Article sent from The Hindu

[Guest guest]

=============================================================

This article is emailed to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran )

=============================================================

Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

Dharma, cardinal theme of the Mahabharata

 

CHENNAI, AUG. 16. The Mahabharata and the Ramayana have a unique

status among the scriptural texts in that they are treated as

epics as they delineate the glory of the Lord when He manifested

in the world in human form. The Ramayana is hailed as the

foremost classical poem while the Mahabharata as the fifth Veda

because of the range of topics discussed in it. The Viduraniti,

Bhagavad Gita and the Vishnu Sahasranama in the Mahabharata have

become independent treatises in themselves due to the importance

of the subjects dealt with in them. It can be stated that it is

exposition of Dharma which is the underlying theme of all the

episodes related in the epic.

 

The Mahabharata also highlights the fact that the Almighty never

forsakes His devotee which can be seen from every incident in the

lives of the Pandavas. During the period of their exile, the

Pandavas had managed to spend 12 years in the forest and they had

to live incognito during the 13th year. They had assumed

different identities and entered the court of Virata and hoped to

pass off as menials so that they could keep a low profile and

live together also. Duryodana would banish them from the kingdom

for another 12 years if he found them out. This last year proved

to be a great challenge.

 

In the meantime, Duryodana had despatched his spies all over to

get information about them. Nothing seemed to point to them till

he heard about Keechaka's death and concluded that only Bheema

could have killed him and hence the Pandavas were living in

disguise in Virata's kingdom. Susarma, the king of Trigartas,

always had a grudge against Virata and he seized this opportunity

and offered to help Duryodana. It was decided to split their

combined armies into two and attack the Matsya kingdom of Virata

on following days from different sides to flush out the Pandavas

who would definitely come to the aid of Virata. The provocation

to war came when they stole all the cows and the cowherds

complained to Virata, said Sri S.Natarajan in his discourse.

 

Yudishtra according to the Dharma of a Kshatriya offered to help.

Except Arjuna who had disguised himself as the dancer Brihannala,

all the brothers went to war. Susarma's army was routed much to

his chagrin as he had anticipated an easy victory. The following

day as planned, in Virata's absence, the Kauravas attacked the

city by capturing the cows again. When the cowherds went running

to the palace there was no one except Uttara Kumara, the younger

son of Virata who was given to frivolous pursuits. It was with

Arjuna's help that the prince went to war and emerged victorious.

 

Copyrights: 1995 - 2001 The Hindu

 

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly

prohibited without the consent of The Hindu