The Mahabharata (10 vol Box Set)

Overview The Mahabharata (10-Volume Box Set) is a monumental literary masterpiece that brings together one of the greatest epics of all time in a detailed, unabridged, and scholarly translation. This set is an essential addition to any collection for readers who appreciate classical literature, Indian philosophy, mythology, or history. Whether you are a seasoned scholar, an enthusiast of Hindu epics, or a newcomer to this grand narrative, this box set provides an in-depth, immersive experience into the world of the Mahabharata. Content & Translation Quality This 10-volume edition is among the most authoritative English translations of the Mahabharata, offering a faithful and meticulously detailed rendering of the original Sanskrit text. Depending on the publisher (e.g., the Clay Sanskrit Library, Gita Press, or Bibek Debroy’s translation), this version provides either direct translations from the Sanskrit shlokas or detailed expositions with commentary. The language is precise and well-structured, making it accessible to both general readers and academic audiences. Unlike condensed versions that omit crucial sections, this complete translation retains all episodes, including subtler philosophical discourses, genealogies, rituals, and narratives that often get sidelined in summarized versions. Each volume is carefully organized, ensuring smooth continuity across the 18 parvas (books) and the supplementary Harivamsa (considered the appendix of the Mahabharata). This structure ensures that the reader experiences the epic in its fullest, most detailed form. Physical Quality & Presentation The box set itself is a work of art. The hardcover binding (or high-quality paperback, depending on the edition) ensures durability, while the elegant slipcase keeps the books protected and beautifully displayed on any bookshelf. The printing quality is exceptional, with clear fonts, well-spaced text, and sometimes illustrations or footnotes that add to the reading experience. Each volume typically contains: ✔ Well-structured chapters that mirror the Sanskrit original ✔ Footnotes and explanations that clarify cultural, linguistic, and philosophical nuances ✔ Genealogical charts and appendices that help readers keep track of the complex family ties and historical contexts ✔ A comprehensive index, making it easier to reference key characters, themes, and events Depth of Storytelling & Themes The Mahabharata is not just a war epic; it is a vast ocean of knowledge, ethics, and human emotions. This version provides a deeply immersive reading experience, covering: ✔ The Kurukshetra War, one of the greatest battles in mythological history ✔ Philosophy, morality, and duty (dharma), with profound discussions, including the Bhagavad Gita ✔ Intricate character arcs, from the righteousness of Yudhishthira to the tragic destiny of Karna and the tactical brilliance of Krishna ✔ Mythological narratives, interwoven with cosmic origins, divine interventions, and supernatural occurrences ✔ Political intrigue and strategy, as seen in the power struggles between the Pandavas and Kauravas This edition does justice to the grandeur of the Mahabharata by ensuring that every philosophical discourse, dramatic event, and moral lesson remains intact. Who Should Read This? This 10-volume set is ideal for: ✔ Serious readers of mythology and Indian epics ✔ Scholars and researchers studying ancient texts and Hindu philosophy ✔ Spiritual seekers exploring dharma and karmic principles ✔ Lovers of historical fiction and grand narratives ✔ Anyone looking for a deeper understanding of Indian culture and traditions Pros & Cons ✅ Pros: ✔️ Unabridged and scholarly translation, ensuring accuracy and depth ✔️ High-quality binding and print, making it a durable collector’s item ✔️ Detailed footnotes, commentary, and indexes for deeper comprehension ✔️ Retains the grandeur and complexity of the original epic ✔️ A complete literary and philosophical experience ❌ Cons: ➖ Requires commitment due to its length and depth ➖ Some editions may use archaic English, making certain sections difficult for modern readers ➖ Expensive, though justified for the sheer volume and quality of content Final Verdict The Mahabharata (10-Volume Box Set) is the ultimate version of this timeless epic, delivering rich storytelling, deep philosophy, and historical grandeur in a format that is both scholarly and accessible. Whether you seek literary brilliance, spiritual wisdom, or historical insight, this box set is a treasure trove of knowledge that belongs in every serious reader’s collection. ⭐ Rating: 9.8/10 – A literary masterpiece that stands the test of time!

