Epic Period

Two great Sanskrit epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, were written during the centuries following the Vedic period. These two narrative poems are valued for their literary merit and spiritual inspiration. Written in Sanskrit meter, the poetic form of the epic was often chanted as a means of transmission.  Hence the name of one of the most important chapters is the Bhagavad Gita (literally "The Song of the Lord") and is the most revered yogic text forming the psycho-philosophical foundation of yoga darshana. Although not as revered in a literary sense, a well loved collection of writings called the Puranas are also associated with this period. These two epics and the puranas, all written in verse form, are known as Itihasa (literally "that which happened") or Indian epic poetry.

Timeline

BCE – Before Common Era (BC)

CE – Common Era (AD)