The Mahabharata is the “book of books”. It is an encyclopedia of ancient Bharat (India). That is why it is said, “What is not in the Mahabharata is not in Bharat (India)”. Expanse and depth of thoughts and ideas in this book are bewildering, The highest and lowest of human nature are painted in glowing colors. The stories of gods, men, demons, birds, beasts, insects and plants are spread on a big canvas. Conflicts of emotions and call of duty, the wisdom and foolishness of human endeavors described in the Mahabharata, stun the readers. The variety of characters and situations are perennial source of inspiration for politicians, poets, writers and scholars. Even for saints and sages.
The Mahabharata is full of interesting and instructive fables. Much before the Aesop’s fables, and the Panchtantras, the Mahabharata presented gems of political, diplomatic and humanitarian thoughts and ideas through the fables. They are used to impart valuable ethical and social lessons.
The fables from the Mahabharata provide us practical knowledge and also elevate us to higher ethical standards.

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Contents

Preface —Pgs. 7

Stories from the Mahabharata

1. Humiliation of Draupadi in the Open Court —Pgs. 13

2. The Obedient Students —Pgs. 17

3. The Invisible Queen to Person with Unclean  Mouth —Pgs. 21

4. Bhrigu —Pgs. 25

5. Bhim, the First Pandava to Marry —Pgs. 29

6. The First Son of Kunti —Pgs. 33

7. How Bhim Saved the Town Ekchakra —Pgs. 37

8. Dharmaraj Born as Vidur —Pgs. 45

9. Akshaypatra of Yudhishthira —Pgs. 49

10. Invention of Umbrella —Pgs. 52

11. How the Pandavas were Saved in Varnavat —Pgs. 55

12. Fisherman Daughter became the Queen —Pgs. 59

13. The Birth of Draupadi and her Brother —Pgs. 63

Fables from the Mahabharata

14. The Jackal and the Lions —Pgs. 69

15. Rajdharma and Brahmin Gautam —Pgs. 75

16. The Mouse and the Cat —Pgs. 81

17. The Sage and the Dog —Pgs. 88

18. The Vulture and the Jackal —Pgs. 91

19. The Golden Mongoose —Pgs. 98

20. The Insect and Sage Vyas —Pgs. 105

21. The Pigeon and the Hunter —Pgs. 109

22. The Story of a Swan and a Crow —Pgs. 115

23. The Dove and the King —Pgs. 119

24. The Poor Scholar and the Wise Jackal —Pgs. 122

25. Lord Indra and the Parrot —Pgs. 127

26. Pujanee and Brahmadutta —Pgs. 130

27. The Raven and the Rishi —Pgs. 135

28. The Lazy Camel —Pgs. 141

An internationally acclaimed trainer in the field of Security and Loss Prevention Management and Investigation, Ravindra Kishore Sinha founded the Security and Intelligence Services (India) Limited, popularly known as SIS, in 1974. A graduate in Political Science and Law, Sinha started his career as a journalist specializing in crime and political reporting. He is recognized as one of the most successful investigative journalists of his time. He also covered India-Pakistan war of 1971 in the Khulna-Khustia-Isardih sector. Having witnessed the student movement of Bihar, led by Loknayak Jai Prakash Narayan (1974-75), he authored a well-researched book titled Janandolan.
A man of many hues, Sinha is the Founder Chairman of Indian Public School, a leading boarding school in Dehradun-Mussorie Valley and founder President of International Institute of Security and Safety Management (IISSM), New Delhi.
R.K. Sinha is a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). He was elected to the Upper House of Parliament as BJP member from Bihar in February 2014.