Being the longest epic in the world, it is very natural for people to search for the Mahabharata summary. The epic consists of 100,000 shlokas (couplets), and its English translation runs into 7000+ pages on paper. Understably, it’s a huge time and energy commitment, which causes many people to begin with the Mahabharata summary before diving into the deep end with the entire epic.

However, do keep in mind that these ancient epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana are known as itihasa, which means so indeed it was. While the meaning of itihasa sounds very close to history, in truth, it’s far greater in scope. The Mahabharata is not a dry historical account of ancient India. It contains a core of history to which mythic and semi-fictional stories have been added to create a narrative for the purpose of guiding people in their lives. The Mahabharata shows how to live a life of dynamic and balanced activity in pursuit of the four correct goals of life, also known as the purusharthas.

The Mahabharata Summary

The Mahabharata by Maharishi Veda Vyasa is a great Hindu epic divided into eighteen Parvas or books. Each Parva has upa parvas, sections and shlokas (verses). Let us examine the Mahabharata Summary by looking at what each upa-parva contains. We have listed below, the main events in each parva of the Mahabharata. If you are familiar with the Mahabharata story then this list will help you create a mental image of the parvas and their contents. However, if you are unfamiliar with the Mahabharata full story, then you could check out our Mahabharata index page which has more details along with links to detailed summaries of each parva and upa-parva.

Adi Parva

Adi Parva is the first book of the Mahabharata. Since it’s the first book, it provides two summaries of all the events in the Mahabharata and introduces the characters. The birth of all the main characters of the Mahabharata happens in the Adi Parva. It narrates the story of Shantanu’s marriage to Ganga, the birth of Bhishma, the birth of the Kauravas and Pandavas. The Adi Parva, also tells us about the birth of the Pandavas’ progeny:  Ghatotkacha, Abhimanyu, and the five Upapandavas. 

The main events this parva narrates are: King Pandu getting cursed and retiring to the forest with his wives: Kunti and Madri, King Pandu’s death, Kunti and the five little Pandavas, returning to the capital city of Hastinapura, the burning of the house of lac, Draupadi’s swayamvara and wedding to the Pandavas,  the burning of Khandava forest, Agni gifting of the Gandiva bow to Arjuna and the Sudarshan Chakra to Krishna. 

Adi Parva ends with Maya danava offering to build a palace for Arjuna. 

Sabha Parva

Sabha Parva is the second book of the Mahabharata. It details the construction of the Mayasabha, Narada’s visit to Indraprastha, the description of celestial sabhas, the planning for Rajasuya yagna, the killing of Jarasandha by Bhima (with Krishna’s help), the four Pandava younger brothers conquering four directions of the land of Bharat, the Rajasuya yagna, the death of Sishupala, Duryodhana’s jealousy, the game of dice in which deceit was used by the Kauravas to usurp the Pandavas’ kingdom and wealth, the insult of Draupadi in the game of dice, Bhima’s vow of revenge, the second game of dice, and the preparation of the Pandavas to go on exile for thirteen years. 

Aranyaka Parva

Aranyaka Parva – the third book of the Mahabharata – is also known as Vana Parva. It contains the first twelve years of the Pandavas’ forest exile, the gift of Akshaya Patra, the discussions between the Pandavas and Krishna, Arjuna’s tapasya for celestial weapons and five-year stay in heaven with Indra, Arjuna’s battle with Shiva and the gift of Pasupata astra, the extensive pilgrimage of the four Pandavas and Draupadi, conversation between Draupadi and Satyabhama, the kidnapping of Duryodhana by Gandharvas, rishi Durvasa’s arrival, Jayadratha kidnapping Draupadi, and the conversation between the yaksha and Yudhisthira.

In this Parva, we also learn about the stories of Nala and Damayanti, Rama, Parasurama, the birth of Ganga, Ashtavakra, Varaha avatar, the Saugandhika flower, Bhima meeting Hanuman, the kidnapping of Draupadi by Jatasura, the conversation between Nahusha and Yudhisthira, the glory of Sibi, and the birth of Kartikeya.

