Syangjali,

Healthy skepticism is good, and I agree that the first "real" mahabharata was not like it is today, since it has been written and rewritten over time. Geeta itself was inserted later, around 2000 years ago, as some claim. I am a novice and I have no way to verify or refute these fundamental claims about dates and incidences. (I don't know why you think Gopa are Brahmin?)

But, boy, this great epic has been our direct connection to our ancestors. If we can somehow go to back to our ancestors of 2500 years ago, it is likely that in one fine evening our greatgreatgreatgreatgreatgrandma would be listening to this story of heroism in her small hut as our greatgreatgreatgreatgreatgrandpa narrates what he knows to her. That's why Mahabhrata is a sacred book.