Thread: Why should we read #Mahabharata?
1. Establishes the perspective of Charturvidha Purushartha as the bedrock of life
- How does Moksha sustain Dharma
- How does Dharma sustain Artha, Kama
- The Rightful place of Artha, Kama in life
Through beautiful stories
1/n
1. Establishes the perspective of Charturvidha Purushartha as the bedrock of life
- How does Moksha sustain Dharma
- How does Dharma sustain Artha, Kama
- The Rightful place of Artha, Kama in life
Through beautiful stories
1/n
#Mahabharata
2. Espouses the cause of Dharma
- Defines it as the one that holds
- Presents facets/dimensions of it in all aspects of life
- The elusive, subtle & obvious aspects of it
- The principles of Dharma
- The importance of Tapas
- The need to explore Dharma
2/n
2. Espouses the cause of Dharma
- Defines it as the one that holds
- Presents facets/dimensions of it in all aspects of life
- The elusive, subtle & obvious aspects of it
- The principles of Dharma
- The importance of Tapas
- The need to explore Dharma
2/n
#Mahabharata
3. A framework to explore ethical issues of Life
Presents a grand schema of ethical issues one faces in life through fascinating spectrum of stories.
Champions ways of thinking about Conflicts for a Resolution, relevant for all times. Lets us decide by self.
3/n
3. A framework to explore ethical issues of Life
Presents a grand schema of ethical issues one faces in life through fascinating spectrum of stories.
Champions ways of thinking about Conflicts for a Resolution, relevant for all times. Lets us decide by self.
3/n
#Mahabharata (MB)
4. Becomes a Gateway to Rigveda (RV)
- RV formalization took place under the aegist of King Bharata
- Many Sages & Puru-Bharata Kings get a mention in RV
- Accounts in MB have a relation with that of RV
- RV becomes philosophically accessible through MB
4/n
4. Becomes a Gateway to Rigveda (RV)
- RV formalization took place under the aegist of King Bharata
- Many Sages & Puru-Bharata Kings get a mention in RV
- Accounts in MB have a relation with that of RV
- RV becomes philosophically accessible through MB
4/n
#Mahabharata (MB)
5. Becomes a Gateway to Bhagavata
- A huge number of stories are common
- Presents real world experiences complementary to Bhagavata
- Makes the philosophy of Bhagavata easy to access
- Provides a Spring Board to fly into the heights of Bhagavata
5/n
5. Becomes a Gateway to Bhagavata
- A huge number of stories are common
- Presents real world experiences complementary to Bhagavata
- Makes the philosophy of Bhagavata easy to access
- Provides a Spring Board to fly into the heights of Bhagavata
5/n
#Mahabharata
6. Becomes a link to the 18 Maha Puranas
- Maharshi Vyasa himself is the author of other Puranas
- Common accounts
- Just as Bhagavata, accounts are common
- Presents different narratives of same accounts
- Presents complementary philosophical concerns
6/n
6. Becomes a link to the 18 Maha Puranas
- Maharshi Vyasa himself is the author of other Puranas
- Common accounts
- Just as Bhagavata, accounts are common
- Presents different narratives of same accounts
- Presents complementary philosophical concerns
6/n
7. The rich Civilizational Thought of Ancient India
- Dharma based Political & Social Thought in Conversations
- Bheeshma-Vyasa-Dharmaraja (Shanti Parva)
- Markandeya-Dharmaraja (Vana Parva)
- Vidura-Dhritarashtra (Udyoga Parva)
A definite alternative to Modern Liberalism
7/n
- Dharma based Political & Social Thought in Conversations
- Bheeshma-Vyasa-Dharmaraja (Shanti Parva)
- Markandeya-Dharmaraja (Vana Parva)
- Vidura-Dhritarashtra (Udyoga Parva)
A definite alternative to Modern Liberalism
7/n
8. In Insight into Human Nature & Psychology
- Multiple stories, Countless Characters
- Innumerable Situations, Diverse Conflicts, Disparate responses
- Actions & Consequences in Karma Theory
- Relevant for householders & Academics
- An new Theory & Discipline emerges
8/n
- Multiple stories, Countless Characters
- Innumerable Situations, Diverse Conflicts, Disparate responses
- Actions & Consequences in Karma Theory
- Relevant for householders & Academics
- An new Theory & Discipline emerges
8/n
9. The usual code of Dharma & the Exceptions
- A treatise on Exceptions to be made
- Sometimes we must move out of the sphere of codified life & move into the exceptional space.
- MB is a collection of failures to do so when required
Eg., Bheeshma & Dhritarashtra
9/n
- A treatise on Exceptions to be made
- Sometimes we must move out of the sphere of codified life & move into the exceptional space.
