The Mahabharat
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
Contents |
The issues covered by the epic
The truth
Madan Mohan Mathur, Speak The Truth, Nothing But The Truth, October 28, 2017: The Times of India
Anyone called upon to give evidence in a court of law is required to take an oath “to speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth“. The oath is necessary because half-truths can be more misleading than the whole truth. Similarly , speaking anything more than the whole truth can also lead to dire consequences. A classic example of how truth can be misrepresented, is seen in the circumstances that led to the killing of Guru Dronacharya in the Mahabharata.
During the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas realised that it would be impossible to win so long as Dronacharya was leading the Kauravas' forces. Since Dronacharya was deeply attached to his son Ashwathama, the Pandavas felt that the only way to force Dronacharya to give up arms was to make him believe that Ashwathama had been killed. But Ashwathama was known to be an invincible warrior and no one, least of all his father, would believe that he could be killed in battle.
Krishna, master strategist, directed Bhim to kill an elephant, also named Ashwathama, and announce his death in the battlefield. Predictably , Dronacharya refused to believe that it could be his son and sought confirmation from Yudhishtra, the eldest Pandava brother, who never lied.
Krishna advised Yudhishtra to make an announcement regarding the death of Ashwathama the elephant, which was the truth and would not be doubted by Dronacharya.Yudhishtra initially refused, but persuaded by Krishna's arguments, reluctantly agreed to the strategy. And so, keeping his conscience clear, Yudhishtra made a public announcement in the battlefield: “Ashwathama is dead man or elephant, I'm not sure!“ At that moment, Krishna and the Pandava brothers blew their conches aloud and drowned out the latter part of the sentence. As a result, Dronacharya and others could hear only the first part of the announcement that Ashwathama had been killed.Since it was Yudhishtra who declared this, no one doubted the truth of the statement. As expected, Dronacharya threw away his arms and abandoned the battle in grief and was killed while sitting in meditation. That was the turning point that ultimately resulted in the Kauravas' defeat.
From a moral and ethical point of view, the strategy adopted by the Pandavas was questionable and, as stated in the Mahabharata, Yudhishtra had to undergo a token punishment for it before lowed to enter swarga. But in being allowed to enter swarga. But in the limited context of our discussion, the incident shows how even a wise man like Dronacharya blindly accepted Yudhishtra's statement.
Dharm(a)
SAISWAROOPA IYER, July 17, 2021: The Speaking Tree
In a fictionalised version, SAISWAROOPA IYER takes a cue from Bhishm’s sermons on Dharma to Yudhishtir to learn how to handle enemies Palita looked up at the sound of wings flapping. On the branch of the very tree where the wise rat stood, was an owl. Turning to run for dear life, Palita spotted another predator, a familiar one. Lomasha, the cat. To its increasing dismay, Palita sensed a movement to its right and saw a mongoose. Death confronted the rat in every direction and Palita thought fast. Its gaze fell upon the hunter’s noose that had trapped the cat. Lomasha could not move. Palita breathed easy as it struck upon a plan. It had its risks. Still, a risk was better than sure death. The rat approached the cat.
“Dearest Lomasha, death looms upon both of us. The owl and mongoose lie in wait for me and you are caught in this trap. Trust me, I know a way out for both of us. I can sever the noose around your neck and you too can save me.”
Lomasha’s sapphire-like eyes dilated at the extraordinary proposal. But the cat too was wise enough to see an opportunity to escape death at the hands of the hunter. “Dear Palita, it delights me that you have found a way out for both of us from the dangers we face. Kindly free me from the trap and I shall save you from the other two.”
Palita was not sure if it could trust Lomasha. Under the garb of this amicability, the cat could have its own designs. Nodding with caution, Palita suggested, “Let me first crouch under you, my friend, Lomasha. Once they see that I am safe under your care, the owl and the mongoose shall lose heart and go away. I shall then bite the noose that traps you and we can both reach safety.”
The cat agreed and sheltered the rat under its chest. The owl and mongoose saw, to their dismay, that those destined to be enemies had become friends. Reluctantly, they moved away in search of alternate prey.
Lomasha was delighted. “My dear Palita, your objective is fulfilled, your enemies no longer prowl around and you are safe. Sever my noose as you rest under me and we shall run back to our respective homes.” Palita was now in a fix. It was within the clutches of Lomasha and could not deny the cat’s wish. But if it severed the noose, there was nothing to stop its predator from catching and gobbling Palita. Thinking quick, Palita pretended to agree and put its sharp teeth to the rope. But the rat took its own time. Lomasha started to get impatient. But Palita kept assuring the cat that it would be free of the noose by the time the hunter came for his catch. By freeing the cat at the right moment, Palita was sure that Lomasha would only think of its own safety and not bother with catching a rat.
