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Swami Siddhinathanda on Mahabharata
The four sons of Vyasa are the representations of Dharma, Artha, Kama and
Moksha (the four purusharthas). Vidura, the personification of
Dharma; Dhritarashtra who usurped the kingdom is the worshipper of Artha;
Pandu who courted death by indulging in endless bhoga considered
Kama to the ultimate aim of Life. What about the fourth son Suka? He is the
lifelong jnani, the free man, the blesed one who attained Moksha. In
Mahabharata Vyasa described the story of these sons and their progeny.
Through the story of his sons, Vyasa illustrated Dharma, Artha, Kama and
Moksha. By illustrating the four purusharthas, he told the story of
all of us. Isn't the story of all of us, the story of the world? Yes,
Mahabharata is the eternal history of the world.
Source: From the introduction to the Malayalam book, Bharata Kathamritam
(Mahabharata retold for children), by Chenkulath Parukkutty Amma.
Reprinted in Triveni, published by Mathrubhumi, Kozhikode (1989).
(English translation by AH.)