--- product_id: 54408471 title: "The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics)" price: "€ 43.94" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.at/products/54408471-the-mahabharata-penguin-classics store_origin: AT region: Austria --- # Epic length & cultural depth Heroic battles & timeless dharma Spiritual wisdom & life philosophy The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics) **Price:** € 43.94 **Availability:** βœ… In Stock ## Summary > πŸ“– Unlock ancient wisdom, heroic tales & spiritual insight β€” don’t miss the epic that shaped civilizations! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics) - **How much does it cost?** € 43.94 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.at](https://www.desertcart.at/products/54408471-the-mahabharata-penguin-classics) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - β€’ **Timeless Epic Narrative:** Dive into one of the world’s longest and most influential ancient epics, shaping millennia of culture and thought. - β€’ **Expertly Abridged Translation:** Enjoy a carefully curated version balancing readability with authenticity, perfect for busy professionals seeking depth without overwhelm. - β€’ **Cultural & Spiritual Masterclass:** Explore profound discussions on purpose, duty, pleasure, and liberation that resonate across global philosophies. - β€’ **Rich Mythology & Legendary Tales:** Experience celestial weapons, divine beings, and heroic sagas that inspired modern storytelling and even sci-fi imaginations. - β€’ **Essential Reference & Conversation Starter:** A must-have for intellectual gatherings, book clubs, or personal growth libraries, sparking meaningful dialogue on ethics and society. ## Overview The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics) is a masterfully abridged edition of the monumental Sanskrit epic, blending heroic war narratives with deep philosophical discourse on human goals and dharma. This edition offers millennial professionals a gateway to ancient Indian culture, spirituality, and mythology, enriched by expert translation and insightful commentary, making it both an intellectual treasure and a captivating read. ## Description The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. It is of immense importance to the culture of the Indian subcontinent, and is a major text of Hinduism. Its discussion of human goals (artha or 'purpose', kama or 'pleasure', dharma or 'duty', and moksha or 'liberation') takes place in a long-standing tradition, attempting to explain the relationship of the individual to society and the world (the nature of the 'Self') and the workings of karma. Review: heroic - One of the most remarkable books I have read and all credit has to go to John Smith for the work he must have put into this abridged translation. Coming to this with little knowledge of Hinduism, I found myself glued to the narrative, enthralled by the stories of the war, the earthy but not offensive language, the exposition on dharma, the multiplicity of Hindu legends, the final twists and turns as the story climaxes. There is some mention of flying chariots, celestial cities, armies incubated in jars, and of course a variety of celestial weapons. Make of this what you will but in places I did wonder if this was perhaps the first science fiction work ever written......or if history is stranger than fiction...... I found the sections on dharma most interesting and apart from the dharma of the warrior most teachings fit easily into Christianity or Buddhism, and may be their source - or the same teachings being passed on in different cultures. Like the Bible and the earlier Sumerian writings there is a story of a great flood, also of a Moses like character abandoned as a baby in the waters.(I think it was Karna). There is a version of the tortoise and the hare story - in the form of a goose and a crow. There is the original of the Princess and the frog; it's a Prince and a frog in the Mahabharata. In the destruction of the Vrsnis city in the section called "The Clubs" one calls to mind Sodom and Gomorrah. Krsna who had the power to avert his death like Christ on the cross did not exercise his power and "having relieved the earth of her burden and granted the world release...returned to his own supreme state." I read the Books of Enoch some time ago, Dead Sea scroll texts about the fallen angels and these old works do make you wonder - but that's the fun of books isn't it? I can not recommend this book enough. Review: A great way into an amazing Indian classic - First, be aware that this is not a complete translation. As the translator says, 11% is direct translation and the rest is summary. This is unavoidable since the full length work is several times longer than the Bible; I've seen various full length English translations in India and they run to 18 weighty volumes. Second, put aside any expectations of this being like the Odyssey or the Iliad. It's utterly Indian, complete with gods, celestial beings, sages and ascetics, battlefields through which runs a river of blood, mighty warriors who survive multiple arrow piercings and evil demons and other beings. Third, be ready for a style that is as exaggerated as anything you'll have ever encountered. Fourth, don't expect straight line narrative, it's full of digressions, recapitulations, summaries of elements that will be enlarged upon later - it even contains two "sermons" but not as you'll understand the term from a Christian context. So have I put you off, or intrigued you? I hope the latter, because reading this Penguin abridged version has been one of the best, most engrossing and