Knowledge Bank

Ajita Keshakambali

Ajita Keshakambali was an ancient Indian philosopher and the reputed founder of a materialist philosophical school. A contemporary of the Buddha, Ajita's philosophy, as recorded in Buddhist texts, emphasized materialism. He believed that humans are made of four elements, which disperse after death, leading to the cessation of individual existence. Rejecting the notion of an afterlife, Ajita encouraged people to enjoy life, accept both good and bad, and dismiss religious rituals as futile. His teachings mark the beginning of a long tradition of materialist thought in Indian philosophy, continuing until at least the eighth century CE.

How many slokas are there in the longest version of the Mahabharata?

The longest version of Mahabharata has got 60 lacs of slokas in it. Out of these 30 lacs have been released only in Swargaloka, 15 lacs in Pituloka, and 14 lacs in Gandharvaloka. Only a lac of slokas has been released on earth. (Adi Parva.1.105-107)