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Dharmakshetra: The Great Trial after Kurukshetra
The Great War is over. Kurukshetra lies barren.Is it the heroes who won and the villains who lost?The thin line between just and unjust, fair and unfair, deceit and loyalty, and betrayal and duty, hasnever been questioned. The answers to these unasked questions lie buried in the ruins of history.Dharmakshetra resurfaces these buried questions and allows the legendary characters of this talean opportunity to tell their side of the story for the very first time.In a post-apocalyptic trial held in Maharaj Chitragupta’s court, the seeming villains, ‘Kauravas’,are allowed to accuse the so-called heroes, ‘Pandavas’, and vice versa, in an attempt to justify theiractions. Upon hearing all the arguments made by the prosecution and the defence, Chitraguptamust deliver his final verdict. What shall it be?
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 17, 2022
This is a unique interpretation of the Mahabharata. In the after-life trial of the important characters, the story is revealed. Their views and defence against the allegations was interesting. But every trial felt incomplete.
Dharma is translated as 'Religion', which was incorrect. Dharma can be loosely interpreted as Righteousness and moral code of conduct.
I found the book version of this serial on 'Epic' channel, has edited out some details which were shown in the series (one example - In the scene between Karna and Duryodhan's wife Bhanumati, which shows how mature Duryodhan was, when he completely trusted his best friend and his wife)
Mahabharata is basically a story of revenge
1. Revenge of Amba against Bhisma, who had kidnapped her, because of which her fiance refused to marry her.
2. Revenge of Shakuni against the whole Kaurava clan.
3. Revenge of Drona against Drupad, who ignored his friend from childhood.
4. Duryodhan's revenge against Draupadi, who had made fun of him, by mocking his blind father
5. Draupadi's revenge against Duryodhan and his brothers who tried to disrobe her in the public court.
My take on some of the characters -
Yudhistira - I don't understand why he was called the most virtuous of all men. He was the biggest hypocrite. 3 instances I can think of
1) He talks about forgiveness at length but refuses to talk to his mother and forgive her, when she discloses that Karna was his elder brother, whom she has to give up as he was born out of wedlock.
2) He also lusted after Draupadi, who was rightfully Arjun's wife and tricked his mother to unknowingly ask them to share whatever Arjun has won (that is Draupadi). Then he insists that Kunti's words have to be obeyed literally and Draupadi ends up marrying the 5 brothers. He also makes sure that Draupadi spends maximum time with him.
3) He gives some weird explanation on why he 'HAD' to play the game of dice. His worst offence was pawning Draupadi and not even protesting when she was humiliated in public.
Gandhari- How could she remain quiet when her father and brothers were imprisoned and tortured by her husband, Dritarashtra. What kind of a sister is she?! She accuses Shakuni of poisoning her sons against Pandavas. For me, his idea of revenge was completely justified.
Karna gets my sympathies. He is the real Hero of the Mahabharata. He was wronged all his life and they blame him for feeling wronged. Arjun justifies killing the unarmed Karna in the battle saying that he punished Karna, who had not opposed Duryodhan when he disgraced Draupadi in public.
Draupadi had five husbands who did nothing to save her honour and they question Karna that he kept quiet !
Kunti disowned Karna as he was born out of wedlock and she had the audacity to reveal that she is his mother just before the battle and ask him to join his brothers, the Pandavas. He is accused of not supporting his mother and brothers, which he rightly refutes that he had to support only Duryodhan, who was his best friend and who had supported him through thick and thin.
Karna and Duryodhan's friendship was exemplary, but Bhishma and others call it opportunistic. This was a cheap shot.
This book presents a different perspective of the characters in Mahabharata.
Dharma is translated as 'Religion', which was incorrect. Dharma can be loosely interpreted as Righteousness and moral code of conduct.
I found the book version of this serial on 'Epic' channel, has edited out some details which were shown in the series (one example - In the scene between Karna and Duryodhan's wife Bhanumati, which shows how mature Duryodhan was, when he completely trusted his best friend and his wife)
Mahabharata is basically a story of revenge
1. Revenge of Amba against Bhisma, who had kidnapped her, because of which her fiance refused to marry her.
2. Revenge of Shakuni against the whole Kaurava clan.
3. Revenge of Drona against Drupad, who ignored his friend from childhood.
4. Duryodhan's revenge against Draupadi, who had made fun of him, by mocking his blind father
5. Draupadi's revenge against Duryodhan and his brothers who tried to disrobe her in the public court.
My take on some of the characters -
Yudhistira - I don't understand why he was called the most virtuous of all men. He was the biggest hypocrite. 3 instances I can think of
1) He talks about forgiveness at length but refuses to talk to his mother and forgive her, when she discloses that Karna was his elder brother, whom she has to give up as he was born out of wedlock.
