மகாபாரதத்தில் பாண்டவர்களின் வனவாசம்: மலாய், சமஸ்கிருதம், தமிழ் ஆகிய பதிப்புகளின் ஒப்பாய்வு

The Pandavas Forest Exile in the Mahabharata: A Comparative Study of the Malay, Sanskrit, and Tamil Versions

Abstract

This article presents a comparative analysis of the Forest Exile episode from the Mahabharata across three major versions: the Sanskrit Mahabharata, the Tamil Villiparatam and the Malay Hikayat Pandawa Lima. Based on 38 key narrative events, the study identifies similarities, transformations, additions and reductions within each version. Numerous similarities exist between the Mahabharata and the Villiparatam. The Hikayat Pandawa Lima exhibits a radically different narrative framework. Notably, the Hikayat Pandawa Lima contains no forest exile at all; instead, the Pandavas are depicted as slaves within the Kauravas' palace. The analysis reveals 22 reductions, 6 transformations, and 4 additions unique to the Hikayat Pandawa Lima, whereas the Villiparatam features 6 additions and only 2 reductions. These differences highlight how each version was adapted to its specific cultural context: the Malay version prioritises action and adventure, while the Tamil version emphasises devotion and the principle of truth. This study demonstrates how a universal epic transforms into new and distinct forms across different cultural landscapes.