Mahabharat composed by Ved Vyas is not only a great epic rather for its diversity of subject matter it is often described as Dharma Granth and historical volume. It is believed to have been composed in 600 B.C.
The entire epic is divided into 18 Khandas which are called Parv. These parvas are: Adi, Sabha, Van, Udyog, Virat, Bhisma, Dhron, Kama, Shalya, Stri, Shasti, Anushashan, Ashwamedhie, Ashramvasik, and Shanti. Mahaprasthanic and Swargarohan
The incidents narrated in the Mahabharata are said to have occurred in the Dwaparayuga, the third age of the Hindu cycle. Mahabharata is a work of about 100,000 stanzas, the longest single poem in the world.
The main story treats of the war of accession between the Pandvas and the Kaurvas. Besides the main story, the work contains mainly digressions which deal with state craft.
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The art and science of war, philosophy, rules of conduct for the four castes, etc.; side by side with these profound subjects are fairy tales, mythical geography and history and idle passages.
More than this, the whole Hindu tradition can be found in the Mahabharata and on this account it is revered by the Hindus as the fifth Veda.