The Mahabharata: A Great Epic of Ancient India
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India in Hinduism, the other being the Ramayana. It narrates the struggle between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, for the throne of Hastinapura, a kingdom ruled by the Kuru clan. The epic also contains philosophical and devotional teachings, such as the Bhagavad Gita, a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna on the eve of the war.
The Mahabharata is considered to be both a historical account and a sacred text by Hindus. It reflects the cultural and religious development of Hinduism between 400 BCE and 200 CE. The epic is traditionally attributed to Vyasa, a sage who appears as a character in the story. However, it is likely that the Mahabharata was composed by multiple authors over several centuries, reaching its final form around the 4th century CE.
The Mahabharata is the longest epic poem in the world, consisting of about 74,000 verses or 200,000 lines, divided into 18 books or parvans. It also has a supplement called the Harivamsha, which describes the genealogy and life of Krishna. The epic covers a wide range of topics, such as cosmology, mythology, genealogy, ethics, law, politics, warfare, geography, astronomy, art, literature and more.
The main plot of the Mahabharata revolves around the Kurukshetra War, a conflict that lasted for 18 days and involved hundreds of thousands of warriors on both sides. The war was triggered by the rivalry and jealousy between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, who were cousins but had different fathers. The Kauravas were led by Duryodhana, the eldest son of Dhritarashtra, the blind king of Hastinapura. The Pandavas were led by Yudhishthira, the eldest son of Pandu, Dhritarashtra’s brother who had died young.
The Pandavas had to endure many hardships and injustices at the hands of their cousins, such as being exiled to the forest for 13 years after losing a rigged game of dice. They also had to share a common wife, Draupadi, who was won by Arjuna in an archery contest but was later humiliated by the Kauravas in public. The Pandavas had a loyal friend and ally in Krishna, who was an incarnation of Vishnu, the supreme god of Hinduism.
The war was inevitable as both sides refused to compromise or negotiate peacefully. The war was also a divine plan to destroy evil and restore dharma (righteousness) on earth. The war was fought on a vast battlefield called Kurukshetra (meaning “the field of the Kurus”), located near Delhi in present-day India. The war involved many heroes and warriors from various kingdoms and regions of India, as well as gods and demons who intervened in various ways.
The war ended with the victory of the Pandavas, but at a great cost. Almost all the warriors on both sides were killed, leaving only a few survivors. The Pandavas lost their sons and many of their friends and relatives. Krishna also died soon after the war due to a curse. The Pandavas then renounced their kingdom and embarked on a final journey to heaven, accompanied by Draupadi and a dog (who was actually Dharma in disguise).
The Mahabharata is a rich and complex epic that explores various themes and issues relevant to human life and society. It portrays the triumphs and tragedies of human existence, as well as the moral dilemmas and ethical choices faced by its characters. It also offers insights into Hindu philosophy and spirituality, especially through the Bhagavad Gita, which teaches about karma (action), dharma (duty), moksha (liberation) and bhakti (devotion).
The Mahabharata is not only a literary masterpiece but also a cultural treasure for India and Hinduism. It has inspired countless works of art, literature, drama, music and cinema in India and beyond. It has also influenced other religions and cultures around the world. It is regarded as one of the greatest epics ever written in human history.
