Veda Vyasa composes the immortal epic, The Mahabharata. He approaches Ganesha, the divine scribe to enlist his help in setting it down for posterity. Once, this magnum opus is completed, the Mahabharata is narrated to the Devas, Asuras, Yakshas and Gandharvas. The humans receive this gift over the course of a marvellous serpent sacrifice conducted over twelve years. 
Featured characters: 
Veda Vyasa, son of Satyavati and sage Parashara; biological father of Dhritarashtra, Pandu & Vidura; author of Mahabharata.
Ganesha, son of Shiva and Parvati; smasher of obstacles. 
King Parikshit, Arjuna’s grandson; a scion of the Kuru lineage.
King Janamejaya: Parikshit’s son. 
Narada, devotee of Lord Vishnu who could travel the three worlds at will.
Shuka, Veda Vyasa’s son.
Vaishampayana, Veda Vyasa’s foremost disciple.
Shuta, sage who narrated the Mahabharata to a gathering in the forest of Naimisha. 
Samika, sage instrumental in bringing about the doom of King Parikshit.
Shringin, Samika’s son.
Takshaka: King of serpents/Nagas.
Indra, King of the Gods; mighty wielder of the thunderbolt.
Agni, Lord of Fire. 
Uttanka, powerful sage and enemy of the serpents.
Astika, born to a serpent Princess and Sage; saviour of the Nagas. 
Kadru, primordial mother of the serpents.

Anuja Chandramouli is a bestselling Indian author, new age Indian classicist, TedX speaker, columnist and storyteller. Her debut novel, Arjuna: Saga of a Pandava Warrior-Prince, was named as one of the top 5 sellers in the Indian writing category for the year 2012 by Amazon India, She has also written books on Kamadeva, Shakti, Yama, Kartikeya, Prithviraj Chauhan, Padmavati, Ganga, and Tughlaq.
Twitter: @anujamouli
Website: www.anujachandramouli.com
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Credits:
Many thanks to Mr. Chandramoghan, Chairman and Managing Director, Hatsun Agro Product Ltd.
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Rubecon Communications
Slingshot Creations

Duryodhana’s jealousy flares up again and he sets a death trap for the Pandavas at Varanavata. Forced to flee, the Pandavas go into hiding, encountering flesh - eating demons who need to be slain and damsels in distress who have to be rescued. 
Featured characters:
Pandavas, Yudhishtra; Bhima; Arjuna; Nakula; Sahadeva.
Kauravas, Duryodhana; Dushasana; plus 98 others!
Kunti, mother of the Pandavas.
Dhritarashtra, the blind King; father of the Kauravas.
Vidura, Dhritarashtra’s wise half – brother and advisor. 
Purochana, evil henchman of Duryodhana. 
Hadimba, rakshasa. 
Hadimbaa, sister of Hadimba.
Ghatotkacha, son of Bhima and Hadimbaa. 
Bakasura, asura who terrorizes the inhabitants of Ekachakra.

Duryodhana’s jealousy casts a pall over the childhood days of the Pandavas and Kauravas. A murder attempt on Bhima proves to be most beneficial to him. The preceptor of the Kuru Princes makes his grand entry into their lives, but he comes with baggage of his own - a burning desire for vengeance against a friend turned foe.
Featured characters:
Pandavas, Yudhishtra; Bhima; Arjuna; Nakula; Sahadeva.
Kauravas, Duryodhana; Dushasana; plus 98 others!
Parashurama, Warrior- sage and an incarnation of Vishnu who rid the earth of several generations of Kshatriyas.
Kripa, first Guru of the Kuru Princes.
Drona, Guru of the Kuru Princes; proud owner of Parashurama’s weapons.
Kripi, wife of Drona, twin sister of Kripa.
Ashwathamma, son of Drona and Kripi.
Drupada, King of the Panchalas; foe of Drona. 
Ekalavya, a Nishada chieftain’s son.

