Introduction to Marvellous Mahabharata Morals
Introduction The Mahabharata is the finest gem from the treasure trove of Hindu Scriptures.
Lord Ganesha wrote the Mahabharata at the request of Rishi Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa.
Lord Ganesha agreed to this request on the condition that Rishi Vyasa would not halt in his dictation, and Rishi Vyasa agreed provided Lord Ganesha, before writing it down, took the time to understand it.
Originally, the Mahabharata was of 8,800 verses and Rishi Vyasa titled it as Jaya (Victory).
Later Vaisampayana (disciple of Rishi Vyasa) recited it to King Janamejaya (great-grandson of Arjuna) and made it to 24,000 verses titling the work as Bharata (India).
Many years later Ugrasravas added many hymns to make it a huge book of over 90,000 verses, organized it in 18 parvans (books) with many sub-sections in each book, and titled it as Mahabharata (Great India).
The Mahabharata is a sacred text and one of the two great Hindu epics, the other being Ramayana.
In the Adi Parvan (first book) of the Mahabharata, it is claimed that what is found here may be found elsewhere, but what is not found here will not be found anywhere.
No other book of the world excepting the Mahabharata can make such a bold claim, as it contains: the song celestial- Bhagavat Gita, an abridged version of the Ramayana, and the essence of all the Vedas, Itihasas, Puranas, Brahmanas, Agamas, Upanishads, Aranyakas, and the Shastras.
It is rightly justified in making such a bold claim.
The Mahabharata offers many stories, themes, motifs, and morals.
Innumerable morals can be obtained from this text and one life even would be insufficient to describe them all.
Yet, a sincere attempt is made to present few marvellous morals in this series.
Dharma has to be followed under all circumstances This is the central moral of the Mahabharata.
The moral of strict obedience to Dharma rings in every word of the Mahabharata.
Dharma is Righteousness and Adharma is Unrighteousness.
Dharma followed, preserves and Dharma violated, destroys.
The author of Mahabharata, Rishi Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa writes in the concluding Book 18, titled Swargarohana Parva (The Book of the Ascent to Heaven): "With raised hands, I shout at the top of my voice; but alas, no one hears my words, which can give them Supreme Peace, Joy and Eternal Bliss.
One can attain wealth and all objects of desire through Dharma.
Why do not people practice Dharma? One should not abandon Dharma at any cost, even at the risk of his life.
One should not relinquish Dharma out of passion, fear, and covetousness or for the sake of preserving one's life.
This is the Bharata Gayatri.
Meditate on this daily, O man! When you retire to sleep and when you rise from your bed every morning.
You will attain everything.
You will attain fame, prosperity, long life, eternal bliss, everlasting peace and immortality.
" The author during the whole narrative repeatedly points out the fallacies that the Kuru princes commit and thus go deeper and deeper on the path of unrighteousness.
Unprincipled, unethical, unscrupulous, corrupt, dishonorable, fraudulent, disreputable, immoral, disgraceful, outrageous, shocking, appalling, wicked and sinful are the actions of the Kuru princes.
Their unrighteousness had crossed all boundaries and limits.
It was precisely to put an end to their insolent ambitions and to establish righteousness that Lord Krishna says: "Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya Glanir Bhavati Bharata, Abhyutthanam Adharmasya Tadatmanam Srijamy Aham; Praritranaya Sadhunama Vinashaya Cha Dushkritam, Dharamasansthapanarthaya Sambhavami Yuge-Yuge" "Whenever there is decay of righteousness And the land of Bharata is steeped in shame, And a rise of unrighteousness prevails Then I manifest Myself! For the protection of the good For the destruction of the wicked, For the establishment of Righteousness I am born in age after age!" [Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva, Bhagavata Gita Parva (Chapter IV- 7&8)] The Mahabharata is replete with several instances where Dharma and Satya (Truth) are highlighted and given utmost importance.
Unethical conduct, lies, deception, and evil deeds never fructify to good endings.
