The great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata were given their final form during the Gupta period. The Gupta Empire, which lasted from around 320 CE to 550 CE, was a golden age in Indian history known for its advancements in various fields such as science, arts, literature, and philosophy.

During this period, the Gupta rulers patronized and encouraged the development of literature and the arts. It was also a time of great intellectual and cultural exchange, with scholars and philosophers from different regions of India contributing to the growth of knowledge and literature.

The final form of the Ramayana and Mahabharata can be attributed to the efforts of several scholars and poets who added, edited, and refined the existing versions of these epics. These epics had been orally transmitted and passed down through generations before being written down. Over time, different regions and communities had their own versions of the epics with variations in the narratives and interpretations.

However, it was during the Gupta period that these epics were standardized and given their final form. Scholars like Valmiki and Vyasa are credited with compiling and organizing the existing material into cohesive narratives. The Gupta rulers, who were great patrons of literature, supported these efforts and ensured that the final versions of the epics gained widespread acceptance.

The Gupta period also saw the development of other literary works, including plays, poetry, and treatises on various subjects. Sanskrit, the language in which these epics were written, flourished during this time.

Overall, the Gupta period played a crucial role in giving the final form to the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The efforts of scholars, the patronage of the Gupta rulers, and the cultural and intellectual exchange of the time all contributed to the standardization and preservation of these epic narratives.