2) He also lusted after Draupadi, who was rightfully Arjun's wife and tricked his mother to unknowingly ask them to share whatever Arjun has won (that is Draupadi). Then he insists that Kunti's words have to be obeyed literally and Draupadi ends up marrying the 5 brothers. He also makes sure that Draupadi spends maximum time with him.
3) He gives some weird explanation on why he 'HAD' to play the game of dice. His worst offence was pawning Draupadi and not even protesting when she was humiliated in public.
Gandhari- How could she remain quiet when her father and brothers were imprisoned and tortured by her husband, Dritarashtra. What kind of a sister is she?! She accuses Shakuni of poisoning her sons against Pandavas. For me, his idea of revenge was completely justified.
Karna gets my sympathies. He is the real Hero of the Mahabharata. He was wronged all his life and they blame him for feeling wronged. Arjun justifies killing the unarmed Karna in the battle saying that he punished Karna, who had not opposed Duryodhan when he disgraced Draupadi in public.
Draupadi had five husbands who did nothing to save her honour and they question Karna that he kept quiet !
Kunti disowned Karna as he was born out of wedlock and she had the audacity to reveal that she is his mother just before the battle and ask him to join his brothers, the Pandavas. He is accused of not supporting his mother and brothers, which he rightly refutes that he had to support only Duryodhan, who was his best friend and who had supported him through thick and thin.
Karna and Duryodhan's friendship was exemplary, but Bhishma and others call it opportunistic. This was a cheap shot.
This book presents a different perspective of the characters in Mahabharata.
April 7, 2021
Is Duryodhan all evil?
Is Arjun really the greatest warrior?
Was Karan as unlucky as we think he is?
Was Draupadi the biggest victim of this epic or was she one of the main culprits of the tragedy that ultimately Mahabharata turned out to be!
Who was the real winner of the war of Kurukshetra, and what are the real life lessons we need to take away from the whole saga?
These are only a few of the questions that you will find yourself pondering upon when you read this wonderful book.
This is definitely one of the best versions of the Mahabharata, at least in the context of today's age.
This book reveals grey shades of all the characters from Duryodhan to Krishna and puts them on the stand for their deeds committed on earth absolutely without any bias. If you are too brainwashed by the over simplified version of Mahabharata where the Pandavas are the righteous heros and Kauravs are the villains who have nothing but evil on their sides then it's a must read. If you like having different perspectives on things, then this book is for you. Basically it's a must read for everyone even if you are not too keenly interested in the original. Its a thoroughly entertaining book to read too.
And if you are too lazy to read this, just watch the show on which this book is based, it is equally good, if not better!
Is Arjun really the greatest warrior?
Was Karan as unlucky as we think he is?
Was Draupadi the biggest victim of this epic or was she one of the main culprits of the tragedy that ultimately Mahabharata turned out to be!
Who was the real winner of the war of Kurukshetra, and what are the real life lessons we need to take away from the whole saga?
These are only a few of the questions that you will find yourself pondering upon when you read this wonderful book.
This is definitely one of the best versions of the Mahabharata, at least in the context of today's age.
This book reveals grey shades of all the characters from Duryodhan to Krishna and puts them on the stand for their deeds committed on earth absolutely without any bias. If you are too brainwashed by the over simplified version of Mahabharata where the Pandavas are the righteous heros and Kauravs are the villains who have nothing but evil on their sides then it's a must read. If you like having different perspectives on things, then this book is for you. Basically it's a must read for everyone even if you are not too keenly interested in the original. Its a thoroughly entertaining book to read too.
And if you are too lazy to read this, just watch the show on which this book is based, it is equally good, if not better!
May 31, 2020
Its a book that will answers many questions and queries of your life dilemma.
April 29, 2020
Nothing but 5/5. Marvellous read on my fav subject.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews