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Dharma

The concept of Dharma in 'The Mahabharata' revolves around righteousness, duty, and social order, derived from the root meaning 'to uphold.' The text explores the complexities and ambiguities of Dharma through various characters, particularly highlighting Yudhisthira's moral dilemmas and Draupadi's protests against greed. Ultimately, the narrative emphasizes that living in Dharma means aligning with one's purpose, though characters frequently struggle to maintain this balance.

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73 views2 pages

Dharma

The concept of Dharma in 'The Mahabharata' revolves around righteousness, duty, and social order, derived from the root meaning 'to uphold.' The text explores the complexities and ambiguities of Dharma through various characters, particularly highlighting Yudhisthira's moral dilemmas and Draupadi's protests against greed. Ultimately, the narrative emphasizes that living in Dharma means aligning with one's purpose, though characters frequently struggle to maintain this balance.

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newpapaiquest3
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Q: What is the concept of Dharma in The Book of the

Assembly Hall?
The Mahabharata is a text of great magnitude and gives us a picture of
what India was, its ethos (theory), cultural heritage, its strength and weaknesses.
The central issue of ‘The Mahabharata’ is what dharma is. The word ‘Dharma’
comes from the root ‘dhri’ meaning ‘uphold, support, or sustain’. It means
righteousness, law, duty, benevolence, morality and virtue and hence it is
not exactly religion as understood generally all over the world. In Sanskrit, Pali
and Ardhamagadhi ‘Dharma’ meant social order. The concept of dharma in the
Vedic literature was free from all dogmas (opinion) and rigidity (inflexibility).
There are enormous lengthy discussions available in ancient, medieval and
modern texts, which make the term very confusing and ambivalent.

Surprisingly the game of dice was played according to the


inexorable laws of dharma but if the inexorable laws of dharma
led to such a situation then it meant dharma had become static
and it lost its pervasive quality. He accepts the invitation of playing the game of
dice as such was his vow/promise and also it comes from Dhritarastra, his elder.
The irony of the whole thing is why Yudhisthira, who is known as Dharmaraja,
made that mistake to put his wife at stake. Yudhisthira loses all his
possessions including his wife Draupadi. She questioned Yudhisthira’s act instead
of submitting to what he wanted. She protests by asking, if Yudhisthira lost
himself first, then by what right did he wager (bet/ stake) her freedom? Even
Bhishma cannot answer her question and Draupadi says:
“I think time is out of joint. The ancient eternal dharma is lost
among the Kauravas.”

After the shameful incident of her attempted disrobing, King had to apologise for
his sons’ disorderly conduct and offer her three boons. That’s when Draupadi
asked back for her husbands’ titles and lands. But, Draupadi asks nothing for
herself saying:
“Greed devours all beings and is Dharma’s ruin. I refuse greed.”

What law makers, philosophers and others failed to do was


accomplished by the epic writers and other story-tellers. Indeed,
the epics were not just heroic tales. Mahabharata is a narrative text and its
central issue is what dharma is and who its central figure is.
Sri Krishna, an awe inspiring unfathomable divine person is the Kendra-
purusha, central figure and he ultimately told us the meaning of dharma
with the help of a simple equation: swadharma, nishkama
karma, atmasamarpana.
In the Mahabharata it is said again and again that to live in dharma
is to live in harmony with one’s purpose on earth. But each and every character
at some point of time lost his-her balance and also harmony and this is the
main theme of the Mahabharata. Thus, the concept of Dharma is treated in The
Mahabharata.

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