WORLDVIEW OF INDIA

Politics

India is the world's most populous democracy. A parliamentary republic with a multi-party system, it has six recognised national parties, including the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, and more than 40 regional parties. The Congress is considered centre-left or "liberal" in Indian political culture, and the BJP centre-right or "conservative". For most of the period between 1950—when India first became a republic—and the late 1980s, the Congress held a majority in the parliament. Since then, however, it has increasingly shared the political stage with the BJP, as well as with powerful regional parties which have often forced the creation of multi-party coalitions at the centre.

In the Republic of India's first three general elections, in 1951, 1957, and 1962, the Jawaharlal Nehru-led Congress won easy victories. On Nehru's death in 1964, Lal Bahadur Shastri briefly became prime minister; he was succeeded, after his own unexpected death in 1966, by Indira Gandhi, who went on to lead the Congress to election victories in 1967 and 1971. Following public discontent with the state of emergency she declared in 1975, the Congress was voted out of power in 1977; the then-new Janata Party, which had opposed the emergency, was voted in. Its government lasted just over three years. Voted back into power in 1980, the Congress saw a change in leadership in 1984, when Indira Gandhi was assassinated; she was succeeded by her son Rajiv Gandhi, who won an easy victory in the general elections later that year. The Congress was voted out again in 1989 when a National Front coalition, led by the newly formed Janata Dal in alliance with the Left Front, won the elections; that government too proved relatively short-lived: it lasted just under two years.^[149] Elections were held again in 1991; no party won an absolute majority. But the Congress, as the largest single party, was able to form a minority government led by P. V. Narasimha Rao.

A two-year period of political turmoil followed the general election of 1996. Several short-lived alliances shared power at the centre. The BJP formed a government briefly in 1996; it was followed by two comparatively long-lasting United Front coalitions, which depended on external support. In 1998, the BJP was able to form a successful coalition, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the NDA became the first non-Congress, coalition government to complete a five-year term. In the 2004 Indian general elections, again no party won an absolute majority, but the Congress emerged as the largest single party, forming another successful coalition: the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). It had the support of left-leaning parties and MPs who opposed the BJP. The UPA returned to power in the 2009 general election with increased numbers, and it no longer required external support from India's communist parties. That year,Manmohan Singh became the first prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru in 1957 and 1962 to be re-elected to a consecutive five-year term.

Economy

The 486.6-million worker Indian labour force is the world's second-largest, as of 2011. The service sector makes up 55.6% of GDP, the industrial sector 26.3% and the agricultural sector 18.1%. Major agricultural products include rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, and potatoes.^[174] Major industries include textiles, telecommunications, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food processing, steel, transport equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, and software. In 2006, the share of external trade in India's GDP stood at 24%, up from 6% in 1985.^[206] In 2008, India's share of world trade was 1.68%; In 2011, India was the world's tenth-largest importer and the nineteenth-largest exporter. Major exports include petroleum products, textile goods, jewellery, software, engineering goods, chemicals, and leather manufactures. Major imports include crude oil, machinery, gems, fertiliser, and chemicals.^[174]Between 2001 and 2011, the contribution of petrochemical and engineering goods to total exports grew from 14% to 42%.

 Averaging an economic growth rate of 7.5% for several years prior to 2007, India has more than doubled its hourly wage rates during the first decade of the 21st century. Some 431 million Indians have left poverty since 1985; India's middle classes are projected to number around 580 million by 2030. Though ranking 51st in  global competitiviness, India ranks 17th in financial market sophistication, 24th in the banking sector, 44th in business sophistication, and 39th in innovation, ahead of several advanced economies, as of 2010. With 7 of the world's top 15 information technology outsourcing companies based in India, the country is viewed as the second-most favourable outsourcing destination after the United States, as of 2009. India's consumer market, currently the world's eleventh-largest, is expected to become fifth-largest by 2030.

India's telecommunication industry, the world's fastest-growing, added 227 million subscribers during the period 2010–11, and after the first quarter of 2013, India surpassed Japan to become the third largest smartphone market in the world after China and the U.S.

