Hinduism and Mahabharata

Reflections From The Mahabharata Jeremy Bartel The Mahabharata is oneness long detailed epic, it is one of the oldest books the universe of discourse has. However The Mahabharata is more than salutary collection of verses and poems, it illustrates beliefs and religious views of this ancient hostelry. whatsoever of the major themes are,ethics of right and wrong,and wrestling with ones place and how to act accordingly in their clique arranging,and of course at the end trying to figure what our blueprint is in life not just individually tho universally.All of these examples suggests and leads one to believe with by a doubt that the epic was written with intent of reflecting on the kindly, and religious beliefs at that epoch. So how does the Mahabharata reflect on the religious and social value of this ancient society that created it? The Mahabharata has one overarching theme that sums up the all epic, that being the theme of litigateing your sacred duty. This is kn stimulat e throughout the Hindi enculturation as dharma, and according to their law e reallyone is assigned to a role at heart the caste system.The Mahabharata is all about achieving your sacred duty, or suffering the consequences of helplessness to accomplish your task. One specific example of this is when Arjuna is struggling with attacking and violent death who he considers close friends and family during the struggle. However Krishna is there remind him that it is his dharma to carry out his role as a warrior. Most of the main characters belong to this warrior caste and all must(prenominal) carry out their duties of honor and bravery in accordance to that caste.This theme of dharma goes way beyond just the book but it is a main focal point in hindu religious belief and thinking. Which most likely why it was such a huge gene in the book, because to the people who created this book that was highest goal to achieve. During this great speech abandoned to Arjuna by Krishna he discus ses what it means to look for renunciation, and relinquishment. Krishna tells Arjuna that renunciation is giving up those works which are prompted by desire. Krishna in like manner explains what is meant by relinquishment, which means the forsaking of fruits of all works. The message he is teaching Arjuna goes back down to his role or duties within his caste. Arjuna must not think that he is destroying anyone or cleanup position them but evidently sending them to promised land, because every soul is unfailing 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 ideals are very similar to that of the hindu trust in regards of reincarnation, where a soul is immortal and does not perish but comes back to take a assorted form in a new caste.Evidence like this only suggests that religion was a major factor in writing this epic, and was the main themes of the hindu religion are seen as main themes throughout this composition of literature. The former(a) major essay that points towards this text reflecting the religious and social values 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 want to rule over this grime because of all the violence and losses of men.He is saddened at the thought of so many a(prenominal) dead he says I ca employ the destruction of my kinsman and the cause of extermination of my own race. The message of duty completing ones sacred duty is heard once again, this duration it is Bhima who is reassuring the king that his whole works were necessary. This idea dharma is illustrated yet again which shows just how important 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 pur ification for all his sins Yudhishthira performs a sacrifice of a horse, which would katharsis him of all his wrongdoings. Once this ceremony was over did he go back into the city to rule. This part of the Mahabharata is a lot like the vedas we discussed in menage which was a normal practice of the people who were living in this time period. Vedas were ritual sacrifices used for reasons much 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 years go by and after the death of other characters Yudhishthira embarks on an asceticism journey which after 36 years leads him to the gates of heaven. The host he began with as all perished along the way, all except his chink who makes it to the top of the mountain with him. Once at the gate he must past a series of tests, the first being he hindquarters only enter heaven if he leaves the chase. He refuses however because the do g 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 join his loved ones in hell, e passes that last test and his allowed into heaven with his loved ones. This idea of passing tests also is evidence for the case that the Mahabharata used the religious and social values of the ancient society, because in that cultural ones actions whether strong or bad determined if one was to make it to heaven. Heave was also not a permanent place because of the never ending cps of life. All of these themes and examples are solid evidence in supporting the necessitate that the Mahabharata was in fact very reflective of religious and social finishing 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 tha t 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 nature 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, 190 5 . Narasimhan, Mahabharata,1997),212