I bought this box set when it was heavily discounted at around $60-ish dollars. Worth every penny. It would also be worth the full price. Bibek Debroy's translation of the Mahabharata is excellent, approachable for a layman, and based on standard and very well researched scholarly works. It's as readable as you may expect a religious tome to be. ...and a tome, it is. It's just shy of 6000 pages, around 2 million words, covering hundreds of chapters and tens of thousands of shlokas (stanzas), according to the author's introduction. It is not presented in a poetic fashion, but rather as more of a novel. There is no Sanskrit text, and, unfortunately, no diacritical marks, either. This is the sole issue I have with this translation, with the goal of approachability, the author abandoned a small touch of accuracy in eschewing the IAST that is all but ubiquitous in even a $5 Gita Press translation of the Ramcharitmanas. This makes it easy to conflate names that are spelled the same in this translation but would be obviously different from one another in a different tranlsation. The author has done an excellent job of clarifying this in the footnotes (of which there are several per page, his commentary is excellent and straightforward). Not only has this work helped strengthen my faith in and knowledge of the origins of Sanatana Dharma, it inspired me to purchase several of Debroy's other works, a bundle of the shorter Vedas for Kindle, and a box set copy of the Ramayana. It is a shame he passed away and will not have the opportunity to finish the Puranas. The quality of the printing itself is standard for Penguin Books, though i may venture to say the pages are a little thinner than what would be found in the US. This may entirely be due to the fact there are so many of them, the entire box set weighs 10-20 lbs, easily. Having seen how small the Bhagavad-gita really is in comparison, it paints its own picture of how impactful and influential that tiny chapter of this massive epic has been on both Hinduism and global culture. If there is peace to be found, may you find some of it reading these words.

Very good price, full Mahabharata.

WOW! I love reading books from other cultures and this did not disappoint. Halfway through the set and love it! Took Vol. 1 with me to the hospital after a fall, and the next four volumes went with me to rehab at a nursing home. Recommend for readers with patience and a love of detail.

there is tear paper in this product because it is used the condition is so so not good to have 5 star

Beautiful prose - looking forward to revisiting the stories of Mahabharata. The paper and binding is of great quality.

If you want a complete copy of the massive epic that is the Mahabharata, this is the one to get. There simply is no comparison to the other multi-volume sets you'll find anywhere else (That includes the kindle version, and I own both the kindle and physical boxed sets). Sure there are other collections being translated, but they are (mostly) incomplete and are still being published, this is the one of the few that really covers the massive scope of the story in a complete package. There's the M. N. Dutt 9 volume set as well, which has the Sanskrit text, though completely discounting the price difference between the two sets this one still comes out ahead for me. I ended up gifting my Dutt volumes away and keeping this one for myself. I also much preferred the writing here to Ganguli's translation, and good luck finding a complete printed set of Ganguli's version that comes anywhere near the quality of this boxed set. Everything from the size of the font in the printed version, to the translated prose, elevates this one to the top for me (though I know that opinion is going to be contentious) I really didn't find anything wrong with the paper quality of the books (and I own thousands of books). To be honest, if you're nitpicking about the quality of paper when buying a one of a kind complete set like this that exists nowhere else, you're going to end up waiting many more years for one of the other editions to be completed. The paper was a complete non-issue to me, and at no point in reading them did the thought ever cross my mind. If you're investing in a complete Mahabharata, I'd recommend starting with kindle copies of the first volumes of the various versions available to make the best decision. Nobody can tell you what translation is going to be easiest for you to digest, but you can certainly find that out on your own without having to buy the whole set at once. Note: If you're going to get this box set, also get Debroy's translation of Harivamsha, the "epilogue" to the Mahabharata. I also highly recommend watching Debroy's presentations on the Mahabharata available on youtube that he has given.

After reading “ Bhagavat Gita as it is” I bought two different editions of Mahabharata to learn more about the story of Kurukshetra battle,one retold by Krishna Dharma ( 955 pages) and another was The Illustrated Mahabharata. Both books were great and useful for me, but they were just abridged versions. If you want just to educate yourself, read them, but if you want to know a true story with all details of ancient storytelling and truly feel how advance and intelligent were people living in Bharatavarsha 5,000 (!!!) years ago ( yes, The Mahabharata was written not for the highest casts like Brahmans and Kshatrias, but for ordinary people), get this edition! I am impressed by translation from extremely advanced and difficult for modern people Sanskrit to English made by BIBEK DEBROY! Some customers mentioned here as if “ low quality of paper”. I disagree and let’s it won’t stop you from buying this GEM! I am just at the beginning of my journey reading this masterpiece, and every moment is full of delight and amazement!