Janamejaya’s Big Brother

New Light on the Mahabharata’s Frame Story

Authors

  • Simon Brodbeck Cardiff University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/rosa.v2i2.161

Keywords:

family history, lineal daughter, Parikṣit, patriline, Poona edition, running deer, snakebite, Sūta

Abstract

This article explores the story of Pariksit in the Mahabharata and suggests an interpretation whereby Pariksit’s eldest son opted out of Pariksit’s patriline, preferring that of his mother. This interpretation is supported by reference to various similar stories within the Mahabharata and elsewhere. The article then suggests that several different Mahabharata characters may be seen as parallel representations of Pariksit’s eldest son. Finally, the article offers an explanation of the Mahabharata’s oblique narrative strategy and reflects on the implications of these interpretations for the study of the text as a whole.

Author Biography

  • Simon Brodbeck, Cardiff University

    SIMON BRODBECK is a researcher and lecturer in the School of Religious and Theological Studies, Cardiff University.

References

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Published

2010-01-19

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Brodbeck, S. (2010). Janamejaya’s Big Brother: New Light on the Mahabharata’s Frame Story. Religions of South Asia, 2(2), 161-176. https://doi.org/10.1558/rosa.v2i2.161