By dawn, the hunter approached his catch and Palita severed the remaining strands of the noose. Proving its guess right, Lomasha rushed up the tree while it ran back to its hole under the tree. The objective was served.
However, the next morning, Lomasha came to the entrance of Palita’s hole and called out for its new friend. But Palita was too wise to come out in the open and stayed back.
Lomasha persisted. “Dearest Palita, why do you still fear me? You saved my life yesterday and I am grateful for it. I could in turn keep you safe from your enemies. Trust this new friendship between us, wise friend. Forget our previous enmity. Pray, come out and meet me.”
“Dear Lomasha,” Palita smiled. “You are destined to be the predator and I, the prey. Our enmity was ordained by nature. Our friendship happened because of the extraordinary situation that we both faced yesterday. The friendship made in such circumstances ended the minute we both got out of whatever threatened us. Hence, my dear cat, don’t try to fool me.”
“Thus, son, Yudhishtir, when surrounded by enemies, be ready to strike an alliance even with a bitter enemy if it can save your life,” Pitamaha Bhishm concluded. “But a wise king would always remember that the friendship does not last beyond the agreed objective and should not fall for the sweet words of the enemy later. A judicious amount of fear gives rise to intelligence that would see a way out. But a total lack of fear is sure to bring about destruction. Know that one can ally with an enemy for a common objective, with caution, and that is in accordance with the Purusharthas.”
Sportsmanship
Aruna Narlikar, August 6, 2021: The Times of India
It is important to reflect on how sport can bring out the best and the worst in us. This is dramatically illustrated in the Mahabharat: Our ancient but living epic, which never ceases to remind us of the scope of human frailty and potential. Even the most callous of its villains can sometimes show exceptional magnanimity and heroism, and even the most celebrated of its heroes can come across as petty and low.
In one sporting incident that would exercise profound impact on the history of the war, Duryodhan – usually a ‘baddie’ in the epic – showed tremendous sportsmanship, winning a powerful ally and loyal friend.
The Pandavs and Kauravs had completed their martial training, and were proud to display their skills in a sports’ tournament. Both sides were evenly matched, except for Arjun who was emerging as quite the star of the show. At this point, a handsome stranger arrived on the scene, and challenged Arjun. The newcomer was Karan – of royal lineage, abandoned at birth, and unbeknownst to all but his mother Kunti at the time – himself a Pandav and thus eldest brother of Arjun.
Arjun’s reaction to Karan was unsportsmanlike. Angrily, he threatened to demolish this uninvited and presumptuous visitor. Karan’s response remained courteous.
Karan was then asked to reveal his birth and lineage, for the rules of caste and class would determine whether Arjun would agree to fight him or not. Karan turned pale at the prospect of having to reveal, what he believed were, his humble origins. An unlikely hero – Duryodhan – stepped in to his rescue. He reminded all in the arena that the claim to royal status lies not only in blood, but also in heroic deeds and leadership. And he then proclaimed, “If Arjun does not wish to enter into combat with one who is not king, I crown Karan as king of the territory of Anga.”
There was now no excuse for anyone to treat Karan as if he were of an inferior status.
Sport does not always produce sportsmanlike behaviour. Even Arjun, among the noblest of heroes in the Mahabharat, succumbed to insecurity in dealing with Karan; the great teachers of the Kauravs and Pandavs had no compunction in disqualifying the brave Karan on grounds of caste. Hooliganism and racist abuse, which followed England’s defeat to Italy in the UEFA final last month, are ugly examples of the terrible behaviour that sport can produce in present times. But this does not have to be the norm.
Duryodhan, despite all his many vices, showed real sportsmanship. Courageously, he found a way around the social morés of caste hierarchy, and thereby prevented an unfair disqualification of a brave warrior from the tournament. In doing so, he also won in Karan a trustworthy friend, who would go on to die willingly for him in battle. The Tokyo Olympics are showing us some remarkable acts of camaraderie among competitors. Two equally exceptional and deserving highjumpers chose to break their tie, not through a jump-off but by sharing their gold medal. In doing so, both players emerged as not only true sportsmen but also true heroes.
