Ithihas Of Mahabharata The Mahabharata is one of the most sacred and monumental epics in the Ithihas (divine history) of ancient India, composed by Sage Vyasa, who is also revered as Ved Vyasa—the compiler of the Vedas and Puranas. It is not merely a tale of kings and war but a profound spiritual, moral, and philosophical scripture that reflects the essence of human life and the eternal struggle between righteousness (dharma) and unrighteousness (adharma). Written in Sanskrit, the Mahabharata is the world’s longest epic, consisting of about 100,000 shlokas divided into 18 Parvas (books) and includes the divine scripture Bhagavad Gita, which stands as the heart of its wisdom. The Ithihas of the Mahabharata begins with the royal lineage of the Kuru dynasty, based in the ancient kingdom of Hastinapura. The story revolves around the rivalry between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, two branches of the same royal family. The five Pandava brothers—Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva—were born to King Pandu, while the hundred Kauravas were the sons of his blind elder brother Dhritarashtra. Their growing enmity, fuelled by jealousy, pride, and the thirst for power, set the stage for the greatest war in history—the Kurukshetra War. In the epic’s narrative, the Pandavas, despite being rightful heirs, were deceived in a rigged game of dice by Duryodhana and his uncle Shakuni. As a result, they were exiled for thirteen years, enduring hardship but remaining faithful to truth and virtue. After completing their exile, they sought peace and the return of their kingdom, but Duryodhana’s arrogance led to inevitable war. On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, the two sides stood ready to fight, and it was here that Lord Krishna, serving as Arjuna’s charioteer, delivered the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. This divine discourse revealed the eternal truths of existence—duty, detachment, devotion, and the immortality of the soul. The Mahabharata is not just a record of battles but a reflection of the human condition. It portrays the complexities of relationships, morality, and destiny. Each character represents different aspects of human nature—Yudhishthira embodies righteousness, Bhima symbolizes strength and passion, Arjuna reflects valor and doubt, Draupadi represents dignity and endurance, while Lord Krishna stands as the eternal guide of divine wisdom. Even the so-called antagonists, such as Duryodhana and Karna, are depicted with depth, showing that good and evil coexist within the human heart. As the war concludes, nearly all warriors are destroyed, leaving behind a haunting silence that speaks of the futility of greed and the cost of pride. Yudhishthira, burdened by sorrow, finally understands the impermanence of worldly glory. In the end, the Pandavas renounce their kingdom and journey toward the Himalayas in search of liberation, symbolizing the soul’s path toward divine union. The Mahabharata stands as an eternal Ithihas—not mythology but divine truth passed through generations. It teaches that life itself is a battlefield where every individual must uphold dharma despite trials and temptations. It reveals that the true victory is not over others, but over one’s own ignorance, ego, and desires. The message of the Mahabharata continues to echo through time—“Yato dharmastato jayah”—where there is righteousness, there is victory.

Ithihas of Ramayan The Ramayana is one of the most revered and ancient epics of India, composed by the sage Valmiki, who is honored as the Adi Kavi or the first poet. It is considered not merely a story, but an Ithihas — a divine chronicle of truth and history that portrays the eternal values of dharma (righteousness), satya (truth), and bhakti (devotion). The epic was composed thousands of years ago during the Treta Yuga and is written in classical Sanskrit, consisting of nearly 24,000 verses divided into seven sections known as Kandas. It narrates the life, virtues, and struggles of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who descended upon the earth to destroy evil and uphold righteousness. The story begins in the ancient kingdom of Ayodhya, ruled by the wise and noble King Dasharatha. He had four sons — Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna — born through a divine blessing. Among them, Rama was the embodiment of truth, virtue, and compassion, beloved by all. On the day of his coronation, destiny took a turn when Queen Kaikeyi demanded that Rama be exiled for fourteen years and her son Bharata be crowned king. Without hesitation, Rama accepted the exile to honor his father’s word. Accompanied by his devoted wife Sita and loyal brother Lakshmana, Rama set forth into the forests, leaving behind the luxuries of palace life to follow the path of duty and sacrifice. During their exile, the trio encountered sages, demons, and divine beings. It was in the forest that the great tragedy occurred — the abduction of Sita by Ravana, the powerful demon king of Lanka. This event became the turning point of the epic. In his quest to rescue Sita, Rama formed an alliance with the Vanara (monkey) king Sugriva and met the devoted Hanuman, whose unwavering loyalty and faith became legendary. Hanuman’s leap across the ocean to Lanka, his burning of the city, and his discovery of Sita in Ashok Vatika are among the most cherished episodes of the Ramayana. The epic reaches its climax with the great war between Rama’s army and Ravana’s forces. With divine strength, strategic wisdom, and the help of his companions, Rama defeats Ravana, symbolizing the eternal victory of good over evil. After rescuing Sita and completing his exile, Rama returns to Ayodhya, where his coronation is celebrated with immense joy and devotion. This grand homecoming is remembered every year as Diwali, the festival of lights, marking the triumph of righteousness and the dispelling of darkness. The Ramayana is not just a tale of adventure or war — it is a spiritual guide that reflects the deepest truths of human life. Each character in the epic embodies a profound moral lesson: Rama represents ideal virtue and duty, Sita stands for purity and steadfastness, Lakshmana exemplifies loyalty, Bharata signifies selfless love, and Hanuman is the eternal symbol of devotion and strength. Even Ravana, despite being the antagonist, represents the downfall caused by pride and ego, reminding humanity of the dangers of arrogance. Over millennia, the Ramayana has transcended time and geography. Its message of love, faith, and righteousness continues to inspire countless generations. Variations of the story exist across Asia — in Thailand’s Ramakein, Cambodia’s Reamker, Indonesia’s Kakawin Ramayana, and many more. Its influence on Indian art, literature, dance, drama, and philosophy is immeasurable. The recitations of the Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas in the Bhakti era further brought the story closer to the hearts of the common people, making it a living scripture rather than just a historical text. Thus, the Ramayana stands as a timeless reflection of divine truth and human ideals. It teaches that even in moments of great trial, righteousness and devotion must never be forsaken. It is an eternal source of inspiration that reminds us that no matter how dark the path may seem, the light of truth and dharma will always lead to victory.