The Mahabharata (composed between 300 BC and 300 AD) is a Sanskrit epic poem that originates from India.It is the longest epic in world literature, with 100,000 2-line stanzas, and is considered one of the greatest works in Indian literature.
The story revolves around two lineages of cousins - the Pandavas and the Kauravas, and their battle over the kingdom of Bharata. In the beginning, the Kauravas exile the five Pandava brothers for twelve years, telling the Pandavas that their half of the kingdom would be given to them after their 12 year exile. However, after the exile period, the Kauravas do not honour their agreement, and this results in a major battle, the Kurukshetra War, between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The Mahabharata dives into topics such as truthfulness and honour, temptation, and most important, the concept that good triumphs over evil. The mahabharata reiterates time and again that the war against the Kauravas was not for the limited objective of punishing those particular evil doers but to set an example for society for all time to come that truth triumphs over evil. God Himself, in His incarnation as Krishna, interprets the law in favor of Truth and drives the chariot of the warrior who had the courage to battle evil and falsehood in the Dharamyudha. |
INFLUENCE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
The story of the Mahabharata has been spread and portrayed in many different ways.
Let's look at some here:
Let's look at some here:
Legong - BaliThe Mahabharata is told through the art form of Legong, a type of traditional Balinese performance art. The Legong style of perofrmance makes use of detailed movements of the hands and feet, alongside intense facial expressions to convey the story of the Mahabharata. Every Sunday dancers gather at the Ubud Palace to reenact the Mahabharata in the Legong form.
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Bas reliefs - CambodiaBas reliefs are a prominent and unique feature of the temples in Cambodia. The Mahabharata is depicted in the form of bas-reliefs in the Angkor Wat temple, a form of visual art on the wall. It is carved into the temple sides and depicts, sequentially, the story of the Mahabharata.
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These different manifestations of the story of Mahabharata prove its influence in the Southeast Asian region. The spread and impact of this story has carried on through the years, and up till now, is still a prominent moral story included in many works of art and literature in Southeast Asia.
Strangely, though, the Mahabharata has become somewhat dated and has died off in Southeast Asia, as compared to its sister epic story, the Ramayana, which has remain pertinent and influential in the region.
Let us look at the sister epic of the Mahabharata next - the Ramayana.
Strangely, though, the Mahabharata has become somewhat dated and has died off in Southeast Asia, as compared to its sister epic story, the Ramayana, which has remain pertinent and influential in the region.
Let us look at the sister epic of the Mahabharata next - the Ramayana.