horizon-widening experiences of a long life of reading. Much of this enjoyment came from the huge contribution that the translator makes with his introduction and appendices including a glossary of main characters. So if you're tempted, go for it. It's a story of good against evil, it's a manual of how to live your life, it's how to govern a country, it's sheer entertainment. I'm seriously tempted to get the full length translation but I'll certainly be going back to this Penguin edition. ## Features - This product will be an excellent pick for you. - It ensures you get the best usage for a longer period ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 124,672 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 17 in Hindu Mythology 42 in Bhagavad Gita 63 in Epics | | Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 867 Reviews | ## Images ![The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91tIA1lhwhL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ heroic *by M***L on 30 January 2014* One of the most remarkable books I have read and all credit has to go to John Smith for the work he must have put into this abridged translation. Coming to this with little knowledge of Hinduism, I found myself glued to the narrative, enthralled by the stories of the war, the earthy but not offensive language, the exposition on dharma, the multiplicity of Hindu legends, the final twists and turns as the story climaxes. There is some mention of flying chariots, celestial cities, armies incubated in jars, and of course a variety of celestial weapons. Make of this what you will but in places I did wonder if this was perhaps the first science fiction work ever written......or if history is stranger than fiction...... I found the sections on dharma most interesting and apart from the dharma of the warrior most teachings fit easily into Christianity or Buddhism, and may be their source - or the same teachings being passed on in different cultures. Like the Bible and the earlier Sumerian writings there is a story of a great flood, also of a Moses like character abandoned as a baby in the waters.(I think it was Karna). There is a version of the tortoise and the hare story - in the form of a goose and a crow. There is the original of the Princess and the frog; it's a Prince and a frog in the Mahabharata. In the destruction of the Vrsnis city in the section called "The Clubs" one calls to mind Sodom and Gomorrah. Krsna who had the power to avert his death like Christ on the cross did not exercise his power and "having relieved the earth of her burden and granted the world release...returned to his own supreme state." I read the Books of Enoch some time ago, Dead Sea scroll texts about the fallen angels and these old works do make you wonder - but that's the fun of books isn't it? I can not recommend this book enough. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A great way into an amazing Indian classic *by J***Y on 13 January 2013* First, be aware that this is not a complete translation. As the translator says, 11% is direct translation and the rest is summary. This is unavoidable since the full length work is several times longer than the Bible; I've seen various full length English translations in India and they run to 18 weighty volumes. Second, put aside any expectations of this being like the Odyssey or the Iliad. It's utterly Indian, complete with gods, celestial beings, sages and ascetics, battlefields through which runs a river of blood, mighty warriors who survive multiple arrow piercings and evil demons and other beings. Third, be ready for a style that is as exaggerated as anything you'll have ever encountered. Fourth, don't expect straight line narrative, it's full of digressions, recapitulations, summaries of elements that will be enlarged upon later - it even contains two "sermons" but not as you'll understand the term from a Christian context. So have I put you off, or intrigued you? I hope the latter, because reading this Penguin abridged version has been one of the best, most engrossing and horizon-widening experiences of a long life of reading. Much of this enjoyment came from the huge contribution that the translator makes with his introduction and appendices including a glossary of main characters. So if you're tempted, go for it. It's a story of good against evil, it's a manual of how to live your life, it's how to govern a country, it's sheer entertainment. I'm seriously tempted to get the full length translation but I'll certainly be going back to this Penguin edition. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics) *by A***R on 23 November 2024* Reread and enjoyed it very much. ## Frequently Bought Together - The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics) - The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics) - The Rig Veda (Penguin Classics) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - πŸ›’ **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** β€” Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** β€” Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - πŸ’° **No Hidden Fees** β€” All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - πŸ”„ **15-Day Free Returns** β€” Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - πŸ”’ **Secure Payments** β€” Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** β€” Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.at/products/54408471-the-mahabharata-penguin-classics](https://www.desertcart.at/products/54408471-the-mahabharata-penguin-classics) --- *Product available on Desertcart Austria* *Store origin: AT* *Last updated: 2026-07-28*