A grand and complex epic, comparable in scale to the Greek Iliad and Odyssey, The Mahabharatha tells an ancient tale of war, kingship, honor and revenge. It narrates the fortunes of a royal household torn by conflict. Unable to decide on a suitable heir to a throne he has sworn to protect, an ancient patriarch gives in to the capricious demands of warring cousins. Hatred and envy flare into a fratricidal war. Samhita Arni's compact and accessible narrative allows readers from other contexts to get to know this ancient tale whose massive cast of characters is part of every Indian child's imagination. Her beautifully illustrated version of the ancient epic is a worldwide success. It has been translated into Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portugese. "Reading this enchanting work is really one of the best ways to approach The Mahabharatha, both for adults as well as for children."--Roberto Calasso