Dronacharya organizes a grand tournament to showcase the skills of his charges. This heralds the dramatic entrance of one of the best loved characters in the Mahabharata, Karna. Cast adrift at birth, life tended to be mean to him. But never one to be cowed, Karna braved tremendous misfortune and deadly curses, to emerge as a flawed but bona fide hero.  
Featured characters:
Karna, son of Surya and Kunti; abandoned at birth.
Pandavas, Yudhishtra; Bhima; Arjuna; Nakula; Sahadeva.
Kauravas, Duryodhana; Dushasana; plus 98 others!
Drona, Guru of the Kuru Princes; proud owner of Parashurama’s weapons.
Kripa, first Guru of the Kuru Princes.
Ashwathamma, son of Drona and Kripi.
Adhiratha, charioteer; foster father of Karna.
Radha, foster mother of Karna. 
Surya, Sun God; divine father of Karna. 
Indra, King of the Gods; divine father of Arjuna.
Kunti, first wife of Pandu; mother of the Pandavas and Karna. 
Parashurama, Warrior- sage and an incarnation of Vishnu who rid the earth of several generations of Kshatriyas; tricked into becoming Karna’s Guru. 
Durvasa, a powerful sage, infamous for his temper and potent curses.
Drupada, King of the Panchalas, sworn enemy of Drona.
Dhristadyumna, son of Drupada.
Draupadi, daughter of Drupada.

Maya, architect of the Asuras. Indra, King of the Gods.Arjuna sets off on his exile and has a few encounters of the romantic kind. He meets a devotee of Rama who humbles his pride in a deadly bet that nearly proves fatal and is happily united with the love of his life when he reunites with Krishna at the end of his exile. 
Featured characters:
Arjuna, third Pandava; greatest hero this world has seen (IMO). 
Agni, Lord of Fire.
Uloopi, Naga Princess.
Aravan, Son of Arjuna and Uloopi.
Apsaras, celestial dancers; temptresses.
Chitrangada, Princess of Manipura, Arjuna’s wife.
Babruvahana, son of Arjuna and Chitrangada.
Vishnu, the divine Protector.
Hanuman, devotee of Rama. 
Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu; Arjuna’s cousin and best friend.
Balarama, Krishna’s brother.
Subhadra, Krishna’s sister, wife of Arjuna.
Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna and Subhadra. 
Takshaka, King of Serpents/Nagas.
Ashwasena, a serpent Prince.

King Drupada arranges a grand swayamvara for his daughter, the Princess Draupadi with an impossibly difficult archery competition to lure Arjuna, out of hiding, since it is his heart’s desire that Arjuna becomes his son – in – law. He does get his wish and a lot more than he bargained for. 
Featured characters:
Pandavas, Yudhishtra; Bhima; Arjuna; Nakula; Sahadeva.
Kauravas, Duryodhana; Dushasana; plus 98 others!
Karna, son of Surya and Kunti; foster son of Adhiratha, the charioteer and Radha.
Drupada, King of the Panchalas, sworn enemy of Drona.
Dhristadyumna, son of Drupada.
Draupadi, daughter of Drupada; common wife of the Pandavas.
Angaraparna,  Gandharva King.
Kumbheenasi, wife of Angaraparna. 
Dhritarashtra, blind King; father of the Kauravas.
Vidura, Dhritarashtra’s wise half – brother and advisor. 
Bhishma, son of Shantanu and Ganga; grandsire of the Pandavas and Kauravas. 
Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu; scion of the Yadava clan.
Balarama, Krishna’s brother. 
Shiva, the Destroyer. 
Vishwakarma, architect of the Gods.
Narada, devotee of Vishnu, occasional mischief monger.
Sunda and Upasanda, Asura brothers; joint rulers of the three worlds for a spell.
Tilottamma, an apsara/celestial maiden fashioned by Vishwakarma using all things bright and beautiful.