Its automotive industry, the world's second fastest growing, increased domestic sales by 26% during 2009–10,and exports by 36% during 2008–09. Power capacity is 250 gigawatts, of which 8% is renewable. At the end of 2011, Indian IT Industry employed 2.8 million professionals, generated revenues close to US$100 billion equaling 7.5% of Indian GDP and contributed 26% of India's merchandise exports.

Despite impressive economic growth during recent decades, India continues to face socio-economic challenges. India contains the largest concentration of people living below the World Bank's international poverty line of US$1.25 per day, the proportion having decreased from 60% in 1981 to 42% in 2005. 48% of India's children under the age of five are underweight, half the children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition, and in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkand, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh, which account for 50.04% of India's popultion, 70% of the children between the ages of six months and 59 months are anaemic. The Mid-Day Meal Scheme attempts to lower these rates. Since 1991,economic inequality between India's states has consistently grown: the per-capita net state domestic product of the richest states in 2007 was 3.2 times that of the poorest. Corruption in India is perceived to have increased significantly, with one report estimating the illegal capital flows since independence to be US$462 billion. Driven by growth, India's nominal GDP per capita has steadily increased from US$329 in 1991, when economic liberalisation began, to US$1,265 in 2010, and is estimated to increase to US$2,110 by 2016; however, it has always remained lower than those of other Asian developing countries such as Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, and is expected to remain so in the near future.

Government

India is a federation with a parliamentary system governed under the Constitution of India, which serves as the country's supreme legal document. It is a constitutional republic and representative democracy, in which "majority rule is tempered by minority rights protected by law". Federalism in Indiadefines the power distribution between the federal government and the states. The government abides by constitutional checks and balances. The Constitution of India, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, states in its preamble that India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democraticrepublic. India's form of government, traditionally described as "quasi-federal" with a strong centre and weak states, has grown increasingly federal since the late 1990s as a result of political, economic, and social changes.

The federal government comprises three branches:

·         Executive: The President of India is the head of state and is elected indirectly by a national electoral college for a five-year term. The Prime Minister of India is the head of government and exercises most executive power. Appointed by the president, the prime minister is by convention supported by the party or political alliance holding the majority of seats in the lower house of parliament. The executive branch of the Indian government consists of the president, the vice-president, and the Council of Ministers—the cabinet being its executive committee—headed by the prime minister. Any minister holding a portfolio must be a member of one of the houses of parliament. In the Indian parliamentary system, the executive is subordinate to the legislature; the prime minister and his council are directly responsible to the lower house of the parliament.

·         Legislative: The legislature of India is the bicameral parliament. It operates under a Westminster-style parliamentary system and comprises the upper house called the Rajya Sabha ("Council of States") and the lower called the Lok Sabha ("House of the People"). The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body that has 245 members who serve in staggered six-year terms. Most are elected indirectly by the state and territorial legislatures in numbers proportional to their state's share of the national population. All but two of the Lok Sabha's 545 members are directly elected by popular vote; they represent individual constituencies via five-year terms. The remaining two members are nominated by the president from among the Anglo-Indiancommunity, in case the president decides that they are not adequately represented.

·         Judicial: India has a unitary three-tier independent judiciary that comprises the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India, 24 High Courts, and a large number of trial courts. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over cases involving fundamental rights and over disputes between states and the centre; it hasappellate jurisdiction over the High Courts. It has the power both to declare the law and to strike down union or state laws which contravene the constitution. The Supreme Court is also the ultimate interpreter of the constitution.

Society

Traditional Indian society is defined by social hierarchy. The Indian caste system embodies much of the social stratification and many of the social restrictions found in the Indian subcontinent. Social classes are defined by thousands of endogamous hereditary groups, often termed as jātis, or "castes". India declared untouchability 

illegal in 1947 and has since enacted other anti-discriminatory laws and social welfare initiatives, albeit numerous reports suggest that many Dalits ("ex–Untouchables") and other low castes in rural areas continue to live in segregation and facepersecution and discrimination. At the workplace in urban India and in international or leading Indian companies, the caste system has pretty much lost its importance. Family values are important in the Indian tradition, and multi-generational patriarchal joint families have been the norm in India, though nuclear families are becoming common in urban areas. An overwhelming majority of Indians, with their consent, have their marriages arranged by their parents or other family members. Marriage is thought to be for life, and the divorce rate is extremely low. Child marriages are common, especially in rural areas; many women in India wed before reaching 18, which is their legal marriageable age. Many Indian festivals are religious in origin; among them are Chhath, Christmas, Diwali, Durga Puja, Bakr-Id, Eid ul-Fitr, Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi, Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan, Navratri, Thai Pongal, and Vaisakhi. India has three national holidays which are observed in all states and union territories: Republic Day,Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti. Other sets of holidays, varying between nine and twelve, are officially observed in individual states.

