The Ramayana and Mahabharata

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Ramayana and Mahabharata

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Romesh C. Dutt's poetic retelling captures the heroism and spiritual depth of India's two great epics. This accessible English verse brings the ancient Sanskrit traditions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata to life, highlighting the cultural richness and moral instruction of ancient Indian civilization.

Summary up to 500 words

Romesh C. Dutt's volume presents condensed metrical versions of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, two foundational texts of ancient India that serve as an encyclopedia of life, philosophy, and religion. The Ramayana recounts the story of Prince Rama, the ideal son and husband, who wins Princess Sita through a contest of strength. The narrative follows his exile, the abduction of Sita by the demon king Ravana, and Rama's subsequent journey through the forests. There, he forms an alliance with the monkey king Sugriva, leading to a war in Ceylon and his eventual return to Ayodhya to reclaim his throne. The text emphasizes moral order, the duty of the king, and the divine nature of Rama as an incarnation of Vishnu. Dutt notes that the epic forms the basis of moral instruction for two hundred million people, inspiring religious reformers who viewed Rama as the Spirit of God descended on earth. The Mahabharata focuses on the great war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, cousins fighting over the throne of Hastinapura. The story features a complex cast of god-born heroes, including the archer Arjun and the warrior Karna, whose rivalry mirrors the conflict between Achilles and Hector in Homer's Iliad. Key events include a royal tournament, a fatal game of dice that leads to the Pandavas' exile, the lifting of cattle, and the eighteen-day war. This conflict ends with the deaths of great fighters like Bhishma and Drona, followed by the final confrontation between Arjun and Karna. Dutt praises the Mahabharata for its rich portraiture of human character, distinguishing it from later Sanscrit poetry where heroes often lack individuality. He argues that these epics are not merely stories but a faithful picture of ancient Indian civilization, preserving inquiries into religion, philosophy, and science that have influenced the modern world. The volume aims to place these ancient narratives before the general reader, highlighting their enduring influence on Indian life and culture.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/romesh-c-dutt_ramayana-and-mahabharata.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-38e4eb6b06d5db03.epub

Removed after upload

Downloaded at

2026-07-03 07:54 UTC

Categories

• Classics
• Religion