mahabharatum
Definition
Proper noun 1. A major Sanskrit epic of ancient India: The Mahabharatum is one of the two great Sanskrit epics of Hinduism, the other being the Ramayana. It narrates the story of a dynastic struggle and a great war between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, for the throne of Hastinapura. It is a foundational text of Hindu philosophy and culture, containing the Bhagavad Gita.
Usage
The word is used as a proper noun to refer specifically to this epic text. * Scholars study the philosophical discourses within the Mahabharatum. * The Mahabharatum is significantly longer than the Homeric epics combined. * Many classical Indian dance dramas are based on stories from the Mahabharatum.
Advanced Usage
- "The Mahabharatum war": Refers specifically to the great Kurukshetra War, the central conflict of the epic.
- The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita were delivered on the battlefield just before the Mahabharatum war began.
- As a cultural reference point: The epic is often cited in discussions of duty, righteousness, and complex moral dilemmas.
- His ethical quandary was like something straight out of the Mahabharatum.
Variants and Related Words
- Mahabharata: This is the more common and standard transliteration of the Sanskrit title in English.
- Mahabharat: A common shortened form, especially in modern Indian languages and some English contexts.
Synonyms
- The Great Epic of the Bharatas: A descriptive synonym referencing the central clan (the Bharatas) in the story.
- Itihasa: A Sanskrit term meaning "history" or "thus indeed it was," used to classify the Mahabharatum and Ramayana as narrative histories.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Kurukshetra War: The name of the great war described in the epic.
- Bhagavad Gita: A 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Mahabharatum (Book 6, Bhishma Parva).
- Pandavas: The five heroic brothers who are the central protagonists.
- Kauravas: The one hundred cousins who are the primary antagonists.
Noun
-
(Hinduism) a sacred epic Sanskrit poem of India dealing in many episodes with the struggle between two rival families
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