Transcript Mahabharata

Mahabharata
(Including the Bhagavad Gita)
Background
• One of the longest epics in the world
– About 74,000 verses
• Discussion of human goals
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artha or purpose
kāma or pleasure
dharma or duty, and
moksha or liberation
• Relationship of the individual to society and the
world
• Workings of karma.
Characters
• Core story is a dynastic struggle for Hastinapura
• Conflict between Pandava and Kaurava
• Pandava
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Yudishtra
Bhima
Arjuna
Nakula and Sahadeva
• Kaurava
– Duryodhana
– 100 brothers
Overview
• Kaurava is the senior branch of the family,
• Duryodhana, the eldest Kaurava, is younger than Yudhisthira, the
eldest Pandava.
• Both Duryodhana and Yudhisthira claim to the first in line to inherit
the throne.
• The struggle culminates in the great battle of Kurukshetra, in which
the Pandavas are ultimately victorious.
– The battle produces complex conflicts of kinship and friendship,
instances of family loyalty and duty taking precedence over what is
right, as well as the converse.
• Epic ends with the death of Krishna, and ascent of the Pandava
brothers to heaven.
• It also marks the beginning of the Hindu age of Kali (Kali Yuga), the
fourth and final age of mankind, where the great values and noble
ideas have crumbled, and man is heading toward the complete
dissolution of right action, morality and virtue.
Bhagavad Gita
• Takes place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra just prior to
the start of the Kurukshetra war.
• Content of text is a conversation between Krishna and
Arjuna.
• During the discourse, Krishna reveals his identity as the
Supreme Being Himself (Bhagavan), blessing Arjuna
with an awe-inspiring glimpse of His divine universal
form.
• Responding to Arjuna's confusion and moral dilemma,
Krishna explains to Arjuna his duties as a warrior and
Prince and elaborates on different Yogic and Vedantic
philosophies, with examples and analogies.
• Gita is therefore a concise guide to Hindu philosophy
and also as a practical, self-contained guide to life.