The Mahabharata, together with the other great Sanskrit epic, the Ramayana, embodies much of the cultural and religious heritage of India. This prose version of the epic elegantly narrates the great war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, and tells of the warriors, kings, saints, and goddesses caught up in the romance and drama of family intrigue. With diversity of plots and themes--including the philosophical teachings of the Bhagavad Gita--the Mahabharata has entertained and influenced Indian audiences for nearly 2, 000 years.