Yudhishtra decides to perform the Rajasuya yagna. Krishna helps him take out a potential antagonist and his brothers set out in the four directions on a mighty conquest to expand and enrich their empire. The yagna is a grand success right up to the decapitation of the Bull of Chedi. 
Featured characters.
Pandavas, Yudhishtra; Bhima; Arjuna; Nakula; Sahadeva.
Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu; cousin and friend of the Pandavas.
Narada, devotee of Vishnu, messenger of the Gods.
Jarasandha, mighty Emperor of Magadha.
Sahadeva, Jarasandha’s son. 
Kamsa, Krishna’s uncle, Jarasandha’s son – in – law.
Jara, a rakshashi.
Bhishma, son of Shantanu and Ganga; grandsire of the Pandavas and Kauravas. 
Shishupala, King of Chedi; adversary of Krishna.

The short but glorious reign of Pandu is ended by an unfortunate curse and also makes it next to impossible for him to fulfil his duty to produce heirs. Fortunately, a boon granted to his wife, Kunti ensures that the five Pandavas are born. Dhritarashtra, the blind elder brother of Pandu is placed on the Kuru throne and he sires a hundred sons. Tragedy brings the cousins together and even in the early days it is obvious the world is not big enough for them to share. 
Featured characters:
Pandu, son of Vichitravirya and Ambalika. 
Dhritarashtra, blind son of Vichitravirya and Ambika.
Kunti, first wife of Pandu; daughter of Sura, Krishna’s grandfather; adopted by Kuntibhoja.
Madri, second wife of Pandu; sister of Shalya, King of Madra. 
Gandhari, wife of Dhritarashtra; sister of Shakuni.
Veda Vyasa, son of Satyavati and sage Parashara; biological father of Dhritarashtra, Pandu & Vidura; author of Mahabharata.
Pandavas, Yudhishtra; Bhima; Arjuna; Nakula; Sahadeva.
Kauravas, Duryodhana, Dushasana, plus 98!
Dushala, sister of the Kauravas. 
Yama/Dharma, God of death; ruler of Naraka/hell and righteous wielder of justice; divine father of Yudhishtra.
Vayu, presiding deity of the Wind, divine father of Bhima.
Indra, King of the Gods; mighty wielder of the thunderbolt, divine father of Arjuna.
Ashwini twins, the divine physicians, divine fathers of Nakula and Sahadeva. 

Shwetaketu, powerful Sage who enforced strict rules pertaining to monogamy, chastity, fidelity, and childbearing. 
Durvasa, powerful sage; infamous for his temper and potent curses.

Bhishma wins brides for his half – brother and in the process makes himself an implacable foe, who transforms herself into a man to bring about his death. But the great man has other troubles as there are no heirs to carry on the line and he must figure out a solution with the redoubtable Satyavati. 
Featured characters:
Bhishma, son of Shantanu and Ganga.
Satyavati, fisherwoman who became Shantanu’s second wife.
Veda Vyasa, son of Satyavati and sage Parashara; biological father of Dhritarashtra, Pandu & Vidura; author of Mahabharata.
Chitrangada, elder son of Shantanu and Satyavati; killed by his namesake.
Vichitravirya, younger son of Shantanu and Satyavati; dies of a wasting sickness.
Parashurama, Warrior- sage and an incarnation of Vishnu who rid the earth of several generations of Kshatriyas.
Subramanya, another name for Kartikeya; son of Shiva and Parvati.
Yama/Dharma, God of death; ruler of Naraka/hell and righteous wielder of justice. 
Amba, Princess of Kasi.
Shikandhin, Amba reborn, fated to bring about Bhishma’s death.
Ambika, first wife of Vichitravirya, mother of Dhritarashtra. 
Ambalika, second wife of Vichitravirya, mother of Pandu. 
Vidura, son of Veda Vyasa; born to a maid.
Drupada, King of the powerful Panchala clan; father of Shikandhin, Dhrishtadyumna and Draupadi. 
Mandavya, a Sage who curses Yama to take birth as Vidura.