Mahabharata Sanskrit Text With English Translation (Set of 9 volumes)

The Mahabharata in Sanskrit with English translation by M. N. Dutta is a well-known edition of the epic. M. N. Dutta (Manmathnath Dutt) was a 19th-century scholar who translated the Mahabharata into English over a span of 9 volumes. His translation is often regarded as one of the significant early translations of the text.

The Mahabharata by M. N. Dutta is one of the most important translations of the epic in the English language. Dutta’s work, which was done in the late 19th to early 20th century, spans 9 volumes and aims to provide an accessible version of the epic, blending Sanskrit texts with English translation. His work is notable for being both comprehensive and scholarly for its time.

Here’s an overview of the 9-volume set:

Volume Breakdown:
Volume 1: Covers the Adiparva, which is the first book of the Mahabharata and includes the origins of the Kuru dynasty, the birth of the Pandavas and Kauravas, and the early history of the family.

Volume 2: Includes the Sabhaparva, Vidyaparva, and Udyogaparva, which describe events leading up to the great war, the game of dice, and the political and diplomatic negotiations.

Volume 3: Focuses on the Bhishmaparva, which contains the teachings of Bhishma to Yudhishthira on topics like dharma (righteousness) and includes the beginning of the battle.

Volume 4: Includes the Dronaparva, detailing the part of the war where the teacher Drona is involved, and Karnaparva, the book dealing with the hero Karna.

Volume 5: Covers the Shalyaparva, Sauptikaparva, and Strīparva, which continue the story of the war, with the tragic aftermath, including the death of key characters.

Volume 6: Focuses on the Kriyaparva, Ashvamedhikaparva, and Ashwatthaman’s vengeance. It deals with the aftermath of the war and the royal ceremonies.

Volume 7: Includes The Anushasana Parva and The Shanti Parva, which are critical in terms of the philosophical and moral teachings of the Mahabharata.

Volume 8: Contains the Anugita (a spiritual discourse similar to the Bhagavad Gita) and other smaller books, providing deep philosophical insights into dharma and human behavior.

Volume 9: The final volume that wraps up with The Mausala Parva, Mahaprasthanikaparva, and Swargarohanaparva, describing the Pandavas’ departure from the world, their journey to the mountains, and the final aspects of the epic.

Features of M. N. Dutta’s Translation:
Verse Translation: Dutta follows the original Mahabharata’s verse structure in his English translation, maintaining the poetic quality of the Sanskrit text.

Philosophical Interpretations: His work emphasizes the deep philosophical content of the Mahabharata, including its discussions on duty (dharma), justice, and the human condition.
Readable English: Although a century-old, Dutta’s translation is considered very readable compared to some other historical translations, and it stays fairly close to the original text.