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It’s a narrative epic that transcends epochs. The Mahabharata is a veritable treasure trove of wisdom, with layered characters and complex subplots. Vedavyasa’s masterpiece presents deep insights on morality, karma, and life itself, through the tale of one royal dynasty: the Kurus. It’s a tale of epic proportions. The narrative meanders across relatable situations at every major plot point. It is this timeless connection that makes the Mahabharata life lessons echo across the gallery of time and resonate in the present day. Let’s draw some parallels between this epic and modern-day situations!
![Ganesha was the scribe of the epic. We have him to thank for the Mahabharata life lessons.](https://theliteratelynx.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/india-1177550_1920-1024x788.jpg)
War does not determine who is right – only who is left.
Bertrand Russell
Mahabharata Fast Facts
- The Mahabharata tells the tale of Bharata Varsha and the dynasties that sought to rule the land. The escalation of tensions culminated in the Kurukshetra War. The conflict raged for days, shaping the future of the country in the process.
- The Bhagavad Gita is the crown jewel of this saga. As Arjuna struggles with a moral dilemma. The Gita is a Pandora’s box of life lessons in its own right. In this post, we’ll focus on the Mahabharata.
- Part of the genius of the Mahabharata is that it’s a tale of good vs. evil that doesn’t necessarily pick sides from a narration standpoint. We travel along with the complex characters on this epic journey, empathizing with their quandaries.
- The Mahabharata is arguably the world’s longest poem. Vedavyasa composed it in a single session, due to the conditions placed by Lord Ganesha.
Explaining the context behind the Mahabharata life lessons is beyond the scope of just this article. I’ll provide as much backstory as possible for the lessons ahead. If you want to sink your teeth into the Mahabharata, there’s no time like the present! You can find a copy of the Mahabharata easily on Amazon. If you want a quick summary of the events of the Mahabharata and the Kurukshetra war, Wikipedia is your best friend. Without further ado, let’s dive right into the tale and derive some insights from it!
Mahabharata Life Lessons: Bheeshma
Every loose end you leave behind has the potential to trip you up.
Bheeshma, the grandsire of the Kuru clan, was a force of nature in war. Even Krishna knew that the Pandava war effort was a lost cause as long as Bheeshma lived. The problem was, no one knew how to take him down! Ultimately, Arjuna defeated him by bringing Shikhandi into play. As a matter of principle, Bheeshma would never fight a woman. Shikhandi was his Achilles’ heel in that regard, as she was a male-turned-female. Shikhandi was a princess in her previous birth. Princess Amba was spurned by Bheeshma due to his vow of celibacy. Renounced by the world, she immolated herself with the sole wish of guaranteeing Bheeshma’s death. Arjuna shot him down while using Shikhandi as a human shield. The loose end Bheeshma left way back in his past turned out to be his undoing. Never leave business unfinished if you want peace of mind!
Abhimanyu
Half-baked knowledge is worse than ignorance.
Abhimanyu’s valor and bravery precede himself. Like his father Arjuna, he sought to be a game-changer on the battlefield. On day 4 of the War, the Kauravas went with the deadly chakravyuha battle formation. Only seasoned veterans like Arjuna knew how to breach it and live to tell the tale. Young Abhimanyu, however, only knew how to break in. He had no idea how to exit the formation. Being hot-blooded and eager to please, he took a crack at the formation. Consequently, he was cut off from his troops, fighting off veteran warriors from all angles. To his credit, he fought hard. If he’d known how to break out, he might have walked away alive. His patchy knowledge of warfare led to his downfall. If you’re undertaking an endeavor, do your research first!
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Karna
Break free from the chains of your past.
Karna is the Mahabharata’s tragic hero. His characterization adds layers to the concept of dharma and adds to the roster of Mahabharata life lessons. In a way, he was dealt a bad hand at crucial points in his life. Karna could have had it all. When he learns of his true lineage, the throne of Hastinapura is his for the taking. From his perspective, his brothers have always symbolized a traumatic past of rejection. On the other hand, he has his comrade, Duryodhana, to whom he owes the life he has now. In the end, Karna opts to let go of a past that has brought him only pain, despite the allure of power it has. Besides being fiercely loyal to Duryodhana, he refuses to jeopardize the life he has. Karna is able to say with conviction that he doesn’t want the throne. Never let your past weigh you down!