Virata Parva

Virata Parva, the fourth book of the Mahabharata, deals with the thirteenth years of the exile. This was the year the Pandavas spent in disguise in the Matsya kingdom ruled by King  Virata. It contains the discussion of disguises, hiding the weapons, along with the Pandewas entering the Matsya kingdom and getting jobs. We also learn about Keechaka, the commander-in-chief of the Matsya kingdom, his lust for Draupadi, Bhima killing Keechaka, the news reaching Hastinapura, the attack on Matsya kingdom by the Trigarta king, the stealing of their cattle by the Kauravas, the conversation between Prince Uttara and Arjuna, Arjuna fighting the Kaurava army, the reveal of the Pandavas’ true identities after the year of disguise ended, the wedding of Abhimanyu and Princess Uttarā. 

Udyoga Parva

The fifth book of the Mahabharata – the Udyoga Parva – deals with the peace talks between the Pandavas and Kauravas, preparation for the war, sending messengers to allies, the conversation between Sanjaya and the Pandavas, the description of Upalavya and Dhritrashtra’s restlessness, King Shalya supporting Duryodhana because of his hospitality, the list of allies on both sides, the preparation of armies, and why Bhishma said he would not attack Shikhandin who was a woman called Amba in his previous life.

Bhishma Parva

Bhishma Parva is the sixth book of theMahabharata. Vyasa bestows second sight to Sanjaya so he could narrate the events of the war to the blind king, Dhritarashtra. Before the war begins, Sanjaya describes various worlds and creations he was able to perceive because of his second sight. 

Krishna, as Arjuna’s charioteer, delivers Gita upadesham in this Parva. 

We also get the details of the first ten days of the war, various duels, deaths, and battle formations. The Parva ends with an immensely injured Bhishma sleeping on a bed of arrows and waiting for an auspiçtime to leave his body.

Drona Parva

Drona Prava, the seventh book of the Mahabharata, starts with the installation of Drona as the Kaurava army’s commander-general. It deals with five days of the Kurukshetra war (from day 11 to 15), with the battle between Arjuna and Samsaptakas, the Chakravyuha formation and death of Abhimanyu on day thirteen. 

We learn about Arjuna’s vow after the death of his son, Abhimanyu, and death of Jayadratha on day 14, the continuation of war into the night. The killing of Ghatotkacha by Karna happens in this Parva.  

We learn about the events that led to Drona’s death at the hands of Dhristadyumna and Asvtthaman’s fury after his father’s (Drona) death.

Karna Parva

Karna Parva (the eight book) starts with Karna becoming the commander-general of the Kaurava army. It discusses Dhritarashtra’s grief. The Karna Parva deals with days sixteen and seventeen of the war. It contains events such as Arjuna vs. the Trigarta army and Samsaptakas, Karna asking Duryodhana to make Shalya his charioteer, Duryodhana convincing Shalya, Shayla’s conditional agreement, Karna insulting Shalya and the women of Madra, the story of the crow and swan, and mentions of curses on Karna.

This parva also contains the conversation between Yudhishthira and Arjuna, where Yudhishthira thought Arjuna had vanquished Karna, while Arjuna had gone to Yudhishthira’s tent to inquire about his well-being. A disappointed Yudhishthira insulted Arjuna and his bow, Gandiva. Arjuna was infuriated. He had also taken a Now that he would kill anyone who would insult the Gandiva. As a result, Arjuna – the younger brother who had always stood by his elder brother – was about to perform an unthinkable act as he rushed towards Yudhisthira to slay him. Krishna stepped in . just in time and prevented the brothers from fighting.

The Karna Parva contains two important fights. The first is between Bhima and Dushasana where Bhima kills Dushasana and fulfills the vow he had taken thirteen years back when Dushasana had dragged Draupadi into the gambling hall and had tried to disrobe her. The Karna Parva also contains the fight between Karna and Arjuna that resulted in Karna’s death.

Shalya Parva

The ninth book, Shalya Parva, begins by listing important warriors (on both sides) who had perished till then and those who were still alive. 

The Kauravas had lost their first three commander-in-chiefs: Bhishma, Drona, and Karna. King Shalya – the warrior most qualified to become the next  commander-general – was appointed for that post. The Shalya Parva covers day 18 of the war. It deals with the death of Shakuni and his son at Sahadeva’s hands, Shalya’s death by Yudhistira, and Duryodhana fleeing the battlefield while the remainder of the Kaurava army was finished off by the Pandavas.

