In search of vyāsa: the use of greco-roman sources in book 4 of the mahābhārata

Abstract

The book argues for the systematic use of Greco-Roman sources in the Mahabharata (Mbh.), in Book 4 in particular. Its author systematically uses the story of the year of serfdom of Heracles in the court of Queen Omphale to build the year of serfdom of the Pandavas and Draupadi in the court of King Virata (Book 4). This includes uses of mythology handbooks, of two works by Ovid (Fasti and Heroides) and other sources. It entails, for example, the projection of the transvestism of Heracles in Arjuna, the complaints of Deyanira in Draupadi, and the story of Faunus (Fasti) in that of Bhima and Kicaka. There are also literal uses. The scientific positions on Book 4 are analysed and the author argues the consistency of his results with the unitary perspective on the Mbh as defended by Alf Hiltebeitel, and a date of the Mbh. in the I Century CE. Emphasis is placed on the research methodology that allows us to ensure the borrowing of these texts, associated with the study of the techniques used by the author of the Mbh. to adapt characters, scenes and other narrative materials.