- MB is a collection of failures to do so when required
Eg., Bheeshma & Dhritarashtra
9/n
10. Even the most brilliant get blind-sighted
Such Metaphors
- Bheeshma: Honour of a lady is more important than his pratigna/rules
- Drona: His being bound to Hastinapura is a lesser Dharma
- Dharmaraja at Sabha
Dharma action is a greater challenge than knowing Dharma
10/n
Such Metaphors
- Bheeshma: Honour of a lady is more important than his pratigna/rules
- Drona: His being bound to Hastinapura is a lesser Dharma
- Dharmaraja at Sabha
Dharma action is a greater challenge than knowing Dharma
10/n
11. A Long Semi-Historical Lineages of Kings and Branches
- Early Chandra Vamsha, Puru , Bharata, Panchala , Kashi, Yadava & Some Ikshvaku lineages
- Post Pareekshita Kings leading into our times
- Relationships, Conflicts, Evolution
Puranic Metophors but Semi-historical
11/n
- Early Chandra Vamsha, Puru , Bharata, Panchala , Kashi, Yadava & Some Ikshvaku lineages
- Post Pareekshita Kings leading into our times
- Relationships, Conflicts, Evolution
Puranic Metophors but Semi-historical
11/n
12. Saraswati River & Ancient-ness of Vedic Civilization
- Balarama's Teerthayatra is in Shalya Parva
- Graphic Account of River Flow, Places, Duration
- River Path Matches with Geological research
- River died by 1800BC
- Dates #Mahabharata beyond 1800BC, demolishes AIT
12/n
- Balarama's Teerthayatra is in Shalya Parva
- Graphic Account of River Flow, Places, Duration
- River Path Matches with Geological research
- River died by 1800BC
- Dates #Mahabharata beyond 1800BC, demolishes AIT
12/n
13. Astronomical Description & Dating
- #Mahabharata is full of Astronomical, Astrological Descriptions
- Specific/Consistent mentions of Lunar, Month, Tithi etc.,
- Puts historical part of MB to 3000BC & beyond
- Matches with dates in Aihole Inscription 7th CE
@mmpandit
13/n
- #Mahabharata is full of Astronomical, Astrological Descriptions
- Specific/Consistent mentions of Lunar, Month, Tithi etc.,
- Puts historical part of MB to 3000BC & beyond
- Matches with dates in Aihole Inscription 7th CE
@mmpandit
13/n
14. Why our Nation is named as Bhaarata?
- In AdiParva, #Mahabharata presents King Bharata
- Puru Kingdom, Vedic culture spread far under him
- For Succession Overlooked his sons, adopted the deserving, Formalized Rigveda
- Region named Bharatamandala after his greatness
14/n
- In AdiParva, #Mahabharata presents King Bharata
- Puru Kingdom, Vedic culture spread far under him
- For Succession Overlooked his sons, adopted the deserving, Formalized Rigveda
- Region named Bharatamandala after his greatness
14/n
15. Bharatamandala in #Mahabharata - Kingdoms, Places & Rivers
- Today's Political India completely mentioned
- Tibet, Srilanka, Afghanistan, China referred
- South India Kings were in the Kuru War
Bharatamandala was united as a Civilization
ancientvoice.wikidot.com/bharatavarsha
15/n
- Today's Political India completely mentioned
- Tibet, Srilanka, Afghanistan, China referred
- South India Kings were in the Kuru War
Bharatamandala was united as a Civilization
ancientvoice.wikidot.com/bharatavarsha
15/n
16. Women as knowledgeable/dynamic/equal in #Mahabharata
- Participate in Statecraft, Decision making
- Educated & Could be coronated (Vyaasa: Shanti Parva)
- Question Kings, Sages, Community fearlessly
- Eg., Draupadi, Savitri, Kunti, Satyavati, Shakuntala, Many more
16/n
- Participate in Statecraft, Decision making
- Educated & Could be coronated (Vyaasa: Shanti Parva)
- Question Kings, Sages, Community fearlessly
- Eg., Draupadi, Savitri, Kunti, Satyavati, Shakuntala, Many more
16/n
17. Respect for all Segments of the Society
- Shantanu treats Fishermen King with respect
- A Brahmana learns Dharma from a Vyaadha
- Kings questioned by their advisors
- Yuyutsu & Vidura born to non-Kshatriya women treated equally
- Innumerable such stories...
17/n
- Shantanu treats Fishermen King with respect
- A Brahmana learns Dharma from a Vyaadha
- Kings questioned by their advisors
- Yuyutsu & Vidura born to non-Kshatriya women treated equally
- Innumerable such stories...
17/n
18. "Past" - A Living Being in the "Present" in #Mahabharata
- Sages/Kings refer to ancestors' Accounts
- More a reality than Chronology
- Woven into the Present with Purpose
- A single person's story split, placed at multiple places
- Different from History but more Useful
18/n
- Sages/Kings refer to ancestors' Accounts
- More a reality than Chronology
- Woven into the Present with Purpose
- A single person's story split, placed at multiple places
- Different from History but more Useful
18/n
19. Civilizational Evolution from ancient times & Flow of
- Ideas, Concerns
- Conflicts leading to change
- Philosophical Notions tested
- Changes in Social Life
- Changing pursuits
Through Multiple Clans, Families, Generations reaching our times.
A Continuous River.
19/n
- Ideas, Concerns
- Conflicts leading to change
- Philosophical Notions tested
- Changes in Social Life
- Changing pursuits
Through Multiple Clans, Families, Generations reaching our times.
A Continuous River.
19/n
20. The Evolution & Position of a Rishi in the society
- Presents family accounts of many Sages - Bhrigus, Angiras
- Presents conflicts
- Gradually evolves a picture of how Rishihood has evolved in Bharatavarsha
- Explores their real Purpose, Value & need in the society
20/n
- Presents family accounts of many Sages - Bhrigus, Angiras
- Presents conflicts
- Gradually evolves a picture of how Rishihood has evolved in Bharatavarsha
- Explores their real Purpose, Value & need in the society
20/n