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Typical Indian ceremonies

BAPTISM.

In the Hindu world the name is more than a reference differentiation or purely aesthetic . It has been ascribed to a religious value and name it has been believed that influences an individual's life.

The religious connection is giving the newborn the name of a deity ora saint whose protection is sought. It may be the patron deity of the month in which born or one of the names of God preferred by their families. This process is very developed and includes specific variations. One of them is choosing a secret name , used to cover the personality and well appointed protect him from his enemies , and is habitual one

middle name for distinction in the worldly life . Another peculiarity is the social influence of breed on the name. Thus, the name of a Brahmin priest should be auspicious and a religious sense , the name indicate strength of a warrior , the dealer , wealth and prosperity, etc. Thus homogeneity between proper names and surnames is set distinctive of each breed .

The baptism ceremony called namakarana can take place between tenth day after birth and the year, depending on the area . It must be a favorable day, avoiding eclipses and periods of mourning.

The rites begin with the purification of the house, to clean it of impurities birth. It wraps the child in clean clothes and the mother gives it to the father. The ceremony to propitiate the gods before the sacred fire occurs, through offerings of fruits, milk, butter, candy and flowers. Formulas are recited mystical and the father calls his son with the chosen name.

This is a social event of great importance and is mandatory to invite all family members and associates, and to present them with gifts, feed Brahmins and perform charity work on behalf of the newly baptized .

TONSURE.

The tonsure ceremony is one of the most important of which are made during childhood. Chûdâkarana called and takes place between the first and third year of the child, but can be carried out in conjunction with baptism. The purpose of this custom is hygienic nature to avoid parasites and helps prolong life.

The date is fixed according to the aspects of the planets and the rite is performed in the home, but can also be done in the temple. After making offerings to the god Ganesha , Mother bathes the child and wears no clothes Brand . Is placed west of the sacrificial fire and the hair was smeared with a Mix butter , yogurt and water. He shaves his head three times in succession and is left a small tuft on top that vary according to the customs family.

Other important ceremonies during childhood are:

The first exit nishkarma or child outside the parental home . Aims print in the child's mind the grandeur of the universe, which is a creation God and should be respected as well . 

The Annaprashana or first solid food ingested. It takes place in the sixth month or after teething.

The ceremony karnavedha or ear piercing , practiced equally in males and females. Aside from its aesthetic value , there is a belief the perforation of the lobes help prevent hidroceles and hernias.

INITIATION RITES .

The initiation ceremony or upanayana is a rite of passage of character education by which the first value is to a citizen is cultural. This ceremony allows the study of literary and philosophical texts of Hindus.

The upanayana is the most important of the sacraments. Is considered the start of the spiritual life, a second birth and those who are called dvija made ​. After religious offerings, the meaning of the rite is the acceptance of the student by part of a master or guru , who will take care of their instruction . This rite is shuddhi called. The age of the future varies started caste and religion. They worship the god Ganesha and Saraswati to , goddess of wisdom. The night before the ritual , the young must I watch in silence , his body covered with sandalwood paste , then great food and a ritual bath . The student wears special clothes and get a sacred cord , called yajnopavita or janeu , cotton or linen , filled with symbolic elements that will carry on all occasions . The cord usually carried on the shoulder , left arm above and below the right.

Complementing this rite is performed or the beginning of vedârambha

Vedic studies and the first keshanta or shaving .

religious and profane typical rituals

MARK ON THE FRONT .

In Indian tradition has always been customary to adorn the front with different signs and concrete symbols with different shape and purpose. The oldest practice is marked with ash , ash is a sacred element symbolizing renunciation of the world , so devotees marked her forehead or may even cover your whole body . For these trademarks gopîchandana called color may be employed. Also it is very common to use a paste of vermilion called Kumkuma, mixture of turmeric , alum , iodine , camphor and other products. With any of these products, the tilak is a mark on his forehead Denoting religious affiliation or caste. The tilak is applied in the space between the eyebrows , considered the place where focused knowledge. It is the place where ascetics concentrate to awaken

their powers.