Perfection and even God is realized if one follows Dharma and Satya.
Lord Ganesha wrote the Mahabharata at the request of Rishi Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa.
Lord Ganesha agreed to this request on the condition that Rishi Vyasa would not halt in his dictation, and Rishi Vyasa agreed provided Lord Ganesha, before writing it down, took the time to understand it.
Originally, the Mahabharata was of 8,800 verses and Rishi Vyasa titled it as Jaya (Victory).
Later Vaisampayana (disciple of Rishi Vyasa) recited it to King Janamejaya (great-grandson of Arjuna) and made it to 24,000 verses titling the work as Bharata (India).
Many years later Ugrasravas added many hymns to make it a huge book of over 90,000 verses, organized it in 18 parvans (books) with many sub-sections in each book, and titled it as Mahabharata (Great India).
The Mahabharata is a sacred text and one of the two great Hindu epics, the other being Ramayana.
In the Adi Parvan (first book) of the Mahabharata, it is claimed that what is found here may be found elsewhere, but what is not found here will not be found anywhere.
No other book of the world excepting the Mahabharata can make such a bold claim, as it contains: the song celestial- Bhagavat Gita, an abridged version of the Ramayana, and the essence of all the Vedas, Itihasas, Puranas, Brahmanas, Agamas, Upanishads, Aranyakas, and the Shastras.
It is rightly justified in making such a bold claim.
The Mahabharata offers many stories, themes, motifs, and morals.
Innumerable morals can be obtained from this text and one life even would be insufficient to describe them all.
Yet, a sincere attempt is made to present few marvellous morals in this series.
Dharma has to be followed under all circumstances This is the central moral of the Mahabharata.
The moral of strict obedience to Dharma rings in every word of the Mahabharata.
Dharma is Righteousness and Adharma is Unrighteousness.
Dharma followed, preserves and Dharma violated, destroys.
The author of Mahabharata, Rishi Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa writes in the concluding Book 18, titled Swargarohana Parva (The Book of the Ascent to Heaven): "With raised hands, I shout at the top of my voice; but alas, no one hears my words, which can give them Supreme Peace, Joy and Eternal Bliss.
One can attain wealth and all objects of desire through Dharma.
Why do not people practice Dharma? One should not abandon Dharma at any cost, even at the risk of his life.
One should not relinquish Dharma out of passion, fear, and covetousness or for the sake of preserving one's life.
This is the Bharata Gayatri.
Meditate on this daily, O man! When you retire to sleep and when you rise from your bed every morning.
You will attain everything.
You will attain fame, prosperity, long life, eternal bliss, everlasting peace and immortality.
" The author during the whole narrative repeatedly points out the fallacies that the Kuru princes commit and thus go deeper and deeper on the path of unrighteousness.
Unprincipled, unethical, unscrupulous, corrupt, dishonorable, fraudulent, disreputable, immoral, disgraceful, outrageous, shocking, appalling, wicked and sinful are the actions of the Kuru princes.
Their unrighteousness had crossed all boundaries and limits.
It was precisely to put an end to their insolent ambitions and to establish righteousness that Lord Krishna says: "Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya Glanir Bhavati Bharata, Abhyutthanam Adharmasya Tadatmanam Srijamy Aham; Praritranaya Sadhunama Vinashaya Cha Dushkritam, Dharamasansthapanarthaya Sambhavami Yuge-Yuge" "Whenever there is decay of righteousness And the land of Bharata is steeped in shame, And a rise of unrighteousness prevails Then I manifest Myself! For the protection of the good For the destruction of the wicked, For the establishment of Righteousness I am born in age after age!" [Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva, Bhagavata Gita Parva (Chapter IV- 7&8)] The Mahabharata is replete with several instances where Dharma and Satya (Truth) are highlighted and given utmost importance.
Unethical conduct, lies, deception, and evil deeds never fructify to good endings.
Perfection and even God is realized if one follows Dharma and Satya.
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