Duryodhana hid in a lake while Asvatthaman, Kripa, and Kritavarman, escaped from the battlefield. When the Pandavas found out Duryodhana’s hiding place, they immediately went there to challenge him. We learn about the subsequent conversation, the arrival of Balarama, the description of his tirtha yatra (pilgrimage), the fight between Duryodhana and Bhima, Duryodhana’s defeat, and Duryodhana lying on the field in agony.

The Pandavas left once Duryodhana was beaten and had only a few more breaths left in his body. Ashwathama reached the spot after the Pandavas left. He was deeply affected when he saw his friend Duryodhana’s grief. Ashwathama vowed to Duryodhana that he would avenge his grief and was made the commander-general of the army. Asvtthama was the last commander-general of his army. Soon after that, we find out that Duryodhana had died from the injuries inflicted on him in the mace duel with Bhima. The parva ends with Krishna making a short trip to Hastinapura. 

Sauptika Parva

The Sauptika Parva is the tenth book of The Mahabharata and describes some of the most cruel events that Ashwathama unleashed on the eighteenth night of the war. Ashwathama was filled with grief after Duryodhana’s death. Once night fell, he sat under a tree where he saw a bird perform action that gave him an idea to avenge his friend, Duryodhana’s, death. Ashwathama invoked Rudra-Shiva and went to the Pandava camp when all the warriors were sleeping peacefully because they believed the war was over after Duryodhana’s death. Ashwathama, filled with fury, entered the Pandava camp and started slaughtering whoever he saw. He slaughtered Dhristadyumna, Shikandin, Upapandavas (Draupadi’s sons with each of the Pandavas), and several others.

Draupadi was filled with agony when she found out how her children, brothers, and other warriors from her father’s kingdom had been killed by Ashwathama. She demanded that the Pandavas find him and put an end to his life. Bhima immediately went in pursuit of Ashwathama. The Pandavas and Krishna also joined Bhima. At one point, both Arjuna and Ashwatthama fired Brahmastras at each other. Maharishi Vyasa immediately intervened and explained the consequences that would be unleashed on Earth as a result of the Brahmastras even if they canceled each other. He urged Arjuna and Ashwatthama to recall their respective Brahmastras. Arjuna recalled his Brahmastra, but Ashwatthama said he did not know how to recall the fired Brahmastra. Instead of recalling the weapon, Ashwathama redirected it to Uttarā’s womb in an attempt to destroy her child, who was still in embryo form, to bring an end to the Pandavas’ lineage. Krishna promised to save the child and cursed Ashwathama that he would have to spend a huge amount of time in lonely, painful, and wretched conditions.

The Sauptika Parva ends with the Pandavas returning to Hastinapura.  

Stri Parva

Stri Parva (the 11th book) is dedicated to the grief and mourning of the women. All the women lost someone in the war. When the war ended, the battlefield was filled with grieving women.

In this parva, we see the grief of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra. Dhritarashtra lamented the loss of his sons and the destruction caused by the war. When the Pandavas met him in Hastinapura, he tried to crush Bhima. A griet filled Gandhari gave a long monologue on the battlefield, held Krishna responsible for not preventing the war, and cursed him that the race he belonged to – the Vrishnis – would also perish with Krishna unable to prevent it. 

Mass cremations were conducted at the battlefield. 

In this parva, Kunti revealed to everyone the truth that Karna was her first-born son.

Shanti Parva

Shanti Parva is the 12th book of the Mahabharata. It starts with Yudhistira depressed by the war. After much persuasion by his brothers, Draupadi, Vyasa, Narada, Krishna, and other rishis, Yudhistira agreed to sit on the throne of Hastinapura as the king. The book contains many lessons about dharma, adharma, the responsibilities of a king, ways to rule a kingdom, etc. Yudhistira also met Bhishma, who was still on his arrow bed in the battlefield, to learn about the intricacies of dharma. 

H2: Anushasana Parva 

Anushasana Parva – the thirteenth book – continues in the same vein as Shanti Parva. It contains more conversations between Yudhisthira and Bhishma. Here, Bhishma recites the Vishnu Sahasranamam, along with stories about previous kings and the duties of a king. The parva ends with Bhishma’s return to heaven. 

