The contents of Mahabharat - As stated by Vyasa himself in Mahabharat

In one of our previous blogs, I had said that Mahabharat appears to have meant to be a compendium of all the knowledge the scholars had at the time. Though that was my personal opinion, there is also a section in Mahabharata where Vyasa himself briefly lists what all subjects he has discussed in his masterpiece. To which, to some degrees, those feelings resonate. Below is the translation of verses from Adi Parva (Book 1), Anukramani Parva (Chapter 1) verses 61-70 (i.e. MB 1.1.61-70). (The whole section is a continuous long list. I am making them into bullet points for the convenience of the readers). The list is very interesting as it includes subjects which can be called History, Geography, Anthropology, the prevalent social order, medicine apart from philosophy, and literature of the time. However, that may be an individual perception. So you can have a look at it yourself -

When Vyasa had finished this greatest of narrations, he began to consider how he might teach it to his disciples. Lord Brahma, the world's preceptor, knowing of the anxiety of the Rishi Dwaipayana, came in person to the place where he was, for gratifying the saint and benefiting the people. And when Vyasa, surrounded by all the tribes of Munis, saw him, he was surprised; and, standing with joined palms, he bowed and ordered a seat to be brought. He then asked Brahma (summary of MB 1.1.54-60) -

"O divine Brahma, I have composed a poem which is greatly respected.

1. The mystery of the Veda and many other subjects have been explained by me;

2. Upanishads with the parts;

3. I have compiled the Puranas and histories and through that explained the three divisions of time - past, present, and future;

4. The description of the exact nature of decay, fear, disease, existence, and non-existence;

5. a description of various creeds and of the various modes of life;

6. the rule for the four castes,

7. and the inclusion from of all the Puranas;

8. an account of asceticism and of the duties of a religious student;

9. the dimensions of the sun and moon, the planets, constellations, and stars, together with the duration of the four ages;

10. the Rik, Sama and Yajur Vedas;

11. also the Adhyatma;

12. the sciences called Nyaya,

13. Orthoepy and

14. Treatment of diseases;

15. charity and

16. The glory of one residing in all living things;

17. birth celestial (among gods) and human, as a result of karma;

18. also a description of places of pilgrimage and other holy places of rivers, mountains, forests, the ocean, of heavenly cities and the kalpas;

19. the art of archery and art of war;

20. the different kinds of nations and languages:

21. the nature of the manners of the people & how to behave with people of various social stature;

22. and the all-pervading spirit;

- all these have been represented. But, after all, no writer of this work is to be found on earth.' (MB 1.1.61-70)

This was the reason why Vyasa was anxious. He had the bestseller material in his head, but he needed a scribe to write it down while he narrates it. But he was not able to find a scribe who was capable and genius enough! Brahma recommended the most genius person of all time! Many of us know who he was. Next blog is about how he wrote this huge literature down.