The Mahabharata: A Philosophical Inquiry
The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic where the main story revolves around two branches of a family - the Pandavas and Kauravas - who, in the Kurukshetra War, battle for the throne of Hastinapura. Interwoven into this narrative are several smaller stories about people dead or living, and philosophical discourses.
A loyal, humble and devoted man, Sanjay, who was a great devotee of Maharishi Ved Vyasa, didn’t directly participate in the Kurukshetra battle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas but, through his divine vision, which he was blessed with by his guru Maharishi Ved Vyas, he had the knowledge of everything that was happening during the battle.
Sanjay narrates the glory of Lord Krishna to Dhritarashtra.
This is my endeavor to highlight the philosophical aspects of the Mahabharata, from my point of view...
The Mahabharata is an Epic, a ballad, perhaps a reality, but definitely a philosophy.
The Pandavas are nothing but our five senses, touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste.
And, what the Kauravas are ?
The Kauravas are the hundred vices that attack our senses everyday but we can fight them...how ?
“When Krishna rides our chariot!”
Krishna is our inner voice, our soul, our guiding light and if we let our life in his hands we have nothing to worry.
Then why are Dronacharya and Bhishma fighting for the Kauravas, if they are vices ?
It just means that as we grow up, our perception of our elders change. The elders whom we thought were perfect in our growing up years are not all that perfect. They have faults. And one day we will have to decide if they are for our good or for our bad. Then we may also realize that we may have to fight them for the good. It is the hardest part of growing up and that is why the Geeta is important.
What about Karna ?
Karna is the brother to our senses, he is desire, he is a part of us but stands with the vices. He feels wrong and makes excuses for being with the vices as our desire does all the time.
Does our desire not give us excuses to embrace vices ?
Control of indriyas, sense organs, is an indispensable requisite for spiritual sadhana. We develop humility in the process, and, it is considered as virtue.
Winning of Pandavas (virtues) over Kauravas (vices) in the battle (life) is all about the philosophy of the Mahabharata (humanity).
Sanjay Pattnayak
Sundargarh
