avatarAnn Venkataraman

Summary

The Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic, offers timeless lessons in business, leadership, and management, and is likened to a real-life Game of Thrones with its intriguing political strategies and moral dilemmas.

Abstract

The Mahabharata, a cornerstone of Indian history and Hindu religion, is an epic written around 3000 BC that remains relevant today due to its rich repository of life lessons and strategic insights. Comparable to the Chinese "Art of War" by Sun Tzu, it provides a narrative that is both educational and entertaining, with themes that resonate in the modern era. The epic is centered around the story of the Pandavas, their divine ally Lord Krishna, and the great battle of Kurukshetra, which was fought for the sake of honor and justice, much like the fictional Game of Thrones. The Mahabharata's televised adaptations, especially the 2013 series, have brought its compelling tales of political machinations, moral quandaries, and the triumph of good over evil to a wider audience, making it a valuable resource for teaching life lessons in a non-didactic manner.

Opinions

  • The Mahabharata is considered more exciting than Game of Thrones, with a narrative that is free from gratuitous sex scenes.
  • Draupadi's story is presented as a powerful and compelling narrative, akin to that of Helen of Troy, where the abduction and dishonor of one woman lead to a massive war.
  • The strategic battles between the masterminds Krishna and Shakuni are highlighted as a draw for those interested in political intrigue, akin to the plotting in House of Cards.
  • The epic is recommended as a tool for imparting life lessons to children, emphasizing resilience and the ultimate victory of good over evil despite life's inherent unfairness.
  • The author suggests reading the Mahabharata or watching its adaptations to those unfamiliar with the epic, positioning it as a must-read for its enduring wisdom and storytelling.

#ILLUMINATION100CHALLENGE — DAY 4

The Real-Life Game of Thrones

World’s Longest Epic

Image: Cover from Author’s copy of the Book

The Mahabharata is the Longest Epic in the World, written around 3000 BC. Despite being such an ancient text the Mahabharata offers tons of valuable lessons on business, leadership, and management that are relevant even in today’s digital age. Even if you do not believe in mythology or follow Hinduism, consider the book an alternative for “Sun Tsu”, The Art of War book from China.

First, some background context:

The Mahabharata is a critical part of Indian history and Hindu religion (along with the Ramayana), and most households have at least one copy of this book. Every Indian child will have heard stories of Lord Krishna, the five brothers “Pandavas” and the epic battle of Kurukshetra. Even Westerners will recognize the words Bhagavad Gita, which is a small portion of this humungous text.

Why Should Anyone Read the Mahabharata?

  • If you have never heard of Mahabharata, or your recollection of the story is rusty, I encourage you to read it or watch its televised adaptations. The one from 2013 was awesome! It is the Indian version of Game of Thrones, but more exciting and sans the meaningless sex scenes!
  • Helen of Troy was the ‘Face that Launched A Thousand Ships’. Similarly, Draupadi was the Woman for whom the epic battle of Kurukshetra took place. 100 princes killed to avenge one Woman. Isn’t that a compelling storyline?
  • If you liked the political intrigue of House of Cards, you will love the master strategists Krishna and Shakuni battle it out. The former is on the side of good, the latter on the side of Evil!
  • If you want to teach your kids life lessons without preaching, then the Mahabharata is a very good place to start. The stories in this book show that life can be cruel and unfair and we may face challenging circumstances despite doing everything right. Ultimately, if we stay on the correct path, then good always triumphs over evil.

This post is my entry for the letter “E” for the #ABCBookReviewChallenge, a twist on the challenge thrown by Holly Jahangiri :

Writing Challenge
Literary Device
Books
Indian Culture
Mythology
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