Mahabharata Quiz

Who wrote the Mahabharata and how long is it?

The Mahabharata was composed by Sage Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa. According to tradition, he dictated the epic to Lord Ganesha, who agreed to write it only on condition that Vyasa never pause in his recitation. Vyasa countered by making Ganesha understand each verse before writing it, which gave him time to compose the complex verses. The Mahabharata contains approximately 100,000 verses (shlokas) divided into 18 Parvas (books) and numerous sub-Parvas. It is the longest epic poem ever written, approximately seven times the combined length of the Iliad and Odyssey. The complete English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli runs to over 5,000 pages. The epic also contains the Bhagavad Gita (700 verses) and the Harivamsha (an appendix of 16,000 verses about Krishna's life).

What is the difference between Mahabharata and Ramayana?

While both are great epics of India, they differ significantly in character, philosophy, and narrative. The Ramayana, composed by Valmiki, is the story of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu who is the embodiment of Maryada Purushottam—the perfect man who follows dharma absolutely. It presents clear heroes and villains, and the triumph of good over evil. The Mahabharata, by contrast, is morally complex. Its characters are flawed and human—Yudhishthira gambles away his kingdom, Arjuna hesitates, Bhima is vengeful, Draupadi is angry, Krishna uses deception. There are no pure villains: Duryodhana is a loving friend to Karna, Karna is generous and noble, Bhishma is bound by his vows, Drona is devoted to his son. The Mahabharata teaches that dharma is not always clear, that even good people make mistakes, and that victory sometimes comes at great moral cost. The Ramayana is the story of an avatar; the Mahabharata is the story of humanity.

Why did Draupadi marry five husbands?

After Arjuna won Draupadi at her swayamvara, he brought her home announcing "Mother, we have brought alms." Kunti, without looking up, said "Share it equally among all you brothers." A mother's word is dharma, and thus Draupadi became the common wife of all five Pandavas. However, there is deeper significance. Draupadi is the incarnation of Goddess Sri (Lakshmi), and the five Pandavas are partial incarnations of Indra (Arjuna), Vayu (Bhima), Yama (Yudhishthira), and the Ashwini Kumaras (Nakula and Sahadeva). In a previous birth, Draupadi prayed to Shiva for a husband with five virtues; Shiva granted her wish but informed her that she would have to marry five men to get all five qualities. The five Pandavas represent five aspects of the ideal man: Yudhishthira is dharma and wisdom, Bhima is strength and courage, Arjuna is skill and action, Nakula is beauty and grace, Sahadeva is knowledge and humility. Together they form the complete Purusha, and Draupadi is their Shakti.

What was the role of Krishna in the Mahabharata war?

Krishna's role is multifaceted and profound. First, he was the supreme strategist who guided the Pandavas to victory against overwhelming odds. Before the war, Krishna offered both armies a choice between his Narayani Sena (his army) and himself unarmed. Duryodhana chose the army; Arjuna chose Krishna as his charioteer. This choice symbolizes the spiritual principle: the materialist chooses power, the devotee chooses God. During the war, Krishna repeatedly guided the Pandavas in overcoming seemingly invincible opponents through both legitimate strategy and, at times, what appears to be deception. Second, Krishna was the divine teacher who revealed the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, resolving his moral crisis and establishing the philosophical foundation for righteous action. Third, Krishna was the cosmic sustainer who orchestrated events to fulfill divine will. His presence on the battlefield transformed it from a human war into a cosmic drama. Krishna is not merely a character in the Mahabharata; he is the Mahabharata's ultimate meaning.

Who was the greatest warrior of the Mahabharata?

This question has no simple answer. By conventional standards, Bhishma was invincible—he had the boon of death only when he chose it. Drona was undefeated in warfare and mastered all celestial weapons. Karna was equal to Arjuna and had the unstoppable Shakti weapon granted by Indra. Arjuna himself was the greatest archer, blessed directly by Shiva and Indra. Krishna was God incarnate, beyond all comparison. The Mahabharata deliberately avoids declaring any single warrior supreme. Bhishma praised Karna; Karna acknowledged Arjuna's superiority; Arjuna feared Bhishma and Drona; all warriors worshipped Krishna. The epic teaches that comparisons are ultimately meaningless—each warrior had unique strengths, and all were defeated when the divine will demanded it. Bhishma fell to Arjuna behind Shikhandi; Drona was killed when he laid down weapons; Karna died when his chariot wheel stuck; even Krishna was killed by a hunter. The Mahabharata's message is not who is greatest, but that all human power is limited and all glory is transient.

Is the Mahabharata historically true?

The question of historicity is complex. Traditional Hindus believe the Mahabharata is Itihasa—"thus indeed it happened"—not mythology but sacred history. Archaeological evidence supports the existence of the cultures, cities (Hastinapura, Indraprastha, Mathura), and kingdoms described. Excavations at sites associated with the Mahabharata reveal artifacts dating to approximately 1000-800 BCE, though traditional dates are much earlier (3102 BCE). References to the Mahabharata appear in ancient Greek accounts of India. Many scholars believe the epic grew from a historical conflict between two related clans in the Kuru region, expanded over centuries through oral and written transmission, and eventually incorporated vast amounts of philosophical, ethical, and mythological material. However, reducing the Mahabharata to mere history misses its essential nature. It is not a chronicle to be verified but a mirror to be contemplated. Whether the Kurukshetra war happened exactly as described is less important than the eternal truths it reveals about human nature, dharma, and the cosmic order. As Krishna says, "Whenever there is decline of dharma and rise of adharma, I incarnate myself. This has happened, is happening, and will continue to happen."

What is the final message of the Mahabharata?

The Mahabharata's final message is not triumphalist but deeply nuanced. It does not end with "and they lived happily ever after." Yudhishthira wins the war but is consumed by grief. Gandhari curses Krishna. The women grieve their dead. The survivors rule for 36 years but then witness the destruction of Krishna's entire race and depart for heaven, falling one by one. The epic's conclusion is sobering, even melancholy. Yet it is not pessimistic. The Mahabharata teaches that life includes suffering, that victory is never pure, that even righteous action has unintended consequences, and that dharma is often ambiguous. But it also teaches that we must act nonetheless, that surrender to the divine is the ultimate refuge, that the soul is immortal, and that liberation is possible even for those who have committed terrible acts. The final verses of the epic state: "Wherever there is dharma, there is victory. Wherever there is Krishna, there is dharma. Wherever there is dharma and Krishna, there is victory." This is not a guarantee of worldly success but a promise of ultimate meaning. The Mahabharata's final teaching is that life's journey—with all its complexity, suffering, and moral struggle—is meaningful when lived in alignment with dharma and in devotion to the divine. Jai Shri Krishna!