It is divided into three volumes with a total of 1200 pages. The Mahabharata is said to be the world's longest epic poetry. This timeless epic is said to have been written by the seer Vyasa. It is based on a previous work called the Pandava Parva which means "the portion related to the Pandavas". This other work was not written by Vyasa but instead it is said to have been compiled by his assistant Madhavika Sinhahari after many years of listening to stories from various elders about the deeds of the Pandavas. The first volume has 100 chapters and it is called "Bharatakanda" (meaning "India before Kurukshetra"). The second volume has 100 chapters and it is called "Kurukshetrakanda" (meaning "India at Kurukshetra"). And the third volume has 300 chapters and it is called "Jagannathakanda" (meaning "India with Jain Scriptures"). Each chapter of the Mahabharata is told in the form of a song or story that goes for several thousand words allowing for much discussion and analysis of moral philosophy as well as religion. The chapters are often lyrical works of their own right that deal with some aspect of life including war, love, politics, religion, etc.