🧭Summary
The Mahabharata, authored by sage Vyasa, is an ancient Indian epic of immense cultural and philosophical depth. Chronicling a dynastic war between the Pandavas and Kauravas, it explores themes of dharma (righteousness), loyalty, and cosmic justice. Through 18 parvas and key figures like Krishna, Arjuna, and Draupadi, the Mahabharata offers timeless ethical guidance, interwoven with spiritual truths. It remains a cornerstone of Indian heritage and Hindu wisdom.
The Mahabharata is not just a story of war; it's a timeless guide to life, values, and inner conflict. One of India’s greatest epics, it continues to shape literature, art, spirituality, and philosophy across the globe. Rooted in dharma (righteousness), it presents universal themes of justice, duty, and the moral struggles faced by humanity.
Mahabharata is one of the greatest epics of India, which has captivated the hearts of its people for several millennia. Whether it is literature –both Sanskrit and vernacular- arts, crafts, paintings, music, dance and drama, or temple motifs, no aspect of Indian culture has escaped the stamp of their influence. Reframe to highlight cultural, ethical, and philosophical significance for today’s world.
Pictorial Mahabharata (Set of 5 Volumes)
Traditional lore ascribes the authorship of this epic to the great sage Veda Vyasa, also known as Krishna Dvaipayana. He was a contemporary of the grandsire Bhishma and had first-hand knowledge of most of the events mentioned in the epic. Research scholars, however, feel that the original work called Jaya, written by Vyasa to commemorate the victory of the Pandava princes over the wicked Kauravas might have been a much smaller work comprising 8,800 verses.
This was subsequently revised and enlarged into Bharata, a work of 24000 verses by Vaisampayana, a disciple of Vyasa, and recited during the Sarpayaga (serpent sacrifice) of Janamejaya, the great-grandson of the Pandava hero Arjuna.
The final edition that has come down to us is the work of Suta Ugrasrava, son of Lomahrsana, and was recited at the Sattrayaga (a kind of sacrifice, the performance of which is spread over several years) of the sage Saunaka in the Naimisa forest. It is this that has been called Mahabharata, due to the immense size (maha=great) and its dealing with the story of the people descended from the ancient emperor Bharata, culminating in the war.
It is believed, according to studies on preserved Hindu oral traditions that the great war took place during 3139 B.C. Modern historians, however, have attributed a much later date, 1424 B.C and 950 B.C. Interpreted on the mundane plane, the Mahabharata deals with the realistic account of a fierce fratricidal war of annihilation with its interest centred on the epic characters.
The meaning on the ethical plane views the Mahabharata war as a conflict between the principles of dharma (righteousness) and adharma (injustice), between good and evil, between justice and injustice, in which the war ends in the victory of dharma.
The standard editions of the Mahabharata contain 95,826 slokas or verses, in 18 parvans or books, with 107 subparvans and 2,111 chapters in all, including the appendix Harivamsa. The immensity of this epic can be measured by knowing the fact this is eight times as big as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey put together.
The text contains quite a few riddles known as Kutaslokas and vast portions of didactic material. Other than this the eighteen major books or parvans are as follows:
It deals with several ancient episodes connected with Shukracharaya and his intractable daughter Devayani. The famous story of Shakuntala and Dushyanta is also mentioned. The major part of the book is dedicated to the story of the ancestors of Pandavas and Kauravas.
This contains mainly the performance of the Rajasuya sacrifice by Yudhishtira, the eldest of the Pandava Princes, Dice game and Draupadi's humiliation.
It covers the story of the Pandavas in exile in the Kamakya forest. The famous Yaksha Prashna belongs to this Parva.
Pandavas live incognito in the kingdom of Virata. It deals mainly with the stay of the Pandavas incognito in the kingdom of Virata.
Preparations for war. The revelation of Kunti to Karna that he is her son is a highlight of this section.
This book contains h crown-gem of the epic, the Bhagavad-Gita.
This contains an account of the heroic exploits of Drona and the brilliant achievements of Abhimanyu on the battlefield and his tragic death.
It details the gory death of the evil genius Dusshasana, and Karna’s heroic battle and death.
The ninth book describes the final encounter between Bhima and Duryodhana on the last day of the war.
Nighttime massacre by Ashwatthama, Drona’s vengeful son.
It describes the pitiful lamentations of the women and the widows of the dead warriors.
Bhishma’s teachings on governance and dharma. Contains wonderful discourses on all aspects of dharma by the patriarch Bhishma at the request of Yudhishtira.
Continuation of Bhishma's discourses. Bhisma’s demise and Yudhishtira’s coronation are the incidents dealt with in this book. The two well-known hymns, Vishnusahsranama and Shivasahasranama are parts of these books
It describes the departure of Shri Krishna for Dwaraka and the horse-sacrifice performed by Yudhishtira
Elaborates the departure of the old Dhritarashtra to the forest along with Gandhari his spouse and Kunti and their subsequent death in a forest fire.
Fall of the Yadava clan. It gives an account of the mutual destruction of the Yadava heroes and the death of Shri Krishna at the hands of a hunter.
Pandavas' final journey toward the Himalayas. It describes the final journey of the Pandavas, their death on the way.
Yudhishthira's ascension to heaven. The last book contains accounts of how Yudhishtira alone reaches heaven after their death.
