Which literary work is generally regarded as the largest epic in the world in terms of length?

Introduction / Context:
Epic literature consists of long narrative poems that tell the stories of heroes, wars and moral struggles. Many cultures have epic poems, but one stands out as the largest in terms of length, with a very large number of verses. This question tests your cultural and literary general knowledge by asking which work is widely regarded as the largest epic in the world.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The topic is epic literature, not just any religious or historical text.
• The focus is on size and length in terms of verses or lines.
• We assume familiarity with major world epics from India and ancient Greece.

Concept / Approach:
To answer, recall that India has two great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Among these, the Mahabharata is significantly longer and is often described as one of the longest poems ever written. It contains a vast number of verses that far exceed the length of Greek epics such as the Iliad and the Odyssey. By remembering this comparison, you can identify which epic fits the description of the largest in the world among the options given.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List the epics you know from India and other cultures: Mahabharata, Ramayana, Iliad, Odyssey, Beowulf. Step 2: Recall that the Mahabharata is extremely long, with many more verses than the Ramayana. Step 3: Compare with the Iliad and the Odyssey, which are long but shorter than the Mahabharata. Step 4: Recognise that Beowulf is a relatively short Old English epic. Step 5: Conclude that Mahabharata is the largest epic in the world and select it as the answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Various literary sources describe the Mahabharata as containing over one hundred thousand verses, making it many times longer than the Iliad and the Odyssey combined. The Ramayana is also long but significantly shorter than the Mahabharata. Beowulf, an English epic, is far shorter in comparison. Therefore, when the question refers to the largest epic in the world, the Mahabharata clearly matches the description. This confirms that Mahabharata is the correct option.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Ramayana is a great epic but is shorter than the Mahabharata.
Iliad is a major Greek epic but much shorter than the Indian epics.
Odyssey is another Greek epic of moderate length compared to the Mahabharata.
Beowulf is an Old English epic and is relatively short, not the largest in the world.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may confuse the importance of an epic with its length and may pick the Iliad or Ramayana because they are more familiar. Another pitfall is failing to recognise that the Mahabharata is exceptionally long compared to other epic poems. To avoid such errors, remember the rough comparison that the Mahabharata is several times longer than the Iliad and the Odyssey together, making it widely regarded as the largest epic in the world.

Final Answer:
The largest epic in the world in terms of length is the Mahabharata.