Epics in Imprints-1.pdf - Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan

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FEBRUARY - AUGUST 2003
THE MAHABHARATA IN THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF INDIA
SISTER NIVEDITA
The Indian National Saga, beyond all voice in which Yudhirishthira says
disputes is the Mahabharata: This is to the ‘elephant’ as a concession to his
Indian village and the Indian home, what conscience; the laugh of Bhishma in battle,
the Iliad was to the Greek and to a certain contending himself, with the slightly
extent also what the Scriptures and emphasized “Shikhandini?”. These among
Gospels are to ourselves (The people of the others will occur to the others as typical
United Kingdom). It is the most popular instances.
of all the sacred books. It contains as an The outstanding fact to be realized
interlude, The Bhagawad Gita, the about the epic, however, is from end to
National Gospel. But with this it is also an end its main interest is held and centered
epic. The story of a divine incarnation on character. We are witnessing the law
Krishna as he is called, has been wrought that as the oyster makes its own shell, so
into and upon an immense ballad and the mind of man creates and necessitates
military epic of unknown antiquity. Of this his own life and fate. The whole philosophy
epic the main theme is a great battle waged of India is implicit in this romance, just as
between two families of cousins the sons it is in common household life. The
of Pandu and the sons of Dhritarashtra. Mahabharata constitues, and is intended
Perhaps most of us remembering the to constitute, a supreme appeal to the
work as ancient, will be still more heart and conscience of every generation.
impressed by the subtlety and modernness For more than the National tradition, it
of the social intercourse which it portrays. embodies the National morality. In this fact
Its delicacy of character painting, in the lies the great difference between it and the
play of personality, and in reflection of all Greek epics, in which the dominant
the light and shade of life in society we passion is the conscious quest of ideal
find ourselves, in the Mahabharata, fully beauty.
on a level with the novels and dramas of
modern Europe. The fortitude of Karna
when his mother embraces him; the low
(Extract from “The Myths and
Legends of the Hindus and Buddhists”
Advaita Ashrama, Kolkatta in Nov.2001)