The Mahābhārata is the longest epic poem known and has been described as "the longest poem ever written". Its longest (original and final) version consists of over 100,000 ślokas or over 200,000 individual verse lines (each shloka is a couplet), and long prose passages. Traditionally, the authorship of the Mahābhārata is attributed to Vyāsa.
The 18 parvas or books :
1 Adi Parva (the Beginning)
2 Sabha Parva (the Assembly Hall)
3 Vana Parva also Aranyaka-parva, Aranya-parva (the Forest)
4 Virata Parva (Virata)
5 Udyoga Parva (the Effort)
6 Bhishma Parva (Bhishma)
7 Drona Parva (Drona)
8 Karna Parva (Karna)
9 Shalya Parva (Shalya)
10 Sauptika Parva (the Sleeping Warriors)
11 Stri Parva (the Women)
12 Shanti Parva (Peace)
13 Anushasana Parva (the Instructions)
14 Ashvamedhika Parva (the Horse Sacrifice)
15 Ashramavasika Parva (the Hermitage)
16 Mausala Parva (the Clubs)
17 Mahaprasthanika Parva (the Great Journey)
18 Svargarohana Parva (the Ascent to Heaven)
Notes from Kisari Mohan Ganguli in the Mahabharata translation:
There are verses in the Mahabharata that are exceedingly difficult to construe. I have derived much aid from the great commentator Nilakantha.
"Sauti said, 'Having heard the diverse sacred and wonderful stories which were composed in his Mahabharata by Krishna-Dwaipayana, and which were recited in full by Vaisampayana at the Snakesacrifice
of the high-souled royal sage Janamejaya and in the presence also of that chief of Princes, the son of Parikshit, and having wandered about, visiting many sacred waters and holy shrines, I journeyed to the country venerated by the Dwijas (twice-born) and called Samantapanchaka where formerly was fought the battle between the children of Kuru and Pandu, and all the chiefs of the land ranged on either side.
The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Section I (extract):
"In former days, having placed the four Vedas on one side and the Bharata on the other, these were
weighed in the balance by the celestials assembled for that purpose. And as the latter weighed heavier
than the four Vedas with their mysteries, from that period it hath been called in the world Mahabharata
(the great Bharata). Being esteemed superior both in substance and gravity of import it is denominated
Mahabharata on account of such substance and gravity of import. He that knoweth its meaning is saved
from all his sins.
The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Section II (extract):
He who knows the four Vedas with all the Angas (subdivisions) and Upanishads, but does not know this history (Bharata), cannot be regarded as wise. Vyasa of immeasurable intelligence, has spoken of the Mahabharata as a treatise on Artha (prosperity), on Dharma (righteousness), and on Kama (pleasure).
The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Adivansavatarana Parva: Section LXII (extract):
The sins that are committed daily by our senses or the mind, those that are committed knowingly or unknowingly by any man, are all destroyed by hearing the Mahabharata. The history of the exalted birth of the Bharata princes is called the Mahabharata. He who knoweth this etymology of the name is cleansed of all his sins. And as this history of the Bharata race is so wonderful, that, when recited, it assuredly purifieth
mortals from all sins. The sage Krishna-Dwaipayana completed his work in three years. Rising daily and
purifying himself and performing his ascetic devotions, he composed this Mahabharata.
The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Adivansavatarana Parva: Section LXII (extract):
The sage Krishna-Dwaipayana regularly rising for three years, composed this wonderful history called Mahabharata. O bull amongst the Bharata monarchs, whatever is spoken about virtue, wealth, pleasure, and salvation may be seen elsewhere; but whatever is not contained in this is not to be found anywhere.
The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Adivansavatarana Parva: Section LXIII (extract):
And the learned Dwaipayana, beholding that virtue is destined to become lame by one leg each yuga (she having four legs in all) and that the period of life and the strength of men followed the yugas, and moved by the desire of obtaining the favour of Brahman and the Brahmanas, arranged the Vedas. And for this he came to be called Vyasa (the arranger or compiler). The boon-giving great one then taught Sumanta, Jaimini, Paila, his son Suka, and Vaisampayana, the Vedas having the Mahabharata for their fifth. And the compilation of the Bharata was published by him through them separately.
