kingdom]] and the persecution of the [[Pandava]]s by [[Dhritarashtra]].


==Structure & Chapters==
==Structure and chapters==


[[File:Raja Ravi Varma - Mahabharata - Bharata.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]], the son of [[Sakuntala]], after her love marriage with [[Dushyanta]]. Their courtship and love affair is described in Adi Parva's chapters in Sambhava Parva; as is the story of birth and childhood of Bharata. Above painting by Raja Ravi Varma.]]
The Adi Parva consists of 19 ''upa-parva''s or parts (also referred to as little books). Each part is also called a ''parva'' and is further subdivided into chapters, for a total of 236 chapters in Adi Parva. The following are the sub-parvas:<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahābhārata (Table of Contents) |url=https://www.tititudorancea.com/z/mahabharata_table_of_contents.htm |website=The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin |access-date=2021-03-01}}</ref>
 
[[File:Astika stops Takshaka from falling into Fire.jpg|thumb|Astika stops the snake-sacrifice (Sarpa Satra)]]
The Adi Parva consists of 19 ''upa-parva''s or sub-books (also referred to as little books). Each sub-book is also called a ''parva'' and is further subdivided into chapters, for a total of 236 chapters in Adi Parva. The following are the sub-parvas:<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahābhārata (Table of Contents) |url=https://www.tititudorancea.com/z/mahabharata_table_of_contents.htm |website=The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin |access-date=2021-03-01}}</ref>


: 1. '''Anukramanika Parva''' (Chapter: 1)
: 1. '''Anukramanika Parva''' (Chapter: 1)
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: 6. '''Adivansavatarana Parva''' {{aka}} '''Anshavatarana Parva''' (Chapters: 59–64)
: 6. '''Adivansavatarana Parva''' {{aka}} '''Anshavatarana Parva''' (Chapters: 59–64)
:: History of Pandava and Kuru princes. Stories of [[Shantanu]], [[Bhishma]] and [[Satyavati]]. Stories of [[Karna]]'s birth, [[Krishna|Lord Krishna]]'s birth and of and Animandavya. Appeal to [[Brahma]] that the gods should reincarnate to save the chaos that earth has become.
:: History of Pandava and Kuru princes. Stories of [[Shantanu]], [[Bhishma]] and [[Satyavati]]. Stories of [[Karna]]'s birth, [[Krishna|Lord Krishna]]'s birth and of and Animandavya. Appeal to [[Brahma]] that the gods should reincarnate to save the chaos that earth has become.
[[File:Raja Ravi Varma - Mahabharata - Bharata.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]], the son of [[Sakuntala]], after her love marriage with [[Dushyanta]]. Their courtship and love affair is described in Sambhava Parva.]]


: 7. '''Sambhava Parva''' (Chapters: 65–142)
: 7. '''Sambhava Parva''' (Chapters: 65–142)
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: 10. '''Vaka-vadha Parva''' {{aka}} '''Baka-vadha Parva''' (Chapters: 159–166)
: 10. '''Vaka-vadha Parva''' {{aka}} '''Baka-vadha Parva''' (Chapters: 159–166)
:: The life of Pandavas brothers in Ekachakra. Story about Bhima slaying another demon [[Bakasura]], who has been terrorizing people of Ekachakra. Heroine of Mahabharata, [[Draupadi]], is born in holy fire. Word spreads that the Pandavas may be alive.
:: [[File:Bhima fighting with Bakasura color.jpg|thumb|Bhima fighting with Bakasura]]The life of Pandavas brothers in Ekachakra. Story about Bhima slaying another demon [[Bakasura]], who has been terrorizing people of Ekachakra. Heroine of Mahabharata, [[Draupadi]], is born in holy fire. Word spreads that the Pandavas may be alive.


: 11. '''Chaitraratha Parva''' (Chapters: 167–185)
: 11. '''Chaitraratha Parva''' (Chapters: 167–185)
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: 12. '''Swayamvara Parva''' (Chapters: 186–194)
: 12. '''Swayamvara Parva''' (Chapters: 186–194)
:: The Pandavas arrive in Panchala. [[Draupadi]]'s [[swayamvara]]. The Pandavas arrive at the swayamvara in disguise of Brahmanas. Arjuna excels in the swayamvara and wins Draupadi's heart and hand. Krishna recognizes the individuals in disguise as the Pandava brothers. The suitors object the marriage of Draupadi and Arjuna, a fight ensues. Bhima and Arjuna defeat all the suitors and then takes Draupadi to their cottage. Kunti thinking Draupadi as alms commands her to be shared by the five brothers. [[Dhrishtadyumna]] gets to know the true identity of Pandavas.  
:: [[File:The Swayamvara of Panchala's princess, Draupadi.jpg|thumb|Arjuna in Draupadi's swayamvara]]The Pandavas arrive in Panchala. [[Draupadi]]'s [[swayamvara]]. The Pandavas arrive at the swayamvara in disguise of Brahmanas. Arjuna excels in the swayamvara and wins Draupadi's heart and hand. Krishna recognizes the individuals in disguise as the Pandava brothers. The suitors object the marriage of Draupadi and Arjuna, a fight ensues. Bhima and Arjuna defeat all the suitors and then takes Draupadi to their cottage. Kunti thinking Draupadi as alms commands her to be shared by the five brothers. [[Dhrishtadyumna]] gets to know the true identity of Pandavas.  


