Mahabharata: The Link between Dharmashastra and Arthashastra – O.P. Gauba

Introduction

• In ancient Indian political thought, Mahabharata acts as a link between the Dharmashastra and Arthashastra traditions.

• Mahabharata is a famous epic composed by Vedavyasa, one of the most distinguished sages of ancient India.

• It narrates the story of a long conflict and a devastating war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas over the issue of dynastic succession.

• Almost all the kingdoms of that era participated in the war, resulting in massive destruction of wealth and human life on both sides.

• The Pandavas eventually emerged victorious, and the war is remembered as a symbolic triumph of virtue over vice.

• Apart from its main narrative, Mahabharata contains numerous dialogues, discourses, and moral teachings.

• These teachings cover many aspects of human life including ethics, society, and governance.

• A significant portion of these discussions deals with politics and the art of government, making Mahabharata an important source of ancient Indian political thought.

• Due to its vast and comprehensive nature, Mahabharata is often described as an encyclopedic work.

• It is commonly said that everything worth knowing can be found in Mahabharata, and what is not found there cannot be found anywhere else.

• The term Rajadharma appears frequently in Mahabharata and is used to refer to the science of politics and governance.

• A detailed discussion of Rajadharma is found in the Shantiparva, one of the major sections of the epic.

• Rajadharma literally means the code of duties of a king, which also represents the principles of good governance.

• It outlines what a ruler should do under normal conditions while administering the state.

• The concept of Rajadharma is supplemented by Aapaddharma.

• Aapaddharma refers to the rules that guide a ruler during abnormal or emergency situations.

• Another important term used in Mahabharata for political science is Dandaniti.

• Dandaniti refers to the science of punishment and the proper use of state power.

• It emphasizes the use of authority to control disorder, maintain discipline, and punish offenders.

• In ancient Indian political discourse, Dandaniti was a widely accepted concept of governance.

• According to the legend, after the Mahabharata war, the bitterness of conflict gradually subsided.

• Bhishma, the respected patriarch of both Kauravas and Pandavas, was still alive because he possessed the divine power to choose the moment of his death.

• He was lying on a bed of arrows, wounded in battle but still fully conscious and wise.

• Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas and the future king, approached Bhishma for guidance on Rajadharma.

• Bhishma delivered a long discourse on the duties of a king and principles of governance.

• This discourse is regarded as a treasure of political wisdom and guidance on good governance.

• Besides Bhishma’s teachings, many other sections of Mahabharata contain insights into politics, statecraft, and administration.

• These teachings collectively provide important lessons on governance and political ethics in ancient Indian thought.