April 13, 2026
UI dharma vs data karma
Show HN: Ithihāsas – a character explorer for Hindu epics, built in a few hours
Gorgeous Hindu epic map drops—crowd cheers, then yells “cite your sources!”
TLDR: A new site maps characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, impressing viewers but triggering demands for proper sources, better readability, and fuller coverage. Fans love the concept, yet the top debate is data credibility and low-contrast design, showing that cool ideas need clear citations and legible visuals to truly stick.
A slick new site promises a whirlwind tour of the Ramayana and Mahabharata—think interactive family trees and a web of who-knows-who—built in just a few hours. The headline? The internet loved the idea… and immediately went full detective mode. One camp is dazzled by the concept; the other is squinting at the screen and demanding receipts.
The loudest chorus: “Where did this data come from?” User ashtavakra asks if it’s from the original epics, noting the Mahabharata’s relationship web looks “incomplete,” and reminding everyone there are hundreds of active characters. Others pile on with a classic HN mantra: cite your sources. Meanwhile, a parallel fight breaks out over legibility. FrancisGerard calls the current view “hard to read,” then flexes with a Bible character map for comparison—cue cross-canon graph-war energy. Several users complain the contrast is so low they can’t read anything, with aanet cracking that this is a “most AI-driven websites” problem and urging stronger contrast.
There’s still love in the room—people praise the vision and ask what libraries/themes power the look. But today’s villain isn’t Ravana; it’s blurry UI and missing citations. Verdict from the crowd: bold idea, epic potential—now give us sources, clarity, and all 500 heroes.
Key Points
- •Ithihāsas is an interactive character explorer for the Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata.
- •The tool focuses on characters, dynasties, and relationships within the two epics.
- •Available visualizations include Force Graph, Dynasty Trees, and Chord Diagrams.
- •A Character Detail view offers information on individual figures.
- •The project was built in a few hours and provides a feedback link for users.