A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1023

c5.1023

Such is the leading story of the Mahā-bhārata, which no doubt had a basis of fact in the old Hindu traditions. Different poets of different ages have added to it and embellished it by the powers of their imagination. Great additions have been made in later times. The Bhagavad-gītā and the episode of Nala, with some others, are the productions of later writers; the Hari-vansa, which affects to be a part of the Mahā-bhārata, is of still later date, and besides these, it cannot be doubted that numerous interpolations, from single verses to long passages, have been made to uphold and further the religious opinions of sects and individuals. To use the words of Max Müller, “The epic character of the story has throughout been changed and almost obliterated by the didactic tendencies of the latest editors, who were clearly Brāhmans brought up in the strict school of the laws of Manu.”