Indian Epic Story, focusing primarily on two clans of cousins fighting the shit out of each other for the throne. The seven deadly sins were born in this era and it was said that they will continue to remain in this world till time sustains. Important Figures : Bhishma, Dhrithrashtra, Duryodhan, Arjun, Bheem, Draupadi, Krishna, Shakuni
A very old Hindu mythological story about a a kingdom and the its heirs. The cousins in the royal family divide into two groups, one turns evil. Fights spring up, and the rivalry increases, and eventually culminates in a huge war between the two clans. Though the credibility of the happenings narrated in the story has always been questionable, the Mahabharata is considered one of the greatest texts because of its strong explanations of life, moral values, good and bad. It is generally said in the Hindu circles that each incident in the story of the Mahabharatha is a lesson, and the lessons are to be applied in everyday life. Incidentally, the Bhagavad Gita, which is a holy text for the Hindus, is a small part of Mahabharata.
"Religion is the disciplinarian fantasy of a schoolmaster.
The Mahabharata is the joyous song of life of a maestro. " - The Alchemy of Desire.
The more informal kind of Buddhism, as opposed to the strict and formal Theravada Buddhism. Mahayana literally means big ox cart, while Theravada means small ox cart, because there are many more people who are informal than formal. Some believe in the teachings and ways of Buddha but do not follow and believe all of them. Many Mahayana Buddhists are atheists and do not see Siddhartha Gautama as a God, but rather a teacher to look up to. However, a Mahayana Buddhist isn't necessarily atheistic, just not as strict as Theravada Buddhists.
Example for Mahayana Buddhism:
I'm a Mahayana Buddhist, and although I believe in everything Buddha taught in his lifetime, I do not consider him divine or godly.