The conflict
The story centers on the conflict between the Kauravas, the sons of the blind king Dhritarashtra, and the Pandavas, the sons of the pale king Pandu. The Kauravas were the senior branch of the family, but the eldest Pandava, Yudhishthira, was older than the eldest Kaurava, Duryodhana. Both claimed to be first in line to inherit the throne.
The war
The conflict culminated in the Kurukshetra War, where the Pandavas were victorious. The war was prompted by a game of dice.
The aftermath
After the war, the Pandavas ascended to Heaven, but Yudhisthira chose to join his brothers in hell. The death of Krishna marked the end of his dynasty and the beginning of the Kali Yuga, the fourth and final age of humankind.
The message
The Mahabharata is about the importance of dharma, or sacred duty, and the idea that people fulfill their purpose in life through their actions. It also explores themes of justice, right and wrong actions, and the importance of relationships.
The composition
The Mahabharata is the longest epic poem ever written, with 100,000 verses. It was composed by Krishna-Dwaipayan Vyasa, who dictated the verses and Ganesha wrote them down. The epic is generally thought to have been composed in the 4th century BCE or earlier.
