Question

\textit{‘Mahabharata is known as a dynamic text.’ Examine the statement.}

Answer 1

The \textit{Mahabharata} is known as a dynamic text because it evolved over several centuries through multiple retellings, additions, and reinterpretations. It did not emerge in its final form all at once but was layered with stories, philosophies, and socio-political values over time.
It began as a smaller text called \textit{Jaya} and later expanded to \textit{Bharata} and then to \textit{Mahabharata}.
The text includes over 100,000 verses and integrates a wide range of themes—dharma, politics, kinship, war, justice, and devotion.
Additions like the \textit{Bhagavad Gita}, and various sub-tales, were incorporated over time reflecting societal changes.
Oral traditions and regional versions contributed to its richness and variation, making it a living text with localized meanings. Thus, its structure, content, and interpretations have changed across generations, qualifying it as a dynamic and evolving narrative.