Right from my childhood, I had been listening to my grandmother telling us tales of Shri Krishna, or sometimes of Pandavas and Kauravas. And I had always been thrilled when I heard of 100 sons of Gandhari and crooked Duryodhana. But not much beyond that. Reading this book was like going back to childhood and listening to my grandmother again orating us the stories that she has always had in abundance. This book apart from being a great epic, is immensely morally enriching too. Many Hindus believe that the battle of Mahabharata at Kurukshetra is not just a story written to drive into humankind the virtues like forbearance, fortitude and reverence for elders but is a truth. I also believe that the Mahabharata actually took place. 
 This book made me proud of Indian classical literature, having read 'The Iliad' by Homer as a specimen of Greek literature (which I enjoyed thoroughly), I was excited to read about my own country's literature. 
 This book, written by Vyasa (who witnessed the Mahabharata first hand) is a genius. A timeless tale of how forbearance, honor and patience instil the power and strength required to vanquish the 'adharma' i.e. the vile. 
 Various instances when Lord Krishna (or his epithets Madhava, Vasudeva, Madhusudana and so on...) speaks about dharma, about knowledge the reader's soul gets enriched and stronger. Bhishma, who fights on Duryodhana's side, when asked by an agitated Duryodhana why kauravas are getting killed in large numbers, replies, "Pandavas have the righteousness and it gives them unbeatable strength. They have Godlike Arjuna and Krishna and hence they are invincible. Still I will try my best to smart them on the battlefield." 
 Such excerpts fill oneself with unbound strength and the reader stars deriving fountains of joy by having faith on Lord Krishna. 
 This is beyond a book. This book is learning of life, most essential virtues which when a man manifests and imbibes in himself/herself, shall be sure of getting to higher abode, the heaven, in afterlife. 
 Needless to say, I recommend all of you readers, to read this saga of family feud which ends with glory for the sons of Dhritrashtra and Gandhari -and- Pandu and Kunti, Madri. this story will never wane and a major animated bollywood film is being made. This piece of art is ubiquitous and shall forever be!