The second volume of MahÄbhÄrata is probably the most important of all its volumes. It covers all the actions and inaction that lead eventually to get great war at Kurukshetra. The volume is much shorter than the first(almost half in length) and covers the story from the building of great “Maya Sabha” till the banishment of the Pandavas to exile.
Krishna becomes a major part of the story in this volume. The prince of Dwarka exhibits his amazing understanding of politics and sense of manipulation to great effect in this volume. It is amazing how often the term “fate” appears in the ancient text. The idea that all these great people knew their destiny and walked the path of Dharma or Adharma depending on the role they played is simply beautiful.
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