Symbolic Themes In Mahabharat: Edt july 4 - Page 4

Originally posted by: LeadNitrate

Try the mytho books by devdutt pattnaik. he consolidates lots of puranas, upanishads together in fluid simple language, good read, good explanations.

Often the puranas etc are lot discriminating and conflicting, with each purana giving that God supreme importance over others.

Myth=mithya, 7 secrets of vishnu, 7 secrets of shiva, women in Indian mythology, this is specially a very interesting read.

Originally posted by: LeadNitrate

Myth=mithya, 7 secrets of vishnu, 7 secrets of shiva, women in Indian mythology, this is specially a very interesting read.

Well said. And it teaches us alot of stuff. Something that's always repeated is being patient. I think the whole theme of mahabharat is to be patient and being calm. If you think something with a calm mind then you can achieve whatever you want.

Originally posted by: shanak.hot

Well said. And it teaches us alot of stuff. Something that's always repeated is being patient. I think the whole theme of mahabharat is to be patient and being calm. If you think something with a calm mind then you can achieve whatever you want.

I love your post!!!!

Nice post
Superb analysis everyone ,
this thread was a treat to read .
so much has been said and I agree with every thing one more thing that I wanted to add is that Vyas ji wanted a little more flexibility in the concept of DHARMA , the norms of society and also in the human nature .

To begin with Karn has been called as Surya Putra and was one of the greatest warriors of his time but when he wanted to learn the archery he was asked to Keep Bow and arrow aside and to follow his dharma and to became a charioteer . Here despites of being talented and having great potential of becoming a warrior no Guru agreed to teach him as result of which he lied to parshuram and ended up being cursed , Duryodhan and Shakuni always took his advantageby favoring him just once , had society not been so rigid in their outlook may be the story of Karn would have been different.

With Drupadi again what ever happened in the court of hastina pur was wrong, but every thing was being justified in the name of Dharma , Lord Krishna showed that greatest Dharma was to save Draupdi 's honor irrespective of whatever is right or wrong according to the law books.

Drona and Bheeshma Always tried to Keep their promises and ended up favoring the wrong every time .
So I think Vyas ji wanted to convey the massage that Dharma is not what is written in the books but it is what is correct and righteous thing to be done in the given situations and Circumstances.

Originally posted by: -SHAIVI-

Nice post
Superb analysis everyone ,
this thread was a treat to read .
so much has been said and I agree with every thing one more thing that I wanted to add is that Vyas ji wanted a little more flexibility in the concept of DHARMA , the norms of society and also in the human nature .

To begin with Karn has been called as Surya Putra and was one of the greatest warriors of his time but when he wanted to learn the archery he was asked to Keep Bow and arrow aside and to follow his dharma and to became a charioteer . Here despites of being talented and having great potential of becoming a warrior no Guru agreed to teach him as result of which he lied to parshuram and ended up being cursed , Duryodhan and Shakuni always took his advantageby favoring him just once , had society not been so rigid in their outlook may be the story of Karn would have been different.

With Drupadi again what ever happened in the court of hastina pur was wrong, but every thing was being justified in the name of Dharma , Lord Krishna showed that greatest Dharma was to save Draupdi 's honor irrespective of whatever is right or wrong according to the law books.

Drona and Bheeshma Always tried to Keep their promises and ended up favoring the wrong every time .
So I think Vyas ji wanted to convey the massage that Dharma is not what is written in the books but it is what is correct and righteous thing to be done in the given situations and Circumstances.

Nice thread. Would like to add some of my observations. One is faith in God. We all are asked to have faith in God and are told to believe that he will come to our help. But inspite of that often even though we pray we try to do things ourselves without waiting for him to take action and then will say God didnt support us. MB gives 2 supreme instances where power of faith is shown beautifully.

Originally posted by: shruthiravi

Nice thread. Would like to add some of my observations. One is faith in God. We all are asked to have faith in God and are told to believe that he will come to our help. But inspite of that often even though we pray we try to do things ourselves without waiting for him to take action and then will say God didnt support us. MB gives 2 supreme instances where power of faith is shown beautifully.

One is in VH. When Draupadi calls Krishna she stands there with folded hands, he never once tries to prevent Dussasan taking her cloth. Her belief was firm that Lord will come to her rescue. With true devotion she surrendered to him and he saved her.

Second is it is told that both Duryodhana and Arjuna goes to Dwaraka to seek Krishna's help for the yudh. When they reach Krishna is sleeping. Duryodhana stands at his head and Arjuna sats at his feet. When Krishna opens his eyes he first sees Arjuna. He asks the reason. Arjuna asks his help and then he sees Duryodahana who also asks his help.

Krishna says for one party he will give his entire warriors and all the chariots, weapons etc and for other side he will come alone and he will not touch any weapon. He asks Arjuna what he wants. Duryodhan is afraid Arjuna will ask the warriors and weapons. Arjuna says Krishna I just need you. If you could be my charioteer I dont need anything else. That was Arjuna's faith in Krishna that let whatever his enemy have, whatever be the hurdles he can win the battle with Krishna in his side. And we know what happens right.

So MB is also about true devotion and true faith. A true devotee is one who surrenders to God and allow him to show the path rather than doing pujas and then trying to do things of your own.

Found another symbolic theme...