Besides these religious brands , it is very common among Indian women bindi adorned with a round vermilion point . They take women married in the belief that their husbands will protect . This may have a

decorative function as almost all women carry it in either color, according Fashion or combining with the rest of her outfit. Within these tendencies can be Found marks of different shapes and materials.

SANCTIFICATION HOME .

To the Indian mind , all important occasions of life must shared with the gods and are appropriate times for offerings and sacrifices. So is the time when possession of a new home is taken. The ceremony is called griha Pravesha inauguration in which penetrates first time in a new exhibition . It involves a ceremony before the sacred fire. Must look for the day and the right time and then you must make an offering to Lakshmi. After it is customary to make offerings to grihadevatâ also at the family particularly loves and protects . The ceremony is usually a priest officiating , along with the home owner and builder of it. All rooms are blessed and it is customary to give food to the priests, to offer gifts to the guests and get the blessings of all

present.

ALMS .

A form of religious ceremony is called Dana widespread among Hindus. Underlying the practice of charitable notion that wealth is material no use after death . Therefore, even the poor are practice charity and donations. The most popular are cattle , land , working utensils , containers , books and food. The Hindu believes in virtues of charity . Helping others is good so it will exercise provide religious merit. Charity is not much , according to the law of karma , each person has what he deserves and can not escape the consequences of their actions. If a man is poor it is for their merits. It is customary to give alms to the poor and give donations that are used in the temple service and to feed the needy . Intended major amounts of money to build temples or to help the pilgrims.

ANIMAL SACRALIZATION.

Although many cultures consider the worship of animals as a way low religiosity , does not happen at all so in the Indian context . Animals are a way of life other than human , but not less . Participate in the essence God of the whole universe and serve as symbols of a venerable features. The divine being included equally to gods , men, animals and even inanimate objects. The sacredness of animals and which since ancient times has come to them sacralizing in India as an integral part of nature. Some are sacred in themselves , like cows . Others are associated with gods as companions , justifying its sacredness and reverence in which

have them . So the elephant , horse, peacock , swan , lion . Not hard to love these animals and Indians do: respect them, protect them and revere their sacred iconography. This practice makes the Indian respects the ecological balance is tilted by a vegetarianism and healthy living very naturally in contact with other living beings. Indians live with animals , they do not consider them a threat or attack . Large number of species are specified in this process sacralization , some of them are in a privileged situation, cultural, economic and other such reasons. The monkey is held in high reverence for their resemblance to humans. the

primates are very plentiful in the Indian subcontinent and allowed to dwell near temples and even within its premises . The main reason for respect that should get the monkey god Hanuman. Hanuman is the epitome of devotion , which showed tearing his chest and showing that God had his heart. As a general in command of a army of monkeys rendered great service to Prince Rama . 

The Vishnuites hold ceremonies in their honor during Tuesdays. his images dyed saffron found in temples , and the intersections of the roads, in the streets of the villages and forests and other lonely places. Devotees leave offerings there , consisting of fruits, so that the monkeys feed. Another sacred animal is the peacock, Mayura , national bird India . He is considered the vehicle of the god Murugan , son of Shiva. And Krishna ,

incarnation of Lord Vishnu , he is always dressed in feathers of this beautiful animal. According to tradition, the eyes of their plumage were a gift of the god Indra. The mouse, tiger, swan and several other species are also of reverence.

Beliefs

Hinduism

It believes in the successive reincarnation of the soul, seeking perfection to become part of the universal spirit. It dates back to the development of the ancient Vedic religion and its scriptures, inheritance of the Aryan people, which make up a series of sacred book. Characteristic of Hinduism, is undoubtedly the sacred triad featuring: Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva, in respective order, the creator, preserver and destroyer and / or renewal of the universe.

Currently Hinduism is the religion with the largest presence in India, with around 82% of the population.

Buddhism

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Enlightened One), who later became known as Buddha in the sixth century BC. First, Buddhism is not necessarily a religion or a philosophical system, but a practical way for the emancipation of the suffering inherent in all human existence. This suffering stems from desire, and explains that only following a sublime path and finishing with an endless cycle of reincarnation through nirvana can end that suffering.

