mahabharat

[Sansc.maha, mahat =great, and Bharat (see def.).] Hindu Literature: One of the two great epic poems of India, the other being the Ramayan. Its leading theme is the contest, perhaps, in the main, historic, between the Kurus and the Pandus, two dynasties of ancient India, both descended from Bharat, King of Hustinapoor. Dhritarashtra, the father of Duryodhana and the Kurus, was the legit imate heir to the throne, but being blind, he was supplanted by his cousin Yudhistiras, the eldest of the five Pandu princes. Ultimately, by the aid of Krishna, the usurping Pandus were firmly established in the sovereignty of Northern India. With this main theme are interwoven episodes, moral reflections, and digre ions of all kinds, constituting about three-fourths of the present poem. The discourse between Krishna and Urjoon on the eve of a battle constitutes the Bhagavat git a (q. v.). The roots of some portions of modern Hinduism are in the Mahabharat. The worship of Krishna, as one with Vishnu and the universe, has its origin here. all attempts to reconquer the Soudan, which was about as large as France, Germany, and Spain taken together, besides being mostly desert. The advice was neglected, an Egyptian army, headed by an English man, Hicks Pasha, was sent out, but was almost immediately destroyed and its leader killed. A second, under Baker Pasha (Colonel Valentine Baker), was put to flight with great slaughter on Feb. 4, 1884. The Egyptians were now willing to let the Soudan go, and as originally advised, include in it Khartoum, the capital of Nubia. But the Soudanese, not contented to obtain their independence, desired also to ma acre the Egyptian garrisons of about 20,000 men. Humanity shuddered at such a resolve, and public opinion urged that General Gordon should be sent out on a peaceful mi ion to negotiate for the withdrawal of the garrisons. He went to Egypt, but failed in his endeavor, and after defending himself in Khartoum for about a year, was overcome by treachery on Jan. 26, 1885, the Mahdi's troops being admitted within the fort i fications, and Gordon and many others slain, just asa relieving army was approaching for his deliverance. The Soudan was lost. But twelve years later it was reconquered by the British. The Mahdi had died in the meantime and been succeeded by Khalifa Abdulla. But Gordon's death was to be avenged at last. On Sept. 2, 1898, General Kitchener with an Anglo-Egyptian army defeated the hosts of the Mahdi and captured Omdurman, Khalifa Abdulla's capital and stronghold, thus ending Mahdist rule in the Soudan. Mah-di-an, s. [Eng., .. Mahdi ; -an . ] A follower or adherent of the Mahdi (q. v.). Mah-dist. s. [Eng., ., Mahd (i); -ist.] same as Mahdian (q. v.). The *mạ-hog'-an-ize, v . t . [Eng. mahogan(y); -ize.] To paint or grain in imitation of mahogany; to veneer with mahogany. chin, bench; go, gem; thin, this; IMG:content-0828.png:[blocks in formation] Bot.: Swietenia mahagoni, one of the Cedrelacese. It is a lofty, branching tree, with a large, handsome head, flowers like those of Melia, and fruits about the size of a turkey's egg. It grows in the warmest parts of Central America, in Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and the Bahamas. [MADEIRA WOOD.] *ma-hoitres', s . pl . [Fr.] A term applied to the padded and upraised shoulders in fashion during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. ma-ho-li, s. [Native name.] Zoology : Galago maholi , a diminutive African Lemuroid, family Lemuridse. The general coloring of the upper parts is yellowish or brownish-gray, with slightly darker brindling on the back, broad white tinged with yellow. The ears are very large, and can be contracted at pleasure. nose-streak, cheeks and throat white, under Mạ-hom-ě-dạn, Ma-hom-e-tan, adj . & subst. [MOHAMMEDAN.] Mạ-hom-ě-tan, a. & s. [MOHAMMEDAN.] Mạ-hom-ě-tan-Ism, s. [MOHAMMEDANISM.] Mạ-hom-ě-tan-ize, v . t . [MOHAMMEDANIZE.] *Ma-ho-met-1-cal, a. [Eng. Mahomet ; -ical .] Mohammedan. "The Mahometical Elysium of libertines."-Gentleman Instructed , p. 561. Ma-hom-ět-Ism, * Mạ-hom-ě-triě, *Mahum-e-tis me, subst . [Eng. Mahomet ; -ism, -ry.] Mohammedanism, idolatry. "No dumme popetrie or superstitious Mahometrie."— Tyndall: Works , p. 257. *Ma-hom-ět-Ist, s. [Eng. Mahomet ; -ist.] A follower of Mohammed; a Mohammedan. "The king of the Mahometists sought his friendship." -Pedro Mezia: Hist. Roman Emperors , p. 525. *Ma'-ho-mite, s . [Eng. Mahom (et); -ite.) A Mohammedan. "The Mahomite With hundred you sands in Vienna plaine." Sylvester: Miracle of Peace , sonn. xxxviii. ma-hô-ni-a, subst . [Named after Bernard McMahon.] Bot.: Ash-barberry; a genus of Berberidaceæ consisting of elegant evergreen shrubs, and with pinnate leaves, and yellow flowers. Found in North America and Nepaul. Several are cultivated in gardens. *ma-hound', *ma-houn', s. & a. [A corruption of Mohammed or Mahomet.] IMG:content-0829.png:[blocks in formation] B. As adj .: A term applied to the devil or any very wicked person or spirit.