Moral Dilemmas in the Mahabharata

Moral Dilemmas in the Mahabharata PDF Author: Bimal Krishna Matilal
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
ISBN: 8120806034
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description
Here the collected papers explore the whole question of the relation between the mythopoetic and the moral in the context of the Mahabharata. Here we have a story of extreme complexity, characters that are unforgettable, and a cosmic context in which gods and men alike grapple with destiny. The obligations of kinship and friendship jostle with each other. The women characters, as in everyday life, seem to bear a very heavy load of the burden of life and to stand in a key position in almost every conflict. We are presented with predicaments at every turn. At times these predicaments seem to be aggravated by social structure. At other times they are cushioned by it. Philosophical tangles tied up with karma and dharma are interwoven with the mythopoetic material. Perhaps philosophical issues are pinpointed rather more than they are in Greek epic literature. The essays in this book treat the Mahabharata from an unusual angle, fastening on the moral dilemmas it presents. How universal are the dilemmas faced by the characters in the story, and are the dilemmas in fact resolved? In dealing with these questions, the discussions range over the meaning of the purusarthas, the institutions of marriage and the family, the concept of action in the Gita and the special predicaments faced by Draupadi, Arjuna and others. These studies invite the scholar to reflect afresh on the text and encourage the general reader to find in epic literature much that is relevant to life today.

Moral Dilemmas in the Mahabharata

Moral Dilemmas in the Mahabharata PDF Author: Bimal Krishna Matilal
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
ISBN: 8120806034
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description
Here the collected papers explore the whole question of the relation between the mythopoetic and the moral in the context of the Mahabharata. Here we have a story of extreme complexity, characters that are unforgettable, and a cosmic context in which gods and men alike grapple with destiny. The obligations of kinship and friendship jostle with each other. The women characters, as in everyday life, seem to bear a very heavy load of the burden of life and to stand in a key position in almost every conflict. We are presented with predicaments at every turn. At times these predicaments seem to be aggravated by social structure. At other times they are cushioned by it. Philosophical tangles tied up with karma and dharma are interwoven with the mythopoetic material. Perhaps philosophical issues are pinpointed rather more than they are in Greek epic literature. The essays in this book treat the Mahabharata from an unusual angle, fastening on the moral dilemmas it presents. How universal are the dilemmas faced by the characters in the story, and are the dilemmas in fact resolved? In dealing with these questions, the discussions range over the meaning of the purusarthas, the institutions of marriage and the family, the concept of action in the Gita and the special predicaments faced by Draupadi, Arjuna and others. These studies invite the scholar to reflect afresh on the text and encourage the general reader to find in epic literature much that is relevant to life today.

Ethics in the Mahabharata

Ethics in the Mahabharata PDF Author: Sitansu S. Chakravarti
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal
ISBN:
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
"This book on Ethics draws upon the words of wisdom found in the Mahabharata, following the spirit of Bernard Williams' proposal that we look for inspiration for the modern-day ethical understanding in the ideas of the past. In elucidating the literary and religious meaning of the Mahabharata, the author probes for the ethical and epistemological truth it contains, in the frame of reference of the uniquely Indian variety of existentialism. In the process he has not only come to an understanding of the principle of morality, along with the relation holding among Satya (Factual Truth), Rta (Truth as Value) and Dharma (Righteousness in Conduct), but has come up with observations that shed fresh light on the analysis of the epic itself."--BOOK JACKET.

Ethics and Morality in the Mahabharata

Ethics and Morality in the Mahabharata PDF Author: StoryBuddiesPlay
Publisher: StoryBuddiesPlay
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 57

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Book Description
Dive into the Mahabharata: A Timeless Exploration of Ethics, Morality, and the Human Condition The Mahabharata, a sprawling Indian epic, is more than just a thrilling tale of war and heroes. It's a profound exploration of ethics, morality, and the complex choices we face in life. Embark on a journey through this ancient world and grapple with timeless questions alongside its characters. Unveiling the Dharma: Delve into the concept of dharma, the cornerstone of the Mahabharata's moral framework. Witness characters like Yudhishthira struggle to uphold righteousness in the face of war and betrayal. Explore the complexities of duty, loyalty, and the consequences of violating dharma. Beyond War and Duty: Discover how the Mahabharata's ethical dilemmas transcend its epic battles. Contemplate the justifications for war, the role of deception in achieving a noble goal, and the power of forgiveness in the aftermath of tragedy. These themes resonate across cultures and time, offering valuable insights into navigating our own moral quandaries. Decoding the Mahabharata: Unpack the multifaceted characters who drive the narrative. Analyze the leadership styles of Yudhishthira and Dhritarashtra, and the impact of their choices on the course of the war. Explore the moral complexities of characters like Karna, torn between loyalty and righteousness. A Look at History and Legacy: Explore the Mahabharata's influence on Indian culture, literature, and philosophy. Witness how this epic has shaped artistic expressions, religious beliefs, and philosophical inquiry for millennia. Delve into the ongoing debates surrounding its historical accuracy and its portrayal of social structures. The Mahabharata for the Modern Reader: Discover how the Mahabharata's ethical questions remain relevant in today's world. Examine its insights on leadership, social responsibility, and the pursuit of a just war in the face of contemporary challenges. Engage with this timeless epic and find inspiration for navigating your own moral compass in an ever-changing world. Whether you're a student of history, philosophy, or simply captivated by epic tales, the Mahabharata offers a wealth of knowledge and a captivating journey.

