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The Family Tree Behind the Mahabharata
Before the major events of the Mahabharata begin, the text presents an extensive genealogy connecting sages, devas, daityas, animals, birds and human beings.
This article explores those connections, discusses textual differences and examines how several important characters are linked to earlier beings.
Read more:
https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/06/mahabharata-of-kashidas-0029-genealogy.html
Hiranyaka's Lost Wealth and Manthara's Advice
A buried treasure, a sudden change in behaviour, and a discussion on dignity.
This section of Hitopadesha explores what happens when wealth disappears and how people respond to loss. The article examines Hiranyaka, Lilavati, Chandandas and Manthara while also comparing portions of the text with Panchatantra.
hagiratha, Ganga and a Lesser-Known Ramayana Tradition
A question about identity becomes the starting point for Bhagiratha's effort to bring Ganga to earth.
This article explores a Krittivasa Ramayana version featuring Indra's guidance, Shiva's approval, Vishnu's intervention and Brahma's support. It also examines symbolism, Puranic references and Ganga's iconography.
Read more:
https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/06/ramayana-of-krittivasa-0013-descent-of.html
Notes on the Mahabharata of Kashidas: The Burden of Earth
The latest reading covers the sub-parva titled Adi-vamshavatarana Parva, which translates to the descent of the lineages. Vaishampayan sets up the premise for the text by explaining how power corrupted the ruling class, requiring a clean slate.
The text addresses important terminology regarding identity:
Kshetraja: Legal heirs born under specific traditional conditions to maintain governance.
Daityas & Danavas: Sub-groups whose innate traits led to the degradation of societal duties on earth.
This section provides the essential context for why the major characters of the text had to take human form.
Read the detailed textual notes here: https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/06/mahabharata-of-kashidas-0028-adi.html
mahabharata, kashidas, blog update, scripture study, parashurama, kshetraja, indian texts, adi parva, literary analysis
Why Bhagirtha's birth story differs
While Ramayana of Valmiki says Bhagiratha was born when Dilip was alive, Ramayana of Krittibas in Bengal, said Bhagiratha was conceived after Dilip's death. Why?
https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-king-who-was-born-boneless.html
Birth of Ganga and the birth of Bhagiratha
While the Ramayana of Valmiki says Ganga was born in the Himalayas, Krittivasa's Ramayana borrows from Brahma Vaivarta Purana. Another interesting fact is the birth of Bhagiratha.
https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/06/ramayana-of-krittivasa-0012-birth-of.html
After Janamejaya felt remorse for killing a child, Vyasa revisited the king . Vyasa advised him to listen to the composition of the Mahabharata, by erecting a canopy of black fabric and sitting beneath it.
Why a black cloth?
Read here:
https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/06/mahabharata-of-kashidas-0027-when-vyasa.html
The sub Parvas of Adi Parva
The Adi-Parva of Mahabharata has 19 sub parvas.
Here is a summary of those 19.
https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-19-sub-parvas-of-adi-parva-summary.html
When a crow tried be friends with a mouse
Can two natural enemies become friends A crow tried to befriend a mouse see what the tale from Hitopadesha says
Laghupatanaka and Hiranyaka overcome natural enmity to form a bond. They travel to Dandaka forest to meet Manthara, proving virtue transcend
Analysis of the character of Janamejaya
Depending on which Mahabharata one is reading, the character of Janamejaya differs slightly.
An analysis of the character of the king.
Analysis of the character of Janamejaya through Sanskrit and Bengali scriptures, exploring his transformation and the power of the Mahabhar
Janamejaya's Horse Sacrifice
The king tried to conduct a horse sacrifice when he was asked not to, by Vyasa. What happened?
Read about this, which is unique to the Bengali Mahabharata of Kashidas.
https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/05/mahabharata-of-kashidas-0026-forbidden.html
Be wary of strangers - story from Hitopadesha
Do not trust strangers the crow told the deer and told the story of the cat and the vulture.
What happened after that? Did the jackal get it's way?
Check out the story from Hitopadesha
https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/05/hitopadesha-book-1-0004-vulture-cat-and.html
End of the sons of Sagara
Sagara started a sacrifice. He sent his 60000 sons to guard the horse, but the horse got stolen. What happened when the sons found the horse?
How does this version of Krittibas differ fro Valmiki?
https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/05/ramayana-of-krittivasa-0010-ashvamedha.html
Astika stops the sacrifice
Janamejaya started the sacrifice. Snakes started getting pulled into the flames. Takshaka went and took refuge under Indra.
Vasuki asked Astika to intervene and Astika went there. What happened?
How is Kashidas's version different from that of Vyasa?
https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/05/mahabharata-of-kashidas-0025-astika.html
The crow, had seen the mouse free the pigeons. He went to the mouse and wanted to be his friend. The mouse said ‘a crow and a mouse could not be friends.' He then began telling the story of the jackal, the crow and the deer.
https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/05/hitopadesha-book-1-0003-deer-crow-and.html
Birth of Sagara and his sons
Birth of Sagara and the birth of his sons What the Ramayana of Krittibas says varies from the Ramayana of Valmiki A different take on this https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/05/ramayana-of-krittivasa-0009-birth-of.html
A Tribute to all mothers
This is a post which I should have posted on Sunday, for mother's day.
A tribute to all mothers
https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/05/from-puranas-to-digital-world-tribute.html