Mythology Books

“Revenge is not always better,
but neither is forgiveness;
learn to know them both,
so that there is no problem.”

– Mahabharata

“The intoxication with power is worse than
drunkenness with liquor and such,
for who is drunk with power does not
come to his senses before he falls.”

– Mahabharata

10 surprising facts about the Mahabharata:

1. The Mahabharata is one of the longest epic poems in the world, with over 100,000 verses. It is roughly ten times the length of the Iliad and the Odyssey combined.
2. The Mahabharata is believed to have been written between 400 BCE and 400 CE, although the events it describes are said to have taken place much earlier.
3. The Mahabharata tells the story of a dynastic struggle for the throne of the ancient Indian kingdom of Hastinapur, between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, two branches of the same royal family.
4. The Mahabharata is not just a story, but also contains philosophical and spiritual teachings. It is often referred to as the “fifth Veda” and is considered to be one of the most important works of Hinduism.
5. The Bhagavad Gita, one of the most famous and revered texts of Hinduism, is a part of the Mahabharata. It is a conversation between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna, in which Krishna expounds on the nature of reality, the soul, and the ultimate goal of human life.
6. The Mahabharata includes many supernatural elements, including gods, demons, and magical weapons. One of the most famous of these is the Brahmastra, a weapon so powerful that it can destroy entire armies and even the world.
7. The Mahabharata is known for its complex characters, many of whom are neither entirely good nor entirely evil. The most famous of these is probably Karna, a heroic warrior who fights on the side of the Kauravas despite being the son of Kunti, one of the mothers of the Pandavas.
8. The Mahabharata has been adapted into many different forms over the years, including plays, movies, and television shows. It has also been retold in different languages, including English, French, and Russian.
9. The Mahabharata has had a significant influence on Indian culture, inspiring many works of art, literature, and music. It is also often used as a source of moral and ethical teachings.
10. Despite its length and complexity, the Mahabharata is still widely read and studied today, both in India and around the world. It continues to inspire and challenge readers with its timeless themes of duty, loyalty, and the struggle between good and evil.