Ancient text
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 (Books 1, 2 and 3)
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The longest poem in the world, about a war between cousins. This volume covers the first books, where gods, sages and warriors are all introduced. Ganguli's prose translation is the classic English one.
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Why we can share it: Project Gutenberg record: 'Copyright Status: Public domain in the USA.' Translator Ganguli's translation was published 1883-1896 (the text states [1883-1896]); Ganguli died 1908.
Read the story behind it
ObjectSaubha, the flying cityKing Salva's flying city in the Mahabharata is said to appear in the sky, on the ground and on the water, sometimes within the same battle, raining weapons on Krishna's city. Krishna's arrows seem to do nothing; scholars see an epic sky-fortress, not a memory of technology. What finally breaks it?EventKali YugaThe present age in Hindu tradition lasts 432,000 years, which matches exactly the 432,000 years the Babylonian priest Berossus gave to the kings before the Flood. By tradition it began in 3102 BCE, the year Krishna left the earth; historians suggest a shared base-60 number, not a link. What else could explain it?ObjectBrahmashiraOnce fired, this weapon in the Mahabharata cannot be recalled, and it was turned against the unborn. When two heroes launch theirs at each other, sages step between them, warning that the clash would destroy the world; only one can call his back, and the one who cannot is cursed to live three thousand years. Who gets the curse?
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