Rohin Raghavan, 8th Grade
The Mahabharata is like abstract art. In the same way every person may view abstract art in a different angle, different readers of this great epic may interpret it differently. From Bhisma’s silence in a wicked game of dice to Arjuna’s key role in the demise of his relatives, the Mahabharatha is woven with controversial actions that can be interpreted in ways that are constantly evolving. These actions don’t just lie on the shoulders of the Kauravas, but even call into question the actions of the Pandavas who are considered the heroes of the epic. For example, if we ponder the actions Bhisma took during that woeful game of dice, or rather the actions he didn’t take, you could consider it in multiple ways. Some argue Bhisma should have called off the game as it got out of hand. Others counter that it was not his place to defy the authority of King Dhrithrashta who allowed it to continue. Examples like this one show us that regardless of the decisions characters make in the story, it’s important to note that there is always a choice. Even in our own lives, everything presents us with a choice to make, simple or difficult. We often don’t remember the simple choices, but they are all around us, and the decisions we choose to make have an impact. The Mahabharatha allows us to examine the actions characters took, and their corresponding effects. Though the Mahabharatha happened in a different time period, and we don’t encounter the same situations that occurred in the story, the characters then and ourselves today constantly face choices. These choices are what separates the wise Vidura who always seems to know the honest decision from Duryodhana, whose actions are consumed by his ego and feelings of entitlement. Choices that separate the vengeful Drona from loyal Eklavya.
There is one main factor guiding the “good characters” from the “bad characters”. Dharma. Dharma is a broad idea referring to the right thing to do. It also refers to your duty regarding your role as a person. In the Mahabharatha, while there are some situations in which the right thing to do may be obvious, other situations can create decisions that made characters ponder their duty. For example, Devarata -later known as Bhisma- had to make a decision to appease his father or do what’s best for his state. Bhisma chose his father and chose to appease him while also taking a vow to never be king or have a child. He was going to be king, but now the kingdom may not find as strong a ruler. By choosing to do his duty to his father, some go as far as to say he condemned the kingdom and this action he committed led to the Kurukshetra. Though that may be true, isn’t it the duty of a child to respect the will of their parents? Bhisma couldn’t have known what would’ve happened in the future and did what he thought was best. Whichever way you decide to judge Bhisma, the decision he had to make was a tough one and clashed two different duties he held. So, was it the “wrong” decision, or just another decision that follows Dharma?
Interpretations of the Mahabharatha are constantly evolving as more readers see characters through different lenses, but the importance of analyzing this epic will never diminish. I urge you to form your own opinions on the different events in the Mahabharata and keep those same thoughts in mind as you ake choices in your everyday life, striving to always do the right thing.
