Mahabharata
Definition
Proper noun 1. A Major Hindu Epic: The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Ramayana. It is a monumental narrative that deals with the struggle between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, for the throne of Hastinapura. It is revered not only as a literary work but also as a philosophical and religious text containing the Bhagavad Gita.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- The Mahabharata is considered the longest epic poem in the world.
- Many classical Indian dance dramas are based on stories from the Mahabharata.
- The philosophical discourse in the Mahabharata, particularly the Bhagavad Gita, is central to Hindu thought.
Advanced Usage
- "The Mahabharata war": Refers specifically to the great Kurukshetra War described in the epic, which serves as the climactic event.
- The teachings of Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield are a pivotal moment in the Mahabharata war.
- As a cultural reference: Used metaphorically to describe a complex, large-scale conflict or a saga involving many characters and intricate plots.
- The corporate takeover battle turned into a modern-day Mahabharata.
Variants and Related Words
- Mahabharat: A common alternate transliteration of the Sanskrit title.
- Bharata: A name for India, and also a key ancestor within the epic's narrative, from whom the title is derived ("Maha" meaning great, "Bharata" referring to the descendants of King Bharata).
Synonyms
- Epic: A long narrative poem recounting heroic deeds.
- Saga: A long story of heroic achievement, especially a medieval Icelandic or Norse one; used figuratively for the Mahabharata.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "A modern Mahabharata": A phrase used to describe any prolonged and multifaceted conflict involving family, duty, and morality.
- The legal dispute over the family inheritance became a modern Mahabharata, tearing the siblings apart.
Noun
-
(Hinduism) a sacred epic Sanskrit poem of India dealing in many episodes with the struggle between two rival families
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