Ashwamedhika Parva

The fourteenth parva – Ashwamedhika Parva – begins with the story of Samvarta and Marutta. Then it proceeds to the birth of Parikshit (son of Uttarā and Abhimanyu). Narada rishi and the Pandavas convince Yudhishthira to perform the Ashwamedha yagna and establish himself as the emperor of Bharat. Yudhishthira agreed after much convincing. Once he had agreed, the preparations for the Ashwamedha yagna began. Arjuna following the yagna horse as if wandered through different kingdoms. We see Arjuna’s duel with his son Babhruvahan in Manipura, Arjuna losing consciousness, and Ulupi reviving him and effectively breaking a curse. Then we read about Arjuna’s return to Hastinapura, the yagna process, and the story of the mongoose. 

Ashramavasika Parva

In Ashramavasika Parva – the 15th of the eighteen parvas – Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kunti leave Hastinapura to spend their remaining days in a forest, accompanied by Vidura and Sanjaya. 

Vidura leaves his mortal body, and his spirit enters Yudhistira. Dhritarashtra and the ladies also leave the mortal world during a forest fire, and Sanjaya follows afterward. 

The Parva ends with Narada informing Yudhistira about the extinction of the Vrishni race. 

Mausala Parva

Mausala Parva deals entirely with the destruction of Dwarka and how the Vrishni race was wiped out due to infighting. The Vrishni warriors fought and killed each other as Gandhari’s curse came true. 

Balarama walked into the sea and Krishna was mistakenly killed by a hunter. 

Arjuna went to Dwarka and tried to save the women but realized that none of his celestial weapons worked. Krishna’s wives went into the forest for tapasya, while Arjuna decided to become a sanyasi after a conversation with Vyasa. 

Mahaprasthanika Parva

Mahaprasthanika Parva begins with the Pandavas and Draupadi handing the kingdom over to Arjuna’s grandson, Parikshit, and going on their last journey around the land to reach the Himalayas. 

Arjuna dropped his Gandiva bow in the sea of red waters, handing it back to Agni. 

At the Himalayas, Draupadi and the four Pandavas died while ascending the slopes, while Yudhistira continued his journey. 

Svargarohana Parva

Svargarohana is the last Parva of Mahabharata. Draupadi and the four younger Pandavas died while climbing the Himalayas but Yudhistira was able to reach the gates of heaven. 

Indra and Dharma tested him and allow him to enter heaven in his human body after he passed the test.

However, he first had to pass through hell where he heard her s brothers and Draupadi crying in pain. Yudhistira finally left his mortal body after a bath in the celestial Ganga and entered heaven in his celestial form where he reunited with his younger brothers and Draupadi, who had to go through hell for a short amount of time. 

Harivansha and Vavishya are two additional Parvas considered in the appendix of Vyasa Mahabharata and contain additional information about the universe and Vishnu (Hari).

Who Wrote the Epic Mahabharata?

In ancient India, literature was narrated and propagated orally and not written as we do in contemporary times. Who Wrote the Epic Mahabharata? The epic Mahabharata was originally composed by Maharishi Veda Vyasa. The original composition was much shorter than the complete story of 100,000 shlokas (couplets). It was most likely around 24,000 shlokas at that time. Later, as the epic became popular and spread to different regions of India, various poets added to the original, taking it from 24,000 shlokas to its current size. 

Contemporarily written books of the complete Mahabharata run into several thousands of pages. The size makes its perusal and study challenging for many people who cannot commit to the time required. Consequently, several shortened and summarized versions of the Mahabharata  were created in the 20th century. Among these, the Mahabharata retold by C. Rajagopalachari is considered to be the most well-written.

The Mahabharata PDF

The Mahabharata is the longest epic in the world containing 100,000 shlokas, so it’s perfectly understandable when readers prefer to download a PDF of a summary of the Mahabharata.

C. Rajagopalachari wrote an abridged version of the Mahabharata that was first published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in 1958. It’s an esteemed book and we recommend that you the summarized Mahabharata PDF by C. Rajagopalachari. 

After reading the summarized PDF version, if you feel that your curiosity is aroused to read the complete Mahabharata, then we recommend the Mahabharata PDF translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli. 

Visit our Mahabharata PDF page for details about other versions.