Mahabharata, one of the world’s longest epics and perhaps the most influential tale ever written, is a story of rivalry between two Kshatriya families. Whether everything mentioned in the book took place in reality, one can never really say for sure. The only known facts are that the epic was known throughout the world more than 4,500 years ago1 and that Kurukshetra and Hastinpura2 are two places that exist even today. Indian culture is so intertwined with the Mahabharata that its influence has taken over the significance of the epic’s historical accuracy.
The first mention of the caste system, which is practiced even today, is in the Mahabharata. The caste system is a hierarchal system where one is born to a level and cannot advance out of it in that particular life. The main aim of a Hindu is to fulfill his duty, according to his birth status. The concept of dharma is stressed by Krishna in the Mahabharata and is a major part of the Bhagavad-Gita. Today, higher class citizens, justify their mistreatment of lower class citizens by saying that it the duty of the Shudras to serve those in the higher classes. This idea is brought about by the Mahabharata and is the cause of inequality that exists in today’s India.
Most of the past leaders of India have been Hindu; their values and customs, a majority of which is drawn from the Mahabharata, greatly affect how they do their job and how they present themselves. Many popular political parties have fundamentalist Hindu leaders, who hold seats in the Lok Sabha, and these leaders greatly affect the way areas are governed. The Bhagavad Gita was a great influence on the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi who said, “When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and when I see not one ray of light on the horizon, I turn to the Bhagavad-Gita, and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. My life has been full of tragedies and if they have not left any visible and indelible effect on me, I owe it to the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita."
Indian Literature, religion, folklore and philosophy are closely knit with the Mahabharata. The epic is known as the oldest piece of literature, or the father of Indian literature. Often, when parents tell their children stories with morals, they tell them of small stories that are mentioned in the Mahabharata, like the story of Ganga and her abandonment of her children. Also, as Mahabharata is a major text for Hinduism and more than ¾ of the total percentage of Indians are Hindus, the influence of the epic on Indian religion is great, and forms the basis for many religious practices. Many Indians today, start their day by doing Puja and presenting offerings to their main God. Krishna, who was Arujuna’s charioteer during the war at Kurukshetra, is a popular main God among many Hindus.
The role of women in today’s society has also been influenced by the Mahabharata. A wife in the Mahabharata committed Sati and over the next few millennia, it had become the tradition for wives to cremate themselves with their husbands when their husbands die. In some conservative areas, women are forced to do Sati. Also, in terms of a woman’s honor, most Indian husbands are very sensitive- even though women are not seen of as equal, they are usually given respect. Of all Indian women, mothers are most respected and usually never argued with traditionally; promises made on a person’s mother are considered most binding in India. These traditions come from the Mahabharata- the Pandavas obey their mother Kunthi’s every command, and never treat her with any disrespect. Also, a lot of what happens in the Mahabharata, and the reason for most of Bhima’s vows, comes as the result of Draupadi’s (the Pandavas’ wife) dishonor.
India is known for its morals and the dedication of the citizens in following their religion. It can be argued that the basic Indian moral code comes from Hinduism- Indian values such as keeping one’s promise no matter what, fighting for honor and justice and never backing away from a fight are values that can be learnt from the Mahabharata. Bhima makes many vows against those who dishonor Draupadi and he fulfills these vows and makes sure that nothing stops him in his goal. Yudhistira felt that he was obligated to accept Duryodhana’s challenge as it wasn’t in a Kshatriya’s dharma to turn away from challenge. Also, when the Pandavas tried to avoid war with the Kauravas, they tried to negotiate, saying that if the Kauravas did not give the Pandavas any land, they would be forced into a war for justice.
In conclusion, the Mahabharata has been most influential in Indian History, contributing mostly to culture and the way of popular life in India. Whilst one reads the book, one cannot refrain from agreeing that the book can be quite influential on a person, and a lot of what happens in India can be associated in some way or the other with the Mahabharata.
Bibliography
- “Gandhi’s Faith “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Mahatma_Gandhi - “Mahabharata”.White, Charles S.J. World Book (Deluxe Network); Search by topic. 29th October 2007.
- Narayan, R.K. The Mahabharata. Vision Books. 1st Edition 2004. New Delhi.
- Pargiter, F.E., Ancient Indian Historical Tradition, London 1922. Repr. Motilal Banarsidass 1997.
- J. Brockington, The Sanskrit Epics, Leiden (1998).
- Alf Hildebeitel, The Ritual of Battle, Krishna in the Mahabharata, SUNY Press, New York 1990.
- E. W. Hopkins, The Great Epic of India, New York (1901).
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