Jainism

Currently shares similarities with Hinduism, however, the general approach of Jainism is non-violence (ahimsa) since they do not tolerate the so soul (jiva) be any element. This religion also explains that every jiva is pure and omniscient, able to attain liberation (moksha) if the path of asceticism and meditation is followed, rejecting passions, incorrect actions and impure thoughts. Today, Jainism is professed by only 4 million people in India.

Sikhism

The most followed religion in the world after Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. The bulk of these are found in the state of Punjab (India). It surge continuous confrontation between Islam and Hinduism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji with maximum exponent and founder. Sikhism proposes unity, truth and belief in one God (Nam), which should admire and offer absolute dedication and will. Religion, unlike Hindu ascetic retreats, offers a service to others as one way to approach God. In contemporary India, Sikhism is shared por18 million.

Social Customs

1. In the mosque have to go barefoot but you can enter with socks. For example Janis temples do not allow access to leather goods and even deny access to women with their period. In the Sufi shrines they have to cover their head with a hat or scarf. It's rude to take photos at induistas deities.

2. By drinking the lips should not touch other food or beverage. Sharing drink pours liquid instead of posing lips. Besides this custom is very healthy in India, where there are ongoing public health problems. The Indians eat with their fingers, a habit that can be difficult for a Westerner. They have the belief that the right hand is doing noble work and left the less graceful tasks. Therefore eaten with the right hand and left hand shoes are removed. In the bathroom the left hand is used and if a gift is given by right or both, but never with the left.

3. To call someone is done with the palm. Closing the palm inward and not with a single finger. Call someone with one finger is a lack of education. Always use the palm of your hand and bring the fingers into the palm (all) of your hand.

Social Norms

1. Never go to a single woman going down the street or sitting alone in a public place, and much less dare to kiss or hand her. Avoid any physical contact with them. The Indians, of any ethnic group, are not in favor of public displays of affection with the opposite sex. Disapprove of public displays of affection such as hugging or kissing.

Other Indian religious groups such as Sikhs and Christians also tend to avoid physical contact between people of both sexes; all this is considered offensive.

2. In India, society is divided by the caste system, is not allowed to marry two people of different castes. It was the Portuguese who used the word 'caste' to refer to this particular system of social organization that was found in India. The Sanskrit word for this system was 'Varna' which means "color". There were four castes: Brahmins, warriors, merchants and workers.

But there was a section of society that was marginalized and was not even part of the cast system. Were those who did the dirty or unclean work. Even considered physically unclean and was not allowed to mingle with other castes. They were the outcasts, the untouchables. Those who worked in the crematoria, who collected the garbage... Even barbers were in this category. It was this social group to which Gandhi called 'Harijans' or the children of God.

3. Marriage is one of the most important social norms of the Hindu society. Whoever rejects it will refuse the opportunity to be part of society too. For both men and women marriage symbolizes the beginning of their adult lives.

Cosmogonic Myths in India

Creation

The act of creation was thought of in more than one manner. One of the oldest cosmogonic myth in the Rigveda  (RV 10.121) had being come into existence as a cosmic egg, hiranyagarbha (a golden egg). T  Purusha Sukta(RV 10.90) narrates that all things were made out of the mangled limbs of Purusha, a magnified non-natural man, who was sacrificed by the gods. In the Puranas, Vishnu, in the shape of a boar, plunged into the cosmic waters and brought forth the earth (Bhumi or Prithivi).

The Shatapatha Brahmana tells us that in the beginning, Prajapati, the first creator or father of all, was alone in the world. He differentiated himself into two beings, husband and wife. The wife, regarding union with her producer as incest, fled from his embraces assuming various animal disguises. The husband pursued in the form of the male of each animal, and from these unions sprang the various species of beasts (Shatapatha Brahmana, xiv. 4, 2). Prajapati was soon replaced with Brahma in the Puranas.

In the Puranas, Brahma the creator was joined in a divine triad with Vishnu and Maheshvara (Shiva), who were the preserver and destroyer, respectively. The universe was created by Brahma, preserved by Vishnu, and destroyed for the next creation by Shiva. However, the birth of Brahma was attributed to Vishnu in some myths. Brahma was often depicted as sitting on a lotus arising from the navel of Vishnu, who was resting on the cosmic serpent, Ananta (Shesha). In the very beginning Vishnu alone was there. When Vishnu thought about creation, Brahma was created from a lotus that came from his navel.

