Vana Parva
The Vana Parva is the third of the eighteen parvas of the Indian epic Mahabharata. Vana Parva traditionally has 21 parts and 324 chapters. The critical edition of Vana Parva contains 16 parts and 299 chapters.
The parva is a chronicle of the twelve-year journey of the Pandavas in a forest, where they learn life lessons and build character.
Vana Parva contains discourses on virtues and ethics; myths of Arjuna, Yudhishthara, and Bhima; and the tales of "Nahusha the Snake and Yudhishthira" and "Ushinara and the Hawk". It also includes the love stories of "Nala and Damayanti" and "Savitri and Satyavan".Structure and chapters
The Vana Parva traditionally has 21 upa-parvas and 324 adhyayas.Aranyaka Parva
The Pandavas are exiled to the forest of Kamyaka. A group of Brahmanas follows the Pandavas to the forest, Yudhisthira prays to Surya, who grants him the boon of supplying food for thirteen years. A sage named Saunaka consoles Yudhisthira. Vidura advises Dhritarashtra to recall Yudhishthira and give him back his kingdom. Dhritarashtra refuses, so Vidura leaves and joins the Pandava brothers. On request, Vidura again returns to Hastinapur. Vyasa counsels Dhritarashtra to make peace with the Pandavas; Maitreya comes to counsel Duryodhana, but he turns deaf-ear; Maitreya curses him to die at the hand of Bhima.Kirmira-vadha Parva
There is a battle between the man-eating demon Kirmira and the giant Pandava brother, Bhima. Kirmira is killed.The Parva introduces Krishna and talks about his past accomplishments. Krishna criticizes gambling as one of four sins that ruin a man and laments being absent when Yudhishthira accepted a game of dice, because of dealing with the army of King Salwa. Yudhishthira expresses remorse and anguish for his gambling habit. Krishna suggests persuasion, followed by force if necessary, is appropriate to prevent one's friend before he commits a sinful act such as gambling. Draupadi appeals to Yudhishthira to wreak vengeance on the Kaurava brothers. The theory of forgiveness is debated between various characters. The chapters also discuss anger and how it is destructive to a person and society. Draupadi and Yudhishthira debate over the cause and effect of actions, free will, and destiny. Bhima and Yudhishthira argue over the definition of virtue, wealth, and pleasure. The arguments are left open-ended with no definite conclusion and the characters retire from the debate. Maharishi Vyasa arrives and shares the theory and knowledge of Pratismriti with the Pandavas. The Pandavas shift from Dwaitvana to the bank of river Saraswati. Arjuna leaves alone towards North, where he meets Indra, in the guise of a Brahmana who advises him to pray to Lord Shiva to obtain the celestial weapons.meditates and lives like an austere Rishi in the forest to gain knowledge. Due to his fierce penances, all Rishis went to the god Sthanu. Knowing Arjuna's desire, the god of Pinaka, disguised as Kirata, visit Arjuna, and is accompanied by Uma, spirits, and thousands of women. A boar attacks Arjuna but is struck down by two arrows. Arjuna and Kirata argue over who killed the boar. They battle each other, with Kirata remaining unharmed due to his divinity. After being depleted of arrows, Arjuna fights with his bow, which is snatched by Kirata. Arjuna's golden hilt sword breaks when he uses it to strike Kirata's head. They wrestle and Arjuna is deprived of his senses; when he awakens, Arjuna starts to worship Mahadeva by offering floral garlands. Sthanu reveals his true identity and blesses Arjuna with the knowledge of the Pasupata weapon. Indra and other deities visit Arjuna and provide him their weapons: Yama gives his mace, Varuna his divine noose, and Kubera his favorite weapon called "Antarddhana".Indralokagamana Parva
Arjuna visits heaven and the Parva describes the city of Indra. Gods furnish celestial weapons to Arjuna and goddess Urvasi attempts to seduce Arjuna. Arjuna refuses her advances, which infuriates Urvasi and causes her to curse him. Indra converts the curse into a boon.Nalopakhyana Parva
