Aaj ka Mahabharat

Now on Twitter @ManoharPandit

Right from my childhood I was informed that Mahabharat (महाभारत) was a war between good and evil, scrupulous and unscrupulous, virtuous and dishonest. Mahabharat says that the one who follows Dharma (धर्म) will always win. There was no apparent reason for me not to believe this. During Mahabharat the good guys were outnumbered by bad guys and it was a heroic deed to win over the large number of bad guys. Pandava (पाण्डव)  represented good characters and the Kaurava (कौरव) were just the opposite. Reason for the war was larger numbers practiced evil and drove away the virtuous marginal by unfair means. Shakuni Mama (शकुनी  मामा) designed the crooked strategy. A stage came when Draupadi (द्रौपदी)  was also lost in gamble and was to be disrobed in public. Draupadi who was an asset (not in sense of physical property) to Pandava, raised some valid questions in the gathering of Kaurava and other royals. Bhishma (भीष्म)  was the only sensible person in Kaurava’s camp who played safe. He claimed Dharma is subtle. Many stalwarts from Kaurava camp were unable to resolve her queries. Her question was laced with legal, moral, ethical, cultural dimensions. The question was whether baiting Darupadi, in the gambling by the Pandava was acceptable to Dharma? As a sequel this has raised an issue that who has authority to decide about Dharma? In Mahabharat era all the characters knew relevant meaning of Dharma and each one practiced it for one’s own benefit.  The question was not complicated but the answer was. No one could reply and ultimately the zing of unscrupulous rulers forced the noble out. The war got ignited because the virtuous were denied their rights. The war was won by noble who were in miserable minority.

The war could have been avoided, had the natural rights been recognised, had a common meaning of Dharma been accepted by the warring parties. A natural right like the right to liberty comes first, and then comes the civil society and then the political parties. The individuals therefore are allowed to express their concerns. Government shouldn’t be insensitive to the individuals seeking natural rights. Even Mahabharat has made it amply clear that the King (government) is morally responsible to protect its citizens, which includes their rights.

Today are we heading towards Mahabharat, but with some differences? Is it Mahabharat of Kaliyug (कलियुग)? The civil society has overcome the barriers of political parties to unite for abolition of corruption and for better governance. Today the Pandava are still a minority but unfortunately are they scrupulous? They hold all productive resources and wealth but their asset Draupadi is not with them. The Kaurava are once again in majority, but now they are scrupulous. Today Kaurava are held to ransom by handful Pandava, who have no answers to the questions of Draupadi. The mighty and learned Pandava and their faithful are unable to answer the simple questions that Draupadi has raised about corruption and civil society. Today also her questions are laced with legal, moral, ethical, cultural dimensions. The questions are not complicated but the answers are. The answers are like boomerang, that’s going to hit back the Pandava. No one wants to reply. No one is ready to reply to the basic question of Dharma? In today’s context is it the civil society important or the governance by political parties is important? With some difference a noted English scholar John Locke also voices similar views. Today’s Pandava should realise that his ideas and views were responsible for intellectual revolution in Europeans and also gave birth to the American Declaration of Independence.  

The zing of unscrupulous rulers should not be intimidating Draupadi and Kurava. Today’s Mahabharat unfortunately does not have a Bhishma. Both Kaurava and Pandava have changed their colours and with this change, now  Kaurava must win. The battle ground is not very off from Kurukshetra where first Mahabharat took place. Kaurava army is swelling and Draupadi is leading the peaceful battle. Pandava had won Mahabharat with deceit, today also they want to try the same old trick for yet another win, but Kaurava are more alert, they have learnt from past experiences. They have decided not to take up the weapons and still win the war. The Shakuni Mama has changed the side, he went to guide the Pandava, however his wicked tricks will not work now. The game is on. Now the civil society is Kaurava and handful of Pandava are trying very hard to disrobe Draupadi and to further the misery of Kaurava. This has to stop and Pandava have to respect the natural rights and in turn the civil society. There is no Krishna (कृष्ण) to mediate, it’s we against corrupt you. Let’s resolve to win. Win without violence and with dignity.

Disclaimer: No disregard for Mahabharat is meant. I have immense respect for the same. The article is just to highlight how large numbers of people are supporting anticorruption drive and a handful of persons are not in favour. Apology in advance is any sentiments are hurt.