I started reading 'Mahabharata' by C.Rajagopalachari a.k.a Rajaji. I would say Mahabharata is one of the best fiction/story that you can ever get to read . All the contemporary suspense/crime/mystery novels just enthral you momentarily . But Mahabharata will leave you a transformed person, impressing a lot of morals upon you making you a complete human . Apart from the spiritual cause there is some reason to believe that it has technological secrets embedded in it,far more advanced than we can perceive. To cite an example the original Sanskrit version mentions usage of Mercury vortex engines which is still in design stage in present day. Although one may not believe that the Great War occured, the very mention of the weapons that use technologically advanced handles can give a hint of the genius of our ancestors. This great epic is a must read for all those who are apathetic to our traditions/culture and are obsessed with the 'cool'ness of the west.
It would be a good start to read an abridged version first and then delve into the technical details in an 'as-is' translation from Sanskrit. Even better is to learn the Deiva Bhasha (an epithet for Sanskrit) and read through the original text (I plan to do it) and appreciate the ethical standards and scientific achievements of our lost past. Atleast then we would be ashamed of the abysmal fall in our ethical conduct and we would strive to live up to highest possible standards in life.
