Fwd: [Ind-Arch] Mahabharata mentioned in Sutra literature

[Guest guest]

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Ravilochanan <ravilochan_tn

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:01:14 -0000

[ind-Arch] Mahabharata mentioned in Sutra literature

IndiaArchaeology

 

Dear all

 

I came across an interesting info recently. A Pandit told me that

Mahabharata by Vaishampayana is mentioned in the third adhyaya. On

verifying the text, at 3.4.i found the following words:

 

" sumantu jaimini VAISHAMPAYANA PAILA sutrabhashya BHARATA

MAHABAHARATA....... "

 

It seems that the text of 'Mahabharata' was present even during the

Sutra period. It is accepted by various scholars that Mahabharata was

known by various names before it came to attian this huge form and be

named as 'Mahabharata'. The fact that this Sutra identifies

Mahabharata by name and names Vaishampayana as the redactor/writer

proves the antiquity of the text (except perhaps a few late

interpolations). The pandit was also of the opinion that it is

possible that the story recited by Vaishampayana to King Janamejaya

was 'Bharata' and that Paila's redaction of the discourse was

called 'Mahabharata'.

 

regards

Ravilochanan