Mahabharata (Paperback)

~ C. Rajagopalachari (Author)
Key Phrases: wax palace, divine weapons, first honour, Sri Krishna, Bhagavan Vyasa, King Drupada (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Originally published in the year 1951,the huge popularity of the book ,has resulted in the book being re-printed several times.Centuries ago, it was proclaimed of the Mahabharata: "What is not in it, is nowhere." But even now, we can use the same words about it. He who knows it not, knows not the heights and depths of the soul; he misses the trials and tragedy and the beauty and grandeur of life. More details: The Mahabharata is not a mere epic; it is a romance, telling the tale of heroic men and women, and of some who were divine; it is a whole literature in itself, containing a code of life, a philosophy of social and ethical relations, and speculative thought on human problems that is hard to rival; but, above all, it has for its core the Gita,which is, as the world is beginning to find out, the noblest of scriptures and the grandest of sagas in which the climax is reached in the wondrous apocalypse in the Eleventh Canto. The book's popularity is such taht it has run into forty two reprints.

About the Author

Governor General,Governor,Chief Minister,Freedom Fighter and close associate of Mahatma Gandhi,the author lovingly known as C.R was also a popular author.His other popular book RAMAYANA is also a best seller on amazon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 483 pages
• Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan/Mumbai/India; 52nd edition (January 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8172763689
• ISBN-13: 978-8172763688
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #370,201 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully readable selection., March 18, 2001

By	tepi "tepi" - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Mahabharata (Paperback)

I'm familiar with four translations of the Mahabharata - those of C. Rajagopalachari, K. M. Ganguli, K. Subramaniam and J.A.B. van Buitenen. The first of these, that of C. Rajagopalachari (1951), contains, in its 326 pages (in my edition), a selection of over one hundred of the more interesting stories and episodes from the Mahabharata with interspersed comment.

Rajagopalachari's translation is a joy to read. The quality of his English style is on a par with that of the finest English writers, and his vivid and dynamic versions of these stories capture much of their humor and poignancy, and have a real vigor, sparkle, and human interest. Anyone approaching the Mahabharata for the first time could do worse than start with this wonderfully readable selection.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern Lessons in an ancient tale., June 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mahabharata (Paperback)

Interspersed entirely through this excellent transalation of the epic are overt lessons in modern politics, group dynamics and diplomacy by the great master Rajaji himself; but he out does himself in elucidating the subtle homilies that make this epic so great.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding rendition, December 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mahabharata (Paperback)

This is one of the best renditions of this ancient epic. If you want to read the story of the Mahabharata, know that this is the most detailed and also the best translation in english. He provides his own personal commentary at different points in the story too.