---
product_id: 78587179
title: "The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics)"
price: "E£ 2463"
currency: EGP
in_stock: false
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.com.eg/products/78587179-the-mahabharata-penguin-classics
store_origin: EG
region: Egypt
---

# Authentic & Timeless Complete Critical Edition Research-Level Insight The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics)

**Price:** E£ 2463
**Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock

## Summary

> 📖 Own the timeless saga that shaped civilizations.

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics)
- **How much does it cost?** E£ 2463 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Currently out of stock
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.eg](https://www.desertcart.com.eg/products/78587179-the-mahabharata-penguin-classics)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
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## Key Features

- • **Highly Rated:** 4.6/5 stars from 850+ reviews, trusted by readers and scholars alike.
- • **Concise & Lucid:** Abridged to focus on key events with clear, accessible language for modern readers.
- • **Scholarly Depth:** Ideal for research with faithful Sanskrit translations and contextual clarity.
- • **Epic Authenticity:** Based on the Critical Edition by BORI, ensuring the most accurate and original text.
- • **Collector’s Choice:** Ranked top 60 in Myths & Poetry categories, a must-have for cultural connoisseurs.

## Overview

The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics) is a critically acclaimed, research-based edition offering a complete yet concise translation of the epic. It balances authenticity with readability, making it perfect for both scholarly study and passionate readers seeking the original Sanskrit narrative in a modern format.

## Description

desertcart.in - Buy The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics) book online at best prices in India on desertcart.in. Read The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics) book reviews & author details and more at desertcart.in. Free delivery on qualified orders.

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 | #3,904 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #53 in Poetry (Books) #59 in Myths, Legends & Sagas #146 in Hinduism (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 850 Reviews |

## Images

![The Mahabharata (Penguin Classics) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Uzz9UGnrL.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)

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*Product available on Desertcart Egypt*
*Store origin: EG*
*Last updated: 2026-03-04*