Why You Should Read C Rajagopalachari Mahabharata Ebook for Free and What You Will Gain from It
C Rajagopalachari Mahabharata Free Ebook: A Classic Retelling of India's Greatest Epic
If you are interested in Indian culture, history, and mythology, you must have heard of Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. Mahabharata is a vast and complex story that narrates the struggle between two branches of a royal family, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, for the throne of Hastinapura. It also contains many sub-stories, philosophical discourses, and moral teachings that have influenced generations of Indians.
C Rajagopalachari Mahabharata Free Ebook
However, reading the original Mahabharata can be daunting for most people, as it consists of over 74,000 verses and about 1.8 million words. That's why many scholars and writers have attempted to retell Mahabharata in simpler and shorter forms for a wider audience. One of the most popular and respected retellings of Mahabharata is by C Rajagopalachari, a freedom fighter, statesman, and writer who was also known as Rajaji or CR.
C Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata was first published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in 1958. It is an abridged English version of Vyasa's Mahabharata that captures the essence and spirit of the original epic in a lucid and engaging manner. Rajaji considered this book and his Ramayana to be his greatest service to his countrymen. As of 2001, the book had sold over a million copies.
If you want to read this classic book, you don't have to buy a hard copy or pay any money. You can download C Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata ebook for free from various online sources and platforms. In this article, we will tell you how to do that. But before that, let us give you a brief overview of the story of Mahabharata and the life and work of C Rajagopalachari.
Mahabharata: The Story of the Kuru Dynasty
Mahabharata is not just a story; it is a history, a philosophy, a religion, and a culture. It covers several generations of the Kuru dynasty, which ruled over northern India around 3000 BCE. The main plot revolves around the rivalry between two sets of cousins: the Kauravas (the sons of Dhritarashtra) and the Pandavas (the sons of Pandu). Both claim to be the rightful heirs to the throne of Hastinapura, but only one can rule.
The Kauravas are led by Duryodhana, a proud and ambitious prince who hates the Pandavas and plots to eliminate them. The Pandavas are led by Yudhishthira, a virtuous and righteous king who tries to avoid war and uphold justice. The other Pandava brothers are Bhima, a powerful warrior; Arjuna, a skilled archer; Nakula and Sahadeva, twins with diverse talents. They also have a common wife, Draupadi, who is a brave and loyal queen.
The story of Mahabharata is full of twists and turns, as the Kauravas and the Pandavas face various challenges, allies, enemies, and dilemmas. Some of the major events and conflicts are:
The dice game, where the Pandavas lose everything to the Kauravas, including their kingdom, their wealth, and their wife. They are forced to go into exile for 13 years.
The Kurukshetra war, where the Kauravas and the Pandavas fight a bloody battle for 18 days on the plains of Kurukshetra. They are supported by various kings, warriors, and gods on both sides.
The Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna, the supreme god and the charioteer of Arjuna, delivers his divine message to Arjuna on the eve of the war. He teaches him about dharma (duty), karma (action), bhakti (devotion), and moksha (liberation).
The death of the Kauravas, where all the 100 sons of Dhritarashtra are killed in the war by the Pandavas and their allies. Duryodhana is slain by Bhima in a fierce duel.
The coronation of Yudhishthira, where he becomes the king of Hastinapura after the war. He performs the Ashvamedha sacrifice to establish his sovereignty and peace.
The Mahaprasthanika Parva, where the Pandavas and Draupadi renounce their kingdom and embark on a final journey to the Himalayas. They are accompanied by a dog, who represents dharma. One by one, they fall on the way, except for Yudhishthira, who reaches heaven.
Mahabharata is not just a tale of war and politics; it is also a saga of love and friendship, faith and courage, wisdom and morality. It explores various themes and lessons that are relevant for all times and situations. Some of them are:
The importance of dharma over adharma (righteousness over unrighteousness), even if it involves personal sacrifice or hardship.
The consequences of karma over kala (action over time), as every action has a reaction that affects one's destiny.
The role of free will over fate, as one can choose to act according to one's conscience or follow one's desires.
The value of nishkama karma over sakama karma (selfless action over selfish action), as one should perform one's duty without attachment or expectation.
The power of bhakti over jnana (devotion over knowledge), as one can attain God's grace and protection by surrendering to him.
The path of moksha over samsara (liberation over cycle of birth and death), as one can transcend the illusion of maya (worldly existence) by realizing one's true self.
