--- product_id: 78587179 title: "The Mahabharata" price: "NZ$42" currency: NZD in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/78587179-the-mahabharata store_origin: NZ region: New Zealand --- # Abridged yet Authentic Complete Critical Edition Research-Level Accuracy The Mahabharata **Price:** NZ$42 **Availability:** βœ… In Stock ## Summary > πŸ“– Own the timeless saga that blends tradition with clarity β€” don’t miss out on the ultimate Mahabharata experience! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Mahabharata - **How much does it cost?** NZ$42 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/78587179-the-mahabharata) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - β€’ **Concise Yet Comprehensive:** All major events covered with poetic excess trimmed for modern readers. - β€’ **Epic Authenticity, No Fluff:** Based on the BORI Critical Edition for pure, unaltered storytelling. - β€’ **Trusted by Scholars & Readers:** Highly rated with 4.5 stars from 864 reviews, a go-to for research and leisure. - β€’ **Lucid Language, Easy Absorption:** Clear, accessible translation that respects the original Sanskrit context. - β€’ **Timely Delivery & Quality Packaging:** Arrives in perfect condition, ready to elevate your literary collection. ## Overview This edition of The Mahabharata offers a meticulously researched, critically acclaimed abridged version based on the BORI Critical Edition. It balances authenticity with readability, making it ideal for both scholars and modern readers seeking a comprehensive yet concise retelling of the Great Indian Epic. ## Description This product will be an excellent pick for you. It ensures you get the best usage for a longer period Review: Based on critical edition , completely authentic and research level material - Complete (with all stories in short form), leaves the poetic excess to save space, sticks to the original and is based on the Critical Edition of Mahabharat by the BORI. I did a lot of research before starting to read the Great Indian Epic and came across many abridged and unabridged texts. In the complete/ full version, I found only Late Bibek Debroy's version to be the most authentic, and in the abridged versions, this one by John D Smith (In comparison to Ramesh Menon and Kamala Subramanian.. these two have added events/dialogues to make it more dramatic based on other sources) is the best. Raja ji's Mahabharata can be a good start if you want a further abridged version. This is a complete, no-nonsense book, and the language is lucid. The important events are covered in detail (exact translation from Sanskrit), while side stories are also in abridged form. So, this one completely stands out as research material for me. Some Sanskrit words are not properly translated, but those can be easily understood in the context in which they come. Review: Good quality, well packaged - One of the best translations available. The product arrived on time and in great condition ## Features - This product will be an excellent pick for you. - It ensures you get the best usage for a longer period ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #13,832 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #164 in Poetry (Books) #177 in Myths, Legends & Sagas #508 in Hinduism (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 866 Reviews | ## Images ![The Mahabharata - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91tIA1lhwhL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Based on critical edition , completely authentic and research level material *by A***V on 10 November 2024* Complete (with all stories in short form), leaves the poetic excess to save space, sticks to the original and is based on the Critical Edition of Mahabharat by the BORI. I did a lot of research before starting to read the Great Indian Epic and came across many abridged and unabridged texts. In the complete/ full version, I found only Late Bibek Debroy's version to be the most authentic, and in the abridged versions, this one by John D Smith (In comparison to Ramesh Menon and Kamala Subramanian.. these two have added events/dialogues to make it more dramatic based on other sources) is the best. Raja ji's Mahabharata can be a good start if you want a further abridged version. This is a complete, no-nonsense book, and the language is lucid. The important events are covered in detail (exact translation from Sanskrit), while side stories are also in abridged form. So, this one completely stands out as research material for me. Some Sanskrit words are not properly translated, but those can be easily understood in the context in which they come. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good quality, well packaged *by A***R on 22 July 2025* One of the best translations available. The product arrived on time and in great condition ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Clear but small font. Over-translated often times *by R***N on 2 September 2025* The book itself in its content and presentation of the chapters is good. Fitting Mahabharata in 792 pages (story part) is a commendable work. However, I suggest the font size could've been a bit larger, currently it feels like this was printed in a bid to save as much paper as possible ;-) Now, the translation is good, preserving the bardic/poetic essence by using appropriate language and epithets. Some words somewhere, I feel, could've been left in Sanskrit themselves, example being: When Bhishma's name was introduced - they gave a footnote that it translates to "the awesome one" - a much more precise translation would be, "fierce one" or "terrible one". It's in similar faith that a lot of words have been simplified in the translation in their meanings - "seer" for example, is not used in the most precise sense! So, is the epithets used for the characters throughout, which acts as a compromise in presenting the bardic nature but loses meaning for the uniqueness in that character : "bull-like", "best among heroes" - these could've been left in Sanskrit and their meaning in footnotes. Overall, a really nice translation, summarized when needed and translates the more major parts. Nice flow, lovely language, true to source, i hope. 4 stars! ## Frequently Bought Together - The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics) - The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics) - The Rig Veda (Penguin Classics) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - πŸ›’ **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** β€” Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** β€” Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - πŸ’° **No Hidden Fees** β€” All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - πŸ”„ **15-Day Free Returns** β€” Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - πŸ”’ **Secure Payments** β€” Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** β€” Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.nz/products/78587179-the-mahabharata](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/78587179-the-mahabharata) --- *Product available on Desertcart New Zealand* *Store origin: NZ* *Last updated: 2026-04-28*