Mahabharata

(Including the Bhagavad Gita)

Background

• One of the longest epics in the world– About 74,000 verses

• Discussion of human goals – 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

– 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.