Online Course · Self-Paced

18 Parvans of the Mahabharata

A comprehensive journey through the world's greatest epic, based on BORI's Critical Edition

18+ hours 15 lectures 18 parvans Lifetime access

₹2,400

One-time · Lifetime access

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18 Parvans

Complete

18+ Hours

Duration

15 Lectures

Modules

2,000+

Enrolled

Certificate

Included

Course Overview

Journey Through the Epic

This acclaimed course unfolds the significant episodes of the Mahabharata through a systematic exposition of all eighteen parvans—from the origins narrated in the Adi Parva to the celestial conclusion of the Svargarohana Parva.

During the course, you will encounter the arc of main characters, immense psychological and philosophical insights, the Bhagavad Gita, Neeti of Shanti-Anushasan Parva, exploration of what constitutes Dharma and Adharma, and modern scholarly insights.

In this course, you will engage with the textual reality of the epic as established through centuries of preservation and scholarship. This authentic exploration of the Mahabharata is based on BORI's epochal Critical Edition.

2,000+ learners enrolled

·

18 parvans covered

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Critical Edition foundation

Understanding the Epic

The Mahabharata

The Mahabharata stands as the largest epic in world literature—a vast ocean of narrative, philosophy, and wisdom that has shaped Indian civilization for millennia. Far more than a story of war between cousins, it is an encyclopedia of dharma, a mirror reflecting every human dilemma, and a treasury of profound teachings.

"Whether we realize it or not, it [the Mahabharata] remains the content of our collective unconscious... We must therefore know this epic, if we are to know ourselves."

— V.S. Sukthankar, General Editor, Critical Edition

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Dharma

The central inquiry into righteous conduct, duty, and cosmic order

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Psychology

Characters of unmatched depth whose inner conflicts illuminate the human condition

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Philosophy

Profound teachings including wisdom of Sri Krishna, Bhishma, Vidura and others

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Timelessness

Questions of justice, loyalty, and meaning that resonate with equal force today

"What is found here may be found elsewhere, but what is not found here cannot be found anywhere." — The Mahabharata contains the full spectrum of human experience.

The Foundation of Our Course

The Critical Edition

For nearly five decades, scholars at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute undertook what has been called "the greatest textual enterprise in human history"—the creation of a critically established text that transcends regional variations and later interpolations to reveal the Mahabharata in its most authentic recoverable form.

1,259 manuscripts consulted

47 years of scholarship

89,000+ verses in constituted text

19 volumes published

1919 Project initiated

1927 First fascicule of Adi Parva published

1966 Edition completed, released by President Radhakrishnan

General Editors

V.S. Sukthankar S.K. Belvalkar S.K. De P.L. Vaidya R.N. Dandekar

"Had institutions had hearts, the Mahabharata would certainly be BORI's." This edition remains the definitive foundation for all serious study of the epic.

Distinguished Faculty

Course Instructors

Conceptualized and curated by Dr. Gauri Moghe

Dr. Saroj Deshpande Dr. Gauri Moghe Dr. Sucheta Paranjpe Dr. Prasad Bhide Dr. Amruta Natu Dr. Shreenand Bapat Dr. Maithili Joshi Mr. Manish Walvekar Dr. Madhavi Kolhatkar Dr. Pradeep Apte Dr. Mugdha Gadgil Dr. Manjusha Gokhale

Course Structure

Curriculum

15 lectures covering all 18 parvans of the Mahabharata

01Introduction to the Epic of Mahabharata00:55:06

02Adi Parvan01:07:50

03Sabha Parvan00:53:54

04Aranyaka Parvan01:02:28

05Virata Parvan01:01:23

06Udyoga Parvan00:54:58

07Bhishma Parvan01:16:31

08Drona Parvan01:06:28

09Karna Parvan01:02:47

10Shalya Parvan01:11:51

11Sauptika and Stree Parvans00:59:33

12Shanti Parvan01:15:59

13Anushasana Parvan01:08:40

14Ashwamedhika and Ashramavasika Parvans00:57:25

15Mausala, Mahaprasthanika and Swargarohana Parvans00:53:38

What's Included

▶

18+ Hours of Video

Comprehensive coverage of all 18 parvans

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PDF Resources

Synopsis documents by BORI scholars

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Lifetime Access

Return to any parvan whenever you need

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Certificate

Verified certificate from BharatVidya

Common Questions

Do I need prior knowledge of the Mahabharata?+

Basic familiarity with the story is helpful but not required. The course is designed to be accessible while offering depth that will benefit even those well-versed in the epic.

What is the Critical Edition?+

The Critical Edition is a scholarly reconstruction of the Mahabharata created by BORI over 47 years (1919-1966). It compared 1,259 manuscripts to establish the most authentic version of the text, removing later interpolations and regional additions.

How long do I have access?+

You have lifetime access to all course materials. Watch at your own pace and return to any lecture whenever you wish.

Is there a certificate?+

Yes, upon completing the course you will receive a verified certificate from BharatVidya that you can share on LinkedIn or include in your professional portfolio.

Begin Your Journey

Based on the Critical Edition — 47 years of scholarship from the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute

₹2,400

Enroll Now →

One-time payment · Lifetime access · Certificate included