The Mahabharata

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The Mahabharata

By: Vyasa, John D. Smith - translator

Narrated by: Shaheen Khan, Sagar Arya

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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by Shaheen Khan. This definitive recording includes an introduction by J. D. Smith, read by Sagar Arya.

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. It is of immense importance to the culture of the Indian subcontinent, and is a major text of Hinduism. Its discussion of human goals (artha or 'purpose', kama or 'pleasure', dharma or 'duty', and moksha or 'liberation') takes place in a long-standing tradition, attempting to explain the relationship of the individual to society and the world (the nature of the 'Self') and the workings of karma.

VyasaJohn D. Smith - translatorShaheen KhanSagar AryaPenguin ClassicsLiterature & FictionLength: 44 hrs and 7 minsRelease date: 25-03-21Unabridged AudiobookLanguage: English

Ancient, Classical & Medieval Literature

Asian

Epic

Fantasy

Hinduism

Poetry

Sacred Writing

Themes & Styles

World Literature

Tradition

Ancient, Classical & Medieval Literature Asian Epic Fantasy Hinduism Poetry Sacred Writing Themes & Styles World Literature Tradition

Most relevant

The Mahabharata is a huge story of stories, and I appreciate this has been heavily abridged to make it more accessible. But it reads more like a summary rather than an actual story. Dramatic events are given no time or emphasis. Battles are summarised in a single short sentence. Also, what flow of story remains is continuously interrupted by the reader stating the number of every single verse. Also for some reason, the writer has chosen to convert the translation into present tense, which again feels more like an academic summary than an actual narrative.

Abridged beyond interest

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