About the Itihasas
The Itihasas (“thus it was” or “so indeed it was”) are the great historical epics of India that form a cornerstone of Hindu literature and culture. Unlike the Puranas which deal with mythological narratives, the Itihasas are considered historical accounts of real events, though presented in a literary and spiritual framework.
The two great Itihasas are:
Ramayana
The Ramayana, composed by the sage Valmiki, tells the story of Lord Rama - the ideal man, ideal king, and the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It narrates Rama’s life from his birth in Ayodhya, his exile to the forest, the abduction of his wife Sita by the demon king Ravana, and the great war to rescue her. The Ramayana teaches the values of dharma (righteousness), devotion, and the triumph of good over evil. It consists of approximately 24,000 verses divided into seven books (Kandas).
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata, attributed to the sage Vyasa, is the longest epic poem in the world with over 100,000 verses. It narrates the great war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas - two branches of the same royal family - and explores themes of duty, justice, power, and the consequences of human action. The Mahabharata contains within it the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most revered spiritual texts in the world.
Sections
- Bhagavad Gita - The Song of God, a 700-verse dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna