The Itihasas

In order to make it easy for mankind to learn the central teaching of the Vedas, sages of ancient India presented them in the form of 'Itihasas' (Epics). The 'Mahabharata' and the ‘Ramayana’ are two great Itihasas, that capture all the core teachings of the Vedas through brilliant story-telling. The hero of the Mahabharata is Krishna, and that of the Ramayana is Rama (you may be familiar with the popular Hindu incantation - Hare Rama Hare Krishna). Both Rama and Krishna are believed by Hindus to be human incarnations of God come to earth to teach us how to lead our lives.