The Mahabharat
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[http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31808&articlexml=the-speaking-tree-Speak-The-Truth-Nothing-But-28102017026046 Madan Mohan Mathur, Speak The Truth, Nothing But The Truth, October 28, 2017: The Times of India] | [http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31808&articlexml=the-speaking-tree-Speak-The-Truth-Nothing-But-28102017026046 Madan Mohan Mathur, Speak The Truth, Nothing But The Truth, October 28, 2017: The Times of India] | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
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Revision as of 01:45, 17 July 2021
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
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.
