Unveiling the Mysteries of Mahabharata

Course Description:

Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya is a commentary on Ramayana and Mahabharata by Sri Madhvacharya, the founder of the Dvaita school of philosophy. Although this composition primarily deals with Ramayana and Mahabharata, actually it is a work which gives us true understanding of all the sastras. It is a work, which compiles stories from Mula Ramayana, Vaimiki Ramayana and other Puranas, along with Mahabharata, bringing out their essence along with their inner meanings. Mahabharata is the essence of all the sastras, and Mahabhaarata Tatparya Nirnaya is the essence of Mahabharata. It is a critical exposition of Mahabharata and gives an authentic version of the entire theme of Mahabharata, supplementing the details from Harivamsa, Visnu Purana, Srimad Bhagavatam, and other sattvika puranas. In fact it is a critical digest of all these. Ramayana is also summarized in it. This gives us a complete picture of transcendental pastimes of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, and Pandavas. 

Course Content:

This work gives us the understanding of Vedanta Philosophy in two ways:

1. It contains all essential teachings of Vedanta Philosophy.

2. It helps us understand the purport of the Veda and Upanisads.

 It is well said that itihasapuranabhyaam vedam samupabrahmayet. While Vedas and Upanishads teach the theory of Vedanta, the Mahabharata teaches the practice through appropriate illustrations.

The Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya has 32 chapters (5202 slokas). The whole text can be divided into three broad sections:

1. Chapters 1-3 deal with the true understanding of sastras and the process of creation.

2. Chapters 4-9 deal with Ramayana.

3. Chapters 10-32 deal with Mahabharata.

Course materials: Notes will be provided for every session

Target audience: Open for all

Assessment Plan: Multiple-choice questions at the end of the course

Course Requirement: None

Impact on society/what students will gain from this course:

1. They will know how glorification of Sri Krishna and Pandavas is the main purpose of Mahabharata.

2. Madhvacarya summarizes in order the pastimes of Krishna (SB 10th canto) and Pandavas (Mahabharata) in relation to each other, which is otherwise difficult to know.

3. Many misconceptions about different characters of Ramayana and Mahabharata are removed and the truth is revealed. Many confidential details are also revealed.

4. Madhvacarya covers all the major themes of Vedanta in a very simple language.

5. Students will develop devotion for Krishna and Pandavas along with deep philosophical insight.

6. Students will have proper understanding of Mahabharata and they will also develop better understanding of its true glories.