Mahabharata
महाभारत
The Great Epic of Dharma and Destiny
The world's longest epic poem — 18 parvas, 92,658 verses narrating the cosmic conflict between the Pandavas and Kauravas, and the eternal struggle between dharma and adharma.
Start ReadingAbout This Book
The Mahabharata is the longest epic poem ever composed, attributed to the sage Vyasa. This Gita Press edition preserves the traditional Sanskrit text across 18 parvas (books) containing over 92,000 verses. It encompasses the great war of Kurukshetra, the Bhagavad Gita, profound discourses on dharma, statecraft, philosophy, and the human condition — truly an encyclopedia of ancient Indian civilization.
How This Book Is Organised
The Mahabharata unfolds across three levels of structure.
Parvas
18 books of the epic
Adhyayas
Chapters within each Parva
Shlokas
Verses read one by one
Available Reading Features
This Gita Press edition of the Mahabharata on Vedapath includes:
Original Sanskrit verses (Devanagari)
Transliteration for guided reading
Word-by-word meanings
Clear, faithful translations
Dharma analysis, war context, and philosophical enrichments
Parvas of the Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is traditionally divided into eighteen Parvas (books).
Each Parva covers a distinct arc of the epic narrative.
Adi Parva
The Book of Beginnings
Origins, genealogies, and the narrative frame — from the Naimisharanya setting through the births of the Pandavas and Kauravas to the burning of Khandava forest.
Sabha Parva
The Book of the Assembly Hall
The construction of the grand assembly hall, the Rajasuya sacrifice, the fateful game of dice, and the humiliation of Draupadi that ignites the great conflict.
Vana Parva
The Book of the Forest
The Pandavas' twelve-year exile in the wilderness — pilgrimages, encounters with sages, tales within tales, and the trials that forge their resolve.
Virata Parva
The Book of Virata
The year of incognito living in King Virata's court — disguises, hidden identities, and the dramatic revelation that signals the end of exile.
Udyoga Parva
The Book of Effort
Diplomacy and last-ditch efforts for peace — Krishna's embassy, failed negotiations, and the marshalling of armies as war becomes inevitable.
Bhishma Parva
The Book of Bhishma
The first ten days of the Kurukshetra war under Bhishma's command, containing the sacred Bhagavad Gita — Krishna's timeless teaching to Arjuna.
Drona Parva
The Book of Drona
Drona takes command — fierce battles, the death of Abhimanyu in the Chakravyuha, and the devastating stratagems that test every warrior's dharma.
Karna Parva
The Book of Karna
Karna assumes supreme command — his tragic glory, the fierce duels, and the climactic confrontation with Arjuna that fulfils an ancient destiny.
Shalya Parva
The Book of Shalya
Shalya's brief command, the fall of Duryodhana in the mace duel with Bhima, and the decisive end of the Kaurava army on the battlefield.
Sauptika Parva
The Book of the Sleeping Warriors
Ashvatthama's nocturnal massacre of the sleeping Pandava camp — a night raid born of grief and rage that kills Dhrishtadyumna and the Upapandavas.
Stree Parva
The Book of the Women
The devastating aftermath of war — Gandhari, Kunti, and the women of both sides grieve over the fallen, and Gandhari curses Krishna.
Shanti Parva
The Book of Peace
Bhishma's monumental deathbed discourse on statecraft (Rajadharma), personal duty (Apaddharma), and liberation (Moksha-dharma) — the largest parva of the epic.
Anushasana Parva
The Book of Instructions
Bhishma continues his teachings — duties, ethics, charity, conduct of kings, and the subtle dharmas that govern human life and society.
Ashvamedhika Parva
The Book of the Horse Sacrifice
Yudhishthira performs the Ashvamedha yajna to atone for the war — Arjuna follows the sacrificial horse across kingdoms and encounters old allies and foes.
Ashramavasika Parva
The Book of the Hermitage
Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kunti retire to the forest to live as ascetics, and ultimately perish in a forest fire — the passing of the old order.
Mausala Parva
The Book of the Clubs
The Yadava clan destroys itself in a drunken brawl at Prabhasa — Krishna's own dynasty perishes, fulfilling Gandhari's curse.
Mahaprasthanika Parva
The Book of the Great Journey
The Pandavas renounce their kingdom and set out on their final journey towards Mount Meru — one by one they fall, until only Yudhishthira remains.
Svargarohana Parva
The Book of the Ascent to Heaven
Yudhishthira's final test in heaven and hell, the reunion with all the fallen warriors in the celestial realm, and the epic's transcendent conclusion.