স্বামী বিবেকানন্দের ‘মহাভারত’ : প্রাচীন ভারতের জীবনচর্যা এবং প্রজ্ঞার স্বরূপ সন্ধান ও আধুনিক বিচ্ছুরণ/ Swami Vivekananda’s ‘Mahabharata’ : An Exploration of the Way of Life and Wisdom of Ancient India and Their Modern dispersion

Abstract

The Mahabharata is the largest epic in the world. It serves as an authentic record of the educational, martial, and ethical principles of the Hindus of ancient India. Swamiji highlighted the significance of the Mahabharata for all Indians in his address titled ‘Mahabharata’ (1919), a topic central to my discussion. The narrative of the Mahabharata encapsulates a realistic portrayal of ancient India; the society, literature, culture, and domestic ethics of that era are reflected within its stories—aspects clearly perceived by Swamiji. This analysis is explored in the main essay. The epic encompasses everything from statecraft to imperial expansion. Furthermore, India's profound philosophy of life and historical details have shaped the very fabric of the Mahabharata, forming the subject of my discussion. My analysis also covers the martial strategies and archery skills of the Kshatriyas, alongside the power of mantras and meditation depicted in the epic. Swamiji describes how the culture and traditions of ancient Indian society and civilization have radiated into and influenced modern India—a theme central to my discussion. The essay also explores how Swamiji discovered the essence of ancient Indian life and wisdom within the Mahabharata. It sheds light on the renunciation, valor, and heroism of ancient kings, as well as the customs surrounding marriage. The Mahabharata delineates the distinct natures and characteristics of both Kshatriyas and Brahmanas—distinctions Swamiji articulated clearly in his address. These insights and their underlying themes constitute a crucial part of the analysis presented here.