Ancient India Literature

TNReady Practice What is the epic poem Mahabharata mainly about? A. the fight between Greece and the city of Troy in the Trojan War B. a hero's long and magical journey home after the Trojan War C. a prince whose wife is kidnapped by the demon-king Ravana D. the struggle between the Pandavas and Kauravas in India

Answer D

Epic Poem Ancient Indians wrote such works as the Mahabharata, an epic poem that retells many legends.  It is the longest poem ever written. The Bhagavad Gita is only one part of the Mahabharata. These literary works, written around 100 A.D., try to explain the principles found in the Vedas.

Check for Understanding What is an epic poem? What is another epic poem that we have studied this year? Which poem is longer? The Mahabharata or the Bhagavad Gita? When was the Mahabharata written?

Answers An epic poem is a story about a hero and his adventures. Gilgamesh The Mahabharata is longer, since the Bhagavad Gita is a part of it. 100 A.D.

Mahabharata The Mahabharata centers on the struggle between two groups of cousins. One group is called the Pandavas, and the other group the Kausavas. The actions of the members of both groups teach the readers of the Mahabharata about correct and incorrect conduct.

Check for Understanding What is the Mahabharata about? What was the purpose of the Mahabharata?

Answers The struggle between two groups of cousins. One group is called the Pandavas, and the other group the Kausavas. To teach the readers about correct and incorrect conduct.

Mahabharata The Pandavas follow dharma and lead virtuous lives. The Kausavas follow adharma (not-dharma), and lead wicked lives.

Mahabharata The Pandavas and Kausavas go to war and the Pandavas win, not necessarily because they are better soldiers, but because they have lived honorably, and justice is on their side.

Check for Understanding How do the Kausavas live their lives? Which group wins the war? Why does this group when the war?

Answers They do not follow their dharma and lead wicked lives. The Pandavas They lived honorably and justice was on their side.

Bhagavad-Gita The Bhagavad-Gita tells the story of prince Arjuna, the greatest hero of the Mahabharata, and his charioteer, the god Krishna. Arjuna was appalled at the bloodshed to come and his role in it. Many of men he had to fight were relatives, or former masters.

Check for Understanding Who are the two main characters in the Bhagavad-Gita? What is a chariot? What was the prince upset about?

Answers Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna Horse-drawn two-wheeled cart The bloodshed of friends and family caused by war.

Bhagavad-Gita Krishna advised him that it was all right to kill (since his foe was dishonorable), and because Arjuna belonged to the warrior caste, and warriors must do their duty. To do otherwise would to be going against his dharma – or duty according to his class and caste.

Check for Understanding What does Krishna say to the prince to ease his mind? Do you think all warriors/soldiers feel this internal conflict?

Answers That it was all right to kill (since his foe was dishonorable), and because Arjuna belonged to the warrior caste, and warriors must do their duty.

Bhagavad-Gita The importance of this conversation between Krishna and Arjuna was immense. It taught people they have certain duties they must perform according to their station in life- to do otherwise would cause them big problems. 

Bhagavad-Gita Background:  The Bhagavad Gita tells about a warrior, Prince Arjuna. A great war is about to begin. When he looks at the enemy army, Arjuna sees many friends and relatives. He does not want to fight. With Arjuna is his chariot driver, Krishna. In reality, Krishna is the deity Vishnu in human form. In this excerpt, Krishna tells Arjuna that he must do his duty.

from the Bhagavad Gita Translated by Ranchor Prime Do not hesitate in your sacred duty as a warrior. For a soldier nothing is more sacred than the     fight for a just cause. . . . If you do not take up this just fight,     you will fail in your duty and your     honor will be lost. . . . If you die in battle you will     enter heaven. If you win     you will enjoy the earth. Therefore rise and fight with     determination. Fight for the sake of fighting. Look equally on happiness     and distress, gain and     loss, victory and defeat. In this way you will not incur sin.

TNReady Practice What is the epic poem Mahabharata mainly about? A. the fight between Greece and the city of Troy in the Trojan War B. a hero's long and magical journey home after the Trojan War C. a prince whose wife is kidnapped by the demon-king Ravana D. the struggle between the Pandavas and Kauravas in India