Mahabharata Mahabharata n n n Worlds longest epic

Mahabharata

Mahabharata n n n World’s longest epic Passed down by oral traditions Accounts a feud between two actual families The Pandavas n The Kauravas n

Dharma n n One’s responsibility to maintain harmony in the universe Karma n Americanized version n What goes around comes around

Characters n King Sibi n n Hawk n n Sworn to protect all living beings in the universe god Indra, the early chief god of the Hindu religion, in disguise Dove n God of fire in disguise

Plot n Morals Hindu places great emphasis on the care for all living things and to keep your word even if it means your own life is at stake n Placing others’ interests above one’s own results in reaching peace with one’s self n

Themes n Courage/Sacrifice Sibi told the hawk that he would give up his own life to protect and save the dove n When Sibi tore off his own flesh to give to the Hawk n n Compassion Caring for the dove by protecting it n Give the hawk food for him and his family n

Literary Devices n Anthropomorphism- giving human qualities to animals or breathings n n n Didactic text- teaches beliefs about culture n n The hawk The dove Sibi is sacrificing himself because of his morals Imagery- explains the setting and gives the senses n Sibi cutting himself up and defining how the blood felt and looked like