At the end of 1000 years, Yayāti exchanges his youth with his youngest son, who had borne Yayāti’s old age during these 1000 years.

Yayāti shared with him the learning he had gathered through 1000 years of enjoyment. He told his son that desires cannot be quenched by experiencing pleasures. Like pouring ghee in a Yajna, they will only grow bigger. Even when one loses, the desire does not lose and keeps growing. Therefore desire can only be renounced. True happiness is when we give up desire.

The 18 parvas can be organised into four groups. The first 5 parvas are called Aadhya Panchakam or the first 5. The next 5 parvas are called Yuddha Panchakam. The next three parvas are called Shanti Trayam. The last five parvas are called Andhya Panchakam. There are more than 2300 chapters which are further grouped into upa parvas.

Arunan became the charioteer of Surya. He was the only one who could reduce the Tejas and heat of Surya. After the episode with Rahu Surya became angry. He felt that he picked Rahu as an impostor and this benefitted all the devatas. However, he was left to face the enmity of Rahu while the devatas did not help. He decided that he would increase his heat and cause distress. He started becoming very hot. When Vainateya and Arunan were flying to meet Rishi Kashyap they also felt the heat. The distressed devatas asked Brahma for a solution and Brahma said if Arunan stands in front of Surya, his heat would be reduced. Rishi Kashyap mentioned this to Vainateya and Arunan when they came to meet him. Vainteaya took Arunan to Surya and from then onwards Arunan became the charioteer of Surya. The heat of Surya was also reduced.

Rishi Kashyap is the father of Vainateya. He was born to Vinata and is therefore called Vainateya (meaning son of Vinata). He was the second son of Vinata. The first son Arunan was born prematurely without bottom part of the body as Vinata was impatient and broke the egg before it would hatch on its own. Arunan cursed Vinata for this impatience and said that only his brother would free her from slavery.

Dharma as the Human Differentiator
Birds have wings and can fly; that is their nature. A cow is one that walks on its legs. These are the specific characteristics of creatures. All creatures also share common characteristics: they eat, sleep, are aware of threats, and reproduce.

However, Dharma is a special characteristic unique to humans. It is the most important trait that differentiates humans from other creatures. Humans are required to live a Dharmic life. The Neeti Shatakam of Bhartrihari states that if humans abandon Dharma, they become like cattle.

The Neeti Shatakam is a collection of 100 Sanskrit verses on human behavior, dated to the 5th or 7th Century CE.

The Fifth Veda
The Vedas provide the four Purusharthas, and the Mahabharata does the same. In fact, the Mahabharata contains all that is contained in the Vedas, which is why it is called the Panchamaveda (Fifth Veda). It is Veda Sara Mahabharatam (The Essence of the Vedas).

Yudhiṣṭhira focusses on ensuring the safety of Pāṇḍavas and the strategy to escape without alerting Kauravas. Even though he is aware of the Kauravas’ schemes, he does not bear any ill will towards them.

Samudra Manthanam is a reflection of our mind. We have both positive and negative tendencies like Devas and Asuras. Mandara represents our discipline and determination. Vasuki is our desire. When desire is used properly to churn the mind it takes us to our destiny. When desire is used improperly, it can also yield Halahala. The poison Halahala represents the various emotions that come in the way of our goals. Kurma Avatar serving as a foundation for Mandara represents Dharma which should be the foundation of our thinking also. Parameswaran signifies Vairagya or determination that can overcome all difficulties and fears. Amruta represents wisdom that is the fruit of all our work.

Chitraratha also gifted Arjuna 100 horses that were born in Gandharva Loka. Gandharvas ride these horses, which never get tired though they look lean. When Indra killed Vṛtrāsura with his Vajrāyudha, it broke into pieces. One such fragment became kṣatriya’s chariot along with the horses. This accounts for their invincibility and strength.

Vyāsa narrates the story of a girl who grew up in a Rishi’s ashram. Because of incidents in her prior birth, she remained unmarried though eligible. She prayed to Lord Shiva and asked for a great husband, but mistakenly she asked five times. Shiva gave her the boon but since she had asked five times, he said she would be married to the five Pāṇḍavas in her next birth.