Overview: R. Dutt. Mahabharata.

Title: Mahabharata, Epic of the Bharatas
Author: Romesh C. Dutt
Year: 1898

Comments: This book contains selected episodes in the Mahabharata which Romesh Dutt has rendered in English rhyming couplets. Dutt also published a collection of episodes from the Ramayana rendered in verse. Both books use an an English verse style in which he tries to convey the rhythms of the Sanskrit poetry (details).

Free Online: See all the links, including a free audiobook, at Freebookapalooza.

Bizzell: There is a copy available for checkout from the regular Bizzell stacks: 891.2 V24rEd (click to see if it is checked out or not).

Length: three weeks. I've divided the reading into six parts: Part A - Part B (one week of reading), Part C - Part D (another week of reading), and Part E - Part F (three weeks of reading). You do not need to read this in order, and you can use it just for a half-week of reading or one or two or three weeks of reading; it's up to you. There is a detailed reading guide for Part A and Part B.

Reading A: Reading Guide

Book I: The Tournament

Book II: The Bride's Choice

Reading B: Reading Guide

Book III: The Imperial Sacrifice

Book IV: The Fatal Dice

Reading C:
Book V: Woman's Love
Book VI: Cattle-Lifting

Reading D:
Book VII: The Council of War
Book VIII: Fall of Bhishma

Reading E:
Book IX: Fall of Drona
Book X: Fall of Karna

Reading F:
Book XI: Funeral Rites
Book XII: Sacrifice of the Horse