: 13. '''Vaivahika Parva''' (Chapters: 195–201)
: 13. '''Vaivahika Parva''' (Chapters: 195–201)
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: 16. '''Arjuna-vanavasa Parva''' (Chapters: 215–220)
: 16. '''Arjuna-vanavasa Parva''' (Chapters: 215–220)
::Arjuna violates dharma. He accepts voluntary exile. Arjuna marries Ulupi and Chitrangada, and rescues Apsaras. Story highlights his special powers and competence. Arjuna and Krishna become close friends. Arjuna goes to Dwarka, lives with Krishna.
::Arjuna violates dharma. He accepts voluntary exile. Arjuna marries Ulupi and Chitrangada, and rescues Apsaras. Story highlights his special powers and competence. Arjuna and Krishna become close friends. Arjuna goes to Dwarka, lives with Krishna.
 
[[File:Ravi Varma-Arjuna and Subhadra.jpg|thumb|Arjuna and Subhadra]]
: 17. '''Subhadra-harana Parva''' (Chapters: 221–222)
: 17. '''Subhadra-harana Parva''' (Chapters: 221–222)
:: Arjuna falls in love with and takes away [[Subhadra]], Krishna's sister. The upset Vrishnis prepare war with Arjuna, but finally desist.
:: Arjuna falls in love with and takes away [[Subhadra]], Krishna's sister. The upset Vrishnis prepare war with Arjuna, but finally desist.
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:: The reign of Yudhishthira. Krishna and Arjuna go to the banks of Yamuna, where they meet [[Agni]], disguised as a Brahmin, who demands to consume the [[Khandava Forest|Khandava forest]], to cure his digestive ailment. Stories of Swetaki, and Agni. Agni gives Arjuna the Gandiva bow and the ape-bannered chariot, while Krishna receives the discus. Agni starts consuming the forest when Indra and other deities obstruct. The fight of Krishna and Arjuna with celestials, their combined abilities, and their victory. Story of Aswasena (Son of [[Takshaka]]), Mandapala and the his four bird sons. [[Mayasura|Maya]] rescued by Arjuna.<ref>PC Roy Mahabharata Adi Parva, Khandava-daha Parva</ref>
:: The reign of Yudhishthira. Krishna and Arjuna go to the banks of Yamuna, where they meet [[Agni]], disguised as a Brahmin, who demands to consume the [[Khandava Forest|Khandava forest]], to cure his digestive ailment. Stories of Swetaki, and Agni. Agni gives Arjuna the Gandiva bow and the ape-bannered chariot, while Krishna receives the discus. Agni starts consuming the forest when Indra and other deities obstruct. The fight of Krishna and Arjuna with celestials, their combined abilities, and their victory. Story of Aswasena (Son of [[Takshaka]]), Mandapala and the his four bird sons. [[Mayasura|Maya]] rescued by Arjuna.<ref>PC Roy Mahabharata Adi Parva, Khandava-daha Parva</ref>


==English Translations==
==English translations==


[[Image:Bheeshma oath by RRV.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bhishma taking his ''bhishma pratigya'' is shown in Adi Parva]]
[[Image:Bheeshma oath by RRV.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bhishma taking his ''bhishma pratigya'' is shown in Adi Parva]]


Adi Parva and other books of ''Mahabharata'' are written in [[Sanskrit]]. Several translations of the ''Adi Parva'' are available in English. To translations whose copyrights have expired and which are in public domain, include those by Kisari Mohan Ganguli  and Manmatha Nath Dutt.  
Adi Parva and other books of ''Mahabharata'' are written in [[Sanskrit]]. Several translations of the ''Adi Parva'' are available in English. To translations whose copyrights have expired and which are in public domain, include those by Kisari Mohan Ganguli  and Manmatha Nath Dutt.  
[[File:Ugrashravas narrating Mahābhārata before the sages gathered in Naimisha Forest.jpg|thumb|250px|Adi Parva describes Mahabharata as being recited before sages because its scope includes all knowledge known.]]


