# Mahābhārata and Rāmāyaṇa *The two great epic histories (Itihāsas)* Total entries: 19 ## Mahābhārata **Overview:** - Compiled by Vyāsadeva - 100,000 verses - longest epic poem - History of the Pāṇḍavas and Kauravas - Includes Bhagavad-gītā (philosophical crown jewel) **Eighteen Parvas (Books):** 1. Ādi Parva - Beginning, family history 2. Sabhā Parva - Assembly hall, gambling 3. Vana Parva - Forest exile 4. Virāṭa Parva - Life incognito 5. Udyoga Parva - Preparations for war 6. **Bhīṣma Parva** - Contains Bhagavad-gītā 7. Droṇa Parva - Drona as commander 8. Karṇa Parva - Karna as commander 9. Śalya Parva - Śalya as commander 10. Sauptika Parva - Night attack 11. Strī Parva - Lamentation of women 12. Śānti Parva - Peace teachings 13. Anuśāsana Parva - Final instructions 14. Aśvamedhika Parva - Horse sacrifice 15. Āśramavāsika Parva - Retirement 16. Mausala Parva - Destruction of Yadus 17. Mahāprasthānika Parva - Great journey 18. Svargārohaṇa Parva - Ascent to heaven ## Bhagavad-gītā **The Song of God:** - 700 verses in 18 chapters - Spoken by Krishna to Arjuna - On the battlefield of Kurukṣetra - Essence of all Vedic knowledge - Science of self-realization and devotion **Three Sections:** - Chapters 1-6: Karma-yoga, understanding the self - Chapters 7-12: Bhakti-yoga, knowing Krishna - Chapters 13-18: Jñāna-yoga, knowledge and liberation **Conclusion:** Complete surrender to Krishna (BG 18.66) ## Rāmāyaṇa **Overview:** - Composed by Vālmīki - 24,000 verses in 7 kāṇḍas - Story of Lord Rāmacandra's life - Ideal king, husband, and person **Seven Kāṇḍas:** 1. Bāla Kāṇḍa - Childhood 2. Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa - Exile from Ayodhyā 3. Araṇya Kāṇḍa - Forest life, Sītā kidnapped 4. Kiṣkindha Kāṇḍa - Alliance with Sugrīva 5. Sundara Kāṇḍa - Hanumān finds Sītā 6. Yuddha Kāṇḍa - War with Rāvaṇa 7. Uttara Kāṇḍa - Later events **Other Versions:** - Rāmacaritamānasa by Tulasīdāsa (Hindi) - Various regional versions ## All Related Entries - [[index/entries/bhagavad-gita-cited|Bhagavad-gītā cited]] - [[index/entries/bhagavad-gita-quoted|Bhagavad-gītā quoted]] - [[index/C#chāndogya upaniṣad cited on purāṇas & mahābhārata|Chāndogya Upaniṣad cited on Purāṇas & Mahābhārata]] - [[index/G#gītā|Gītā]] - [[index/G#gītā-bhāṣya|Gītā-bhāṣya]] - [[index/G#gītā-bhāṣya quoted on nārāyaṇa as beyond creation|Gītā-bhāṣya quoted on Nārāyaṇa as beyond creation]] - [[index/G#gītā-māhātmya|Gītā-māhātmya]] - [[index/G#gītāmṛta|Gītāmṛta]] - [[index/G#gītāvalī quoted|Gītāvalī quoted]] - [[index/I#itihāsa-samuccaya|Itihāsa-samuccaya]] - [[index/I#itihāsas|Itihāsas]] - [[index/K#kṛṣṇāliṅgita-vigraha|Kṛṣṇāliṅgita-vigraha]] - [[index/entries/mahabharata-cited|Mahābhārata cited]] - [[index/entries/mahabharata-quoted|Mahābhārata quoted]] - [[index/M#mahābhārata quoted on akṣauhiṇī military phalanx|Mahābhārata quoted on akṣauhiṇī military phalanx]] - [[index/M#mahābhārata quoted on vipra, vedas, & kṛṣṇa|Mahābhārata quoted on vipra, Vedas, & Kṛṣṇa]] - [[index/R#rāmāyaṇa cited on bibhīṣaṇa|Rāmāyaṇa cited on Bibhīṣaṇa]] - [[index/R#rāmāyaṇa quoted on hanumāns love for sītā-rāma|Rāmāyaṇa quoted on Hanumāns love for Sītā-Rāma]] - [[index/R#rāmāyaṇa quoted on surrender to lord|Rāmāyaṇa quoted on surrender to Lord]] ## Related Categories - [[index/scriptures/puranas|Puranas]] - [[index/personalities/pandavas|Pandavas]] - [[index/personalities/rama-lila|Rama Lila]] - [[index/concepts/philosophical-terms|Philosophical Terms]]