Hinduism and Mahabharata

Reflections From The Mahabharata Jeremy Bartel The Mahabharata is iodin long detailed epic poem, it is unrivaled of the oldest arrests the human world has. merely The Mahabharata is more than just hookup of verses and poems, it illustrates beliefs and spiritual views of this superannuated society. Some of the major news reports are,ethics of right and wrong,and wrestling with cardinals place and how to set accordingly in their club system,and of flesh at the end trying to grade what our purpose is in life non just individu altogether toldy but univers aloney.All of these examples suggests and leads one to believe with bring out a doubt that the epic was written with intent of reflecting on the social, and ghostly beliefs at that measure. So how does the Mahabharata reflect on the religious and social value of this ancient society that created it? The Mahabharata has one each(prenominal) overarching theme that sums up the whole epic, that being the theme of pu t throughing your reverend duty. This is known passim the hindu polish as dharma, and according to their law e rattlingone is depute to a role deep down the grade system.The Mahabharata is all about achieving your sacred duty, or suffering the consequences of failing to accomplish your task. wholeness specific example of this is when Arjuna is struggling with contend and killing who he considers close friends and family during the war. However Krishna is there remind him that it is his dharma to carry out his role as a warrior. some of the main characters belong to this warrior clique and all must carry out their duties of laurels and bravery in accordance to that caste.This theme of dharma goes way beyond just the book but it is a main central point in hindu theology and thinking. Which most deally why it was such a huge factor in the book, because to the people who created this book that was highest goal to achieve. During this non bad(p) speech given to Arjuna b y Krishna he discusses what it means to seek renunciation, and relinquishment. Krishna tells Arjuna that renunciation is fine-looking up those works which are prompted by desire. Krishna also explains what is meant by relinquishment, which means the defection of fruits of all works. The message he is inform Arjuna goes jeopardize to his role or duties within his caste. Arjuna must not think that he is destroying anyone or killing them but only sending them to heaven, because every soul is infinite and simply takes a new form. So because of this Arjuna must rise up and fulfill his Ksatriya or warrior role and destroy his enemies because that his is caste in life. These stemls are very akin to that of the hindu holiness in regards of reincarnation, where a soul is immortal and does not leave but comes back to take a different form in a new caste.Evidence like this only suggests that morality was a major factor in writing this epic, and was the main themes of the hindu relig ion are seen as main themes passim this composition of literature. The other major take the stand that points towards this text reflecting the religious and social set of the society that created it was the question of purpose in life after the war. Once the war was over Yudhishthira, decides that he does not requisite to rule over this land because of all the violence and losses of men.He is saddened at the view of so many dead he says I caused the destruction of my kinsman and the cause of extinguishing of my own race. The message of duty complementary ones sacred duty is heard again, this judgment of conviction it is Bhima who is reassuring the king that his deeds were necessary. This melodic theme dharma is illustrated yet again which shows just how authoritative it is to the people who created this story. They would not have continually brought up the cultural belief of dharma if it was not an integral part of their society and religious beliefs.To seek a purification for all his sins Yudhishthira performs a sacrifice of a horse, which would toot him of all his wrongdoings. Once this ceremony was over did he go back into the urban c inject to rule. This part of the Mahabharata is a lot like the vedas we discussed in class which was a linguistic rule practice of the people who were living in this time period. Vedas were ritual sacrifices used for reasons oft like that of Yudhishthira to purify oneself and it yet again more proof that the Mahabharata reflects greatly on social and religious values of that society.Many age go by and after the ending of other characters Yudhishthira embarks on an asceticism voyage which after 36 years leads him to the provide of heaven. The group he began with as all perished along the way, all except his shack who makes it to the top of the mountain with him. Once at the gate he must medieval a series of tests, the first being he can only enter heaven if he leaves the dog. He refuses even because the dog was so faithful throughout his journey, he passes that test because the dog was the divinity Dharma in disguise. The next one he learns his family is in hell and he chooses to get in touch his loved ones in hell, e passes that in the end test and his allowed into heaven with his loved ones. This cerebration of passing tests also is evidence for the sheath that the Mahabharata used the religious and social values of the ancient society, because in that cultural ones actions whether entire or bad determined if one was to make it to heaven. Heave was also not a permanent place because of the never ending cycle of life. All of these themes and examples are solid evidence in funding the claim that the Mahabharata was in fact very reflective of religious and social ending and values of the ancient people that wrote the epic.Time and time again there is evidence sprinkled throughout the entire book that shows the inspiration of the idea for this book, came directly from the ideas and beliefs that were held with the most regard back in those days. Which were fulfilling your dharma, and if you live within your caste system then by that reputation you have done good deeds and are worthy of heaven reward. 1 . Narasimhan, Mahabharata,1997),124 2 . Narasimhan, Mahabharata,1997), 124 4 . Narasimhan, Mahabharata,1997),194 3 . Narasimhan, Mahabharata, 1997, xcl 5 . Narasimhan, Mahabharata,1997),212