Comparing Ramayan and Mahabharat Epics
by Vikas Kamat
First Online: July 06, 2008
Page Last Updated: August 20, 2024
The following table compares the two great Hindu epics, Ramayan and Mahabharat. Please also see the much more detailed sections on each of these epics for characters, tales, and the art forms these epics have inspired.
The Ramayana |
The Mahabharat |
| The story of Rama, the prince and eventual emperor of India; the epic precedes the Mahabharat by substantial period. It is a story of idealism and characters are much easily be categorized into heroes and villains. | The central theme is a fraternal war to decide which of the two sides is right in a moral dispute. Krishna acts as a mediatory, first as a diplomat, then as a war time counsel. The characters are vivid, and the epic provides a guideline for humans to live a life of virtues amidst conflicting interests. |
| Said to have written by sage Valmiki.
Version written by saint Tulasidas is also widely recited.
|
Said to have written by sage Vyasa. A
predominant part, the Bhagavad-Gita is narrated by Sanjay, an aid to
the blind emperor Dhritarashta. It is believed that Ganesh
assisted as the copy-writer, using his tooth as a pen.
|
| Set in Ayodhya, encompasses the route from Northern Indian to Srilanka. The names and cultures of the places still bear resemblance to present day. | Set in Northern India, the war involved factions from as far as present day Afghanistan and South India. The Nagas and the Himalayan region features prominently in the story. |
| Main characters: Dasharatha, Kaikeyi, Rama, Lakshman, Sita, Rawana, Vibhishan | Main Characters: Bhishma, Dhritarashtra, the Pandavas, Karna, Duryodhana, Krishna, Kunti, Gandhari, Drona |
See Also:
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See Also: |