The translations are not consistent in parts and vary with each translator's interpretations. For example:
The translations are not consistent in parts and vary with each translator's interpretations. For example:
Line 130: Line 128:
The total number of original verses depend on which Sanskrit source is used, and these do not equal the totalnumber of translated verses in each chapter, in both Ganguli and Dutt translations. ''Mahabharata'', like many ancient Sanskrit texts, was transmitted across generations verbally, a practice that was a source of corruption of its text, deletion of verses as well as the addition of extraneous verses over time. Some of these suspect verses have been identified by change in style and integrity of meter in the verses. The structure, prose, meter and style of translations vary within chapters between the translating authors.
The total number of original verses depend on which Sanskrit source is used, and these do not equal the totalnumber of translated verses in each chapter, in both Ganguli and Dutt translations. ''Mahabharata'', like many ancient Sanskrit texts, was transmitted across generations verbally, a practice that was a source of corruption of its text, deletion of verses as well as the addition of extraneous verses over time. Some of these suspect verses have been identified by change in style and integrity of meter in the verses. The structure, prose, meter and style of translations vary within chapters between the translating authors.


Debroy, in his 2011 overview of ''Mahabharata'', notes that updated critical edition of ''Adi Parva'', with spurious and corrupted text removed, has 19 sub-books, 225 adhyayas (chapters) and 7,205 shlokas (verses).
Debroy, in his 2011 overview of ''Mahabharata'', notes that updated critical edition of ''Adi Parva'', with spurious and corrupted text removed, has 19 parts, 225 adhyayas (chapters) and 7,205 shlokas (verses).
 
==Controversies==
{{Unsourced section|date=April 2021}}
[[File:Snakesacrifice.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Janmejaya conducts snake sacrifice where Mahabharata is narrated for the first time]]
 
Adi Parva, and ''Mahabharata'' in general, has been studied for evidence of [[Caste sstem in India|caste]]-based social stratification in ancient India, as well as evidence for a host of theories about [[Veda|Vedic]] times in India. Such studies have become controversial.
 
First, the date and authenticity of the verses in Adi Parva, as well as the entire ''Mahabharata'', has been questioned. [[Klaus Klostermaier]], in his review of scholarly studies of ''Mahabharata'', notes the widely held view that original ''Mahabharata'' was different from currently circulating versions. For centuries, the ''Mahabharata''{{'}}s 1, 00, 000 verses—four times the entire [[Bible]] and nine times the [[Iliad]] and the [[Odyssey]] combined—were transmitted verbally across generations, without being written down. This memorization and verbal method of transfer is believed to be a source of text corruption, addition and deletion of verses. Klostermaier notes that the original version of ''Mahabharata'' was called ''Jaya'' and had about 7000 shlokas or about 7% of current length. Adi Parva, and rest of ''Mahabharata'', underwent at least two major changes - the first change tripled the size of ''Jaya'' epic and renamed it as ''Bharata'', while the second change quadrupled the already expanded version. Significant changes to older editions have been traced to the first millennium CE. There are significant differences in Sanskrit manuscripts of the ''Mahabharata'' found in different parts of India and manuscripts of the ''Mahabharata'' found in other Indian languages such as Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and others. Numerous spurious additions, interpolations and conflicting verses have been identified, many relating to history and social structure. Thus, it is unclear if the history or social structure of Vedic period or ancient India can be reliably traced from Adi Parva or ''Mahabharata''.
 
Second, Adi Parva is part of an Epic fiction. Writers, including those such as Shakespeare or Homer, take liberty in developing their characters and plots, they typically represent extremes and they do not truthfully record extant history. Adi Parva has verses with a story of a river fish swallowing a man's semen and giving birth to a human baby after 9 months and many other myths and fictional tales. Adi Parva, like the works of Homer and Shakespeare, is not a record of history.
 
Third, Adi Parva and other parvas of ''Mahabharata'' have been argued, suggests Klaus Klostermaier, as a treatise of symbolism, where each chapter has three different layers of meaning in its verses. The reader is painted a series of pictures through words, presented opposing views to various socio-ethical and moral questions, then left to interpret it on ''astikadi'', ''manvadi'' and ''auparicara'' levels; in other words, as mundane interesting fiction, or as ethical treatise, or thirdly as transcendental work that draws out the war between the higher and the lower self within each reader. To deduce history of ancient India is one of many discursive choices for the interpreter.


==Quotations & Teachings==
==Quotations and teachings==


[[File:Le barattage de la Mer de Lait (Angkor Vat) (6785807298).jpg|thumb|250px|The creation of universe by the churning of the ocean - this story is told in many ancient Indian scripts, including the initial chapters of Adi Parva. Above picture is from the ''Mahabharata'' wall of [[Angkor Wat]], Cambodia depicting the [[Samudra manthan]] story]]
[[File:Le barattage de la Mer de Lait (Angkor Vat) (6785807298).jpg|thumb|250px|The creation of universe by the churning of the ocean - this story is told in many ancient Indian scripts, including the initial chapters of Adi Parva. Above picture is from the ''Mahabharata'' wall of [[Angkor Wat]], Cambodia depicting the [[Samudra manthan]] story]]
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