The Mahabharata
The foundational text of Hindu civilization and the longest epic poem in world literature.
“Whatever is here may be found elsewhere; whatever is not here is nowhere.”
Why It Matters
The foundational text of Hindu civilization and the longest epic poem in world literature. The Mahabharata contains within itself the Bhagavad Gita, the central scripture of Hindu philosophy, and has been the source for thousands of years of Indian literature, drama, religion, and political thought. With the Ramayana, it is one of the two great Sanskrit epics.
The 
Take
Personal reviewShockingly fantastic. Source material must be great and menon must have done a great job abridging and modernizing the languageEasily my favorite epic. Perfect mix of Iliad/oddyssey epic poetry, fantasy elements more like LOTR, religious/philosophical discussions like the Bhagavad Gita. Excellent background narrative with incredible mythological world building via “side stories” Super fun and wild stories, yet a coherent whole. Probably the most complete ancient work I’ve readLoved the dog at the end , awesome final test
Notable Quotes
“I am Time grown old, the destroyer of worlds.”
“You have a right to your action, never to its fruits.”