Shanti Parva

The book is set after the war is over— the two sides have accepted peace and Yudhishthira starts his rule of the Pandava kingdom.

The Shanti parva recites the duties of the ruler, dharma and good governance, as counseled by the dying Bhishma and various Rishis.

[2][1] The following are the sub-parvas:[11] Shanti parva begins with sorrowful Yudhishthira lamenting the loss of human lives during the war.

He says that for gaining kingdom, unwittingly, he caused that brother of his to be slain, for that his heart is burning exceedingly.

He tell him how Kunti conceived that child and latter he had status of Suta, how when refused by Drona for Brahma weapon, he met with Parshurama, how he obtained celestial weapons by servicing Parshurama, how he was cursed by a Brahmin for killing his cow unwitting, by Parshurama for lying, and by goddess earth, how he came to be with friendship of Duryodhana, how when Duryodhana abducted the maiden of Kalingas with force, Karna defended him from the other kings, how when king Jarasandha challenged him to a single combat he fought with him, how when he was about to sever his antagonist body into two pieces, spared him from desire of friendship.

When for their good, the Lord of the celestials begged of him his natural coat of mail and ear-rings, stupefied he gave away those precious possessions.

Deprived of his armor and ear-rings, in consequence of Brahmana's curse as also of the illustrious Parshurama, of the boon granted to Kunti, of illusion practised on him by Indra, of his depreciation by Bhishma as only half a car-warrior, of destruction of his energy caused by Shalya keen speeches, of Vasudeva's policy, and lastly of the celestial weapons given to Arjuna of Rudra, Indra, Yama, Varuna, Kuvera, Drona and Kripa, with these the wielder of Gandiva succeeded in slaying, that tiger among men, Vikartana's son Karna, of effulgence like that of sun.

Yudhishthira announces his desire to renounce the kingdom, move into a forest as a mendicant and live in silence.

Sage Vyasa then intervenes and offers arguments from Vedas that support Arjuna's comments, and the story of Sankha and Likhita.

Vasudeva then tells him to approach Bhishma who was in his bed of arrows and question him about knowledge of life and duties of the four orders, before he disappears.

[5] This theory is outlined by dying Bhishma to Yudhishthira and his brothers (shown), as well as words from sage Vidura.

Clay Sanskrit Library has published a 15 volume set of the Mahabharata which includes a translation of Shanti Parva by Alex Wynne.

[6] Chapters 188 and 189 of the parva begin by reciting Bhrigu's theory of varna, according to whom Brahmins were white, Kshatriyas red, Vaishyas yellow, and Shudras black.

[2][6] According to John Muir, Shanti Parva and its companion book Anushasana Parva claim neither birth, nor initiation, nor descent, nor bookish knowledge determines a person's merit; only their actual conduct, expressed qualities and virtues determine one's merit.

[18] Chapter 58 of Shanti parva suggests the duty of a ruler and his cabinet is to enable people to be happy, pursue truth and act sincerely.

[20][21] Chapter 109 of Shanti parva asserts rulers have a dharma (duty, responsibility) to help the upliftment of all living beings.

The best law, claims Shanti parva, is one that enhances the welfare of all living beings, without injuring any specific group.

This fable is recited in Chapters 143 through 147, by Bhishma to Yudhishthira, as a lesson on virtue, profit and desire:[24] A wicked fowler made his living by capturing wild birds in the forest, by cruel means, and selling them for their meat or as pets.

Only those who are stolid fools, and those who are masters of their souls, enjoy happiness here; They, however, who occupy an intermediate position suffer misery.

Kings should collect wisdom from various sources, One cannot go successfully in the world with the help of a one sided morality; Duty must originate from understanding, the practices of the good should always be determined.

A king by the help of his understanding and guided by knowledge gathered from various sources, should so arrange that moral laws may be observed.

Moksha dharma parva, Chapter 259: All men who live on this earth, are filled with doubts regarding the nature of Righteousness.

When man is constantly running towards the jaws of Death, the accomplishment of righteous acts is proper at all times.