Harjot’s Reviews > The Illustrated Mahabharata: The Definitive Guide to India’s Greatest Epic > Status Update

I am glad Yudhishthira questions the system of dharma (righteousness), and what is posited as the ultimate goal is the renunciation of worldly desires and connections. What’s interesting about this is that it validates one’s life from within as opposed through the external world.

I am shocked that Krishna encouraged the Pandavas to break the rules of war. It’s been mentioned that the Kurukshetra War is a conflict to uphold dharma. But how can righteousness be built on deceit and trickery? Further along, it is stated that the same action can be aligned with dharma in one context and adharma in another. There is also dharma specific to each individual which they are also compelled to follow.

It was interesting to find out that the Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna that took place when Arjuna lost the will to fight the Kurukshetra War!

Whoops! I forgot to update after each reading session.

“the truth resides not in the forest but in one’s heart” (p. 174)

Krishna, the avatar of Vishnu in this story, appears to be placing the Pandavas on the path of dharma unlike in the Ramayan where Rama was considered to be embodiment of dharma. It is interesting to see our heroes err and become wiser through the lessons they learn.

This is the ultimate Indian drama. Generational grudges and feuds culminating in a war!