Ethical Elements of Mahabharata

Ethical Elements of Mahabharata PDF Author: Manju Rani Verma
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description


Ethics and Epics

Ethics and Epics PDF Author: Bimal Krishna Matilal
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 492

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Book Description
A scholar of eminence in the field of Indian philosophy, Bimal K. Matilal was one of the leading exponents of Indian logic and epistemology. Painstakingly compiled from Matilal's huge body of work, this collection of essays includes a set of previously unpublished essays and reveals the extraordinary depth of Matilal's philosophical interests.

Mahabharata Now

Mahabharata Now PDF Author: Arindam Chakrabarti
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317342135
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 340

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Book Description
The Mahabharata is at once an archive and a living text, a sourcebook complete by itself and an open text perennially under construction. Driving home this striking contemporary relevance of the famous Indian epic, Mahabharata Now focuses on the issues of narration, aesthetics and ethics, as also their interlinkages. The cross-disciplinary essays in the volume imaginatively re-interpret the ‘timeless’ classic in the light of the pre-modern Indian narrative styles, poetics, aesthetic codes, and moral puzzles; the Western theories on modern ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, psychoanalysis, and philosophy of science; and the contemporary social, ethical and political concerns. The essays are all united in their effort to situate the Mahabharata in the context of here and now without violating the sanctity of the ‘written text’ as we have it today. The book will be of interest to scholars and students of Indian and comparative philosophy, Indian and comparative literature, cultural studies, and history.

Dharma-adharma and Morality in Mahābhārata

Dharma-adharma and Morality in Mahābhārata PDF Author: Abheda Nanda Bhattacharya
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Hindu ethics
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
An Analysical Study Of The Problem Of Dharma-Adharma, God And Human Action, Humanism, Morals, Womanhood Set. A Scholarly Work And The Moral Philosophy Of Mahabharata. 9 Chapters And An Index.

Indian Ethics

Indian Ethics PDF Author: Purushottama Bilimoria
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351928066
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 448

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Book Description
Indian ethics is one of the great traditions of moral thought in world philosophy whose insights have influenced thinkers in early Greece, Europe, Asia, and the New World. This is the first such systematic study of the spectrum of moral reflections from India, engaging a critical cross-cultural perspective and attending to modern secular sensibilities. The volume explores the scope and limits of Indian ethical thinking, reflecting on the interpretation and application of its teachings and practices in the comparative and contemporary contexts. The chapters chart orthodox and heterodox debates, from early classical Hindu texts to Buddhist, Jaina, Yoga, and Gandhian ethics. The range of issues includes: life-values and virtues, karma and dharma, evil and suffering, renunciation and enlightenment; and extends to questions of human rights and justice, ecology and animal ethics, nonviolence and democracy. Ramifications for rethinking ethics in a postmodern and global era are also explored. Indian Ethics offers an invaluable resource for students of philosophy, religion, human sciences and cultural studies, and to those interested in South Asian responses to moral dilemmas in the postcolonial era.

The Difficulty of Being Good

The Difficulty of Being Good PDF Author: Gurcharan Das
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199779604
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 488

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Book Description
Why should we be good? How should we be good? And how might we more deeply understand the moral and ethical failings--splashed across today's headlines--that have not only destroyed individual lives but caused widespread calamity as well, bringing communities, nations, and indeed the global economy to the brink of collapse? In The Difficulty of Being Good, Gurcharan Das seeks answers to these questions in an unlikely source: the 2,000 year-old Sanskrit epic, Mahabharata. A sprawling, witty, ironic, and delightful poem, the Mahabharata is obsessed with the elusive notion of dharma--in essence, doing the right thing. When a hero does something wrong in a Greek epic, he wastes little time on self-reflection; when a hero falters in the Mahabharata, the action stops and everyone weighs in with a different and often contradictory take on dharma. Each major character in the epic embodies a significant moral failing or virtue, and their struggles mirror with uncanny precision our own familiar emotions of anxiety, courage, despair, remorse, envy, compassion, vengefulness, and duty. Das explores the Mahabharata from many perspectives and compares the successes and failures of the poem's characters to those of contemporary individuals, many of them highly visible players in the world of economics, business, and politics. In every case, he finds striking parallels that carry lessons for everyone faced with ethical and moral dilemmas in today's complex world. Written with the flair and seemingly effortless erudition that have made Gurcharan Das a bestselling author around the world--and enlivened by Das's forthright discussion of his own personal search for a more meaningful life--The Difficulty of Being Good shines the light of an ancient poem on the most challenging moral ambiguities of modern life.

Conscience and Consciousness

Conscience and Consciousness PDF Author: Norbert Klaes
Publisher: Bangalore : Dharmaram College
ISBN:
Category : Mahābhārata
Languages : en
Pages : 168

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Book Description
A study of an ancient Indian epic.