By 500 BC Indus civilization consisted of many rival kingdoms. The Aryans maintained a strong oral tradition. They continued to memorize recite ancient hymns, as long as two long epic poems the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The Indian epics mix history, mythology, adventure, and religion.

The Mahabharata is India's greatest epic. There are over 100,000 verses. In the story the rival Aryan tribes fight to gain control of the Ganges region.five royal brothers, the Pandavas, lose their kingdom to their cousins. After a battle that lasts 18 days the Pandavas regain their kingdom. One episode, the Bhagavad-Gita reflects the importance of the immortality of the soul and the value of performing ones duty.

The Ramayana is much shorter but equally memorable. It recounts the deeds of hero Rama and his beautiful bride Sita. Sita is kidnapped by a demon early on. The rest of the story shows how Rama rescues Sita. Rama was pointed as a model of virtue or as an ideal king. Sita came to be honored as loyal and obedient to her husband through many hardships.

Epic Literature tells about Aryan life