Yudhishthira regrets his gambling problem and declares himself the most wretched person on earth. Vrihadashwa consoles him with the story of Nala, another prince who erred by gambling and recovered from his mistake. Nalopakhyana Parva recites the love story of the prince Nala and princess Damayanti, who fell in love with each other without having met after learning about each other through a hansa. Damayanti's father announces a Swayamvaraa contest between eligible bachelors so that Damayanti can watch and choose the man she wants to marry. The gods arrive to win over Damayanti and pick Nala as their representative and messenger. Nala is conflicted but tries to convince Damayanti that she marry Indra or one of the deities. Damayanti picks Nala instead. One of the gods gets upset at Damayanti's choice, so he challenges Nala to a game of dice. Nala loses the game and the kingdom to Pushkara. He goes into exile, Nala and Damayanti are separated. Damayanti runs away from her father's kingdom. Several chapters describe their tribulations and adventures. Damayanti's father finds her and she returns to the kingdom. A second Swayamvara is announced. Nala comes to the kingdom disguised as Vahuka. Damayanti discovers Vahuka and knows his true identity; they meet and talk. Nala reclaims his kingdom from Pushkara. Damayanti and Nala take over the kingdom and live happily ever after. The story inspires Yudhishthira to focus on the future.Tirtha-yatra Parva
Sage Narada visits the Pandava brothers. He suggests tirthas to the Pandava brothersa pilgrimage to holy places in India. The Parva provides the benefits, directions, and a list of tirthas, including Kurukshetra, Ganga, Yamuna, Prayaga, Pratisthana, and Brahmasara. The Pandavas start the Narada-recommended tirthas and the history of various gods is described. The Parva includes the story of Ushinara, the pigeon, and the hawk: a story that explores the concept of dharma and conflicting virtues. Other stories include king Janaka's sacrifice; king Somaka and his liberation from hell; how Bhagiratha brought the Ganges river to earth from heaven; the births of Ashtavakra, Mandhata and Rishyasringa; and Bhima's for celestial lotuses.Yaksha-yudha Parva
A demon kidnaps Yudhishthira, Draupadi, and the twins; Bhima finds and slays the demon. The Pandavas arrive at the hermitage of Arshtishena. Arjuna returns from heaven.Nivata-kavacha-yudha Parva
Arjuna describes his travel, why he left, where he was, and what he did. Arjuna shows the celestial weapons he now possessed. He demonstrates their effectiveness by destroying the aerial city of Hiranyapura before demonstrating more of his power to Yudhishthira. Sage Narada appears in chapter 175 and advises that war and weapons should not be unleashed unless there is necessary and compelling cause, that rash violence is destructive and wrong. Arjuna stops committing acts of violence.Ajagara Parva
The Pandavas arrive at Kailaca. A mighty snake, Nahusha, ties up Bhima. Yudhishthira finds him in the snake's grip. The snake offers to free Bhima if Yudhishthira answers his questions. The snake and Yudhishthira ask each other questions on dharma, the theory of birth-rebirth, transmigration, the theory of varnas, the relative merit of four virtues, universal spirit, and how to achieve moksha in Chapters 180 to 181. The snake is freed from its curse and releases Bhima. The snake is revealed to be Nahusha and achieves salvation.Markandeya-Samasya Parva
Markandeya presents the story of yugas, and of Vami horses. Through Chapters 200 to 206, the Parva offers contrasting views on traditions and rituals, knowledge and personal development, and vice and virtues. The Parva, in Chapters 207–211, presents one of the many discussions on the doctrine of karma in Mahabharata. Chapters 211 to 215 explain the relationship between self-discipline, virtues, and qualities, how these qualities enable one to achieve knowledge of the supreme spirit. Markandeya-Samasya Parva recites the story of Vrihaspati and Skanda.Draupadi-Satyabhama Samvada Parva
asks Draupadi for advice on how to win Krishna's affections. Draupadi outlines the duties of a wife.Ghosha-yatra Parva
Sakuni advises Duryodhana to confront the Pandavas in exile, but Dhritarashtra dissuades Duryodhana. After being granted permission from the king, Duryodhana is accompanied by Karna, Sakuni, and many of his brothers to the Dwaitavana. They meet the Gandharvas there and ask them to leave; the Gandharvas refuse. Duryodhana enters with his armed forces but is pushed back by Chitrasena. Duryodhana is captured and the fleeing soldiers approached the Pandavas for help. Arjuna vows to rescue Duryodhana and defeats Chitrasena and the Gandharvas. Yudhishthira's act of kindness makes Duryodhana, who refuses to return to his kingdom, despondent. Karna and Shakuni try to soothe Duryodhana but fail. Inside his mind, Duryodhana sees a demon that asks him to stop despairing. As long as Bhisma, Drona, and Karna are by his side he should not fear. Regaining consciousness, he declares that he will defeat the Pandavas in battle and returned to the kingdom.