Mahabharata
The epic Mahabharata was composed by the great sage Vyasa.Mahabharata is over 100,000 lines long in its original poetic form.The legend has it that Lord Ganesha himself had to write down since it was extremely lengthy.
Basically, Mahabharata illustrates the victory of good over evil through the story of Pandavas,who were five brothers.The Pandavas were embodiment of good and their cousins symbolized all that was evil in human nature.The Pandavas and their wife Draupadi, were put through various ordeals which were a direct consequence of the malice the Kauravas,their cousins, bore towards them. Finally,in the end,the Pandavas who were ably aided by Lord Krishna defeat the Kauravas in an eighteen-day long battle.
Although the main story is quite simple,it is written in such graphic detail that the story becomes quite large. And then consider the innumerable fables and short stories which are interwoven into the various parts of the main story.Thus, the epic is easily one of the longest poems in its category surpassing the Illiad and Ramayana.
Well,you may wonder about the authenticity of the events described in the Mahabharata. But in a larger perspective ,this story is very much an integral part of Indian culture.Even the Bhagavad Gita forms a part of the narrative. Bhagavad Gita is the discourse of Lord Krishna,the eighth avatar of Vishnu,to Arjuna on various aspects of human life.
Even today the story of Mahabharata has its relevance in our lives.Since the very emotions conveyed in the story are actually similar to those experienced by us during different phases of our life–Anger,Lust,Hatred,Love,Kindness.(to name a few)
Hence,I would consider it a masterpiece on Indian society and culture.
Note:This is a complete,abridged and free version of Mahabharata.It is one of the few sites which offer an abridged and online version of Mahabharata.Have fun guys!
It is very fine and proud be an hindu in india
1I believe this is the closest you will get to downloading the epic in
2English.
http://www.gita-society.com/section3/mahabharata.pdf
I am not responsible for any legal or copyright issues that are associated with it.Please do so at your risk.
Mahabharata is just not a story of battle between Pandavas and kauravas, It is a reflection of our own life . Our vices are kauravas and and our virtues pandavas . It is but for the virutes the pandavas had and with the support of Lord Krishna, they could win the battle against Kauravas. I am undoubtedly proud to be an Indian, more so a Hindu. .
3this is a great site.
4[comment modified]
Very nice & educative
5regards
sanjay
Very Good
6IT IS GOOD AND NICE STORIES OF INDIA CULTURE AND HARITAGE
7Thanks for the download link to Mahabharat..Now,i can read it daily in my mobile..
8this is a really great…….
9its great…
10i like this article toooooo much
11मुजे ये कव्य बहुत पसन्द आया. आभार्
12I liked your website. You have done a good job.
13I wish more sites such as this may come and fill our hearts with joy. Mahabharata is the essence of Indian life and an everlasting light for the world at large. We must learn from this great epic to make this world peaceful and channelize our minds to Dharma.
14its a good job
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