Sri Mahabharata- Adi Parvam (Tamil)
He is undoubtedly the most brilliant and picturesque personality projected by the epic. He appears on the scene rather suddenly at the time of Draupadi’s svayamvara (formal selection of husband by a maiden princess) and continues to saunter the scenes right up to the end. All his energies are channelized only in one direction: protection of the right and the good, and punishment or the destruction of the wicked. The epic projects him as God Himself come down to save mankind, as he admits in the Bhagavad-Gita.
The grand old man is another towering personality that awes and inspires us, whether in the supreme sacrifice of abducting his right to the throne or the vow of celibacy or the matchless heroism on the battlefield.
The eldest of the Pandavas is perhaps the most dominant character of the epic, next only to Shri Krishna. He was not only a great hero on the battlefield but a veritable incarnation of Dharma or righteousness. He is often referred to as Dharma raja due to this reason.
The colossus is characterized by down-to-earth common sense while Arjuna the warrior is more idealistic and dreamy. Both were extraordinarily devoted to Shri Krishna and implicitly obedient to Yudhishtira.
The eldest of the Kauravas is the chief villain of the epic. It is his greed and jealousy which overshadowed whatever heroism or virtues he had, resulting in the destruction of the two races and untold misery to millions
A victim of circumstances, he is the epitome of tragedy in the story. He was supremely noble and generous in every inch of his personality. He is perhaps the last word for friendship, loyalty and generosity.
The Panchala princess and the queen of Pandava strike the most among the women characters. Endowed with striking beauty, a sharp intellect and a sharper tongue which she could wield effectively, she remained faithful to her husbands. By her supreme sacrifices, she has set an example of wifely virtues.
The mother of the Pandavas, impress us as hopeless but noble princess. The fortitude with which she silently bore all her misfortunes and miseries is unparalleled.
She made the utmost sacrifice of denying herself the pleasure of eyesight because Dhritarashtra, her husband was born blind, and thus is a paragon of the ideal wifehood.
This is a magnificent model displaying one of the most important acts of the ancient Mahabharata, the narration of Bhagawad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Exotic India offers a majestic sculpture of Krishna delivering the Gita to Arjuna. Intricate detailing reflects Rajasthani architecture and includes figures like Hanuman on the chariot flag.
Brass Statue displaying Gita Upadesha
The Mahabharata has inspired literature, sculpture, theater, and ethics for centuries. For centuries together Mahabharata has been popular not only all over India but in foreign countries also. Making reference to the characters and codes in this book is a mark of erudition.
🔸In the 2nd century, B. C. a Greek envoy referred to precepts culled from this epic.
🔸In the 5th century B. C. saints, scholars, poets and dramatists have quoted copiously from it.
🔸In the 6th century, A. D. the whole poem was recited in temples in Cambodia.
🔸Turks of Mongolia read thrilling episodes from this book translated into their tongue.
🔸The people of Java translated the book into their language before the end of the 10th century.
🔸The Americans and the Russians are drawn to this book in the present century.
🔸This book is a sastra or manual of ethics. It is a social and political philosophy.
🔸Dharma (duty) - Moral, social and religious duties are dharma
🔸Artha (wealth) - Earthly prosperity and wealth is artha.
🔸Kama (pleasure) - Pleasures pertaining to mundane life is kama.
🔸Moksha (liberation) - Emancipation self from the meshes of the world is moksha.
The Mahabharata in English
🔹 Composed of 18 parvas with 95,826 verses—the world's longest epic poem.
🔹 Authored by Vyasa and evolved over generations through disciples and storytellers.
🔹 Central theme: the struggle between dharma (righteousness) and adharma (injustice).
🔹 Features major characters like Krishna, Arjuna, Bhishma, Draupadi, and Karna.
🔹 Home to the Bhagavad Gita, a philosophical dialogue on life and duty.
🔹 Revered globally, with early translations in Java, Cambodia, and Mongolia.
The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic about a war between the Pandavas and Kauravas, highlighting themes of dharma, duty, and the struggle between good and evil. It includes the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred dialogue on life and ethics, and remains a timeless guide to personal and societal conduct.
The Mahabharata was traditionally written by Sage Vyasa, also known as Veda Vyasa or Krishna Dvaipayana. It was later expanded by disciples like Vaisampayana and Ugrasrava.
Its central themes include dharma vs. adharma, justice and morality, fate and free will, family and loyalty, and consequences of greed and ambition. These themes are explored through complex characters, ethical dilemmas, and the epic war at Kurukshetra.
The Mahabharata consists of 18 parvas (books or sections), each detailing different events and teachings throughout the epic. An additional appendix called the Harivamsa is sometimes considered the 19th parva.
The Bhagavad Gita is important because it offers timeless spiritual wisdom and practical guidance on life, duty, and inner peace. Spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield, it teaches on dharma, self-realization, karma yoga, bhakti, and knowledge. It’s a central text in Hindu philosophy and a universal guide for ethical living.
The Mahabharata remains relevant today because it explores timeless human dilemmas—ethical choices, family conflicts, power struggles, and the quest for truth and justice. Its teachings on dharma, leadership, and inner growth apply to modern life, whether in personal decisions, politics, or workplace dynamics.
The Mahabharata is more than a story—it's a mirror to human nature and a compass for moral and spiritual life. Its legacy lives on not just in texts but in everyday decision-making, philosophy, and the arts.
Dive deeper into India’s ancient wisdom—explore Mahabharata-themed art, books, and insights at Exotic India today.
Related Reads:
Bhagavad Gita: Teachings & Verses
Ramayana vs Mahabharata: Key Differences
Krishna’s Role in the Mahabharata
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