The Mahabharata was composed over a thousand Years between 500 BCE and 400 BCE. The original story of Mahabharata was composed by the charioteer bards popularly called as sutas. The various stages of Mahabharata are explained below:

a. The brahmins began to unite its story from the 500 BCE.

b During this time the chief of the Kurus and the Panchalas were becoming Kingdom step by step.

c. During 200 BCE and 200 CE, the worship of Vishnu became important.

d. Krishna was an important figure in Mahabharat. He began to be identified with Vishnu between 200 C and 400 CE.

e. During the same period, many didactic sections resembling Manusmriti were also added.

f. It has 1 lakh verses and a significant component is attributed to a sage named Vyasa.