An Illustrated Āraṇyaka Parvan in the Asiatic Society of Bombay

Bombay: Asiatic Society of Bombay, 1974. First Edition. Quarto in white color illus jacket; 53 pages, 10 unnumbered leaves of plates: illustrations (some color); 26 cm; bibliographical references Minor spotting or dicoloration spotting (bindery flaw) to sloth spine; minor edgee wear; else very good(-) in very good to very good(-) jacket in archival mylar. Hardcover.

Lovely tipped-in color plates. An analytical re-telling wi\th scholalry commentary. ¶ "The "Āraṇyaka Parvan" is one of the books (parvas) of the ancient Indian epic, the Mahābhārata. This parva, also known as the "Book of the Forest," follows the Pāṇḍavas during their period of exile in the forest after losing their kingdom in a game of dice. The book contains a mix of stories, including legends, fables, and discussions on topics like dharma (duty/righteousness) and karma (action). The Āraṇyaka Parvan is significant for its exploration of various philosophical and ethical themes. It is in this book that the famous "Yaksha Prashna," a dialogue between Yudhishthira and a Yaksha (a nature spirit), occurs. In this dialogue, Yudhishthira answers a series of ethical and philosophical questions posed by the Yaksha, thereby saving his brothers who had been rendered lifeless by the Yaksha's curse. The Āraṇyaka Parvan also contains the story of Rishyashringa, a boy raised by a deer, who plays a crucial role in the Ramayana, another Indian epic. It also includes the tale of Nala and Damayanti, a story of love and loss, which is a narrative in its own right and has been told in various forms across South Asia. Like other parts of the Mahābhārata, the Āraṇyaka Parvan is a complex text that serves both as a narrative and as a repository for various kinds of knowledge, including moral, ethical, and philosophical teachings." —bing. / Asiatic Society of Bombay. Asiatic Society of Bombay / Mahābhārata. Vanaparva -- Illustrations. Mahabharata. Vanaparva. Mahābhārata. Vanaparva -- Illustrations. Mahābhārata. Vanaparva. Mahabharata. Vanaparva