Mahabharata: An English Version

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The author Dr. E. S. Jambulingam had his school education in Government School, Kadambattur from 1957 to 1963 in Thiruvallur District. He hailed from a tiny and pious village Koovam which is 5 km shy away from the place where Koovam River originate. It is 50 km west of Chennai. In 1963, he joined PUC in the famous Pacaiyappas College. Chennai and continued to complete his graduation and post-graduation in Mathematics (1963-69). Soon after he took up teaching as a career in Government colleges. He feels proud in being a pedagogue for 50 years 1969-2019 at different levels handling different subjects in Mathematics. He released his first titled "Lockdown Triggered Random Thoughts" in 2021 which well received and appreciated. As English translation of Mahabharat in this style is very rare and as he was very much interested, he decided to take up to take up this project. Though the author encountered many problems and troubles, he hopes that has succeeded in his work.

I have a great life with my caring wife and my children, J. Baskara Srinivasan and Mrs Malathi Baskar Mrs J. Meenakshi Baskaran and Dr S Baskaran (Professor of Mathematics, New College, Chennai) and my only grandson, Aiyyakutty B. Rahul Srinivasan. My grandson, Rahul, helped me in learning Computer Applications. He is very adept in handling electronic gadgets right from his childhood.

My special thanks to my brother-in-law, Mr Sivarajan Palani, a hard- working businessman, and Mrs Thaiyyal Nayagi Palani, who are like stay wire or rather, pillar of support. Mr Palani was continuously encouraging me to complete this great work. I record my thanks to my elder siblings who brought me up, especially my sisters Mrs Suseela Vadivelu and Mrs Salochana Chokkalingam. I thank my grandson, S. Rajasekar, for his vital contribution to completing my work. I am the one who always values friends, who constantly goaded and encouraged me in the completion of this project. Last but not the least, my thanks are due to my publisher for bringing out the book in this beautiful form. May Aaludaiyal Balaji Koovaththaiyya Thiruvirkola Moorthy bless us all.

I read Mahabharatha stories based on Villipuththarar's translation of Ved Vyas' Mahabharat into Tamil. I must confess that I read only the text form of verses by Azhwar. Especially, Vysar Virunthu by Rajaji Mahabharatham by Cho Ramaswamy, poetic form by lyricist Kavignar Vaali and others. I also witnessed Therukkooththu and related Karna Parambarai stories. All these and several branch stories have impressed me. Right on the day of the release of my first book, by which time, I had completed 50 per cent of the translation work, I made an announcement about this project. Regarding the book, I wish to say that I began with the genesis of the lunar dynasty.

The demigod Buddha was the first of the clan. I have elaborately explained about successive kings who built Hastinapur. The highlight of Mahabharat was the gambling to which Dharmaputr fell prey and lost his kingdom by the chicanery and subterfuge adapted by Saguni and the violent molestation and assault perpetrated on Draupad in front of elders like Bheeshma, Dhrona and all Pandavas. Those incidents are well accounted for. Pandavas were sent to the forest to live there for 12 years with one year living in hiding. Kamsan and Sisubalan killings by Lord Krishnan were well elaborated, and so were the killings of Keechagan, Idumban and Bakkasur.

The 18-day war - Kurukshetra - was very well covered. Especially, the killing of Dhroner, Jayadradhan, and Sulliyan were explained as stories. The end of Parikshat as cursed was itself a story. The story of Janamae Jayan was interesting. Recently, I went to Arakantanallur in the Kallakkuruchi district to worship Lord Shiva.