If we look at just one episode of the epic Mahabharata, we can relate to it with our present way of life. The Bhagavad Gita has been elaborated and presented in many forms to teach us the lessons of life. The crux of the matter is the whole reasoning of the war (the great battle of Mahabharata), why it happened, and why Arjuna or the Pandava brothers should not view it through the prism of family relations and treat it as a fight between the good and the evil.
There are many lessons to learn from what we know of this epic drama today. We pen down a few of them and see how they relate to you and me in the present scenario or inspire us.
1. It inspires us to think logically and know the difference between good and bad and that justice will be ultimately delivered. As mentioned above, one should leave behind the subjective treatment or take steps in life more logically rather than only being emotional. Now, this is a big subject of concern in our lives. As you see, many parents are incessantly emotional about their children and will always say, my son and daughter are right, no matter what level of crime or, on a lighter note, any wrong-doing on their part. Wish we could learn to be a bit sterner and teach our children a lesson they sometimes deserve.
2. The special talent focus and how it can be collaborated to fight the enemy can be well understood from the epic war. Krishna was a figure with impeccable leadership qualities, and he was a strong motivational figure with acute observation and a firm opinion of the right and the wrong. Justice had to be delivered at all cost, even if it meant huge destruction and loss of human lives, material wealth, and human relationships, to let humanity prevail ultimately.
3. Jealousy ruled the roost in the Mahabharata episode of life, and it crossed all boundaries as its characters continued to fight for the throne. The fight between the Duryodhana led-brigade and the Yudhisthra led army was a mix of greed for power and wealth, and it was also for righteousness and the public welfare.
Duryodhana has immeasurable greed for the throne, but at the same time, he felt it was his legitimate right, which ultimately led to his fall from grace. On the other hand, Krishna was continuously reminding the Pandavas of their moral responsibility of ascending the throne for public welfare. But did they long for the power? We don’t know it. Ultimately, it was the human characters defining the right to rule.
4. Amid the complete warfare, there were many positives like Karna’s undying loyalty for his friend Duryodhana, a fine example of how he reciprocated with respect and love for Duryodhana. The latter stood with him when his brothers did not. The war episode also showed how certain protocols should be followed in life, like when Bhishma Pitamah chose to fight for the Kauravas; it was a matter of principles. Overall, it was the positive feeling of good over evil.
5. Shrewd thinking is always led by human lust for power, money, and fame, a thing from the past which we all experience typically in our office life, don’t we? An important lesson from Mahabharat is that cunning and breaking the rules is not always a right of evil; the rules and patterns can be and should be broken to fight to achieve the right. Remember how Karna died and Duryodhana met his end. There is no right way to achieve the ultimate objective.
6. Polygamy existed then, though many Hindus will take offense from it; how did Draupadi have a coordinated married life with the five brothers? At the same time, there were principles of legitimacy and a strong fear of adapting to the illegitimate. Karna was a fine example of how society functioned, and today, there is no exception. It is your karma which decides your fate, as shown in Mahabharata and preached by Krishna throughout the lives of Kauravas and Pandavas.