There are 18 festivals in Mahabharata. The Kurukshetra war lasted for 18 days and the Bhagavad Gita has 18 chapters, Thenthirupparai Aravindlochan told in a sermon. The epic Mahabharata itself can be seen as a tree.

It is as if religion itself has taken the form of a tree. The seed of this tree is Index Parva. The roots of this tree are Pauloma Parva and Aasthika Parva.

The trunk of the tree is a possible destination. Sabha Parva symbolizes the birds that make nests on trees.

Bhishma Parva and Van Parva are branches of this tree. Drona Parva represents leaves and Karna Parva represents flowers. Virat Parva and Udyog Parva are the essence of the tree.

Shalya Parva is the fragrance of the flowers blooming on this tree. Stree Parva is the tip of the branches.

Shanti Parva is equivalent to the fruit of this tree of dharma, because the purpose of studying the Mahabharata is to attain shanti (peace of mind). Ashwamedha festival is representative of fruit juices.

Ashram Vasa Parva is food for birds. Mausala Parva is the sound made by birds on trees.

Those who explain the meaning of the Mahabharata, those who listen to such explanations and those who follow the Dharma – these people are the protectors of this tree. The 18 Parvas of the Mahabharata narrate the entire story of the Pandavas and their rivals, the Kauravas from the early years, the betrayal of Duryodhana, the exile of the Pandavas, the Kurukshetra war, Lord Krishna’s advice to Arjuna through the Gita and the teachings of Bhishma through the Vishnu Sahasranama.

Geeta is in Bhishma Parva and Vishnu Sahasranama is in Anushanika Parva. Shanti Parva is full of valuable teachings on Dharma for everyone.