Mahabharata Book Twelve (Volume 3): Peace: "The Book of Liberation" (Clay Sanskrit Library)

The Book of Liberation, Mokshadharma Parva, is a compendium of various teachings given by Bhishma, as he lays dying impaled in a bed of arrows on the battlefield. These ideas will be of interest to those who are seeking liberation from the cycles of death & rebirth. It does not focus on the primary story of the Mahabharata. Therefore those who are students of the spiritual path will value this volume.I love this series of books, the Clay Sanskrit Library.However, I was absolutely delighted to read this translation by Alexander Wynne. He is obviously a young man we can hope to read more of in the future. In my view, he is the only translator so far who has the same kind of rare talent as J.A.B van Buitenen. Like van Buitenen, Alexander Wynne not only has a great mastery of Sanskrit but is also able to put the essence of the Sanskrit words into English in a way that is both accurate, fun, and inspiring. He catches the real flavour of the verse and then comprehensively turns it into magic in English. He makes you enjoy the reading.As English is really a language of trade and is far inferior to Sanskrit in it's ability to communicate subtle ideas - this magic is not easy to come by. I sincerely hope that he translates more of the ancient Hindu texts, although he appears to be more focused on Buddhist texts.Here is an example of his superlative skills:"When one reflects upon and then perceives the transcendentfuture destiny of the virtuous - that immutable, self-existent source and endof everything, which is everlasting (santanam), immortal (amritam), undecaying(avyayam) and intransient (dhruvam) - then one attains the transcendentstate of immortality." 206/p.291I have read the Mahabharata as translated by both J.A.B van Buitenen (Chicago University Press) and M.N. Dutt (Parimal Publications, Delhi). Both are outstanding. Sadly for us, J.A.B. van Buitenen died before he could complete his translation of the entire epic - although he did a marvellous translation of the Bhagavad Gita which I highly recommend, especially as a first time read. M.N. Dutt's excellent effort is the complete epic in 9 volumes and is essential; it includes the Sanskrit which is a necessity for those of us who are studying this magnificent language.The Mahabharata is simply the best book ever written. As one Indian said in his blog, I'm addicted! Even though I am not Indian - I never tire of its intricacies, the fantastic plots, interspersed with endlessly fascinating Hindu metaphysics, and multiple paths to the Wisdom that will lead you Home! How can you not fall in love with Arjuna and the handsome mysterious Krishna!Namaste!

nicely translated into contemporary prose. the philosophical strata are discussed but not to the detriment of turning the translation into a guesswork regarding the archaeology of ideas. accessible.this volume, #3 of Book Twelve, is the only volume of Bk. XII available. and only half of the Moksadharma basket. That is, not the whole of The Book of Liberation, nor of Mahabharata's Book of Peace.

Most yogis know of the famous Bhagavad Gita as part of the Mahabharata. Fewer know of this gem, the Mokshadharma part of Book Twelve, where a dying Bhisma passes his wisdom about yoga and spiritual matters to the Pandava brothers. This is a fantastic, easy-to-read translation with the Sanskrit to the side on a facing page.