INTRODUCTION-

Among the earliest memories of Nehru, the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharatha
recited to him by his mother and other ladies of the house. These contained magic as well as
bravery, adventure and fairy tale and hence created a great impact on people which last till today.
These epics dealt with the early rays of indo Aryans, their conquests and civil wars. When they
were expanding and consolidating themselves.

Dating back to antiquity they are still a living force in the lives of Indians. They showcase
the Indian culture and were appealing to both the intellect and the illiterate. They make us
understand the secret of the ancient Indians in holding together a diverse society divided in many
ways in the form of caste, background of heroic traditions and ethical living.These stories are
part and parcel of every Indian.

INTRODUCTION OF MAHABHARTHA-
According to Nehru, it is believed that the story of Ramayana is older than Mahabharata,
even though it is written much later but the glimpses of tribal society that we see in Mahabharata
existed earlier than the monarchy of Ramayana. Considering both the facts, Mahabharatha took
place around 850BC. An old Vedic Puru tribe first settled in Kuru land established in
Hastinapuram and later made it their own kingdom. Later around 200BC and 400AD, the sons of
Pandu known as Pandavas built a second branch known as Indraprastha by clearing
Khandavaprastha jungles which is probably be the Puruna Quilla in Delhi.

Three versions of Mahabharata:

1. Poem of 9000 verses-Jaya

2. 24000 verses-Bharata
3. 100,000 verses-Mahabharata
A number of local versions were developed through songs, dramas, dance, paintings and
sculptors both in Indian and outside India.
SOCIETY DURING THAT PERIOD-
 During those times, the stories of Ramayana & Mahabharata were enacted in the
Ramleelas which took place in front of vast crowds. Although the ramleelas were simple
but it did not matter as the story was embedded in the hearts of all the people.
 The foremost oral exponent of the Mahabharata is Teejan Bai from MP. She enacts &
sings tales from Mahabharata with her musical accompaniments called the ektara.The
ethereal combination of age old mythologies & the rustic tones. This gives us a brief idea
about how the story telling during those times was not just narration but it was filled with
so much enactment & musical support. The life depicted in the Mahabhrata is closer to
the developed society of the Gupta period. It also contains aspects of post Vedic tribal
society.
 Sakuni’s challenge to Yudhishthira for a game of dice gives us an insight into the practice
of gambling prevalent at that time. The concept of gambling was also prevalent during
that time. The game of dice was considered a Vedic custom for sharing out cattle & land.
It was also part of the coronation ceremony having a social sanction during those times.

Status of women:
 In the episode there is a part where Pandu gets sad on the fact that his brother is having
children and he cannot. Then Kunthi comes there and says she has a boon and the five
Pandavas are born through 4 different gods but not Pandu. Also the fact where Draupadi
is the wife of all the five Pandava brothers clearly shows that the post Vedic age society
was not completely patriarchal and more of a matriarchal society.
 When Draupadi asks Yudhishthira that how he could put her on stake when he lost
himself showing us that in those days women were not seen as man’s property. Also
when Duryodhan points towards his thighs asking Draupadi to sit there and become his
slave, Bheema tells he will definately kill him for disrespecting her. This gives us an
insight that women were respected during that time.
 When Draupadi is dragged to the court she tells that people only saw her on the day of
swayamwar and because of this game they dragged her out. This clearly shows how
women were respected and treated in that period. Continuing that all the kinship is a
 sham and she won’t accept the verdict showcasing how women in those days had a say in
all discussions and had a right to stand up for themelves.

Divine Theory:
 After Draupadi is lost in gambing, Bheema says to Yudhishthira that “you lost us, you
lost property, you lost our kingdom and everything but we didn’t question you or stop
you because you are our king”, these lines clearly indicate that divine theory was present
in that period, where whatever the king does is the final verdict, whatever the king does
or says is supreme and there is nobody who can question or go against the king with
everybody being subjected to his orders.

WAR & ETHICAL VIRTUE -

 Although Sakuni unjustly defeated Yudhishthira at dice, the Pandavas did not stray away
from the truth and lived in exile. They are advised to restore the Kingdom to the
Pandavas which by tradition is theirs. Advice regarding doing what is best, just and
honorable for all is given. The concept to avoid anymore gambles is passed thereby
preventing any loss or repentance. In interest of justice they plan to call the allies for
support and take the righteous path of avoiding war.
 Kurus no doubt were the best among nations having rivers of compassion & virtue
flowing there. They were the strongest pillars, highest judge & the leader. They were
considered the girdle and protector of all. After saying this, the following questions were
raised by the messenger that why was vice, greed and warring allowed to enter? Why was
deceit in fashion causing chaos looming at large?
 The message of peace was brought forth to unite them. How wars are remorse as loved
ones. War is unjust and an unceasing fire which reduces mankind to ashes leaving neither
branches nor roots surviving.
 War is equivalent to death and brings no profit. The truth demands to avert the war by
living & letting others live. To pluck out the arrow piercing virtue’s chest or else it would
pierce one’s heart. Anger would not save one’s riches as wealth is unstable. As it abides
 only by virtue, vice ushers false pride. War would only lead to bloodshed and to forsake
greed as greed destroys.
 The monologue by the messenger depicts that during that time also the destruction of war
was known to people and they took efforts to convince the council to avoid a war &
resort to peaceful means. The idea of doing justice & taking an honorable path was the
propaganda.