A CRITICAL study of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, in conjunction with other works bearing on the subject, has suggested to me several new ideas about them which I propose to place before the public in three instalments. The present volume contains my views on the Maha- bharata, considered from the literary and historical stand-points. If the views published in this volume impress the public favourably, I may be encouraged to publish a second volume giving my views on the Ramayana from the same standpoints. In a third volume I intend to take a survey of the social, religious and intellectual conditions of the Aryans of India between 3000 and 300 B.C. as evidenced by these venerable epics. "Sankshipta Mahabharata" or "Mahabharata abridged," a book recently published by me, if read along with this book, will be found to contain most of the original Shlokas of the Mahabharata' on which this criticism is based. Owing to the haste with which this book was carried through the press, some errors of spelling have crept in, especially with regard to Sanskrit words, the spelling of which does not often conform to the now generally adopted rules of writing Sanskrit words in English characters. I hope the indulgent reader will overlook such inaccuracies. It is just possible that some of my readers may have facts or arguments to advance against the views propounded in this book-views which at present seem to be unshakeable. If therefore any of my readers wish to communicate with me in addition to, or instead of, criticising the work in the press, such communications should be addressed to me, to the care of Mr. Yande, Manager of the Induprakash Press, to whom my thanks are due for the interest he took in the publication of this volume.
Mahabharata: A Criticism: Mahabharata: A Criticism by C.V. Vaidya, originally published in 1905, is a scholarly and critical analysis of India's great epic from literary and historical standpoints. Vaidya treats the text not just as a religious scripture but as a historical record of the Aryans of India between 3000 and 300B.C.. The book examines the poem's evolution, arguing that the original work by Vyasa was significantly amplified over time by later contributors like Sauti. Vaidya provides a deep dive into the characters' motivations and explores core themes such as dharma (righteousness), karma (action), and moksha (liberation). He also addresses specific textual complexities, such as "Kuta Slokas (puzzling verses) and astronomical data mentioned in the epic. Ultimately, the work illustrates how the Mahabharata transitioned from a historical epic poem into a foundational Dharma Shastra (moral code)
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