Not big in bulk, yet this is a work one should possess. The thinking here stimulates the reader's own thinking and serves as a touchstone. How relevant is the Mahabharatha today, what could have been the poet's purpose, how does it relate to us and to the man of the future, how does the Bharatha present the finer points of Dharma, the relevance of the Bhagavad Githa, the major characters of the epic Yudhistira, Karna, Draupadi, Kunthi, the four orders of society, an analysis of the crowning glory of the epic the Shanthi and Anushasana Parvas, the one reading does Mahabharatha and Ourselves not suffice to assimilate the material Sri Seshagiri Rao presents under the various heads.
My kinship with the Mahabharatha is reaching a happy stage with this work. Sixty-six years ago there was a lucky event in my life. As a student of the English Honours course in Central College, I chose Kannada for my second language. "Kumaravyasa Prashasthi' was one of my texts. Dr. V. Seetharamaiah taught the text. Later, as a Lecturer in English in the same college, I had to teach Greek tragedies (in English translation) to the English Honours classes 1 studied Homer, the first epic poet of Europe. Then I published an abridged prose translation of the 'Iliad' in Kannada, it received the Devaraja Bahaddur Prize of the State Government. From 1968I had to teach Homer to English M.A. classes, and so studied Indian classics also. There was yet another chance happening in 2000. My friend Dr. Mathoor Krishnamurthy suggested or directed - me to prepare an English narration of the Mahabharatha, with a comprehensive Introduction. Srimathi Priyamvada Birla, of the M.P. Birla Foundation, added her gracious voice. At first I hesitated being aware of my limitations and age. But they were persuasive and I yielded. The project was completed in February 2005, and the then Governor of the state, Sri T.N. Chaturvedi, released the fourth and final volume and spoke very generously. (The English work is an independent work and not the translation of any version) The Governor, the towering scholar Dr. S.K. Ramachandra Rao and several scholars spoke highly of the Introduction. Dr. Mathoor Krishnamurthy suggested that the Introduction should be brought out as a book. And so this publication is in the hands of the reader.
The original material has been rearranged and just a few modifications made.
At this moment, I offer my obeisance to the Supreme Power which has granted me the years and the health to complete the assignment.
But for the friendly persuasion of Dr. Mathoorji, I would not have undertaken this project at all. (His friendly interest has made possible the publication of the Kannada translation of this book) I have no words to thank him. I can only say I am immensely grateful to him. The Programme Director of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and my dear friend Sri H.N. Suresh has evinced keen interest and extended valuable hey. My friends of the Vidya Bhavan have prepared the script for the Press, My friends of the Bangalore Press have done a neat job. I am grateful to all these friends.
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