C Rajagopalachari: The Man Behind the Book
C Rajagopalachari was not only a great writer but also a great leader. He was born on December 10, 1878 in Thorapalli, Tamil Nadu. He studied law and practiced as a lawyer in Salem. He joined the Indian National Congress in 1906 and became an active participant in the freedom movement. He was arrested several times by the British for his involvement in civil disobedience campaigns. He was also a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
After India gained independence in 1947, C Rajagopalachari held various important positions in the government. He was the first Indian Governor General of India from 1948 to 1950. He was also the Chief Minister of Madras State from 1952 to 1954. He founded the Swatantra Party in 1959 to oppose Nehru's socialist policies. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in 1954.
C Rajagopalachari was also a prolific writer and thinker. He wrote books on history, politics, religion, and culture. He translated several works from Tamil, Sanskrit, and English into other languages. He also wrote original works such as his Ramayana and Mahabharata. He also wrote biographies of famous personalities like Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna, Socrates, and Marcus Aurelius. He also wrote essays on various topics such as Hinduism, culture, democracy, and education.
C Rajagopalachari was a man of many talents and virtues. He was a visionary and a patriot, a scholar and a statesman, a writer and a leader. He was admired and respected by his friends and foes alike. He was one of the makers of modern India and a true son of Bharat Mata.
How to Download C Rajagopalachari Mahabharata Ebook for Free
Now that you have learned about the story of Mahabharata and the life of C Rajagopalachari, you might be wondering how to read his Mahabharata ebook for free. Well, there are many benefits of reading ebooks over printed books. Some of them are:
You can access ebooks anytime and anywhere with your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or e-reader.
You can save space and money by not buying or storing physical books.
You can adjust the font size, brightness, and color of the ebooks according to your preference.
You can search for words or phrases within the ebooks easily.
You can bookmark, highlight, or annotate the ebooks as you wish.
There are many sources and platforms where you can download C Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata ebook for free. Some of them are:
Source
Platform
Format
Internet Archive
Website
Google Books
Website/App
EPUB/PDF
Project Gutenberg
Website/App
EPUB/Kindle/PDF/HTML/TXT
Amazon Kindle Store
Website/App/Device
Kindle/AZW3/MOBI/PDF/TXT
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Website/App/Device
PDF/EPUB/MOBI/TXT
The steps and tips to download C Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata ebook for free are:
Select the source and platform that suits your device and preference.
Search for C Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata ebook using the title, author name, or ISBN number.
Check the availability, quality, and format of the ebook before downloading.
Click on the download button or link and choose the destination folder on your device.
Enjoy reading C Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata ebook for free!
Conclusion
C Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata ebook is a great way to enjoy one of the greatest epics of India in a simple and elegant way. It is also a great way to learn about the history, culture, and philosophy of India from one of its finest leaders and writers. You can download C Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata ebook for free from various online sources and platforms with ease and convenience.
We hope this article has inspired you to read C Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata ebook for free. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
Thank you for reading this article. Happy reading!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between C Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata ebook and other versions of Mahabharata?
A: C Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata ebook is an abridged and simplified version of Vyasa's Mahabharata, which is the original and longest version of the epic. C Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata ebook focuses on the main plot and characters of the epic, while omitting or summarizing the sub-stories and digressions. C Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata ebook is also written in a clear and modern English style, while other versions of Mahabharata may use archaic or poetic language.
Where can I find C Rajagopalachari's other books and writings?
A: You can find C Rajagopalachari's other books and writings on various online sources and platforms, such as Amazon, Google Books, Internet Archive, Project Gutenberg, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Goodreads, and Wikipedia. You can also visit your local library or bookstore to check if they have C Rajagopalachari's books and writings.
Who are some other authors who have retold Mahabharata in English?
A: Some other authors who have retold Mahabharata in English are Ramesh Menon, Devdutt Pattanaik, R.K. Narayan, Kamala Subramaniam, Bibek Debroy, William Buck, Krishna Dharma, and Ashok Banker.
What are some other epics or classics that I can read for free online?
A: Some other epics or classics that you can read for free online are Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, Vedas, Upanishads, Iliad, Odyssey, Aeneid, Divine Comedy, Paradise Lost, Beowulf, Nibelungenlied, Shahnameh, Kalevala, Gilgamesh, and Journey to the West.
How can I improve my reading skills and comprehension?
A: Some tips to improve your reading skills and comprehension are:
Read regularly and widely on different topics and genres.
Read actively and critically by asking questions, making connections, and forming opinions.
Read with a purpose and a goal by setting a time limit, a reading speed, or a number of pages.
Read with a dictionary or a translator to look up unfamiliar words or phrases.
Read with a partner or a group to discuss and share your thoughts and insights.
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