Issues Raised in MB That Are Relevant Today

ISSUES RAISED IN MAHABHARAT RELEVANT TODAY:

There is no doubt in my mind that Ved Vyas was not only a brilliant writer but also a great visionary. According to the Hindu philosophy of reincarnation and rebirth, our soul is recycled through the universe till we've learnt all the lessons required to attain salvation. In short, one cannot learn every lesson of life in one lifetime. Perhaps, a lot of questions remain unanswered even when we die and subsequent births are required to answer some of them.

The Mahabharat epic, written 5000 years ago, also raised a number of pertinent questions and Ved Vyas never attempted to answer every one of them.

Some of these questions still haunt us 5000 years later. We've found answers to some of these age-old questions but for some we're still unsure and constantly trying to find answers to.

Here are a few questions that were raised 5000 years ago and to mankind's credit or to the constant learning that's happened over various lifetimes, we've managed to solve some of these mysteries...but some are still elusive.

1. Should a person's competence be judged by birth/caste/status/race or his real aptitude? Even though, our society has realized that birth/race/caste etc don't determine real aptitude, then why do we still have a reservation system or as in the west--affirmative action? Eg in MB: Karna, Vidur, Yuyutsu

2. Should a woman be regarded as a property of her father/husband/son? Does she have a right to independent thinking or action? To a large extent, most societies now believe in equal rights and independence for women but in reality is that true? How does one explain female infanticide, dowry system, unequal pay for women, lack of choice for women, forced marriages? Eg in MB: Draupadi, Gandhari

3. Should a ruler of a country/nation be chosen based on competence or their birth? Even though most countries believe in democracy and a right to choose a leader, then why do we continue to revere royalty and dynasties of one political family? Eg Pandavs vs Kauravs

4. Shouldn't polyandry be as accepted as polygamy? To this date, a woman with multiple partners is considered a wh**re and a male with multiple partners is considered a player. Eg Draupadi vs all the other men with multiple partners (married and unmarried) in MB.

5. Should the term soul mates be restricted just to romantic love? Today, when we read stories about soul mates, we assume they are romantic lovers. Why can't a person have several soul mates and not be romantically involved with them? Aren't our best friends soul mates? Eg. Krishna-Arjun, Krishna-Draupadi.

6. Shouldn't a man-man and man-woman be allowed to have a relationship that's non physical and not sexual? Why do we eye every man hugging another man as a homosexual and every man-woman pair who care for each other as lovers?

7. Shouldn't women be given equal rights in every field? Wouldn't that make the playground more fair? Why does a woman have to become a man to prove her skill? Thankfully, in this day and age, women are employed in pretty much every field including the military Eg. Shikhandi in MB

8. Should a person's status/wealth/possessions be a gauge of their success? Were the Kauravs really successful? The ascetic Pandavs were more successful in every field- knowledge, character, respect and fame...

9. Should everyone have a guru to learn? We've seen various examples in this current era where self made people have been very successful without a guru. Does every child need to spend hours and hours with tutoring and college admission prep schools to succeed in life? Eg. Eklavya

10. Should we be stuck with the mantra old is gold' or constantly strive to accept change? Even though we all realize that change is constant, then why do we cling to our old traditions, old glory days and old beliefs? Don't we lament those glorious pre British era days and in that process forget to act today? Eg Bhishma vs Krishna.

Please feel free to add to the list...

Originally posted by: srishtisingh

sangeeta gr8 post! I agree word to word. one thing related to woman employment issue is something I have faced. my field usually involves field work and that too in really isolated kind of area, mostly. but due to safety issue we can't work there.so we don't get job. it does disappoint me because we girls didn't get chance because we are girls. we are eligible fpr office work only! its the bitter truth I am trying to come in terms with. that's why I really wish to b a boy at such times

Originally posted by: shruthiravi

Nice post and very realistic. All the issues you raised are still relevant today. Most of the evils that were there in epic exist in our society because we have more Bheeshma's than Krishna's.

I mean in MB we see how much Pandavas struggle emotionally to kill Bheeshma. Same is the case with most of younger generation. The ones who have real values are always forced to let go of their heart's choice for family, for relation etc..

The older generation forces this on younger generation in the name of love, family honour you name it everything and a youngster will find it quite difficult to go against his/her parents as they will feel guilty they are hurting their parents.

According to me every tradition and every ritual has a meaning. It doesnt matter whether it is old or new. If we understand the meaning and then do it it becomes value add, but if we do just because it is the tradition or out of fear then it is useless. Most people follow the second path. People dont even know why they are doing certain things, but they simply do it because they are supposed to do it.

Classic example is marriage. Everyone gets married because at a certain age society excepts them to get married. They dont understand the meaning of marriage. How many couples pay attention to the 7 vows taken together. Not many as it is a ritual. If we pay attention to the 7 vows of marriage and the partners adhere to it we will have less divorces and more harmonious relationship. According to vedic principles marriage both partners take equal responsibility. It is not woman to make sacrifice and man to have a gala life. But it is an institution in which 2 individuals come together to share happiness and sadness in future life.

If we get Krishna's or if we try to follow Krishna's path it is that of social transformation. It will be tough and lonely but the path is worth it as atleast we will have a clear conscience.

Originally posted by: -Shani-

I can add a few more -

1. Proper parental upbringing of children is much more important than simply being parents by showering "blind love" (Dhrit & Gandhari)

2. If you really deserve success, God sees to it that you DO achieve success no matter what (Krishna ensuring the victory of the Pandavas in Kurukshetra)

3. Faith and devotion towards God helps you out even in the most dire circumstances (Draupadi during VH)

4. Importance of realistic and practical thinking (Bhima)

5. Unity is the most important factor in any family (Pandavas)

6. Conversely, jealousy & hatred can break apart any family (destruction of the Kuru dynasty)

7. War is THE final means to resolve any conflict (Krishna's peace efforts in HP)

8. Importance of the right friend, guide, and mentor in life (Krishna to Arjuna on the Kurukshetra battlefield)

Beautiful post dear...