PREFACE TO THE MAHABHARATA - Dr.pankajsah It is not an exaggeration to say that the persons and incidents portrayed in the great literature of a people influence national character no less potently than the actual heroes and events enshrined in its history. It may be claimed that the former play an even more important part in the formation of ideals, which give to character its impulse of growth. In the moving history of our land, from time immemorial great minds have been formed and nourished by the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. In most Indian homes, children formerly