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Mahabharata
Vyasa (traditional attribution)
The longest epic poem in existence, containing the Bhagavad Gita. Chronicles the Kurukshetra War and includes extensive Hindu mythology and philosophy.
Notable Academic Translations
Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1896)J.A.B. van Buitenen (1973)Bibek Debroy (2015)
Recommended Reading Order
John D. Smith's abridged Penguin Classics translation (2009) is the most manageable entry point to the full epic; readers who want only the Gita can start with Eknath Easwaran's standalone translation.
Canonical Figures in this Text
Key heroes and divinities who feature prominently across the chapters of this work
Key Dramatic Scenes
Pivotal passages and mythological turning points recorded in this canon
- I
The Game of Dice
(Sabha Parva (Book 2))Yudhishthira loses the Pandavas' kingdom, and Draupadi is humiliated, in a rigged dice game with the Kauravas.
- II
The Bhagavad Gita
(Bhishma Parva (Book 6))On the eve of battle, Krishna counsels the grieving Arjuna on duty and the nature of the self.
- III
The Death of Bhishma
(Bhishma Parva (Book 6))The Pandavas' grandsire falls to a combined assault by Arjuna and Shikhandi, but lingers to choose the moment of his death.
- IV
The Death of Karna
(Karna Parva (Book 8))Arjuna kills his secret half-brother Karna in the war's later stages.
- V
The War's End
(Shalya Parva and Sauptika Parva (Books 9-10))The last Kaurava commanders fall, and a night raid slaughters the sleeping Pandava camp.
Source Passages and Editorial Notes
Direct quotations are distinguished from editorial paraphrases and records awaiting verification.
Ref: 11.32
Original wording unverifiedI am Time, the great destroyer of worlds, arisen here to annihilate all beings. Even without thy action, none of the warriors marshaled in the opposing ranks shall escape death.
Translator: Translation attribution unverified (Easwaran and Mascaró differ)No single English edition verified
Featured in The Mahabharata →Ref: Locator unverified; refrain occurs in multiple recensions
Verification pendingWhere there is righteousness (Dharma), there is victory. Righteousness is never extinguished, nor does unrighteousness endure forever.
Translator: Translation attribution unverified; do not treat as GanguliNo verified edition or locator recorded
Featured in The Mahabharata →Stories Sourced from this Work
The Mahabharata
Epic saga of the conflict between the Pandavas and Kauravas for the throne of Hastinapura, culminating in the great Kurukshetra war. Contains the Bhagavad Gita.
Shakuntala and Dushyanta
King Dushyanta falls in love with the hermit girl Shakuntala, but a curse makes him forget her entirely. Only when she produces his ring does memory return, reuniting them after years of separation.