General knowledge: Identify the original title of the ancient Indian epic now known as the ‘‘Mahabharata’’. From traditional accounts, the work began with a shorter core text that was later expanded into the present epic. Choose the correct original name.

Topic: Ancient Indian literature — origins of the Mahabharata's title

Given data

• The question asks for the original name by which the Mahabharata was first known.

Concept/Approach
The received tradition describes a three-stage expansion of the epic: a short core text titled Jaya, expanded to Bharata (about 24,000 verses), and later greatly expanded to become the Mahabharata (about 100,000 verses). Therefore, the earliest/original name is Jaya.

Step-by-step reasoning
Earliest core composition → called Jaya. First expansion → called Bharata (24,000 verses). Final expansion → called Mahabharata (≈100,000 verses).

Common pitfalls

• Choosing Bharata — that is believed to be a later, intermediate expansion.
• Picking descriptive terms like ‘‘Itihasa’’ or ‘‘Mahakavya’’—these are genres, not the specific original title.

Final Answer
Jaya