The Mahabharata is an epic narrative composed by Sage Vyasa, consisting of over 100,000 shlokas arranged in 18 parvas (books). It is one of the longest epics ever written and serves as a treasure trove of ancient Indian history, philosophy, and moral lessons.

The story revolves around the Kuru dynasty and the epic Kurukshetra War fought between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. The Pandavas, five brothers—Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva—representing righteousness, faced their cousins, the Kauravas, led by King Duryodhana, who symbolized greed and unrighteousness.

The war was a result of the Kauravas' refusal to return the Pandavas' rightful kingdom, despite numerous attempts for peace. The Mahabharata not only narrates the battles and strategies but also delves deeply into the complexities of dharma (righteousness) and adharma (unrighteousness).

The Kaurava army consisted of warriors such as Bhishma Pitamaha, Guru Drona, Karna, and others who fought for Duryodhana due to their loyalty to the throne of Hastinapura. On the other hand, the Pandava army, guided by Shri Krishna, demonstrated extraordinary valor and adherence to dharma.

The Mahabharata is not just a story of war but a profound text that explores human relationships, moral dilemmas, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. It also contains the revered Bhagavad Gita, a philosophical discourse between Shri Krishna and Arjuna during the war.