The world is going gaga over 'Games Of Thrones' and for the last six years, this mania has been spreading like ‘wild fire’ (pun intended). The twisted world of Westeros and beyond has kept the viewers hooked. Come to think of it, while the rest of the world is bewildered by the plot twists and turns of 'Game of Thrones', it is nothing new for our Indian audience.

India’s most famous 5000 years old epic and the longest poem ever written in the history of mankind is 'The Mahabharata' is much more and beyond the popular sitcom. Are you wondering why did I suddenly start talking about 'The Mahabharata' while I am talking about 'Game of Thrones'? The answer is simple; there are so many parallels and similarities between both of them that you will be surprised, to say the least.

Both the 'Mahabharata' and the 'Game of Thrones' share their love for conflicts, manipulations, scheming twists, politics and umpteen characters. Even the characters are widely similar making both 'Mahabharata' and 'Game of Thrones' quite indistinguishable.

Bet Ved Vyasa wouldn’t have thought that years later, the book series - ‘A Song Of Ice And Fire’ would be similar to his epic. We have already seen innumerable TV series based on 'The Mahabharata', but this would definitely be the first time when we see parallels in Western literature. Here is the list of similarities between both the books:

1. Come to think of it, while 'Mahabharata' was a war between two clans i.e. Pandavas and Kauravas for the Throne, in the same way, 'Game of Thrones' is a battle between seven Kingdoms for the Iron Throne.

2. Jon Snow and Karna are the characters that are illegitimate children from powerful lineages. While Jon Snow is a Targaryen, Karan is Kunti’s son. That’s not all; both these characters share nearly the same misfortunes throughout their life.

3. Joffery Baratheon and Duryodhana are without a doubt spoiled princes, who are pampered by their over adoring parents. Their ill-temper and lack of manners make them even more similar.

4. The scheming Petyr Baelish is the character who is unpredictable and can go to any lengths to seek revenge. His innate hatred for the Starks resulted in the death of most of the Stark clan, which makes him similar to Shakuni in more ways than one. Shakuni’s modus operandi is to wipe out all of the Pandavas. In fact, many even believe that Shakuni was the main reason why the Mahabharata took place.

5. Cerci Baratheon and Gandhari are over-protective mothers, who can do just about anything for their children. In fact, both of them are sadly totally and completely blind to her son’s faults as well.

6. Tywin Lannister is a dreadful man to have as a father. In the same way, Kans well was no saint either. They are both ruthless belond belief and can do just about anything to manipulate any situation to their favour.

7. Draupadi and Daenerys Targaryen are strong willed women and central protagonists of the respective epics. While one is born out of a sacrificial fire and the other proves her metal when she survives the funeral pyre.

8. Jamie Lannister and Aswathamma have so much in common that you won’t know what to say! Both of them are great warriors and fiercely loyal. And sadly are cursed characters in both the epics. They are not dark characters but it’s the circumstances that force them to make wrong choices in life.

9. Tyrion and Krishna have more in common than you'd think. Both of them are universally loved characters and look at things on the deeper and primal level. Another thing, Tyrion saved Sansa Stark's honour from Joffrey's attempted 'cheer haran' and Krishna did the same for Draupadi.

10. Bran Stark and Sahadev are younger siblings who have always lived in the shadow of formidable elder siblings. Both of them possess the power of glimpsing into the future.

11. Lord Vayrs and Shikandi are characters who are eunuchs and both of them proud of their identity and sadly they have been at the receiving end of deceit in life.



