The Mahabharata Overview

Overview of the Mahabharata

• The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Ramayana.
• It is a massive text, consisting of over 100,000 verses, making it one of the longest epic poems in the world.

Historical Context

• The Mahabharata is believed to have been composed between 400 BCE to 400 CE.
• It is set in a period of great social and political change in ancient India, with the rise of kingdoms and cities.

Authorship

• The authorship of the Mahabharata is attributed to the sage Vyasa, who is said to have written the epic poem.
• Vyasa is also credited with dividing the Vedas, the ancient Indian scriptures, into four parts.

Storyline

• The Mahabharata tells the story of the Pandavas and the Kauravas, two groups of cousins who engage in a great war for the throne of Hastinapura.
• The story is set in the kingdom of Hastinapura, in the region of Kurukshetra in modern-day Haryana, India.

Themes

• The Mahabharata explores themes of duty, morality, and the struggle between good and evil.
• It also explores the concept of dharma, or righteous living, and the importance of following one's duty.

Significance

• The Mahabharata is considered one of the most important works of Hindu literature and is still widely read and studied today.
• It has had a significant impact on Indian culture and society, influencing art, literature, and philosophy.

Structure

• The Mahabharata is divided into 18 books or parvas, each of which tells a part of the story.
• The epic poem is written in a mixture of prose and verse, with many philosophical and devotional passages.

Overview of the Mahabharata

• Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, alongside the Ramayana.

Historical Context

• Composed between 400 BCE to 400 CE.
• Set in a period of great social and political change in ancient India, with the rise of kingdoms and cities.

Authorship

• Attributed to the sage Vyasa, who is said to have written the epic poem.
• Vyasa credited with dividing the Vedas, the ancient Indian scriptures, into four parts.

Storyline

• Tells the story of the Pandavas and the Kauravas, two groups of cousins who engage in a great war for the throne of Hastinapura.
• Set in the kingdom of Hastinapura, in the region of Kurukshetra in modern-day Haryana, India.

Themes

• Explores themes of duty, morality, and the struggle between good and evil.
• Examines the concept of dharma, or righteous living, and the importance of following one's duty.

Significance

• Considered one of the most important works of Hindu literature.
• Still widely read and studied today, influencing art, literature, and philosophy in Indian culture and society.

Structure

• Divided into 18 books or parvas, each telling a part of the story.
• Written in a mixture of prose and verse, with many philosophical and devotional passages.