Yuyutsu
You will not regret being ethical in the long run.
Yuyutsu is a bit of a wild card in the Mahabharata power struggle. Does his name ring any bells? Well, he’s the unsung Kaurava. Yuyutsu is the illegitimate son of Dhritarashtra. He was conceived with Sugadha, a servant maid in the palace, when Dhritarashtra feared Gandhari’s pregnancy may go south. He was born on the same day as his half-brothers and sister. In theory, he had a claim to the throne. But Yuyutsu was different. He was inherently righteous. When war was imminent, he could have run his own campaign for the throne, or joined his brothers. Yet, he chose to side with the Pandavas, feeling that their cause was just. Yuyutsu was one of the war’s few survivors. In the epilogue, he is appointed as Hastinapura’s Grand Regent after Yudishthira’s abdication. Doing the right thing WILL pay off, given time.
The War
Victory is as much about the cost as it is about the result.
The Mahabharata is a textbook example of a Pyrrhic victory. Yes, the Pandavas won, and decisively at that. But at what cost? Their losses were as bad as the Kauravas, with only a handful of survivors on either side. The Pandavas lost their heirs, their kin, and their allies in the process. The Kuru dynasty itself was near extinct in the aftermath of the war. Countless widows and children stood weeping, mourning their losses on the battlefield. The Pandavas told Krishna right after the final battle that this victory felt… empty. Yudhisthira ruled Hastinapura for around 40 years. He then abdicated the throne in pursuit of salvation along with his brothers and wife. Wanting to win is not a crime. What are you sacrificing in the process, however? Take a moment to think.
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Everlasting Wisdom
The Mahabharata’s bountiful wisdom is truly the stuff of legend. There’s some insight to be had from every character, right from Bheeshma to Parikshit. These Mahabharata life lessons are applicable to people from every walk of life. Did you connect with these lessons? Do you have your own insights from this timeless epic? Do comment below! Also, if you’d like to see more Mahabharata-based articles, write to me through the button below!
Very good blog that I read today! Very informative and interesting too. Writings in the paragraph touched my heart man! Very good, keep going!
Hey JK,
Amazing choice of words, very well-written! ❤️ Easy to connect with the insights shared here. I look forward to reading more of it. There is definitely more to learn from this epic that we, as humans, fail to perceive. Great job, way to go! ☺️
I like the way the article has been ended … putting out a question for others to think .. the heights that one would to go in order to win – very applicable in our day to day lives
Well begun… & all that. History gets written by the victor; mythology glorifies heroes; however, there are plenty of out-of-towners / fall guys who happen to be at the wrong place/time. Wouldn’t it be fulfilling to step into their shoes? Ekalavya, for starters or any of the foot soldiers who had to fight in someone else’s land dispute!
Then there’s the ‘fake news’ of a death. And plenty of foul play. The epic is definitely a gift that keeps on giving.
Keep thinking, keep writing!
Just read ur new age lessons,gud comparison,best quotes nd the command in the language .Wonderful
Best wishes for more such successful efforts.All the best.
Really like the way it’s written. True, this great epic has a lesson learn from every verse of its. Thank you! for bringing a rare subject like this to light and simplifying it so everyone can understand and relate to it.
Can’t wait to read more!!!
Compiled superbly 🙂
I am happy that you could connect so well with the complex structure of the great epic and draw lessons for the present age and generation .
It shows you have an analytical intellect
which has compelled you to ponder into the delicate web of Mahabharata ,which even many seniors dare to delve !
God bless you to increase your potential as age advances 🙌🙌
Very well written Haru. Loved the narrative style and the thumb rules at the finish of every paragraph. Keep it up and keep it coming.