Mahabharata Condensed in the Poet's Own Words /7

FOREWORD
 
difficulties incident to the work of trans-
lation of ancient classics, it will be conceded
that the present translator has achievii
 
difficulties incident to theed
his work of trans-
lation of ancient classics, it will with remarkabe conceded
that the present translator has achiele success. To
bring out in a handy ved
his work with remarkable success. To
brolume the main
incidents and the central teaching out in a handy volume the main
incidents and the central teaching of a
f a
work of over 90,000 verses, which is

of the character of an encyclopædia of life

and knowledge, is a task whose difficulty

and magnitude can be appreciated only by

those who have attempted at one time or

other similar undertakings. It is, however,

easy to criticise the result and express one's

surprise at the omission of certain passages

and the inclusion of others. But there is

ample justification for the claim that the

abridgement represents the main theme of

the story as well as its dominant teaching.

The entire story is found here in a brief
compass and the main incidents are narrated

compass and the main incidents are narrated
in the same order as in the original. It will

be found useful by the modern reader
who has little time and less inclination

who has little time and less inclination
to listen to the whole epic.
 

 
S. RADHAKRISHNAN.