Moral Dilemmas in the Mahabharata

by Bimal Krishna Matilal

Here the collected papers explore the whole question of the relation between the mythopoetic and the moral in the context of the Mahabharata. Here we have a story of extreme complexity, characters that are unforgettable, and a cosmic context in which gods and men alike grapple with destiny. The obligations of kinship and friendship jostle with each other. The women characters, as in everyday life, seem to bear a very heavy load of the burden of life and to stand in a key position in almost every conflict. We are presented with predicaments at every turn. At times these predicaments seem to be aggravated by social structure. At other times they are cushioned by it. Philosophical tangles tied up with karma and dharma are interwoven with the mythopoetic material. Perhaps philosophical issues are pinpointed rather more than they are in Greek epic literature. The essays in this book treat the Mahabharata from an unusual angle, fastening on the moral dilemmas it presents. How universal are the dilemmas faced by the characters in the story, and are the dilemmas in fact resolved? In dealing with these questions, the discussions range over the meaning of the purusarthas, the institutions of marriage and the family, the concept of action in the Gita and the special predicaments faced by Draupadi, Arjuna and others. These studies invite the scholar to reflect afresh on the text and encourage the general reader to find in epic literature much that is relevant to life today.

Genres: India, Religion, Philosophy

170 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Aayush Raj · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...Genuine paradoxes are seldom solved. Try are, generally speaking, resolved or dissolved."

This collection of writings dwells deeper into the moral dilemmas that have been, time and again, a matter of debate and discourse. Various aspects of th Epic and the engrained philosophical nuances are traversed through in this book.

This book makes a major breakthrough in lieu of the fact that the Indian Philosophy and Approach thereto has been sidelined in the quest for the Western Approach. It's interesting to note how the latter is discussed in light of the former.

The book, though, because of its limited scope, does not answer all the intertwined philosophical questions. It, however, makes the reader think and ponder upon the immensity of Indian philosophical approach. For those who are interested in the Epic and Indian philosophy, this book can be a starting point. The book gives a bird eye overview of the overarching questions of morality and it's interrelationship with the war that was faught in the guise of Dharma. Its contrasting comparison with other religious cultures also enhance the overall approach and gives the reader a comprehensive understanding of the Indian philosophical trend.

[Ishaan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book contains a set of papers/essays on the confusion about moral stands that are encountered in the Mahabharata. However, they are written from an academic standpoint, so this book is relevant for those who are a bit into Indian Philosophy, or even philosophy in general.

[Kratika · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. It's all over the place.

[Pramod Pant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book. But the Professor thought it necessary to poke Mahabharata with a Kantian stick ! Ha ha