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.

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