* Length is subjective: There isn't a universally agreed-upon definition of "poem" or a clear distinction between a long poem and a verse novel.
* Word count variations: Different translations and versions of the Mahabharata have different word counts. Some estimate it to be around 100,000 verses (shlokas), while others go up to 200,000.
* Other contenders: There are other lengthy epic poems in various languages, like the Finnish Kalevala, the Tibetan Epic of King Gesar, and the Icelandic Edda. These are also incredibly long and could potentially rival the Mahabharata in word count depending on the version and translation.
Therefore, while the Mahabharata is undoubtedly one of the longest poems in existence, it's difficult to definitively claim it as the absolute longest due to the complexities of defining a "poem" and the variability in length across different versions.