Destiny, Determination & the Inner Hero
6 Lessons on the Choice, Fate, and Morality from the Mahabharata
The Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, is a vast and deeply-layered narrative that explores the complexities of human nature, destiny, and moral duty. Set in the backdrop of the Kurukshetra War, the epic delves into the lives and choices of the Pandavas and Kauravas, two sets of royal cousins fighting for the throne of Hastinapur.
In its epic narration, Mahabharata examines the delicate balance between Purushakara (human effort) and Daiva (destiny), both governed by the moral code of Dharma. Through the stories of its multifaceted characters, the epic engages with questions of virtue, responsibility, and the power of individual actions.
We will see this through the lenses of 6 salient points.
Purushakara (human effort) —
Purushakara, while often translated as human effort, embodies a more profound meaning. It encompasses not only the actions we take but also the intentions and choices that propel them. By emphasizing constancy and consistency, Purushakara transcends the simple notion of effort, revealing the intricate tapestry of human determination, perseverance, and self-awareness.
Daiva (Destiny) –
The concept of Daiva is presented with remarkable subtlety and depth in the Mahabharata. Daiva encompasses destiny, suggesting a preordained path for each individual. It also embraces luck, capturing the serendipitous interplay of chance and possibility. It also includes the consequences of our actions, reflecting the intricate dance of fate, fortune, and personal responsibility that shapes our lives.
Mahabharata’s characters in this confine —
The major characters of the Mahabharata navigate this delicate balance.
For someone like Bhishma, the backdrop of Vasistha’s curse in his previous life as a Vasu (a celestial being) determines predestination. The curse says that the Vasu “Dyau” will have to take birth as a human to atone for his sins, and he will be on earth for a long time. He will be virtuous, wise, and obedient to his father’s commands, but he will not indulge in relations with women. Bhishma’s oaths can be seen in this context. And as a result, His immense powers are always expressed through the confining limitations of His promises and sense of duties.
A character like Karna is born with many blessings and virtues, but numerous curses counter his blessings. Some of his choices that compromise on his virtues determine his destiny and it leaves us with a lingering sense of “what if”.
In the case of Duryodhana, his sense of destiny is expressed through a heavy tinge of entitlement and greed, which leads to ignorance of sane voices and reason. At the moment of his birth, a divine voice foretells that he will be the harbinger of destruction for his lineage. Duryodhana’s relentless and dogmatic quest for power, which is shielded by Dhritrashtra’s refusal to curb him, ultimately ends in an enormous tragedy.
Then there is Shri Krishna, whose choices and actions are defined by a constant awareness of situations and the desired end result, a consistent belief in what is right and what is not, and a firm conviction in his vision for the broader world.
Mahabharata establishes the fallibility and vulnerability of human nature. Most major characters of the epic possess a fatal flaw that either obstructs their innate goodness or exacerbates their shortcomings.
Purushakara, Daiva and Dharma
The Mahabharata interweaves the concepts of Purushakara and Daiva with the overarching theme of Dharma. Dharma unifies Purushakara with its underlying intention, differentiating between a virtuous act motivated by fear or greed and one driven by sincere conviction. In doing so, the epic extols the virtues of steadfastness and consistency.
The Mahabharata places profound emphasis on the crucial significance of free will and the responsibility it entails. This is depicted in an Upakhyana (sub-story) of the Anushasana Parvan (a chapter of Mahabharata), which features a thought-provoking dialogue between Mrityu (Death), Kala (Time), the wise lady Gautami, a hunter, and a snake.
When a snake bites Gautami’s son, resulting in his death, a hunter (Arjunaka) attempts to punish the snake. Gautami, however, shows mercy, accepting her son’s death as destiny. The snake argues it had no free will and merely served as an agent of death. Eventually, Mrityu and Kala are summoned. Kala absolves the snake, stating it lacked the free will and the boy’s death was due to his past-life karma. Kala emphasizes that our individual karma influences our path to salvation, revealing our virtues and vices. Like shaping clay, our actions and choices determine the outcomes of our lives.
Through the lesson of this upakhyana, Mahabharata highlights the profound responsibility we hold in shaping our own destinies.
A Hero Within
The best reflection of this entire interplay of Purushakara and Daiva, and the guiding principle of Dharma is found in how Mahabharata depicts its heroes.
The Mahabharata, like other epics, narrates the triumph of good over evil, but does so with remarkable intricacy and depth. Eschewing archetypal heroes and one-dimensional villains, the Mahabharata presents an enduring tale that explores the multifaceted nature of humanity.
Within the Mahabharata, each character holds the potential for heroism, shaped by their actions and choices throughout the narrative. The epic reveals that heroism is an inherent aspect of human nature, with opportunities constantly arising for the inner hero to manifest in constructive deeds. Yet, it also emphasizes that the consequences of such actions are governed by destiny, intricately woven from the unpredictable fabric of limitless possibilities and the guiding trajectory of individual lives.
Real-life implications
Throughout the epic narrative, the Mahabharata confronts a fundamental fear that haunts human existence: the dread that our efforts and willpower may be futile or meaningless. In its portrayal of both the downfall and triumph of human will, the Mahabharata highlights the unique power of free will. The epic urges us to focus on our actions and responses with determination and conviction. It also teaches us to humbly accept what lies beyond our understanding, embracing the balance between our control and the mysteries of the universe.
Lessons
The lessons of this interplay between Purushakara and Daiva can be summed up in the following 6 points.
1. Embrace the power of Purushakara: Understand the importance of not only actions, but also the intentions and choices that drive them, and strive for consistency and determination in your efforts.
2. Acknowledge the influence of Daiva: Recognize the role of destiny, luck, and the consequences of past actions in shaping your life, while still taking responsibility for your choices and actions.
3. Learn from the characters’ struggles: Observe the delicate balance navigated by major characters in the Mahabharata and reflect on their successes and failures in order to better understand your own journey.
4. Prioritize Dharma: Allow your actions and choices to be guided by a strong moral compass, discerning between acts motivated by fear or greed and those driven by sincere conviction.
5. Unleash your inner hero: Recognize that heroism is inherent in human nature and seize opportunities for constructive actions while understanding that the outcomes are influenced by destiny.
6. Accept what is beyond control: Practice humility in acknowledging the limitations of human understanding and control, while focusing on your own actions and responses with determination and conviction.
This write-up is based on various lectures of 18 Parvans of Mahabharata — Introduction to the Incredible Epic
