6.2. Author(s) and dates

Who wrote the text? This is a question to which there are several answers. The original story was probably composed by charioteer-bards known as sutas who generally accompanied Kshatriya warriors to the battlefield and composed poems celebrating their victories and other achievements.

The Mahabharata likely originated from the storytelling traditions of charioteer-bards called sutas. These artists traveled with Kshatriya warriors to battlefields, where they would compose and perform poems that celebrated the warriors' achievements. This oral tradition was vital in preserving and disseminating the stories of the Mahabharata before they were eventually written down.

Think of how modern-day sports commentators tell captivating stories of athletes during games. They weave narratives that capture not just the scores, but the emotions, struggles, and victories of the players. Similarly, sutas used their poetic skills to highlight the valor and heroics of warriors while entertaining audiences.

These compositions circulated orally. Then, from the fifth century BCE, Brahmanas took over the story and began to commit it to writing. This was the time when chiefdoms such as those of the Kurus and Panchalas, around whom the story of the epic revolves, were gradually becoming kingdoms.

After the original oral stories were passed down, a transition occurred when Brahmanas (religious and scholarly leaders) began to write them down. This shift took place around the fifth century BCE as political structures evolved from chiefdoms to established kingdoms. Written texts allowed for a more systematic preservation of their narratives, which aligned with the growing importance of an organized social order.

Imagine a group of friends sharing stories around a campfire. Initially, these stories change slightly with each retelling. However, if someone decides to write them down, the stories become fixed and can be revisited in their original form, leading to a greater understanding for future generations.

We notice another phase in the composition of the text between c. 200 BCE and 200 CE. This was the period when the worship of Vishnu was growing in importance, and Krishna, one of the important figures of the epic, was coming to be identified with Vishnu.

From approximately 200 BCE to 200 CE, the Mahabharata underwent significant changes as themes and characters were influenced by the rise of Vishnu worship. During this time, Krishna became increasingly identified as an incarnation of Vishnu, reflecting the religious shifts of that era and suggesting that the text was adapting to the evolving beliefs and values of society.

Consider how a popular movie franchise evolves over time. For instance, as new cultural ideas emerge, filmmakers often adapt stories or characters to resonate with contemporary audiences. Similarly, the Mahabharata evolved to remain relevant as people's spiritual beliefs shifted.

Subsequently, between c. 200 and 400 CE, large didactic sections resembling the Manusmriti were added. With these additions, a text which initially perhaps had less than 10,000 verses grew to comprise about 100,000 verses. This enormous composition is traditionally attributed to a sage named Vyasa.

Between 200 and 400 CE, the Mahabharata expanded significantly as new sections that instructed social norms, akin to the Manusmriti, were incorporated. This transformation increased its length dramatically, showcasing both the epic's flexibility and the desire to weave in contemporary social and moral teachings. The traditional attribution to Vyasa signifies the text's revered status.

Think of how a renowned book series might get multiple sequels or spin-offs, each adding to the lore and themes of the original story while also addressing modern issues. This process keeps the narrative alive and in dialogue with readers' experiences.

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