Mahābhārata Gadāparva

The manuscript begins with the invocation “Oṃ Namaḥ Śrīkṛṣṇāya” (“Salutations to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa”). The colophons indicate that the text belongs to the Mahābhārata, specifically to the Gadāparvan (Book of the Mace Battle), which forms part of the concluding portion of the epic narrating the final events of the Kurukṣetra war. The repeated colophon formulae such as: “Iti Mahābhārate Gadāparvaṇi …”, “Iti Mahābhārate Śatasāhasryāṃ Saṃhitāyāṃ Vaiyāsikyāṃ …” mark the completion of chapters and sections. The phrase “Śatasāhasryāṃ Saṃhitāyāṃ Vaiyāsikyāṃ” means “in the hundred-thousand-versed compilation composed by Vyāsa.” The manuscript contains a total of 36 chapters. Several chapter endings specifically mention: Baladeva Tīrthayātrā, Yadukula-kamala-prakāśita Baladeva Tīrthayātrā, Kumāra Abhiṣeka, and Duryodhanārubhaṅga. Thus, the manuscript represents an important portion of the Mahābhārata dealing with the final stage of the war narrative, especially the mace battle between Bhīma and Duryodhana along with the associated pilgrimage accounts of Baladeva (Balarāma). *Written in the month of Bhādrapada in the year 796 Newari Samvat by the Dwija (Brāhmaṇa) Śrī Baladeva Śarman, for the pleasure and devotion of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the Pāṇḍavas.” Folio number 63 is missing.