The Many Narrators of the Mahabharata
Composed over centuries, this epic stands apart for its unique storytelling structure, weaving multiple narrators into its intricate tapestry. Each narrator offers a distinct perspective, enriching the story and highlighting its layered complexity.
Veda Vyasa
Veda Vyasa, also known as Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa, is traditionally regarded as the author and compiler of the Mahabharata. The name “Vyasa” means "compiler," and he is credited with categorizing the Vedas as well. Vyasa not only composed the Mahabharata but also appears as a character in it.
The Tradition
Among the various narrators of the Mahabharata, Vyasa is foundational. After all, according to tradition, it was he who dictated the epic to Lord Ganesha at the foot of Mount Meru. Lord Ganesha agrees to be Vyasa's writing assistant on the condition that Vyasa recite it continuously. In response, Vyasa asked Ganesha not to write anything until he had understood it completely.
Vyasa began his narration, and Ganesha started writing, using his own tusk as a pen. To keep Ganesha busy and gain time, Vyasa made the story complex and introduced diversions, allowing Vyasa to dictate faster than Ganesha could write. This legend is not covered in the BORI edition though.
A Pivotal Role
Vyasa’s involvement goes beyond authorship. He intervenes in key moments of the story, such as fathering Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura to ensure the Kuru lineage continues. Through his narration, Vyasa provides a panoramic view of dharma (righteousness), karma (action), and the complexities of human life.
Vaisampayana
At Vyasa's behest, Vaisampayana, Vyasa's devoted disciple, recites the Mahabharata to Janamejaya, Arjuna’s great grandson. His recounting takes place at Janamejaya's sarpa satra, a snake sacrifice conducted to avenge the killing of his father Parikshit by the naga Takshaka.
Revealing the Mahabharata to all
Vaisampayana's retelling of the Mahabharata at the above event marks the first public recitation of the Mahabharata. Janamejaya's desire to understand his family's history and the reasons behind his father Parikshit's death provides the context for Vaisampayana's narration.
Vaisampayana’s recounting is not just a recitation; it is a dialogue with Janamejaya, who interjects with questions, prompting deeper explanations and adding another layer of interaction to the story.
Ugrashrava Sauti
Ugrashrava was the son of Lomaharshana. Ugrashrava, also called Sauti, belonged to the Suta community, known for their role as charioteers and bards.
The Starting Point
Ugrashrava, who was present at Janamejaya's sarpa satra, carried the story of the Mahabharata beyond the confines of the snake sacrifice, spreading it to different regions and audiences. Ugrashrava later retells the epic to a group of sages gathered for Rishi Shounaka's twelve-year sacrifice in Naimisha forest.
"We are desirous of hearing that history also called Bharata, the holy composition of the wonderful Vyasa, which dispes the fear of evil, just as it was cheerfully recited by the Rishi Vaisampayana, under the direction of Dwaipayana himself, at the snake-sacrifice of Raja Janamejaya." Source
And thus commences the mighty epic in Adi Parva, with Ugrashrava responding to the request from one of the sages assembled at Naimisha.
Sanjaya
While the three narrators discussed above provide the framework for the Mahabharata, another crucial voice emerges within the story itself: Sanjaya, the charioteer and advisor to the blind king Dhritarashtra. Sanjaya is blessed by Vyasa with divine vision, enabling him to witness the events of the Kurukshetra War unfolding miles away.
Vyasa's boon
Dhritarashtra, the blind king and father of Duryodhana, wished to know all that transpired on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. He declined Vyasa's offer of divine sight for himself, however. Vyasa then bestowed the gift upon Sanjaya so that he could describe the war to Dhritarashtra.
Nothing in the battle was hidden from Sanjaya. He was able to see what was evident and hidden, what occurred during the day and at night. He could even perceive what people were thinking. Vyasa assured Dhritarashtra that Sanjaya would be safe, explaining that weapons would not pierce him and he would not be troubled by exhaustion.
Sanjaya loses divine vision
Sanjaya loses his divine vision, or divya drishti, after the conclusion of the Kurukshetra War, specifically, upon the death of Duryodhana. After being defeated by Bhima, Duryodhana entered the Dwaipayana pool. Sanjaya spoke with him before and after this event. When Duryodhana died, Sanjaya’s divya drishti, or divine sight, disappeared.
Quiz
Who narrated the Mahabharata to the sages gathered at the twelve-year sacrifice organized by Rishi Shounaka?
Vaisampayana
Ugrashrava
Veda Vyasa
Astika
Answer
Who organized the snake-sacrifice where Vaishampayana first publicly narrated the Mahabharata?
Parikshit
Lomaharshana
Shounaka
Janamejaya
Answer
When did Sanjaya lose his divine vision?
After Duryodhana's defeat by Bhima
After Krishna's passing away
After Duryodhana's death
After Aswatthama's banishment by Krishna
Answer
Side Note
According to Ami Ganatra in Mahabharata Unravelled Vol. I, “there is a popular theory about three forms of the Mahabharata. Jaya being the original as narrated by Krishna Dwaipayana of 8,800 shlokas, followed by Mahabharata, which was narrated by Vaishampayana of 24,000 shlokas and finally the one we know as Mahabharata, narrated by Ugrashrava consisting of 100,000 shlokas. However, till date there have been no separate manuscripts of Jaya or Bharata found that support the above theory.”