The Jaiminiya Mahabharata

The Jaiminiya Mahabharata: Mairavanacaritam and Sahasramukharavanacaritam, A Critical Edition, National Mission for Manuscripts, New Delhi, 2017.

Mairavanacaritam appears to be an independent work of Maharsi Jaimini included in the Jaimini Bharata not claiming connection with any of the parvas. In Mairavana Hanuman builds a rampart with his tail of which neither end can be seen. Mairavana abducts Rama who is rescued by Hanuman. Shasramukhacaritam claims to be part of the Asramavasa parva of the Jaiminiya Mahabharata. It begins with Janmejaya’s queries following the return of Sita and her sons to Rama. Here Sita proceeds to kill the thousand-headed Ravana who had defeated all gods and Rama.

““The texts are unique in many ways…takes the readers to another unexplored domain of Ramayana tradition…(The) Introduction provides valuable information…on parallels and regional variations of Ramayana…both within India and beyond…Bhattacharya’s…infuses the rendered work with an archaic charm with authentic flavour…Such style pioneers a new direction in the much misdirected translation-game…act as guidelines to future enterprisers…The charm of the translation is enhanced by the image-plates…a gigantic task…No one else could possibly have handled this difficult task in a better way.” Prof. Indrajit Bandopadhyay, Indologica Taurinensia, vol. 45, 2019.

 “The translation is consistently outstanding…The great mastery of the editor- translators over English language and literature is certainly one reason behind it. Keeping the translation as close in syntax to the original text has its own charm. The translators need to be congratulated for achieving this difficult task…What they have done is to make a superb contribution to the study of ancient Sanskrit literature, and the fact that they discovered the text and saved it from oblivion makes their work all the more praiseworthy. This is a truly masterly work for which all lovers of Ramakatha studies, Sanskrit literature and Indian culture will remain deeply indebted to the scholarly editor-translators.” Prof. Satya Chaitanya https://www.boloji.com/articles/50329/jaiminiya-mahabharata-a-review

 

Get the Book Here –> The Jaiminiya Mahabharata: Mairavanacaritam and Sahasramukharavanacaritam