Mahabharta - An Epic.

Mahabharta - 

The writing of Mahabharata went through 3 steps. 

First it was written and known as “Jay”, the number of sloka was 8,800. It was the collection of stories of Victory.

 Second time it is written by the name of “Bharat” and the number of sloka went up by 24,000. 

The name changed to ‘Bharat’, because in it the history of Vedic”Bharat” Kul is written.

 Third and final edition came by the name as “Mahabharata” and the number of sloka got its final touch 1, 00,000.

 

Another name of ‘Mahabharata’ is “Satsahastri Sanhita” (Collection of 10 million or 1 lakh sloka). 

Now it became the story of Greater India - Mahabharta.

Mahabharata is written by Ved Vyasa. Most scholars say that the war of ‘Mahabharta’ was fought in between BC ‘2000 – 1000’. 

First time the book of ‘Mahabharata’ is mentioned in ‘Ashwalayan Guha sutra’. 

‘Sankhayan Guha sutra’ mentions the name of Mahabharata preacher ‘Vasampayan’ ‘Jamini’ etc.

Scholars say that Ramayana is composed around 600 BC. 

In that case Macdonald says that Mahabharta is composed around 500 BC.  

Today in Mahabharta there is 1, 00,000 slokas. But in the beginning in it, there were only 8,8,00 slokas.

In 700 AD, a writer – scholar ‘Kumaril’ mentions “Mahabharta” as a great Smriti. 

Scholar – writer ‘Ban’ mentions ‘Mahabharta” as a great Epic. 

Another Inscription of 600 AD found in “Cambodia” mentions ‘Mahabharta’ as a religious book. 

Many Inscriptions of 5^th and 6^th century AD found time to time in India mentions ‘Mahabharta’.

New editions of ‘Mahabharta’ which came in between 300 AD to 100 AD describes about Temples and Stupa’s.