Reading the Mahabharata for the first time.

[Jive One]

So I just received the Penguin edition of the Mahabharata (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMahabharata-Penguin-Classics%2Fdp%2F0140446818&ei=0VdxTaPGJYyGtweT3_3FBw&usg=AFQjCNE2QCD2vjqWPJUDne5y8UZbkQQdxw), which is of course an anbridged version but that's OK in my situation. I've begun reading it and am probably 20 or 30 pages into the Adi Parva(which in this edition has sections summarized).

Now my problem; while I can follow the basic plot and (with some difficulty)most of the characters, I feel MANY aspects of the work are flying way over my head. I somewhat expected this as I have zero knowledge of Hinduism and thus I know I'm missing important concepts left and right.

I'd prefer to read this work with at least a solid understanding of the mythological and philosophical aspects behind it, but I'm at a loss as to the best way to do this. Is it possible to dive in and just puzzle it out as I go along? Are there resources tailored specifically to the Mahabharata that address this, or do I need to study Hinduism as a whole before beginning the work?

[varnish7]

So I just received the Penguin edition of the Mahabharata (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMahabharata-Penguin-Classics%2Fdp%2F0140446818&ei=0VdxTaPGJYyGtweT3_3FBw&usg=AFQjCNE2QCD2vjqWPJUDne5y8UZbkQQdxw), which is of course an anbridged version but that's OK in my situation. I've begun reading it and am probably 20 or 30 pages into the Adi Parva(which in this edition has sections summarized).

Now my problem; while I can follow the basic plot and (with some difficulty)most of the characters, I feel MANY aspects of the work are flying way over my head. I somewhat expected this as I have zero knowledge of Hinduism and thus I know I'm missing important concepts left and right.

I'd prefer to read this work with at least a solid understanding of the mythological and philosophical aspects behind it, but I'm at a loss as to the best way to do this. Is it possible to dive in and just puzzle it out as I go along? Are there resources tailored specifically to the Mahabharata that address this, or do I need to study Hinduism as a whole before beginning the work?

I don't think you have to do some in depth study of Hinduism to read the Mahabharata. However, it may be helpful to read the Ramayana first. I would recommend the version by Ramesh Menon. It's a great story, and there's a glossary of Hindu words/concepts that you can refer to as you read it. It should give you at least a working knowledge of Hindu gods and that sort of thing.

I don't really have much to say about the Mahabharata itself. I only read the William Buck version, which is incredibly condensed, once. All I remember is that the names all sounded remarkably alike so it was hard to keep track of everyone. I don't think I actually disliked it so much as I had just finished the version of the Ramayana that I mentioned above, and I enjoyed it so much that the Mahabharata just paled in comparison.

[Jive One]

Thanks for the advice. I'm starting to get a bit of a handle on the deities and such but as you mentioned, names are tough to keep track of. Thanks again.

[naphelge]

I would recommend the version by Ramesh Menon. It's a great story
I second the recommendation. I have also read Ramesh's rendition of the Ramayana and in addition to holding my complete attention, I appreciated the seemingly deep level of detail with which the story is told.

There is also a fairly complete version of the Ramayana at sacredtexts.com with lots and lots of detailed footnotes attempting to explain some of the mysteries of Hinduism.

I am somewhat familair with the Bhagavad Geeta, and I have my eye on the Mahabarata so let me know how it goes and what you think.