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Question 16 of 72 · Vedic Period
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The epic Mahabharata is divided into how many books (parvas)?

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Answer: Option A — 18

Detailed Solution

The Mahabharata is divided into 18 books, called "parvas".

About the Mahabharata:

  • It is one of the two great epics of India, the other being the Ramayana.
  • It is traditionally attributed to the sage Veda Vyasa (Krishna Dvaipayana).
  • It is considered the longest epic poem in the world; in its present form it has about 1,00,000 verses (shlokas), including the appendix "Harivamsha".
  • It was composed over a long period, roughly between 400 BCE and 400 CE, with many additions.
  • It is written in Sanskrit, and is called "Itihasa" (history, "thus it happened") in Indian tradition.

Its story:

  • It describes the conflict between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas (sons of Pandu), for the throne of Hastinapura.
  • The conflict ends in a great war at Kurukshetra, which lasts 18 days, in which the Pandavas win.

The 18 parvas include:

  • Adi Parva (the first book, on the origins of the families).
  • Sabha Parva (the game of dice).
  • Vana Parva (the exile in the forest).
  • Virata Parva (the year in disguise).
  • Udyoga Parva (preparations for war).
  • Bhishma Parva (which contains the Bhagavad Gita).
  • Drona, Karna and Shalya Parvas (the war).
  • Shanti and Anushasana Parvas (teachings of Bhishma).
  • Svargarohana Parva (the ascent to heaven, the last book).

The number 18 in the Mahabharata:

  • 18 parvas.
  • 18 days of war.
  • 18 "akshauhinis" (armies) took part in the war.
  • The Bhagavad Gita has 18 chapters.

The Bhagavad Gita:

It is a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield, about duty (dharma), action (karma) and devotion (bhakti).

Why not the other options?

  • ✗The Ramayana has 7 kandas (books).
  • ✗12 and 24 are not the number of parvas in the Mahabharata; the Ramayana has about 24,000 verses.

Quick tip

Remember: Mahabharata = 18 parvas, about 1,00,000 verses (Veda Vyasa); 18-day war; Bhagavad Gita (18 chapters) is in the Bhishma Parva; Ramayana = 7 kandas, about 24,000 verses.

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Vedic Period — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Vedic Period, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

The Vedic period followed the arrival of the Indo-Aryans and is divided into the Early (Rig Vedic) and Later Vedic ages. This topic covers the four Vedas, the Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads, Vedic society, polity, economy and religion, and the rivers and gods mentioned in Vedic texts. Exams often ask which Veda deals with what (the Sama Veda with music, the Atharva Veda with charms and medicine), the most important Rig Vedic god (Indra), and Vedic assemblies such as the Sabha and Samiti. Note how society changed from the Early to the Later Vedic age, especially the rise of the varna system and the growth of kingship. Practise the Vedic period questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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