A History of Indian Literature v1.c9.s7.2

v1.c9.s7.2

Most of the Itihāsas and Itihāsa-saṃvādas discussed in the preceding chapter are to be found in the numerous and extensive didactic sections of the Mahābhārata. Such sections, now shorter, now longer, are scattered in almost all the books of the Mahābhārata, and they deal with the three things which the Indians term *Nīti*, *i.e.* worldly wisdom, especially for kings, therefore also "politics," *Dharma*, *i.e.* systematic law as well as general morality, and *Mokṣa*, *i.e.* "liberation," as the final aim of all philosophy. These things are, however, not always presented in the form of pleasing narratives and beautiful sayings; we also find long sections containing dry-as-dust discussions, especially upon philosophy in Book XII and upon law in Book XIII.