the Mahabharata as a spiritual scripture

[Guest guest]

Is there any tradition of understanding the Mahabharata as a spiritual scripture

rather than as an epic?

Is there some tradition of theological interpretation of the Mahabharata from

the Shaiva/Shakta view?

[Guest guest]

it could be enough to say that it contains BHAGAVAD GITA!!

 

yasodanandana dasa

 

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[Guest guest]

achintya, "Alexandra Kafka"

<alexandra.kafka@a...> wrote:

> Is there any tradition of understanding the Mahabharata as a

spiritual scripture rather than as an epic?

 

Allow me to restate your question. What you are asking is if the

Mahaabhaarata is traditionally seen as a scripture as opposed to

merely a very elaborate, epic story.

 

The answer is yes, Mahaabhaarata is traditionally thought of as

scripture. There is evidence from multiple sources. The Chaandogya

Upanishad refers to the Itihaasas (which includes the Mahaabhaarata)

as the fifth Veda.

 

rigveda.m bhagavo'dhyemi yajurveda.m saamavedamaatharvaNa.m

chaturthamitihaasapuraaNa.m pa~nchama.m vedaanaa.m veda pitR^iya.m

raashi.m daiva nidhi.m va kovaakyamekaaayana.m devavidhyaa.m

brahmavidhyaa.m bhuutavidhyaa.m kShatravidyaa.m nakShatravidyaa.m

sarpadevajanavidhyaametadbhagavo'dhyemi || CU 7.1.2 ||

 

Revered master, I know the Rig Veda, the Yajurveda, the Saaamaveda,

and the Atharvan as the fourth, the Itihaasa, Puraanas as the fifth,

graammer, the rules for the worship of the manes, mathematics, the

science of portents, the chronology, logic, the science of ethics,

etymology, the ancillary knowledge of the Vedas, the physical

science, the science of war, the astronomy, the science of snake-

charming and the fine arts. This, venerable master, I know

(chaandogya upaniShad 7.1.2).

 

Similar statements can be found in the Bhaagavatam, 1st Canto 4th

Chapter.

 

In many places it is stated that the Mahaabhaarata was compiled to

teach the essence of the Vedas to those who do not have the

qualification to study them.

 

> Is there some tradition of theological interpretation of the

Mahabharata from the Shaiva/Shakta view?

 

Given that the Mahaabhaarata's nucleus is Bhagavad-giitaa, an

unmistakeably Vaishnava theistic scripture, is it reasonable to

consider that Shaivas or Shaktas could produce any interpretation of

it consistent with their doctrines? The answer to both questions is

no.

 

The Mahaabhaarata upholds the Vedic conclusion that Vishnu is the

Supreme Personality of Godhead, and other devatas, though worshipable

in other contexts, are His empowered servants. In Bhagavad-giitaa, no

other object of worship is recommended for those desiring liberation

and the supreme goal of life besides surrender unto Lord Krishna.

 

yours,

 

- K