The nature of time 

According to Hindu system, the cosmos passes through cycles within cycles for all eternity. The basic cycle is the kalpa, a “day of Brahma”, or 4,320 million earthly years. His night is of equal length. 360 such days and nights constitute a “year of Brahma” and his life is 100 such years long. The largest cycle is therefore 311, 040,000 million years long, after which the whole universe returns to the ineffable world-spirit, until another creator god is evolved.

In each cosmic day the god creates the universe and again absorbs it. During the cosmic night he sleeps, and the whole universe is gathered up into his body, where it remains as a potentiality. Within each kalpa are fourteen manvantaras, or secondary cycles, each lasting 306,720,000 years, with long intervals between them. In these periods the world is recreated, and a new Manu appears, as the progenitor of the human race. We are now in the seventh manvantara of the kalpa, of which the Manu is known as Manu Vaivasvata.

Each manvantara contains 71 Mahayugas, or aeons, of which a thousand form the kalpa. Each mahayuga is in turn divided into four yugas or ages, called Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali. Their lengths are respectively 4800, 3600, 2400 and 1200 “years of the gods,” each of which equals 360 human years. Each yuga represents a progressive decline in piety, morality, strength, stature, longevity and happiness. We are at present in the Kali-yuga, which began, according to tradition, in 3102 BCE, believed to be the year of the Mahabharata War.

The end of the Kali-yuga is marked by confusion of classes, the overthrow of the established standards, the cessation of all religious rites, and the rule of cruel and alien kings. Soon after this the world is destroyed by flood and fire. Most medieval texts state that the cosmic dissolution occurs only after the last cycle of the kalpa, and that the transition from one aeon to the next takes place rapidly and calmly.

Eschatology 

The dissolution of existing beings is of three kinds: "incidental, elemental, and absolute." The dissolution which occurs at the end of each Kalpa, or day of Brahma, is called naimittika, incidental, occasional, or contingent. The naimittika, occasional, incidental, or Brahmya, is as occasioned by the intervals of Brahma's days; the destruction of creatures, though not of the substance of the world, occurring during the night. The second is the general resolution of the elements into their primitive source, or Prakriti, the Prakritika destruction, and occurs at the end of Brahma's life. The third, the absolute, or final, Atyantika, is individual annihilation, Moksha, exemption for ever from future existence.


The cosmic egg

The universe emanated from a cosmic egg, the "golden womb". Egg Prajapati (lord of procreation and life saver) was born. Later in the Puranic period (genre of Indian written literature) was identified as the demiurge Brahma (literally "evolution" or "development" in Sanskrit language) God created the universe.

Mahabharata

Besides its epic narrative of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and the Pandava princes, the Mahabharata contains much philosophical and devotional material, such as a discussion of the four "goals of life" or purusharthas (12.161). Among the principal works and stories that are a part of theMahabharata are the Bhagavad Gita, the story of Damayanti, an abbreviated version of the Ramayana, and the Rishyasringa, often considered as works in their own right.

Traditionally, the authorship of the Mahabharata is attributed to Vyasa. There have been many attempts to unravel its historical growth and compositional layers. The oldest preserved parts of the text are thought to be not much older than around 400 BCE, though the origins of the epic probably fall between the 8th and 9th centuries BCE. The text probably reached its final form by the early Gupta period (c. 4th century).The title may be translated as "the great tale of the Bhārata dynasty". According to the Mahabharata itself, the tale is extended from a shorter version of 24,000 verses called simplyBhārata.

The Mahabharata is the longest epic poem in the world and many a times described as "longest poem ever written".Its longest version consists of over 100,000 shloka or over 200,000 individual verse lines (each shloka is a couplet), and long prose passages. About 1.8 million words in total, the Mahabharata is roughly ten times the length of the Iliad and the Odyssey combined, or about four times the length of the Ramayana. W. J. Johnson has compared the importance of the Mahabharata to world civilization to that of the Bible, the works of Shakespeare, the works of Homer, Greek drama, or the Qur'an.

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