page_title: Sabha Parva
section_title: Structure and chapters
hierarchical_section_title: Sabha Parva / Structure and chapters
caption_attribution_description: Author: Mackenzie, Donald Alexander, 1873-1936; Goble, Warwick Subject: Mythology, Hindu; Legends Publisher: London&#160;: Gresham Language: English Digitizing sponsor: Boston Library Consortium Member Libraries Book contributor: University of Connecticut Libraries Collection: uconn_libraries; blc; americana Full catalog record: MARCXML [Open Library icon]This book has an editable web page on Open Library.
context_page_description: Sabha Parva, also called the "Book of the Assembly Hall", is the second of eighteen books of Mahabharata. Sabha Parva traditionally has 10 sub-books and 81 chapters. The critical edition of Sabha Parva has 9 sub-books and 72 chapters.
  Sabha Parva starts with the description of the palace and assembly hall built by Maya, at Indraprastha. Chapter 5 of the book outlines over a hundred principles of governance and administration necessary for a kingdom and its citizens to be prosperous, virtuous and happy. The middle sub-books describe life at the court, Yudhishthira's Rajasuya Yajna that leads to the expansion of the Pandava brothers' empire. The last two sub-books describe the one vice and addiction of the virtuous king Yudhishthira - gambling. Shakuni, encouraged by evil Dhritarashtra, mocks Yudhishthira and tempts him into a game of dice. Yudhishthira bets everything and loses the game, leading to the eventual exile of the Pandavas.
context_section_description: Sabha Parva has 10 sub-parvas (sub-books, little books), and a total of 81 chapters (sections). The following are the sub-parvas:
  1. Sabhakriya Parva (Chapters 1-4)
  The first parva of second book describes the construction of palace for Yudhishthira and his brothers, then the finished palace. Sages and kings are invited to celebrate the completion of palace.
  2. Lokapala Sabhakhayana Parva (Chapters 5-13)
  Sage Narada arrives at the palace for celebrations. The sage rhetorically explains the theory of state craft for kings, how to find the most able people and make them ministers, how to train and take care of military, watch over enemies, rules of espionage, rules of war, support families of veterans who die or get injured at war, the support of farmers and merchants, care for poor and distressed in their empire, policies on tax, create incentive for Artha and prosperity, free trade, reward merit, pursue and punish criminal activities, deliver justice equally and without favor. Narada proclaims it is the duty of the king to serve the cause of Dharma, Artha and Kama in his kingdom. This theory of administration and governance of a kingdom in Sabha Parva, summarizes the detailed discussions in the Indian classic Arthashastra, claim scholars. The other Indian Epic, Ramayana has a similar kaccid summary chapter on fair administration and the rule of law. Yudhishthira promises to follow Narada's advice. Narada describes the design, architecture and assembly halls of Yama, Varuna, Indra, Kubera and Brahma. Narada asks Yudhishthira to perform Rajasuya.
  3. Rajasuyarambha Parva (Chapters 14-19)
  Krishna explains why Jarasandha - the king of Magadha - should be killed, why human sacrifices by Jarasandha must be stopped, Jarasandha's prisoners freed. This would also help complete Rajasuya, he counsels Yudhishthira. Krishna is asked why Jarasandha is powerful as well as evil. He explains with the story of Vrihatratha (lord of the earth) and demoness Jara, how Jarasandha was named after the demoness.
  4. Jarasandha-vadha Parva (Chapters 20-24)
  Krishna, Arjuna and Bhima arrive at Magadha, a prosperous kingdom inherited and ruled by Jarasandha. Krishna describes how King Goutama married Ushinara - a Sudra woman - and they had famous sons. They visit Jarasandha, who demands to know why he is being considered an enemy of Krishna, Arjuna and Bhima, when he has done nothing wrong to any of them personally. Krishna explains that persecution of men is cruelty to virtuous life, and human sacrifice is a crime against humanity.  Such a crime is sin that touches every one, including Bhima, Arjuna and him. Jarasandha's sin is injustice that must be challenged. They invite him to either release all the prisoners scheduled for human sacrifice or accept a battle to death. Jarasandha chooses war, picks Bhima as the adversary. Krishna counsels Bhima on principles of just war theory, a theory that appears in more detail in other books of Mahabharata. Bhima kills Jarasandha. The prisoners targeted for human sacrifices are freed.
  5. Digvijaya Parva (Chapters 25-31)
  Pandava brothers expand their empire. Arjuna conquers the north, Bhima the east, Sahadeva the south, and Nakula wins the west. Yudhishthira is declared Dharmaraja. Digvijaya Parva describes the geography, tribes and various kingdoms as these brothers go in different directions to expand their empire.
  6. Rajasuyika Parva (Chapters 32-34)
  Krishna visit Yudhishthira with presents. The Pandava brothers prepare for Rajasuya ceremony.
  7. Arghyaharana Parva (Chapters 35-38)
  Kings, sages and visitors from around the world arrive for Rajasuya ceremony. Sahadeva offers Arghya - an offering with worship - to Krishna. Shishupala objects. Kings take sides. Hostilities begin. Shishupala leaves with some kings following him. Yudhishthira attempts reconciliation and peace talks.
  8. Shishupala-vadha Parva (Chapters 39-44)
  The sub-parva describes how and why Krishna first refuses to fight Shishupala, but finally kills him in the assembly hall during the Rajasuya yagna. Krishna leaves.
  9. Dyuta Parva (Chapters 45-7
caption: The virtuous king Yudhishthira succumbs to his addiction to gambling, he loses his kingdom, his brothers, his wife in bets. Picture shows disrobing of queen Draupadi, when he loses her in a game of dice.
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