The Complete Mahabharata – Vol. 5: Bhishma Parva: Volume 5 (The Complete Mahabharata: Bhishma Parva) by ANJULI KAUL

The Mahabharata of Veda Vyasa is the longest recorded epic of the world. With almost 100,000 verses, it is many times as long as The Iliad and The Odyssey combined and has deeply influenced every aspect of the Indian ethos for over 4,000 years. The main theme is the Great War in Kurukshetra, but the epic teems with smaller stories and other stories within these, all woven together with a genius that defies comparison. As its heart, it contains Krishna’s immortal Bhagavad Gita, the Song of God. The Mahabharata embodies the ancient and sacred Indian tradition, in all its earthy and spiritual immensity. Famously, ‘What is found here may be found elsewhere. What is not found here will not be found elsewhere’. Many believe this most magnificent epic to be the greatest story ever told. Yet, the only full Indian translation of the Mahabharata into English is the 19th century one by Kisari Mohan Ganguli. More than a hundred years have passed since Ganguli accomplished his task and the language he used is now, sadly, archaic.