The Mahabharata: Volume 4  (English, Paperback, Debroy Bibek)

In this fourth volume of Bibek Debroy’s Mahabharata series, the Pandavas begin their painful exile at King Virata’s court.

Summary of the Book

Tricked into exile by their cousins, the avaricious Kauravas, the Pandavas leave the comforts of their kingdom for the forests. However, their troubles are only beginning. In this unabridged translation of the Virata Parva and almost the entire Udyoga Parva, the Pandavas live in disguise in the court of King Virata. During that time, the Kauravas and the Trigatas invade Matsya to steal cattle from King Virata. The Pandavas assist the King in his battle, winning his favour. At the end of their exile, the Pandavas come out of hiding and go to their cousins to ask for what is rightfully theirs: the throne of Hastinapura, the high seat of the Kuru Empire. However, the Kauravas are not going to hand it over without a fight, resulting in a chaotic battle known as the Kurukshetra War.

About Bibek Debroy

Bibek Debroy is an Indian author and economist. Currently a professor at the Centre for Policy Research, he is best associated with his books on economics.

He began translating the Mahabharata into modern English prose into 10 volumes in 2010, of which eight have been published so far.

Note on the Translation

This translation is based on the Sanskrit critical edition of the Mahabharata compiled at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute.