The epic tale of the Mahabharata begins with a lesser-known figure named Ugrasrava Sauti, the son of Lomaharshana Sauti. While journeying through the dense forests of Naimisha, he encountered the revered sages of Kulapatis. After exchanging greetings and taking a brief rest, one of the sages inquired about the purpose of his journey and the places he had visited. They were eager to hear every detail of his travels.
Ugrasrava Sauti narrating Mahabharata to Kulapati Rishi’s
Copyright: Wikimedia Commons
Upon hearing the sage’s question, all the Kulapati Rishis gathered around Sauti, curious about his experiences. Sauti revealed that he had recently returned from a grand snake sacrifice ceremony hosted by King Janamejaya, where the sage Vaishampayana had recited the entire Mahabharata. He also mentioned his visits to several sacred rivers and holy shrines. Among these, he spoke of a place called Samantapanchaka, the site of the famous battle between the Kuru and Puru clans. After sharing this, Sauti asked if the sages had any specific requests.
The sages, captivated by his words, asked him to recount the epic tale of the Mahabharata. And so, Ugrasrava Sauti began his narration, weaving the timeless story of gods, kings, and the great war.
The Mahabharata was initially passed down through oral tradition, with each retelling adding layers of depth and meaning before it was eventually written down. To dive into the next part of this epic, click on Mahabharata Epic – The Story of Our Creation. Be sure to follow this website for more stories—we’ve only just begun this journey.
Note: This is live storytelling, and as I recount the Mahabharata, I’ll provide a condensed version that captures its essence. However, I encourage you to read the full text to truly grasp the richness of these ancient tales.
