Secondary Tales of the Two Great Epics

Author(s): Rajendra I Nanavati
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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It was, therefore, decided to select some representative portions of the two epics. From Ramayana, Bala-Kanda and Uttara-Kända were chosen. They are accepted by all the scholars to be later additions, because they are almost wholly and indisputably secondary. Again, Bala-Kända and Uttara-Kända are known to cover between themselves. almost all the secondary tales of Ramayana, the central Kandas being nearly free from them. The study of Ramayana, could thus be nearly exhaustive.
In the case of Mahabharata this was not possible. Here, therefore, Adiparvan and Sabha-parvan were selected. Adiparvan is almost entirely made up of the secondary material of a very wide variety. Sabhäparvan, on the other hand, contains much genuine portion of the original epic-saga and a study of the occurrence of secondary tales in such portions would be very interesting. In the case of the Mahabharata-tales, the aim has been to be comprehensive rather than exhaustive and this purpose has been achieved by studying the tales from these Parvans in functional groups and by taking in the stride, where it was possible, tales from other Parvans also. These two Parvans of the epic have been observed to cover within their compass nearly all important patterns of forms and functions of the secondary tales of our Great epics.
Originally, it was intended to study the tales only within the frames of the epic and to avoid the comparative aspect. But some exceptions had to be made. Thus the discussions of the tale of Riyasṛnga, that of Ahalya, the cycle of Visvamitra-tales, and the tales of Janamejaya's snake-sacrifice will show some small excursions beyond the limits of the investigation, always with some important results.
It may be mentioned here that generally the texts of the two Great Epics followed here are those of the critical editions of the Bhandarkar Oriental Reserach Institute, Poona, in the case of Mahabharata, and of the Oriental Institute, Baroda, in the case of Ramayana. All the references in the book are traced to these editions, unless stated otherwise.
This writer is very thankful to his respected guide Dr. A.D. Shastri, Professor and Head of the Department of Sanskrit, M.T.B. Arts College, Surat for his kind. guidance in the preparation of this work as a thesis for Ph. D. He also thanks the authorities of the South Gujarat University, Surat, for granting permission to publish the thesis.
Heartfelt thanks are also due to Prin. K.C. Mehta, Principal, M.T.B. Arts college, Surat, for his constant and personal interest in the progress of the work which was a steady source of inspiration to this writer.
There are many friends of the staff of M. T. B. Arts College, Surat with whom this writer read a number of portions of the study and incorporated their suggestions - Prof. Ramesh Oza, Dr. Natvarsinh Parmar, Prof. M. V. Meghani, Prof. G.P. Sanadhya, Prof Pravinsinh Chavda. He remembers them all gratefully.